Enhancing competitive advantage with radio-frequency identification (RFID) enabled returnable transport equipment (RTE)

Rebecca Aggarwal*, Ming K. Lim

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Fierce competition within the third party logistics (3PL) market has developed as providers compete to win customers and enhance their competitive advantage through cost reduction plans and creating service differentiation. 3PL providers are expected to develop advanced technological and logistical service applications that can support cost reduction while increasing service innovation. To enhance competitiveness, this paper proposes the implementation of radio-frequency identification (RFID) enabled returnable transport equipment (RTE) in combination with the consolidation of network assets and cross-docking. RFID enabled RTE can significantly improve network visibility of all assets with continuous real-time data updates. A four-level cyclic model aiding 3PL providers to achieve competitive advantage has been developed. The focus is to reduce assets, increase asset utilisation, reduce RTE cycle time and introduce real-time data in the 3PL network. Furthermore, this paper highlights the need for further research from the 3PL perspective.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3-26
Number of pages23
JournalInternational Journal of Information Technology and Management
Volume12
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Feb 2013

Keywords

  • 3PL
  • assetutilisation
  • competitive advantage
  • consolidation
  • cross-docking
  • distribution network
  • radio-frequency identification technology
  • real-time data
  • returnable transport equipment
  • RFID technology
  • RTE
  • supply chain management
  • third party logistics
  • visibility

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