Determinants of Using Telematics Systems in Road Transport Companies
Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the scope of using telematics systems based on GPS/GPRS in the road transport as well as to identify determinants of applying telematics tools to increase the quality in the supply chain. Design/Methodology/Approach: The contribution is based on a review of literature, preparing of a questionnaire-based survey directed to road transport companies and estimating logit models. Findings: It is submitted that there is an observable trend of extending telematics in the road transport. The following variables increase the probability of using telematics systems for punctuality checking in supply chains such as the number of employed persons, importance of telematics for getting new orders, managers’ viewpoints that telematics increases the quality of order processing and forecasting punctuality of loadings as well as speeds up decision-making processes. Practical Implications: Application of IT solutions including telematics in road transport is growing continuously. However, the awareness of managers about possible areas of applying them is still unsatisfactory. The paper reveals the determinants of application telematics in supply chain, which can be used to motivate and train managers to extend its scope in practice. Originality/Value: The study is based on primary data from road transport companies and related to the scope of application of telematics systems in operational management. A logit model is applied to evaluate the determinants of using IT systems in the road transport industry. It may be useful for practitioners and analytics of transport industry to broaden applications of IT solutions.