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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.

Radio frequency identification or RFID has received much press of late, mainly due to the recent compliance mandates by many of the world’s largest retailers (Wal‐Mart, Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Target, etc.) and Gillette’s reported purchase of 500 million units last year. The technology has been proclaimed to ‘lead to an entirely new relationship between people and things’ (J. D. Markman, ‘Invest in the Greatest Thing since the Bar Code’, MSN Money ‐ SuperModels, 25th June, 2003; http:// moneycentral.msn.com/content/P50823.asp). Others have said ‘we think it will be bigger than the Internet. All the Web did was connect computers to computers. That’s not as big as connecting things to computers’ (M. Roberti, publisher of RFID Journal, in interview with Markman, above). Promoters describe a supply chain where all assets are in perfect visibility through production, distribution, retail and consumption. According to one analyst, the world will need about half the warehouse space it needs today (P. Jilek, ‘Corporate Sector Focus, A Killer App?’ CSFB Investment Strategy, 17th June, 2003). This paper introduces RFID technology and its potential implications. Although the technology is compelling, there are serious nearterm challenges. Finally, the paper looks at the impact RFID could have on supply chain facilities and the future demand for industrial real estate.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a location determination technology that has been receiving a lot of commercial attention in recent times, especially in the areas of asset tracking and supply chain management. The purpose of this paper is to outline a library prototype that utilises RFID in order to enhance and speed up the current customer book search and identification processes.

The hardware to be used in the design and implementation of the prototypes include a laptop to host the server, a router to create the wireless network, a PDA to host the applications, RFID tags and an RFID reader to carry out the RFID communication.

The functionality and benefits offered by the RFID systems match the needs and areas of improvement for libraries. RFID technology can help streamline major library processes such as stocktaking and book searches. Already approximately 8 per cent of libraries worldwide are using RFID, and it will be incorporated into many items libraries purchase in the future. The development and evaluation of the Library Application has demonstrated that RFID can be successfully integrated into library systems.

RFID systems can be integrated into existing library systems to improve the efficiency of the main processes carried out in any library and increase the quality of services provided. The ability of RFID to uniquely identify every item is very suitable for libraries.

Presents an RFID enabled library system to aid in the speed of identifying and finding books for the customer.

This paper aims to propose the idea of developing an automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)‐based system for library search and to examine the existing literature to determine whether current technology and developed RFID‐based systems are helpful for building that. To fully understand its key points, adoptions, risks, and benefits, the fundamentals of radio frequency are to be identified and reviewed. Some applications of radio frequency identification in library systems and various industries are to be briefly discussed and four related cases reviewed.

The paper identifies key benefits and risks of radio frequency identification through review of library literature and case studies. For this purpose, four cases are reviewed from the entire industry and then key features of those cases are matched with the requirements of the big pictures' RFID‐based system to determine the current level of the RFID‐based system development.

To make library systems functional and successfully operational RFID solutions can be used to reduce operating costs through decreasing the labor costs, enhancing automation, improving tracking and tracing, and preventing the loss of materials under any circumstances.

The proposed automated RFID‐based system is a novel idea by itself. Owing to the fact that better management of books and materials becomes possible, materials are not lost, theft is avoided, and patrons are served on time and correctly.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) provides a useful tool for the prescreening or detection of goods and containers moving across the border and for controlling the trade of illicit materials and preventing or mitigating the effects of terrorism. Although anti-terrorism measures are important in today’s dangerous world, RFID tools, if misused, may violate the WTO trade rules. Whenever goods or container control measures using RFID are proposed, their contents, objectives, and rationale must be published, and WTO members must be notified through the WTO Secretariat and allowed to make comments. WTO members should not take such measures that are designed or applied in a discriminatory manner and those measures must be adopted only under necessary situations and to the extent necessary. These measures must reduce the incidence and complexity of import and export formalities, and there should not be substantial penalties for minor breaches of the requirements under the measures. If the measures require country-of-origin information in RFID tags, they must apply in the same way to like products, and they must not cause unnecessary inconveniences or unreasonable cost. If the measures deal with containers in international transit, they must be reasonable, consider the conditions of the traffic, and guarantee transit through the most convenient routes for international transit.

A container control measure designed to restrict the flow of fissionable materials or their derivative materials, traffic in arms, ammunition, and implements of war, or traffic in military supply goods and materials may be justified, even if it violates some of the GATT rules. In addition, a measure established in time of war or other emergency in international relations or based on the United Nations Charter and designed to maintain international peace and security can also be justified. As a last resort, WTO members may request a waiver from GATT and TBT Agreement obligations for container control measures that include RFID.

Superpowers must be careful not to use RFID to practice power politics and create regulations to deal with national security and anti-terrorism issues that do not conform to international law. The key question is how to maintain a balance between the two inalienable values of free trade and national security in this era of globalization, harmonization, and terrorism .

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.

Outlines the characteristics of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and shows the growth of retail interest in the technology’s introduction in the UK. Discusses privacy and public policy issues that are associated with RFID. Concludes that retailers have to address a series of privacy and public liberties, associated with RFID.

To provide practitioners of management a sense of the importance of strategically leveraging the current and historic development of radio frequency identification (RFID) in order to find inexpensive applications of radio frequency‐based (RF) technologies in many areas.

A review of the applied literature on RFID, as well as from practical experience, resulted in a basic model of viewpoint to understand the nature of the emergent RF‐based industry.

Wal‐Mart and other cost sensitive and value chain progressive companies' usage of RFID‐based technology should revolutionize the method that companies' track inventory. However, some of the disadvantages include costs, training, product label and supplies, and privacy infringement. One asset to companies like Wal‐Mart is pallet tracking because it improves on‐time inventory delivery. This helps Wal‐Mart since they rely on just‐in‐time ordering.

RFID is currently used in many industries such as transportation and distribution, manufacturing and processing, and security and law enforcement. The advantages RFID gives to companies are the following: enhanced record management, customer behavior patterns, and accurate inventory tracking.

This paper describes RFID and its implementation process in an academic manner, some disadvantages of RFID, and examples of how the technology can improve customer relationship management (CRM) are discussed. Originality/value – This form of identification can be used in large stores like Wal‐Mart to receive real time information. By implementing RFID, companies will create a fully integrated supply chain system. Traditionally, many supply chain management (SCM) research has simply viewed RF‐based technology as a technological innovation, not a transformational event as this paper presents.

Automatic identification and data capture/collection (AIDC) systems are one of the most widely used and under‐recognized IT strategic assets in use in the global economy. Data collection and integration strategies are essential to enterprise resource management systems as well as warehouse management systems. The development of innovation through the development and marketing of products and services has been a key source of competitive advantage for many large and small manufacturing firms and is greatly aided by AIDC technologies. Management needs to control quality, cost, schedule, location of warehouses and plants, inventory levels, pricing, shipment, and a vast host of factors that are based almost entirely on the volume and quality of data and data collection. A discussion of types of bar coding technologies and their associated software/hardware requirements is included, with a mobile communications example.

This paper aims to discuss the burgeoning area of radio‐frequency identification (RFID), which uses radio waves to automatically identify and track individual items.

The paper begins by outlining the benefits and utility of RFID technology, through an examination of its technological characteristics, current applications, state of the market and future trends. The paper focuses on consumer applications for RFID, such as sports, lifestyle and leisure, and personal safety. It then explores some of the important implications of the technology and concludes with considerations of a socio‐ethical nature, including concerns related to individual privacy and human development.

The paper finds that RFID technology has tremendous potential to ease life and to improve the human condition. Still, further innovation and industrial deployment of this technology should be done in parallel with a careful exploration of all related aspects. No one can deny that the expansion of such “anywhere, anytime” communication technologies, for “anyone and anything”, will bring about increased convenience, greater access and a whole host of innovative applications and services. However, the capacity of these technologies to impact human lives (private and public) will grow correspondingly. This brings to mind the notion of the “Faustian Bargain” in the context of technological change: while a given technological advancement may improve many aspects of daily life, it also runs the risk of reducing the advantages of earlier developments or earlier ways of life. It is only through an increasing awareness of this risk that humanity (and societal progress) can be preserved in what has become an ever‐expanding sea of technology and automation.

The study presents an overview of technological benefits while expressing a balanced approach as to the potential concerns and implications.