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A framework for stakeholder oriented mindfulness: case of RFID implementation at YCH Group, Singapore

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Information Systems

Abstract

Implementation of innovative technology in organizations is often fraught with challenges. Past literature on mindfulness suggests that mindful implementation of innovative solutions facilitates success and enhances effectiveness for the organization. Integrating insights from the mindfulness and stakeholder perspectives, we present and analyze a longitudinal case study of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) implementation at YCH Group, a leading logistics provider in the Asia-Pacific region. Our objectives are to examine key attributes of mindfulness as well as identify specific organizational routines that fostered mindfulness at YCH that ultimately paved the way for effective implementation of RFID technology. Important lessons can be learnt from how YCH instituted organizational routines that enabled them to mindfully implement RFID, by explicitly considering both internal and external stakeholders.

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Notes

  1. We thank one of the reviewers for highlighting this point to make the discussion richer.

  2. Names of countries have been disguised.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank YCH Group for their invaluable assistance in this case study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Decision Sciences, School of Business, National University of Singapore, Singapore

    Thompson S H Teo

  2. Department of Information Systems, School of Computing, National University of Singapore, Singapore

    Thompson S H Teo

  3. Department of Operations Management and Information Technology, HEC School of Management, Paris

    Shirish C Srivastava

  4. Department of Information and Decision Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.

    Chandrasekaran Ranganathan

  5. YCH Group, Singapore

    James W K Loo

  6. Y3 Technologies, Singapore

    James W K Loo

Authors
  1. Thompson S H Teo
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  2. Shirish C Srivastava
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  3. Chandrasekaran Ranganathan
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  4. James W K Loo
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Appendix

Appendix

Data collection procedures

Target interviewees are middle and senior level staff of YCH involved in RFID implementation.

Before interview

  • Prior to the interview, collect background information from secondary sources such as YCH website, press releases, magazines, etc.

  • Design interview questions and send to YCH a week before interview.

During interview

  • At the start of interview, thank the interviewees for being present.

  • Explain the objectives of case study.

  • Ask for permission to record the interview. Allay interviewees’ concerns by telling them that recorder could be switch off if they wish at any time during the interview (e.g., if they want to make some comments that they do not wish to be recorded).

  • Give respondents time to answer questions and try not to interrupt their responses.

  • Probe their answers and seek clarifications, whenever necessary.

  • Seek views of other interviewees also. Ask them whether they have anything to add.

  • Clarify questions asked to ensure interviewees understand them.

  • For information not presently available, request for information to be sent via email or normal mail (e.g., organization chart, implementation schedule, annual report).

Sample questions

Background

  • Can you provide a brief history of the evolution of YCH to an integrated SCM provider?

  • What does YCH consider its major landmarks in the use of IT for its business?

  • Please elaborate on key IT systems.

  • What is your value proposition to customers?

  • What is the role of CIO at YCH?

  • What is the relationship between business and IT divisions of the company?

  • What is the rationale for setting up Y3 technologies?

  • What is the relationship between Y3 and YCH?

  • What awards have you won over the years?

Innovation and mindfulness

  • How does YCH gather information on technological and market developments?

  • How does YCH identify information that helps them identify potential pitfalls in their new innovation journey?

  • How does YCH identify and assess innovation ideas?

  • What processes are in place to encourage innovation?

  • How does YCH ensure multiple points of view when engaging in innovation decisions? Committees that involve varied stakeholders? Task forces with external entities or participants?

  • How does YCH ensure information-sharing across different levels?

  • Other mechanisms for information sharing and feedback: Town-hall meetings, technology tours, focus group, brainstorming sessions, suggestion box scheme, etc. involving operational staff etc.?

  • Are there any mechanisms that YCH uses to foster collaboration across different units, departments?

  • How are informal, social interactions prompted within YCH?

  • How are ‘open discussions’ encouraged?

  • How does YCH handle failures?

  • What does YCH do differently from other companies in terms of bringing about IT-enabled innovation? Is it the organizational structure? Corporate culture? Some specific competency? Etc.?

RFID

  • What was the key motivation for use of RFID?

  • Was there a champion for RFID?

  • When was the RFID project initiated?

  • Please describe the RFID implementation process.

  • How long did the pilot project take?

  • Who was involved in RFID project? Team size?

  • What is your role in RFID implementation?

  • What are your views on the implementation process and the outcome?

  • What information is put on RFID tags?

  • What areas are RFID deployed at YCH?

  • What role did other parties (e.g., Oracle) play in your RFID implementation?

  • What are the key challenges and issues in RFID? How were they resolved?

  • What lessons have you learned?

  • What would you have done differently?

  • What are the impacts of RFID on your operations?

After interview

  • Transcribe interview within 24 h.

  • Two authors jointly examine transcripts to identify and discuss key issues and examples related to mindfulness. This was also reviewed by a third author.

  • Secondary data from YCH and Y3 websites, magazines, newspapers, press releases, company documents, etc. were collated with interview data to verify available information.

  • Do a preliminary case write-up. Send to YCH for comments and validation.

  • Seek further clarifications via email and/or phone.

  • Set-up date and time for further interviews with key persons.

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Teo, T., Srivastava, S., Ranganathan, C. et al. A framework for stakeholder oriented mindfulness: case of RFID implementation at YCH Group, Singapore. Eur J Inf Syst 20, 201–220 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2010.58

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