This study examines the impact of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology on the inventory control practices of a small-to-medium retailer using a proof of concept (PoC) approach. The exploratory study was conducted using a single case study of a hardware retailer stocking 5000 product lines provided by 110 active suppliers. To analyze the present mode of operation, procedural documents, semi-structured interviews and a participant observation was conducted. The basis for the proof of concept was a future mode of operation using a quasi-experimental design. Results indicate that in a small-to-medium retail environment, RFID technology could act as a loss prevention mechanism, an enabler for locating misplaced stock, and make a significant contribution to the overall improvement of the delivery process.

No abstract

In this paper, the authors the inventory control practices of a small-to-medium retailer to identify common challenges this type of organization experiences with respect to automated data capture (ADC) and the implementation of an enterprise wide information system. The study explores a single case of a hardware store in a regional town in New South Wales, Australia. Four semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees, focusing on issues related to inventory control including delivery discrepancies, checking and sorting of orders, locating stock and goods, loss prevention, customer purchasing and point of sale processing and replenishment. Flowcharts illustrate the current processes of the retailer with an understanding of how ADC technologies like bar code and radio-frequency identification (RFID) impact the retailer. The findings promote an evolutionary approach toward the use of automated data capture technology by adopting barcode technology and subsequently introducing the complementary RFID technology.

In this paper, the authors the inventory control practices of a small-to-medium retailer to identify common challenges this type of organization experiences with respect to automated data capture (ADC) and the implementation of an enterprise wide information system. The study explores a single case of a hardware store in a regional town in New South Wales, Australia. Four semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees, focusing on issues related to inventory control including delivery discrepancies, checking and sorting of orders, locating stock and goods, loss prevention, customer purchasing and point of sale processing and replenishment. Flowcharts illustrate the current processes of the retailer with an understanding of how ADC technologies like bar code and radio-frequency identification (RFID) impact the retailer. The findings promote an evolutionary approach toward the use of automated data capture technology by adopting barcode technology and subsequently introducing the complementary RFID technology.

No abstract