October
23rd, 2007 – Montreal, QC, Canada
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Abstract
Purpose – The
aim of this paper is to understand why a
collaborative innovation, such as radio-frequency
identification (RFID) technology, engenders
seemingly opposite buyer-seller relationship
reactions among members of a supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
– The researchers carried out a three year
exploratory multiple case study using the
grounded theory approach through participant-observation
and collaborative action research. The research
project culminated in a fully functional
RFID proof of concept solution which involved
multiple layers of a retail supply chain.
The researchers chose the retail industry
for the study because it provided the ideal
conditions to answer the research question.
Findings – The
results highlight the role of supplier-buyer
relationships as both crucial antecedents
that shape RFID infrastructure and the consequence
of RFID implementation. Specifically, the
impact on and of eight key dimensions was
considered, namely communication and information
sharing, cooperation, trust, commitment,
relationship value, power imbalance and
interdependence, adaptation, and conflict.
The paper also positions open-loop RFID
projects as supply chain inter-organizational
systems and presents a model to analyze
such initiatives.
Research limitations/implications
– The choice of methodology has provided
the insight necessary to answer the research
question. Other researchers are encouraged
to validate these findings through replication
with other case studies or through quantitative
data to reach analytical and statistical
generalizability. The authors also encourage
future research on this topic in other industries.
Originality/value
– As more supply chains move forward with
collaborative RFID initiatives, it is important
that these companies be aware of the strategic
role of supplier-buyer relationships as
both crucial antecedents that shape RFID
infrastructure and a consequence of RFID
implementation.
Keywords – Buyer-seller
relationships, Identification, Supply chain
management, Retailing, Radiofrequencies
Paper type – Research
paper
Introduction
Radio-frequency identification (RFID), a technology that facilitates the tracking and
manipulation of physical items, is now a major technological trend. According to
experienced early adopters, knowledgeable industry leaders and academic researchers,
it facilitates collaboration between organizations (Cantwell, 2006; Lefebvre et al., 2006;
Lekakos, 2007; Roberti, 2006). In this context, it constitutes a supply chain
management (SCM) enabling technology (Attaran, 2007; Pramatari, 2007).
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