Abstract

This study examines the investment in technology over time in an effort to achieve sustainability and secondarily to support green initiatives by minimizing environmental impacts. The literature suggests integrated supply chain contractors emphasize efficiency and flexibility which leads to organizational performance improvements. This study compares productivity changes in the logistics industry measures after significant RFID investments over time. Productivity ratios collected for the fiscal years of 2000-2013 from financial statements are used to investigate technology investments effects.Since 2003, many end users (Wal-Mart specifically) mandated the implementation of RFID technology as one part of a larger system in reaching long term sustainability objectives. Historically, B2B customers and retailers have either built in-house logistic systems or have relied on either shippers services, i.e., third party logistic suppliers (3PL) or independent fourth party logistic suppliers (4PL). Logistic companies that have invested in logistical technologies aimed at sustainability strategies have improved financial ratios during the period studied. Interestingly, companies who have not fully implemented technology enhancements because of logistic service type have not seen improvements in productivity at the same level as others in the supply chain during this same period.

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