Integration for innovation: Studying the role of middleware in RFID applications

This paper is based on an interpretative multiple case study of two organization where we examine how different middleware architecture approaches affect the utilization of sensor technology, in particular Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Our study reveals five interesting findings. First, sensor technology is able to digitize and automate previously manual routines but the received value of this process alone is often limited. Second, the possibility of downstream exploitation, and thus innovation, is inhibited when sensor data is too rigidly packaged. Third, organizations should have a clear strategy or vision regarding the desired business benefits when filtering and aggregating sensor data. Fourth, to enable innovative business solutions organizations should combine sensor data with business application data. Fifth, and finally, when utilizing sensor data organizations should prioritize exploitation over exploration since it enables organizations to obtain business innovation

RFID Tag Reader Designs for Retail Store Applications

Current RFID tag readers do not do much more than reading the tags and transmitting that information to a central server for processing. This places a heavy burden on the central server to keep track of all the incoming data from the reader when it can be spending its time more gainfully on other tasks. We propose building some intelligence into RFID tag readers so that they can process some of the data themselves and reduce the load on the central server. We discuss the technical details of building this intelligence in the four key functions of tag readers: (A) Automatic initialization of the tag readers, (B) Automatic identification of misplaced items, (C) Automatic generation of shelf replenishment alerts, and (D) Automatic generation of reorder alerts. In addition, we discuss possible network designs for interconnecting the tag readers and the central transaction server at the retail store. We provide a database model for storing transactions generated by RFID tag reads. We discuss how the current enterprise architectures can be modified to accommodate RFID transactions

A conceptual model of RFID’s impact on relational value cocreation and appropriation

With the advances of Internet of Things (IoT), RFID technology is becoming ubiquitous. While prior studies have conceptualized RFID technology as a unidimensional concept or examined its impact from a homogeneous organizational context perspective, little attention has been paid to RFID technology characteristics deployed in a firm and the extent to which they impact this firm’s network of business partners in terms of relational value co-creation and appropriation. This study draws from relational perspective and Media Synchronicity Theory and proposes a conceptual model relating RFID characteristics – synchronicity, integration capability, scope of utilization – to relational value creation. Specifically, it proposes that RFID impact depends on the direct and combined effects of individual RFID characteristics on relational value. These effects are moderated by the quality of partnership between IT and business units in the firm. The conceptual model validation is necessary to assess the predictive power of the emitted hypotheses

Defining the business ecosystem of peer-to-peer electricity trading

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to introduce the value proposition and structure of the business ecosystem of peer-to-peer electricity trading through a future oriented approach. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study follows a qualitative approach. It conducts conceptual analyses by utilizing previously validated tools in similar contexts. First, different views on business ecosystems are introduced and an argument is made to justify an ecosystem perspective for peerto-peer electricity trading. Second, the value proposition of the peer-to-peer electricity trading ecosystem is identified by utilising a meta-model which consists of four elements: end customer value, business value (shareholder value), collaborative value (business value to the supply chain) and societal value (value creation in the supply chain and control of negative externalities). Third, based on the structural view of business ecosystems, the study identifies actors, positions, links, and activities in the traditional electricity trading. And last, (structural) changes of the ecosystem for peer-to-peer electricity trading are discussed. Findings: This paper elaborates the business ecosystem of peer-to-peer electricity trading and highlights the structural changes it imposes to the status quo. Practical and social implications: The ecosystem construct adds insights into actors’ ecosystem strategy regarding their business models for peer-to-peer electricity trading as well as into the governance of this type of trading. It provides a comprehensive view for policy makers. It enhances the research designs in detailed aspects of the peer-to-peer electricity trading by providing a wide lense. Originality/Value: The identified business ecosystem of peer-to-peer electricity trading provides a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder perspective to incorporate complexities and include externalities

The Power to Activate a Creative Core in Enterprise

A wide range of products and services has been commoditized as a result of globalization, and a lot of companies have been progressively working to draw on the knowledge creation of their employees to be more competitive. In this respect, some would argue that a Creative Class of employees determines the business results of a company. Social networking among employees is a platform for creativity, so when management supports such social networks, the strength of the organization increases. In this paper, we present a quantitative association from our previous research and a theoretical contemplation to provide a management method between the communication of employees and organizational collaboration. Further, we take the case of a company, which is an ICT (Information and Communication Technology) system integrator, using an RFID system, and confirm whether there are causal relationships through a multiple regression analysis of Bayesian statistics. As a result, we found that the egocentric collaboration networks of the Creative Core grew by activating communications (sending emails) among employees. Further, we propose some implications that allow control of collaboration within a company by encouraging communication of the Creative Core, that is, the central members of the Creative Class by considering the results of this and previous research. Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/pajais/vol2/iss2/6

The Institutional Facets of Innovation Diffusion Initiating: The Case of Wal-Mart\u27s RFID Campaign

From two institutional perspectives, we discuss how an organization can initiate the diffusion of a radical IS innovation in its community by proactively exerting institutional influences. Through an in-depth historical analysis, we discuss how Wal-Mart initiated the RFID application in the retailing institutional field. From the institutional field angle, we discuss the structure, the scope, and the institutional carriers of the “RFID in retail” field in which Wal-Mart initiated the diffusion of RFID. From the institutional strategy angle, we profile Wal-Mart’s strategic concerns on RFID diffusion, its interests, and its resources. In the institutionalization processes of the RFID in retail field, we identified that an organizing vision was created, held, and evolved within the field, and played a critical role in Wal-Mart’s institutional strategy. By examining institutional perspectives of innovation fostering processes, this paper extends the literature on diffusion of radical IOS innovations in institutional fields

The Next Growth Strategy for Hallyu: A Comparative Analysis of Global Entertainment Firms

Previous policy approaches on Hallyu have been focused on the role of government engagement, particularly in fostering diversity and equal business opportunities for small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs). However, a more strategic approach to the cultural industries should be implemented by carefully examining the role of the private sector, particularly the role of large enterprises (LEs). This is important because LEs have an overarching and fundamentally differentiated role in increasing the size of industry through their expansive value-creating activities and diversified business areas. This study focuses on the complementary roles of SMEs and LEs in facilitating the growth of Hallyu by bringing in the perspective of value chain diversification and the modified value chain framework for the film industry. By conducting a comparative analysis of the global entertainment firms in the US, China, and Japan, this study reveals how LEs in the global market enter and explore new industries within culture and continue to enhance their competitiveness. By forming a business ecosystem through linking their value-creating activities as the platform of network, this study looks into the synergistic role among enterprises of different size and scale and suggests that Korea’s policy for Hallyu should reorient toward a new growth strategy that encourages the integrative network of firms where the value activities of LEs serve as the platform for convergence

Étude des phases en amont des projets d'adoption des technologies RFID pour l'amélioration des chaînes d'approvisionnement

Problématique et objectifs de recherche -- Les technologies RFID et le réseau EPC -- Cadre conceptuel et contexte d'innovation -- University-based living lab for managing the front-end of innovation : the case of RFID implementation -- The potential of RFID in warehousing activities in a retail industry supply chain -- Key performance indicators for the evaluation of RFID enabled B-TO-B ecommerce applications : the case of fivelayer supply chain