Ranking of Internet of Things Applications in Supply Chain Management Using a Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approach and Thematic Analysis

Improving the quality of supply chain performance in manufacturing sectors, factories and businesses are one of the most important objectives of managers in each country, and the economic future of each country depends on the performance of the supply chains. Also, the increasing development of the Internet of Things (IoT) has an important role in facilitating the process of businesses in different parts of the supply chain. Internet of things has many applications in this area. The aim of this study is to identify and prioritize the internet of things applications in supply chain management (SCM) with multi criteria decision making (MCDM) approach. In this research, COPRAS, a MCDM method has been used. The evaluation criteria are derived based on the opinions of experts in the Iranian society of information and communication technology and managers working in the companies that are using the IoT. These criteria are selected by thematic analysis method. The research method is applicable in terms of purpose and is descriptive in terms of means of data collection. Research shows that "Monitoring and Control of perishable food and medicine", "maintaining employee health in different industries", "Smart Manufacturing Line and Smart Devices," and “Smart maintenance and repair” are the most important application of IoT in SCM.