Radio Frequency Identification Systems Within a Lean Supply Chain in a Global Environment

Abstract

Managing supply chain relationships or working with suppliers to meet the goal of waste reduction are essential functions for successful businesses. There are several disruption risks associated in supply chains, of which few can argue that the disruption of communication, especially product identification and data capture, is the most important potential bottlenecks. It is important in a lean environment to identify potentially disruptive supply chain events for each node in the network. The use of RFID and related IT-intensive technologies can greatly aid management in its quest for more robust and agile supply chains, especially in an offshoring/outsourcing environment.