Article: Exploring RFID adoption in South African industries Journal: International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development (IJIRD) 2012 Vol.4 No.6 pp.488 - 508 Abstract: This paper explores technology adoption based on the 'technology - organisation - environment' framework to study radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption in South African industries. It operationalises the framework using innovation-adoption theory, 'organisational capitals', and 'societal embedding'. The study explores adoption characteristics of RFID: drivers and barriers of the technology are investigated to gain insights into the adoption characteristics. The research provides some explanation of the current RFID adoption levels in South Africa. Consequently, senior executives of 14 organisations across six industry sectors were interviewed and results show that low level of awareness and lack of knowledge are the main reasons for the reserved interest among the respondents. The lack of attention can be explained by the way RFID is promoted amongst potential users: if marketed as an operational solution, there appears to be greater potential to raise the level of understanding of the technology and possible buy-in from amongst likely users. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Exploring RFID adoption in South African industries

Authors: Peter C. Van der Sijde; Sirp J. De Boer; Pauric C. McGowan; Bas Korteweg

Addresses: VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands ' Deceased; formerly of: University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands ' University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, BT37 0QB, UK ' University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

Abstract: This paper explores technology adoption based on the 'technology - organisation - environment' framework to study radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption in South African industries. It operationalises the framework using innovation-adoption theory, 'organisational capitals', and 'societal embedding'. The study explores adoption characteristics of RFID: drivers and barriers of the technology are investigated to gain insights into the adoption characteristics. The research provides some explanation of the current RFID adoption levels in South Africa. Consequently, senior executives of 14 organisations across six industry sectors were interviewed and results show that low level of awareness and lack of knowledge are the main reasons for the reserved interest among the respondents. The lack of attention can be explained by the way RFID is promoted amongst potential users: if marketed as an operational solution, there appears to be greater potential to raise the level of understanding of the technology and possible buy-in from amongst likely users.

Keywords: technology adoption; RFID adoption; radio frequency identification; South Africa; manufacturing industry; innovation-adoption theory; organisational capital; societal embedding.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIRD.2012.052142

International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 2012 Vol.4 No.6, pp.488 - 508

Received: 28 Feb 2012
Accepted: 12 Sep 2012
Published online: 23 Aug 2014 *

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Title: Exploring RFID adoption in South African industries

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