Factors affecting selection decision of auto-identification technology in warehouse management: an international Delphi study

Selecting an automatic identification and data capture (auto-ID) technology, for example RFID and barcodes, is a long-term investment, and it contributes to improving operational efficiency, achieving cost savings and creating opportunities for higher revenues. We identified the set of factors that affect the technology-selection decision for warehouses through a literature review. Then, to investigate the critical factors, and their relative importance to the decision-making process, we conducted a modified two-round Delphi study with a worldwide panel of experts (107) including academics, industry practitioners and consultants in auto-ID technologies. The results show that there are 54 key factors under six categories: organisational factors, operational factors, structural factors, resources, external environment and technology. We verified the results of the Delphi study with interviews carried out with 19 experts across the world. Based on the Delphi study and the interviews' findings, we developed a multi-stage selection framework for auto-ID technology.