Exploring the potential of Auto-ID in a high-value supply chain. Pilot set-up, analysis and strategy road-map development

Abstract: The company is one of the largest in the world within its industry, producing and distributing its products in a global supply chain. The purpose of the project was to explore the potential of using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in the company global supply chain. The thesis students were working as project managers responsible for designing and implementing an RFID pilot in the company supply chain. The thesis concludes that RFID is a powerful technology that eventually will increase supply-chain visibility. However, there are several barriers to overcome before RFID will provide the operational benefits that the company are looking for, but also a number of distinct drivers of adoption of RFID in the supply-chain. Hence, there is a need for a structured approach to monitoring the development of RFID. The authors also present a framework for strategy under uncertainty enabling the company to stay up-to-date on the RFID development.