Critical Success Factors for 5G Technology Adaptation in Supply Chains

The present age is moving through Industry 4.0 with massive technological developments. Supply chains have become digital, keeping sync with consumer demands and preferences. The recent pandemic has reinforced the need of embracing digital technologies in managing supply chains effectively. Therefore, it is necessary that supply chains adopt 5G mobile technologies. In this regard, the present study aims to discern the critical issues for the successful adaptation of 5G technologies for supply chain management (SCM) in developing countries such as India. The success factors for the adaptation of 5G in Indian supply chains are derived from the discussions made in the related past work regarding the challenges of implementing 5G technology. Then, the listed factors are finalised through initial rounds of face-to-face discussions with a focus group of five experts. Then, a q-rung-orthopair-fuzzy (qROFS)-based rating scale is used to rate the success factors. A new qROF-weighted-neutrality-average (q-ROFWNA)-based full-consistency method (FUCOM) approach for multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) problems involving group decision making is utilised to find out the critical success factors. Based on the comparative analysis of 17 success factors (grouped into four main factors), the spectrum availability, awareness of technology and usage, the development of supporting technologies and smart cities, and skill development are found to be the top five critical factors for the successful adaptation and implementation of 5G technologies in SCM. We further carry out a sensitivity analysis and validation test and observe that our model provides a reliable and stable solution.