A Delphi Study of RFID Applicable Business Processes and Value Chain Activities in Retail

Abstract

For this research we use Delphi technique to identify the key business processes and value chain activities that are improved by RFID. Our Delphi study involves 74 experts from different domains such as consulting, retail, academia, and third party service providers. We also explored whether there is any difference in expert perceptions about RFID applicable business processes and value chain activities across different business associations.

Is the Delphi method valid for business ethics? A survey analysis

“…It permits classifying the papers published in the business area that have used the Delphi method. Accordingly, the number of papers in the social area, and in particular those with a business focus, have increased since then; for example, to resolve business value issues [58], to increase our understanding of the value chain in retailing [5], to define international business models [18], and to establish the opportunities of business intelligence [11].…”

“…This differentiation is important for this paper's purpose, namely, to show that it is possible to use the Delphi method for resolving research problems in business ethics, and it also enables us to understand that its applicability in the field of business ethics could be useful in those types as well. In general, the Policy Delphi has been used in business for the medicine curriculum [25], as well as for establishing cultural values [58], the value chain [5], and defining the business intelligence process [11]. The Decision Delphi has commonly been used to evaluate business models [48,52,53].…”

“…It is established Bthat iteration with feedback allows interchange among the members of the group in a controlled manner^ [5: 66]; some assessment of the group increases the responsibility of members trying to do their best [e.g., 5, 48]; a rigorous and continuous communication flow (e.g., [37] place particular attention on communication) is provided in an efficient Delphi process, anonymity is guaranteed between the panel experts at least during the process (special attention has been paid by [5,48,52,53]), and finally, the option to establish a consensus process [4,16].…”

“…Following Okoli & Pawlowski [51], the choice of experts is one of the most valuable elements for achieving a successful result when applying a Delphi method; the papers reviewed above have covered the selection process and criteria exhaustively (e.g., [5,58]). Depending on the selection of experts, whatever their expertise and the criterion on which this decision is based, the results will either be useful or simply biased by this process [68].…”

“…We expect business ethics scholars to be aligned with the values of their argument, so it is assumed they will be totally honest, integrated and implicated in the research method's process and results. Moreover, other situations could affect the results, such as pressure on the group to move the answer in a certain direction [5,48] or the feedback's lack of relevance for achieving consensuses (e.g., [36,55]). The validity and reliability of the Delphi method are evident in these research cases, the former because secure and honest processes are involved, and the latter because the selection of experts, feedback and the anonymity of the participants are guaranteed [59].…”