Title: RFID and interorganisational collaboration: political and administrative challenges

Authors: Janis L. Gogan, Christine B. Williams, Jane Fedorowicz

Addresses: Department of Information & Process Management, Bentley College, Waltham MA 02452–4705, USA. ' Department of International Studies, Bentley College, Waltham MA 02452–4705, USA. ' Departments of Accountancy and Information & Process Management, Bentley College, Waltham, MA 02452–4705, USA

Abstract: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a powerful new technology which, in combination with other information technologies, offers great potential for supporting interorganisational collaboration. The case study reported herein suggests that organisations adopting RFID will need to change their technical and organisational processes and make accommodations in response to political and environmental constraints. The study focused on an initiative undertaken by the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC). Through it, a large number of disparate organisations are working together to utilise RFID to track livestock movements, thereby helping to mitigate the potentially harmful effects of contagious diseases. This study demonstrates how political and administrative challenges interacted with technical aspects of the interorganisational system design. Suggestions are offered for further research on the assimilation of RFID and other emerging technologies in interorganisational contexts.

Keywords: RFID; radio frequency identification; innovation; emerging technologies; interorganisational systems; livestock tracking.

DOI: 10.1504/EG.2007.015036

Electronic Government, an International Journal, 2007 Vol.4 No.4, pp.423 - 435

Published online: 05 Sep 2007 *

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