RFID: From Closed Manufacturers’ Systems to Supply Chain-Wide Tracking

Methodology

Research methods, in general, can be divided into two mainstreams; quantitative and qualitative methods (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2009). Quantitative research is “hard-nosed” and data-driven research that tends to optimize control and generalizability, while “soft” qualitative methods maximize realism (Kotzab, Seuring, Müller & Reiner, 2005). This paper employs case-study method, which is one rather popular form of qualitative research (Yin, 2012). The approach of the paper is analytical as it aims to explain reality by reproducing causal relations (seeking the explaining effects) by finding the current cause (Arbnor & Bjerke, 1997).

In order to create a comprehensive picture of challenges and benefits of RFID tracking systems, a descriptive literature review was conducted by utilizing the most relevant scientific articles and other studies. In empirical part of the paper, the findings of literature review were exposed under verification by conducting a case study of a real-life RFID tracking implementation. A case study method is a widely used technique in studying contemporary phenomena in real-life context (Yin, 2002). Considering the fact that RFID implementations are usually unique and they contain several implementation-specific characteristics, therefore, the authors estimated that the use of case study method would most probably provide the best answers for the research question (McBurnley & White 2009).

As the approach of this study is to verify the findings of literature review with empirical evidence, the main criteria for the case selection is that it should include the majority of those aspects of RFID tracking implementation which arose during the literature review. Therefore, the following three factors favour the selection of RFID tracking implementation in ABB Drivers manufacturing plant in Finland as a case to be studied: (1) The company has a long history with RFID, which allows one to scrutinize the evolution of the system; also, the system was considered to be in mature and stable phase. (2) ABB’s RFID tracking implementation is applied to inbound supply chain functions and involves several supply chain partners. (3) ABB is a major player in its industry, and its RFID tracking implementation is conducted in Finland, which is in the frontline of utilising RFID technology.