New research from RFID Lab is changing how we evaluate the social impact of RFID. The study offers an innovative framework and a novel tool to measure the “People Return on Investment” (PROI) for RFID projects.
The RFID Lab developed a new framework that was validated through a real-world case study at a fashion retail company. The study surveyed employees at both retail stores and the company headquarters – all of whom were utilizing RFID daily.
The research results clearly show that integrating RFID makes employees more productive, motivated, and fulfilled in their daily work. Nearly every employee who uses RFID would recommend its adoption to friends and colleagues.
The Study was based on two key indicators
Based on a questionnaire given to 80 employees, the research used two key indicators to measure the social impact of RFID.
Net Promoter Score (NPS)
An adaptation of the Net Promoter Score (NPS) measured how likely employees were to recommend RFID to their colleagues. When asked if they would recommend the system, 75% of respondents were “promoters” (rating 9 or 10) and only 6% were “detractors” (rating 0-6). This resulted in an impressive NPS of 69%, a clear sign of widespread satisfaction.
TOPSIS Analysis
The second indicator, based on a revised TOPSIS analysis, revealed high satisfaction across four key areas. Most respondents felt the system improved their work (67.5%), boosted productivity (63%), and reduced errors (59%). The data also showed strong social benefits: 74% felt more connected to colleagues and 65% reported improved customer service.
Crucially, the technology contributed to professional growth. 74% of employees learned new skills, and 61% shifted from mundane tasks to more valuable work, with the same percentage also reporting improved resource management and operational control.
RFID benefiting both people and planet
RFID stands out because it demonstrates a positive impact across all four key dimensions of sustainability simultaneously:
- Economic: It’s a proven source of economic returns, automating operations, optimizing efficiency, streamlining processes, and reducing costs.
- Environmental: The technology helps lower a company’s carbon footprint by decreasing transportation (caused by errors and mis-shipments), reducing shrinkage, losses, and overstocking.
- Ethical: RFID helps businesses adhere to ethical standards by combating counterfeiting, reducing theft, and ensuring accurate data for financial reporting.
- Social: This new research highlights significant benefits for employee satisfaction and well-being.
“Embracing RFID isn’t just a business decision,” comments Prof. Rizzi, “It’s a strategic move toward a more sustainable, equitable, and profitable future. The economic, environmental, social, and ethical impacts of RFID offer a significant opportunity for businesses to align their technology investments with their core values and ESG goals. It’s a technology that benefits profit, planet, people, and principles alike.”