Innovative information technology in the service sector: RFID technology applications in retailing and healthcare

The spread application of the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in business organisations only recently has come to the awareness of the public and academics. Its application is increasing in different kinds of sectors and used for different purposes mainly to add intelligence and to minimise human intervention in the item identification process and also to avoid shrinkage and thefts. This paper aims to highlight the potentials associated with the application of the RFID in general, and to the retailing and healthcare sectors in particular. The paper evidences the application of the RFID in a fashion retailer and also in hospitals integrated in an infant security system. The case studies focus on the main advantages, disadvantages and challenges involved in the deployment of the RFID in the two sectors being analysed.