RFID technology in emergency logistics:an exploratory study

Abstract

Little research has been done to date on radio frequency identification (RFID) applications in emergency logistics (EL). The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of RFID systems in EL. This study has developed an RFID based EL structure to demonstrate how RFID can simultaneously update and grasp demand side needs and supply side inventories, enabling disaster managers to deploy resources in an optimal and timely manner and improve EL efficiency. This study provides a preliminary yet practical step towards exploring the possibility of using RFID in emergencies.