Impact RFID on the Efficiency of Supply Chain

Introduction

Today’s wireless technologies like Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and International Position System (GPS) offer critical role as important provisions in mobile systems and communication systems these days. The objective of Supply Chain Management is to generate, allocate, logistics/transportation and deliver products and goods at desired destination, at the right time, with desired quantity in order to satisfy customers with least cost and time wastage. So executing techniques of RFID that decrease project time and expense, and enhance performance and productivity is highly important (Soon and Jairo A. Gutiérrez, 2008). The aim of this research is to investigate the liabilities and advantages of the utilization of this technology in supply chain functions and its advantages is based on objectives comparative to the optimization of transportation activities; particularly pertinent to inventory management, replenishment procedures, and bullwhip effect. Besides, few approaches to assess the advantages of RFID in supply chain functions are recognized and elaborated. Eventually, the confrontations that disrupt the effective execution of RFID to progress the performance of supply chain process is also investigated.

Research Questions

The important aim of the research is to explore the role and impact of Radio Frequency Identification technology to enhance the competency of the company’s own supply chain management. To acquire the major aims, the particular research questions are mentioned as below:

  1. To recognize the advantages of RFID enabled supply chain;
  2. To evaluate the return that emerges from RFID centered integrated supply chain;
  • To investigate the problems those generate hindrances to enjoy the advantages of RFID integrated supply chain.

Research Methodology

Because of the fact that the utilization of RFID technology in supply chain functions is a comparative new technology it became precise in the planning procedure that the research methodology must be appropriate for the evaluation of qualitative information as it could not be predicted to find a representation example of participants for the aim of quantitative evaluation (Descriptive Research Designs, 2015). In order to fulfil the aims of this research, descriptive research procedure is adopted. Through considering time, distance and money limitations, the attempt of this study is based hugely on secondary data sources. Here, the paper has tried to investigate literature comprehensively in the fields of supply chain management, transportations, inventory management, and RFID technology. Information and data obtained from secondary sources were synthesized by reviewing various published working papers, articles, online journals, websites and case studies.

Research Scope

Supply chain management contributes a big role in today’s business world for the effectiveness of global and local firms. RFID technology has played a substantial role in the operations of supply chain. This technology is capable to enhance the outcome and productivity of supply chain. Consequently, modern businesses focus on the implementation of this technology to their individual supply chains (Soon and Jairo A. Gutiérrez, 2008). Thus, the scope of this study encompasses today’s business and supply chain operations that can avail the optimum efficiency through RFID technology.

Report Structure

This report is created in two major components; the first portion will describe the theoretical basis highlighting secondary sources’ information while the second portion will evaluate the findings based on the descriptive research method.

 

References                        

Descriptive Research Designs. (2015). 1st ed. [ebook] Available at: http://www.li.suu.edu/library/circulation/White/psy4915lwNonexperimentResearchFall03.pdf [Accessed 12 Mar. 2015].

Soon, C. and Jairo A. Gutiérrez, J. (2008). Effects of the RFID Mandate on Supply Chain Management.Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 3(1), pp.81-91.