RFID tracking implementation model for the technical trade and construction supply chains

• Improved tracking could contribute many of the current material handling problems.
• RFID is widely used in numerous industries, but in construction, the use is scarce.
• Construction companies are not interested to be active adopter of RFID tracking.
• Main HPAC manufacturers and wholesalers are adopting RFID tracking in Finland.
• If HPAC wholesalers adopt RFID first, construction companies can join to same system.

The use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tracking has increased considerably in supply chain management during the past ten years. Despite the large diffusion of the technology, the use of RFID tracking has remained scarce in the construction industry despite the intense research. The particular design and temporary operating sites of the construction supply chains delay the diffusion, because the best-known RFID tracking systems in other industries are mainly designed to support the retailers' processes. The particular supply chain structure of construction industry, demands different business logic to build and gain benefits of RFID tracking systems. This paper presents RFID tracking implementation model for technical trade and construction industries. The approach for building feasible model was Technology Acceptance Model. The model design is based on the research project, where 16 manufacturing and wholesaler companies of technical trade were involved, and survey where customers of these manufacturers and wholesalers were interviewed.