ABSTRACT

This chapter presents a study that aims to make an efficiency comparison among leading radio frequency identification (RFID) innovators. In this study, 15 major RFID firms were identified as the decision-making units (DMUs) for data development analysis (DEA), and later investigated regarding their efficiency differences in different DEA models: BCC (Banker, Charnes, and Cooper, 1984), CCR (Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes, 1978), cross-efficiency, A&P (Anderson and Peterson, 1993), and Equal Weight (E-W) (Roll, Cook, and Golany, 1991) models. Although the results of all models showed consistency for the top three firms, the study provided an insight into the usefulness and appropriateness of different DEA models from the methodological perspective. Key performance determinants were investigated for the reference of RFID practitioners. The IBM case provided an interesting strategy about its utilization of shortterm and long-term investment in RFID. Little research has been conducted in this area to compare the business performance of RFID firms. The practical contribution of this study provides such empirical evidence.