Title: Perceived barriers to the widespread commercial use of Radio Frequency Identification technology

Authors: Mark J. Rodrigues, Kieran James

Addresses: School of Business, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch WA 6150, Australia. ' Faculty of Business, School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba Qld. 4350, Australia

Abstract: This paper provides a unique insight into the perceptions of leading Australian Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) suppliers/integrators regarding the present state and future of their industry, and barriers to more widespread adoption of the technology. Five (5) leading Australian suppliers/integrators with significant relevant industry experience were interviewed by an interviewer (the first-mentioned author) with years of working experience in the Auto ID sector and supply chain industry. We find that the interviewed integrators were realistic and circumspect about the industry|s future and potential supply chain savings, which can be contrasted with the |hype| evident in the extant |pro-innovation| commercial literature (for example, AIM-RFID Connections, 2003). One interviewee predicts that RFID share will equal barcode share in Australia by 2012, with barcodes having only 20% share (RFID 80%) by 2020. Understanding leading integrators| current perceptions about the industry will help vendors and others to develop applications that will be more likely to gain widespread acceptance. The interview responses, and accompanying discussion, may also help allay the fears of consumer groups regarding the impact of RFID tags upon consumer privacy.

Keywords: RFID adoption barriers; barcodes; consumer privacy; diffusion; e-commerce; electronic commerce; RFID implementation; innovation; radio frequency identification.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSN.2010.032215

International Journal of Security and Networks, 2010 Vol.5 No.2/3, pp.165 - 172

Published online: 17 Mar 2010 *

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