A nomological model of RFID privacy concern

Abstract

Purpose

Radio frequency identification (RFID) can bring a lot of benefits to supply chain management. However, privacy issues caused by RFID surface constantly and can impede widespread implementation of RFID. The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretical model to explicate the construct of concern for information privacy (CFIP).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review and synthesize the extant and pertinent literature on RFID and privacy issues. Starting with previous theorization of CFIP, its four constituent dimensions are examined – collection, unauthorized secondary use, improper access, and errors – within the context of RFID‐related privacy issues.

Findings

The authors situate CFIP within a nomological model, which advances that: awareness of the RFID technology itself, awareness of information security risks entailed by RFID use, and awareness of privacy protective measures are direct antecedent to CFIP; and CFIP directly influences a person's trust in the RFID technology.

Social implications

Users' concern about privacy is a major impediment to wide‐spread use of RFID. From a societal perspective, the business advantages of RFID technologies should not be gained at the expense of citizens' privacy. This research helps to determine the proper management of privacy issues involved in RFID implementations.

Originality/value

Although there has been some technical discussion of privacy protection measures related to RFID, academic theorization of privacy issues at the human‐societal level is lacking in comparison. With this paper, the authors contribute to remedying this insufficiency.

Citation

“Andy” Wu, Y., Prybutok, V.R., Koh, C.E. and Hanus, B. (2012), "A nomological model of RFID privacy concern", Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 420-444. https://doi.org/10.1108/14637151211232623