A Stage-Based Model for RFID Assimilation Processes by Supply Chain Participants in China

Abstract

RFID technology is an emerging technology that attracts attention of supply chain participants. However, most Chinese supply chain participants just adopt this new innovation without making further steps to fully utilize its benefits. Extant IS research on this technology also only focuses on factors that will impact its organizational adoption. Assimilation theories suggest that most information technologies exhibit an “assimilation gap” which means the widespread usage tends to lag behind their adoption. But a technology can only achieve its greatest benefits through full-scale deeper diffusion into the organization’s daily operations besides physical adoption. Drawing upon TOE framework, we use a stage-based model to investigate factors that influence the assimilation of RFID into an organization. Moreover, we investigate these factors’ changing effect across different assimilation stages in the Chinese context which is addressed little in the previous literature.

Keywords: innovation diffusion, assimilation, RFID technology, TOE framework, stage-based model