Anticipated IT infrastructure and supply chain integration capabilities for RFID and their associated deployment outcomes

• Published in: International journal of information management Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 219 - 231
• Main Author: Angeles, Rebecca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2009; Elsevier; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Applications; Applications (e.g. Digitizing,...); Data consistency; Exact sciences and technology; Exploitation; Exploration; Information and communication sciences; Information and communication technologies; Information retrieval systems. Information and document management system; Information science. Documentation; Information sharing; Information technologies: storage media, equipment; Information technology; Integration; IT infrastructure; Market knowledge creation; Operational efficiency; Radio frequency identification; Radio frequency identification (RFID); Sciences and techniques of general use; Specialized information systems; Studies; Suppliers; Supply chain business processes; Supply chain management; Supply chains; Systems integration; Radio frequency identification (RFID); Supply chain management; Data consistency; Operational efficiency; Information sharing; IT infrastructure; Supply chain business processes; Exploration; Market knowledge creation; Exploitation; Information systems management; Information technology; Business process; Business model; Firm management; Radio frequency identification
• ISSN: 0268-4012; 1873-4707
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2008.09.001

This study looks at the perceived ability of components of IT infrastructure integration and supply chain process integration to predict specific radio frequency identification (RFID) system deployment outcomes—exploration, exploitation, operational efficiency, and market knowledge creation. Data for this pilot research study was collected using a survey questionnaire administered online to members of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). It was hypothesized that data consistency and cross-functional application integration, both elements constituting IT infrastructure integration, and information flow integration, physical flow integration, and financial flow integration, all elements constituting supply chain process integration would be positively associated with and predict the four RFID system outcomes. Multiple regression results show partial support for all four proposed hypotheses. Cross-functional application integration and financial flow integration predicted exploration, while data consistency and physical flow integration predicted exploitation. Data consistency and cross-functional application integration, on the other hand, predicted both operational efficiency and market knowledge creation. Supply chain managers planning to deploy RFID systems are alerted to the criticality of these IT infrastructure issues as they brace for a likely widespread implementation of RFID in supply chains they participate in.