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The former involved the use of a questionnaire survey of small and medium\u2010sized Italian 3PLs with 153 usable responses received. The latter comprised a series of focus groups and the use of seven case studies.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>There is a relatively low level of ICT expenditure with few companies adopting formal technology investment strategies. The findings highlight the strategic importance of supply chain integration for 3PLs with companies that have embarked on an expansion of their service portfolios showing a higher level of both ICT usage and information integration. Lack of technology skills in the workforce is a major constraint on ICT adoption. Given the proliferation of logistics\u2010related ICT tools and applications in recent years it has been difficult for small and medium\u2010sized 3PLs to select appropriate applications.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Research limitations\/implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The paper provides practical guidelines to researchers in the effective use of mixed\u2010methods research based on the concept of methodological triangulation. In particular, it shows how questionnaire surveys, focus groups and case study analysis can be used in combination to provide insights into multi\u2010faceted supply chain phenomena. It also identifies several potentially fruitful avenues for future research in this specific field.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Practical implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The paper's findings provide useful guidance for practitioners on the effective adoption of ICT as part of the logistics innovation process. The findings also provide support for ICT vendors in the design of ICT solutions that are aligned to the needs of small 3PLs.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>There is currently a paucity of research into the drivers and inhibitors of ICT in the innovation processes of small and medium\u2010sized 3PLs. This paper fills this gap by exploring the issue using a range of complementary research approaches.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/imds-10-2012-0374","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2013,8,20]],"date-time":"2013-08-20T08:26:34Z","timestamp":1376987194000},"page":"967-989","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":51,"title":["Technology adoption in small and medium\u2010sized logistics providers"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"113","author":[{"given":"Pietro","family":"Evangelista","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Alan","family":"McKinnon","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Edward","family":"Sweeney","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022021820470497200_b1","unstructured":"AT Kearney (2010), \u201cScenario delle logistica in Italia\u201d, study prepared for the Confederazione Generale Italiana dei Trasporti e della Logistica (CONFETRA), Milan, Italy (in Italian), available at: www.confetra.it\/it\/primopiano\/doc_html\/ASSEMBLEA%202011\/Ricerca%20ATKearney\u2010CSConfetra.pdf (accessed 28 November 2012)."},{"key":"key2022021820470497200_b2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Barbosa, D.H. and Musetti, M.A. (2010), \u201cLogistics information systems adoption: a empirical investigation in Brazil\u201d, Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 110 No. 6, pp. 787\u2010804.","DOI":"10.1108\/02635571011055054"},{"key":"key2022021820470497200_b3","unstructured":"Berglund, M. 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