challenges of implementing warehouse management systems for third party logistics industry in sri lanka

Today, the application of information technology (it) to enable supply chain integration has become one of the key factors of gaining competitive capability for third party logistics (3pl). implementation of a warehouse management system (wms) with such modern functionalities is a challenge for organizations. this study attempts to highlight challenges of implementing a wms specifically in the sri lankan 3pl industry successfully. this study adopts a combination of theoretical and empirical approaches for its design. a conceptual framework is formulated based on existing literature followed by an empirical investigation of 101 respondents to represent 3pl providers and manufacturing organizations partnered with local 3pls. results uncover major challenges of implementing wms namely, cost, time, and skills & awareness, which influence the use of different types and functionalities of wms.