The costs of adoption of RFID technologies in supply networks

Alison Smart, Raluca Bunduchi, Martina Gerst

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the different types of adoption costs faced by organizations involved in the adoption of RFID within supply networks, and to understand how these potential costs affect the likelihood of RFID adoption. Design/methodology/approach: The paper applies an existing generic theoretical framework of costs associated with process innovation adoption (Bunduchi & Smart, forthcoming) to the case of RFID technology. Data was collected by interviewing participants in the RFID adoption process in supply network settings, and by examining a range of publicly available information on RFID development. The data were used to test and expand the theoretical framework. Findings: Of the six main categories of generic process innovation costs, four were identified as applicable in the case of RFID adoption by early adopters: development, switching, cost of capital and implementation. No evidence was found for initiation and relational costs. In addition, a seventh category of costs was identified as applicable to the adoption of RFID in supply networks: ethical costs associated with privacy and health issues. Research limitations: Further empirical work is required to test the generalisability of the findings. Because RFID technology is still in the early phases of development, the research has been able to consider only early adopters: further work is required as the technology matures to assess the impact of costs throughout the technology development lifecycle. Practical implications: The work demonstrates that when considering the adoption of RFID managers need to look at a range of potential costs in making the investment decision. Policy makers also need to consider how organizations consider a range of costs that may not be explicitly specified when making adoption decisions. Originality/value: The paper tests and extends the generic framework of costs associated with process innovations in supply networks. The study also clarifies the various costs involved in the adoption of RFID technologies by early adopters, and their influence on the decision to adopt.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)423-447
Number of pages25
JournalInternational Journal of Operations & Production Management
Volume30
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2010

Keywords

  • costs
  • process management
  • technology led strategy
  • supplier relations
  • innovation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The costs of adoption of RFID technologies in supply networks'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this