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The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive framework to help managers of a business enterprise effectively evaluate candidate RFID solution providers and then select the most suitable one.

The selection of an RFID solution provider is modeled as a new hybrid fuzzy multi‐criteria decision making problem. The proposed decision model is based on integration of Monte Carlo simulation with fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods. In addition, an illustrative case is used to exemplify the proposed approach.

A quantitative methodology based on a structured framework, for the selection of the most appropriate RFID solution provider.

This research study is a very useful source of information for managers of a business enterprise in making decisions about evaluation and selection of RFID solution providers or RFID system integrators.

This study addresses the evaluation and selection of RFID solution providers for the managers of a business enterprise and proposes a new hybrid decision‐making methodology for the problem.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in handling and supporting information services and activities in Kenyan university libraries.

The study utilized a survey research design to collect data, ideas, opinions, views and suggestions from the respondents drawn from various university libraries in Kenya. Collecting data and getting in‐depth information from the respondents was done using a web‐based structured questionnaire, document analysis and participant observation.

The findings from the study show that few university libraries in Kenya are using radio frequency identification technology to handle and support information services and activities. The study also found various problems hindering the adoption of the technology, such as a lack of information communication technology (ICT) policies, lack of a business approach, limited market opportunities, lack of lobbying or negotiating skills, inadequate funding and budgeting, and lack of ICT competencies and skills. The study recommends that library ICT professionals, information professionals and other stakeholders should make tireless efforts to implement and use RFID technology with the view to building, strengthening, improving and supporting information work and activities in university libraries.

The study involved RFID technology, a relatively new and emerging innovation in university library and information systems, especially in the Kenyan context. The study also involved university libraries in Kenya that provide and support the fundamental functions of their respective universities.

Fundamentally, library ICT professionals, information professionals and other stakeholders need to take appropriate measures to address issues affecting the use of RFID solutions. There is a need to empower university libraries and information professionals with the right mix of ICT knowledge and skills necessary in the modern information environment.

Across the world, university libraries are increasingly adopting and implementing RFID solutions in order to handle and support information work and activities. Of critical importance to the discussion is the extent to which university libraries in Kenya are using this technology to handle and support information work and activities effectively and efficiently. Proper management of library operations and services is necessary in university library and information systems.

The focus of the study was to assess the extent to which university libraries in Kenya are adopting and using RFID systems in information work and activities. This research is useful in providing a point of reference for university libraries and information professionals, increasingly going for similar solutions in Kenya and Africa in general.

Assess the realistic impacts of implementing an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)/Internet of Things (IoT) uniforms’ distribution system for managing medical personnel’s scrubs in operating rooms. The authors use a hybrid simulation framework to address the following objectives and challenges: a) reduce and control operating rooms’ level of inventory; b) stabilize scrubs’ demand and c) improve infection control and prevention of cross-contamination (through scrubs over manipulation and hoarding).

The authors adopt a Design Science approach. This methodological approach is used to design, develop, create and evaluate information technology “artifacts” (e.g. constructs, models, methods and instantiations) intended to solve organizational problems and make research contributions (Peffers et al., 2007). More specifically, the authors follow the Design Science Research Methodology process model which includes six steps: problem identification and motivation, definition of the objectives for a solution, design and development, demonstration, evaluation, and communication.

To assess the realistic impacts of implementing an RFID-IoT uniforms’ distribution system for managing medical personnel’s scrubs in operating rooms, the authors adopted a design science approach and initiated the research by documenting the business case and reviewed the existing literature to build a comparative analysis of existing uniforms’ distribution systems. The authors used a hybrid simulation model to assess the impact of three business cases: present mode of operation, implementing smart shelves or the smart distributors. The authors show that smart dispensers allow a greater control on scrubs’ utilization while eliminating the cross-contamination of the medical personnel.

Through this research study, the authors provide hospitals’ managers a scientific support for uniforms’ (scrubs) distribution process improvement. The authors use a hybrid simulation model to compare innovative solutions for uniforms’ distribution systems in the form of “smart cabinets” supported by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)/Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and choose the most appropriate design for the hospital to meet two main challenges: a) inefficiency of uniform replenishment-distribution system and b) noncompliancy with infection control regulations caused by the distribution system.

From a methodological perspective, this paper addresses concerns from researchers calling quantitative research methods and using case-based research strategy to address IoT issues and assess the system in practice. From a broader point of view, this work confirms the predominant interest of RFID-IoT research work in the arena of supply chain management and logistics as the technology is used for tracking purpose and for monitoring applications. It is also one response to the research community suggesting that “hospitals should evaluate the medical effectiveness of the new technologies as well as the cost before adoption”.

Facilities managers have less visibility of how buildings are being used due to flexible working and unpredictable workers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current issues in workspace management and an automatic solution through radio frequency identification (RFID) that could provide real time information on the volume and capacity of buildings.

The study described in this paper is based on a case study at a facilities management (FM) department. The department is examining a ubiquitous technology in the form of innovative RFID for security and workspace management. Interviews and observations are conducted within the facilities department for the initial phase of the implementation of RFID technology.

Research suggests that work methods are evolving and becoming more flexible. With this in mind, facilities managers face new challenges to create a suitable environment for an unpredictable workforce. RFID is one solution that could provide facilities managers with an automatic way of examining space in real time and over a wider area than currently possible. RFID alone for space management is financially expensive but by making the application multiple for other areas makes more business sense.

This paper will provide practicing FM and academics with the knowledge gained from the application of RFID in this organisation. While the concept of flexible working seems attractive, there is an emerging need to provide various forms of spaces that enable employees' satisfaction and enhance the productivity of the organisation.

The paper introduces new thinking on the subject of “workspace management”. It highlights the current difficulties in workspace management and how an RFID solution will benefit workspace methods.

Since mid-2000s, hospitals have begun implementing radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology in order to improve their operations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential of RFID technology in improving the traceability of surgical instruments in a hospital environment.

A case study is conducted at a teaching hospital in Montreal, Canada. Business process reengineering approach and simulation techniques are used to assess the realistic potential of the RFID technology. The application of different scenarios and how they influence the efficiency of process flow between the central sterilization department and operating rooms of the hospital is investigated.

Research outcomes demonstrated how tagging individual instruments or their sets lead to reduction of the time spent in re-processing the soiled instrument as well as the reduction of costs related to staff. Furthermore, specific key performance indicators are identified and eventual issues related to implementation of the re-designed processes are discussed.

Implementing RFID-enabled solutions in hospital context is still an emerging phenomenon that involves various stakeholders in a change management project. While implementing RFID technology can benefit hospitals by improving business processes and workflows, the adoption is still slow, especially for managing surgical instruments. It is, hence, crucial to compare the advantages and drawbacks of RFID-enabled surgical instruments solutions with other well-established traceability technologies such as barcoding.

In the traditional sense, information technology has often been viewed as a contributor to waste within lean production. However, as the business world changes and competition from low‐cost countries increases, new models must be developed which deliver competitive advantage by combining contemporary technological advances with the lean paradigm. The purpose of this paper is therefore to contribute within this area, and it aims to evaluate the supporting role of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in the context of lean thinking. The paper also aims to consider the application of RFID in order to revolutionize the lean paradigm, and to propose a framework for the use of RFID in order to create the extended lean enterprise, which the authors suggest can improve the competitiveness of manufacturing supply chains.

The paper's applied research methodology is case study. Having first explored the relevant literature surrounding the topic, the paper presents a conceptual framework for the role of RFID in the extended lean enterprise, and apply the framework to two practical case studies. Data were primarily collected through semi‐structured interviews with key contacts within the companies. For triangulation, the authors also made use of direct observations and company documentation.

The paper operationalizes the five lean principles with practical examples in the context of RFID in the extended lean enterprise. It uses the results to propose a conceptual framework for the role of RFID in the extended lean enterprise, which can be used by researchers and practitioners to better integrate information technology such as RFID in the lean paradigm. The case studies provide good practical examples of the applications and implications of RFID in the extended lean enterprise, with theoretically grounded insights. Such a concept appears very little in current academic literature. The findings suggest that RFID technologies are a key enabler in the development and further support of the extended lean enterprise.

Within the field of lean production and information technology, there has been a continuous debate as to whether both approaches are complimentary or contradictory. Therefore, this paper fulfils an identified need to study the interactions between a modern example of information technology (RFID) and its role within lean production, making a valid contribution within this field of research.

The purpose of this paper is to help managers determine whether RFID is appropriate for their particular organizational needs and to give them some guidelines for implementing an RFID solution.

This paper is a general review of RFID and offers instructions to managers who are in a dilemma as to whether RFID is right for their organization or application.

The results of this study provide managers with procedures to follow that will enable them to minimize RFID implementation problems.

For practicing managers, these implementation procedures have important implications. As with any technological implementation, the needs of the organization, its personnel, and customers must be at the forefront of the process.

This paper offers managers a valuable perspective on the RFID implementation process for their organization.

The emergence of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology promises enormous opportunities to shift business process automation up to the wire level. The purpose of this paper is to explore the methodology of incorporating business logics into RFID edge systems, and thereby facilitate the business process automation in the RFID‐applied environment.

Following the object‐oriented modelling perspective, concepts of classes, instances are deployed to characterise the runtime context of RFID business scenarios; event patterns are used to aggregate RFID tag read events into business meaningful events; and business rules are established to automate business transactions according to the elicited events.

The paper has emphasised the synergy between business process automation and automatic data acquisition, and has identified the inter‐relations between RFID tag read events, application‐level events, business rules, and business operations. The reported research has demonstrated a feasible scheme of incorporating business process control and automation into RFID‐enabled applications.

The paper analyses the characteristics of RFID data and event handling in relation to business rule modelling and process automation. The features of event‐relied awareness, context containment and overlapping, etc. are all captured and described by the proposed object‐oriented business model. The given data‐driven RFID middleware architecture can serve as one reference architecture for system design and development. Hence, the paper plays an important role in connecting automatic data acquisition and existing business processes, and thereby bridges the physical world and the digital world.

The purpose of this technical paper is to provide a review of the applications of radio frequency identification (RFID) in healthcare management systems. It seeks to describe RFID's key points, adoptions, risks and benefits, and the areas of its applications. Some applications of RFID in healthcare management are briefly reviewed and three cases are discussed.

The paper provides key information on RFID and the integration of healthcare systems and RFID for generating new systems with higher levels of profitability, efficiency, and productivity.

To make healthcare systems functional and successfully operational, the healthcare industry can use RFID solutions to reduce operating costs by decreasing the labor costs, insurance claims, the risks associated with medical errors, and errors in medication filling pharmacies. This will help the healthcare industry to increase the operating income by reducing working capital through reductions in inventory level and lowering appropriate costs. Such strategies can bring higher levels of profitability and productivity to the healthcare systems.

Owing to the fact that a better management of healthcare system is related to the full understanding of RFID technologies and the system under consideration, sufficient background on the RFID technology along with its risks and benefits are provided and its impact on the healthcare management system including profitability and productivity enhancement are discussed.

In this paper, author has discussed about the RFID active and passive tags, the costs of tags, its producers, and frequencies.

The purpose of this article to review key points about the radio frequency identification, and productivity enhancement in SCM through the use of radio frequency identification. To understand radio frequency key points fundamental on that are identified and reviewed. Some applications of radio frequency identification in supply chain are briefly reviewed and five cases of radio frequency identification implementation in supply chain are discussed.

Provides key elements of radio frequency identification and the integration of supply chain and radio frequency identification for generating new systems with higher level of profitability, efficiency, and productivity.

To make supply chain system functional and successfully operational manufacturers can use radio frequency identification solutions to reduce operating costs through decreasing the labor costs, claims, and returns. This will help them to increase the operating income. They also can reduce working capital by enabling reductions in inventory and lowering the inventory write‐off from the return goods and those items that are un‐saleable at the end. It is the collection of such strategies that can bring higher level of profitability and productivity to the supply chain.

This sophisticated technology is more useful to the management for one or more of the following facts: better supply chain and inventory management; reducing counterfeiting and fraud controlling; tracking work‐in progress; reducing administrative errors; reducing rework; better management of warrantee claims; capable of working in suitable and harsh environments; better supply chain efficiency; cost saving and profit enhancement.

Due to the fact that a better management of production system is related to the full understanding of the technologies implemented and the system under consideration, sufficient background on the radio frequency identification technology is provided and supply chain management system including profitability and productivity enhancement are discussed.