Determinants of smart locker adoption in last mile construction retail

Purpose Smart lockers have emerged as an innovative technology to address the challenges of last mile delivery. The increasing difficulty in accessing construction sites, exacerbated by denser traffic and limited space in urban centres, could be alleviated through centralized collection hubs. However, consumer willingness to adopt this solution remains crucial. This study aims to identify the critical success factors influencing the adoption of smart lockers for last-mile deliveries, focusing on the construction materials retail sector. Design/methodology/approach Critical success factors of the adoption of smart lockers were identified based on the theories of Resource Matching Theory, the Theory of Transaction Cost Economics and the Theory of Perceived Value. Subsequently, by using DEMATEL, the relative relevance of each factor was observed, as well as the cause-and-effect relationships between pairs of factors. Findings The results indicate that perceived value is the most influential factor from the respondents’ perspective. In the decision-making process, convenience, reliability and relative advantage were identified as priorities. Transaction costs were found to be the least significant among effect factors, while privacy assurance was ranked as the lowest in importance compared to other factors. Originality/value Grounded in Resource Matching Theory, Transaction Cost Economics and the Theory of Perceived Value, this study explores the interconnections among factors affecting consumer adoption of smart lockers in the retail. It offers practical insights for construction material companies to effectively implement smart lockers in their last-mile delivery systems.