Information and Communication Technology for Efficient Operations Management: A Comprehensive Review, Research Gaps, and Strategic Framework
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55578/isgm.2509.007Keywords:
Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Digital Transformation, Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0Abstract
The rapid evolution of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is transforming operations management (OM), driving efficiency, agility, and competitiveness. Traditional systems—such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Decision Support Systems (DSS)—are increasingly enhanced by Industry 4.0 technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, blockchain, and digital twins. Yet, ICT adoption in OM remains fragmented, challenged by technological limitations, organizational misalignment, workforce skill gaps, and systemic vulnerabilities. This study presents a comprehensive review of ICT applications in operations management, with emphasis on production planning, logistics, quality management, and performance optimization. The challenges of ICT adoption are classified into four dimensions: technological, organizational, human-centric, and systemic. Despite ICT’s transformative potential, critical gaps remain, including the absence of integrated performance evaluation frameworks, limited incorporation of sustainability and ethics, and insufficient adaptability of ICT models across diverse industrial and socio-economic contexts. To address these shortcomings, the study introduces a strategic framework structured around five pillars: technological infrastructure, organizational alignment, human-centric development, systemic and ethical integration, and continuous improvement. This framework positions ICT as a catalyst for operational excellence, resilience, and sustainable value creation, while bridging theoretical foundations with practical applications to accelerate digital transformation in operations management.
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