Information Systems Utilization to Improve Distribution Center Performance from the Perspective of Task Characteristics and Customers

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to identify common characteristics associated with the distribution center performance-leveraging activities. The second objective was to examine empirically the impact of information systems on the performance of distribution centers from the customer’s perspective. To address the primary aims, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted to determine distribution center performance-leveraging activities. Additionally, a second data collection tool was used to assess how strongly certain characteristics are related to a given activities. Finally, a third survey was used to collect data from their client organizations to examine the associations between information systems utilization and distribution center performance. The results suggest that information and data intensive and work procedure-related characteristics may be associated with overall distribution center performance. In addition, from customer’s perspective, information systems usage may improve performance in terms of order fulfillment rate, on-time delivery, and emergent order handling.