Guidelines for IT Use for SCM and Logistics in Agricultural Product Industry in Nakorn Pathom Province

Abstract

This qualitative research aims to study on Information Technology (IT) use for Supply Chain Management (SCM) and logistics in agricultural product industry and IT guidelines for development of sustainable SCM and logistics in agricultural product industry. The research samples compose of two groups. The first group was 400 samples who are entrepreneurs, famers, processing plants, wholesalers and exporters in logistics and supply chain commodity in Nakorn Pathom province. The samples are selected using simple random sampling. The tool use to collect data for this group is questionnaire. The second group was corporate executives and technician representatives, total 10 samples, who are corporate executives and computer staff in agricultural product industries. The samples are selected by purposive sampling. The tool use to collect data for this group is in-depth interview. Then research data was analyzed by descriptive analysis. The result found out problems in IT use for SCM and logistics in agricultural product industry in terms of security of information system, competency of computer network, technology of computer hardware and software, and lack of expertise staff in IT. Guidelines to develop sustainable IT use for SCM and logistics in agricultural product industry are to focus on 1) Corporate IT infrastructure has to be up-to-date. The management has to support adequate resources and investment in improvement of IT infrastructure and computer network effectively. 2) Relevant information in SCM and logistics must be integrated. Provided Information System must support processes of information creating, storing, sharing, and use of information about raw materials, productions, sales and logistics between business partners. So each organization can create and share useful information to business partners via communication channels effectively. 3) Employees’ skills and knowledge in information technology usage for SCM and logistics must be developed in order to support the growth of the open trade in the future. 4) Adequate security for SCM and logistics information system must be established. To protect and apply information system efficiently, organization will have advantage and competitiveness in sustainable business.