Proposing an Architecture for Rfid - Enabled Collaboration in a Networked Retail Business Environment

Since the early 1990s, there has been a growing understanding that supply chain management should be built around the integration of trading partners (Barratt & Oliveira, 2001). Anthony (2000) suggests that supply chain collaboration occurs when two or more companies share the responsibility of exchanging common planning, management, execution, and performance measurement information. Bowersox et al. (2000) state that firms collaborate in the sense of leveraging benefits to achieve common goals. Anderson and Lee (1999) recommend that industry participants collaborate on planning and execution of supply chain strategy to achieve a synchronised supply chain. Blackwell & Blackwell (1999) suggest that the battle commands of today are flexibility, speed, and productivity, all amplified by the winds of consumer demand and are causing suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers alike to rethink their strategic initiatives with their supply chain partners.