Assessing the Effects of Enhanced Supply Chain Visibility Through RFID

The majority of RFID implementations can be traced back either to mandates issued by companies or institutions with significant market power like Wal-Mart or the U.S. Department of Defense, or to the replacement of existing Auto-ID technologies like barcodes. Only sporadically is RFID being used to derive superior information about current processes in order to create supply chain visibility. In this contribution, we examine the visibility potentials of RFID technology within the context of SCM and we propose a four-step approach to assessing the results that can be achieved through visibility

Empirical Evidence of RFID Impacts on Supply Chain Performance

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the actual benefits of radio frequency identification (RFID) on supply chain performance through the empirical evidence. Design/methodology/approach - The research reviews and classifies the existing quantitative empirical evidence of RFID on supply chain performance. The evidence is classified by process (operational or managerial) and for each process by effect (automational, informational, and transformational). Findings - The empirical evidence shows that the major effects from the implementation of RFID are automational effects on operational processes followed by informational effects on managerial processes. The RFID implementation has not reached transformational level on either operational or managerial processes. RFID has an automational effect on operational processes through inventory control and efficiency improvements. An informational effect for managerial processes is observed for improved decision quality, production control and the effectiveness of retail sales and promotions coordination. In addition, a three-stage model is proposed to explain the effects of RFID on the supply chain. Research limitations/implications - Limitations of this research include the use of secondary sources and the lack of consistency in performance measure definitions. Future research could focus on detailed case studies that investigate cross-functional applications across the organization and the supply chain. Practical implications - For managers, the empirical evidence presented can help them identify implementation areas where RFID can have the greatest impact. The data can be used to build the business case for RFID and therefore better estimate ROI and the payback period. Originality/value - This research fills a void in the literature by providing practitioners and researchers with a better understanding of the quantitative benefits of RFID in the supply chain

Understanding the Organizational Impact of Radio Frequency Identification Technology: A Holistic View

The adoption and deployment of radio frequency identification technology (RFID) in retail supply chains results in an influx of data, supporting the development of better information and increased knowledge. This impacts not only an organization’s information technology infrastructure, but also the quality and timeliness of its business intelligence and decision-making. This paper provides an introduction to RFID technology and surveys a variety of its applications, then examines and discusses the impact of RFID technology on organizational IT infrastructure, business intelligence, and decision-making. Propositions are advanced to provide the basis for the development of specific hypotheses to be empirically tested in future studies, and a conceptual research framework for understanding the organizational impact of RFID technology is proposed. Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/pajais/vol2/iss2/3

Profiling Benefits of RFID Applications

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) enables a contact-free identification of objects either individually or in a bulk mode. The most salient promise of RFID in the realm of logistics is that it reduces object handling costs by automation. However the business potential of RFID reaches well beyond: By providing decision makers with a more detailed, precise, and timely information base, qualitative and indirect benefits can be realized and RFID can be turned into an enabler for farreaching process transformations. This paper derives a classification framework for RFID benefits that can be used for profiling benefits of envisioned RFID initiatives. The profiles are designed to support a targeted selection of benefit measurement approaches as well as for an identification of relevant gaps in the exploitation of the technology. Two complementary case studies are introduced and discussed to illustrate how resulting benefit profiles can be utilized

RFID in the supply chain: lessons from European early adopters

Purpose Radio frequency identification (RFID) is increasingly being presented as a technology with the potential to improve supply chain performance, but empirical evidence from early adopters is sparse. This paper aims to rectify this scarcity and contribute to a more informed discussion in and between academic and practitioner communities. Design/Methodology/Approach The paper is based on a conceptual model of factors influencing the success of adoption efforts. It then reports the results of a survey of 612 European supply chain managers, focusing on the 128 respondents who have begun RFID trials. Findings A significant influence on operational deployment is the presence of mandates from key customers requiring the technology’s use. Customer mandates also impact the anticipated benefits of a faster sales cycle and of enhanced systems integration, though the relationships are complex. By contrast, greater cost reduction benefits are anticipated in two industries where mandates are less common – industrial goods and logistics. Perceived organizational innovativeness positively impacts anticipated ROI from RFID. Companies adopting a ‘slap and ship’ approach are less likely to anticipate pricing benefits than those integrating RFID into enterprise systems Research Limitations/Implications The limitations of the paper include the limited sample size of early adopters. In addition, qualitative research is needed into RFID supply chain applications and into different approaches to IS integration of RFID, to inform future survey work. Practical Implications This paper informs supply chain managers and senior decision makers who are examining the potential of RFID technology. It offers guidance on what issues to look for when adopting this technology, approaches to take and the benefits that might be accrued. Originality/Valuer This paper offers a major contribution to understanding the current status of the adoption of RFID in European supply chains. This understanding is put in the context of the wider literatures on supply chain management and the adoption of information systems and te

The impact of Industry 4.0 implementation on supply chains

Purpose The study aims to analyse the impact of Industry 4.0 implementation on supply chains and develop an implementation framework by considering potential drivers and barriers for the Industry 4.0 paradigm. Design/methodology/approach A critical literature review is performed to explore the key drivers and barriers for Industry 4.0 implementation under four business dimensions: strategic, organisational, technological and legal and ethical. A system dynamics model is later developed to understand the impact of Industry 4.0 implementation on supply chain parameters, by including both the identified driving forces and barriers for this technological transformation. The results of the simulation model are utilised to develop a conceptual model for a successful implementation and acceleration of Industry 4.0 in supply chains. Findings Industry 4.0 is predicted to bring new challenges and opportunities for future supply chains. The study discussed several implementation challenges and proposed a framework for an effective adaption and transition of the Industry 4.0 concept into supply chains. Research limitations/implications The results of the simulation model are utilised to develop a conceptual model for a successful implementation and acceleration of Industry 4.0 in supply chains. Practical implications The study is expected to benefit supply chain managers in understanding the challenges for implementing Industry 4.0 in their network. Originality/value Simulation analysis provides examination of Industry 4.0 adoption in terms of its impact on supply chain performance and allows incorporation of both the drivers and barriers of this technological transformation into the analysis. Besides providing an empirical basis for this relationship, a new conceptual framework is proposed for Industry 4.0 implementation in supply chains

The Impact of Industry 4.0 on Supply Chain Capability and Supply Chain Resilience: A Dynamic Resource-Based View

Industry 4.0, a collection of emerging intelligent and digital technologies, has been the main interest of both researchers and practitioners in operations management (OM) in recent years. Despite its proclaimed effectiveness in supply chain (SC) management, empirical studies examining the effects of Industry 4.0 adoption on SC resilience have been underrepresented in the current OM literature. In our study, we explore the effects of 16 Industry 4.0 technologies and IT advancement concerning SC resilience through the mediating roles of SC capabilities with respect to SC collaboration and SC visibility. Following the dynamic resource-based view (RBV), we regard Industry 4.0 adoption and IT advancement as two important IT resources with heterogeneity, SC collaboration and SC visibility as essential SC dynamic capabilities, and SC resilience as competitive advantages. We suggest the combination and evolution of IT resources and dynamic SC capabilities helps firms obtain the competitive advantage regarding SC resilience. Using data from a survey of 408 Chinese manufacturing firms, we reveal Industry 4.0 adoption is positively related to IT advancement and that Industry 4.0 has a nonsignificant impact on SC capabilities, whereas IT advancement has a positive impact on SC capabilities. Additionally, both SC collaboration and visibility positively influence SC resilience and significantly mediate the impacts of Industry 4.0 and IT advancement on SC resilience. Our study offers an enhanced understanding of the specific flows between Industry 4.0 and SC resilience and provides nuanced insights for both literature and practice

A Delphi Study of RFID Applicable Business Processes and Value Chain Activities in Retail

For this research we use Delphi technique to identify the key business processes and value chain activities that are improved by RFID. Our Delphi study involves 74 experts from different domains such as consulting, retail, academia, and third party service providers. We also explored whether there is any difference in expert perceptions about RFID applicable business processes and value chain activities across different business associations