A Method for an Integrated Sustainability Assessment of RFID Technology

Abstract

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) has become a widely accepted manufacturing paradigm across a wide range of industries. It includes an array of various approaches, tools, techniques, and methods. They were known to researchers before, but when combined they build a new reality, which needs procedures for the assessment of technologies and manufacturing processes. Current assessment methods often fail to incorporate economic, environmental, and social impacts simultaneously in an integrated way. The potential implementation of a sustainability assessment procedure on a larger scale is seen for (well-developed) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The measures for assessment were identified through a literature review and validated by expert panels. Validation measures were quantified using multi-criteria decision making (AHP). Criteria ranking was used for reasoning if the assumed modular structure responded to the experts’ needs. To connect the existing research gap, a holistic and integrated assessment method for I4.0 applications, depicted in a structured way and tailored for RFID technology, is developed, which constitutes a research gap in current literature on this topic. Results showed that a modularized structure of approach (module—group of measures—measures [as indicators]) for RFID sustainability assessment, which depends on the complexity of this technology, may be a convenient method for assessment of I4.0 technologies. It was confirmed that all sustainability perspectives are important due to their contributions to supporting decisions and should be considered in the assessment of RFID. On the other hand, it can help managers and practitioners implement the assessment method in their practice to reduce pollution and save the environment.

Application of Lifecycle Measures for an Integrated Method of Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Radio Frequency Identification and Wireless Sensor Networks

“…A number of methods demonstrate how a sophisticated approach can be gained through a combination of various tools and methods by incorporating "different methodology's variants, uncertainty, and data quality" [43]. It has turned out that more comprehensive studies combining various techniques and energy analyses have been carried out in the context of sustainability [44][45][46][47][48]. Büyüközkan et al [46] developed an interesting multi-criteria evaluation framework to choose RFID service providers using fuzzy AHP (fuzzy analytic hierarchy process) and fuzzy AD (fuzzy axiomatic design) techniques with a group decision-making (GDM) approach, but did not consider sustainability aspects in the assessment.…”

“…In this paper, various decision-making methods such as cumulative prospect theory, hesitant fuzzy set, and VIKOR were applied to effectively evaluate the sustainable performance of such technologies. Since the first attempt to distinguish sustainability indicators for RFID systems in manufacturing [47], a more advanced assessment method for RFID integrating a wider scope of environmental, economic, and social measures (in metric units) and supported by techno-organizational parameters has been developed [48]. No more articles have demonstrated the impacts influencing environmental sustainability [50].…”

“…The starting point for the integrated method for assessing the sustainability of RFID systems (IMAR) [48] was the IMATOV method [84,85]. Both methods assume that the assessment should be holistic, comprehensive, and integral.…”

Traceability of Sustainability and Safety in Fishery Supply Chain Management Systems Using Radio Frequency Identification Technology

“…At present, the manufacturing/production process uses the RFID technology thanks to its effectiveness and profitability. Additionally, it allows the public to obtain the track records/footprints of foodstuffs and, through the acquired information, participate in the entire SCM process [10][11][12][13]. As COVID-19 imposes social distancing and requires a reduction in field workers and administrative staff, the implementation of RFID-based SCM and distribution networks has been studied for the agri-food and fishery sectors, warehouse management, hospital management, and SCM [14][15][16][17].…”

Traceability of Sustainable and Safe Fisheries Supply Chain Management Systems using Radio Frequency Identification Technology

“…At present, the manufacturing/production process uses the RFID technology thanks to its effectiveness and profitability. Additionally, it allows the public to obtain the track records/footprints of foodstuffs and, through the acquired information, participate in the entire SCM process [10][11][12][13]. As Covid-19 imposes social distancing and requires the reduction of field workers and administrative staff, the implementation of RFID-based SCM and distribution networks has been studied for the agri-food and fishery sectors, warehouse management, hospital management, and SCM [14][15][16][17].…”