The Transfer of RFID Technology for Strengthening Competitiveness of the Companies of an Industrial Cluster

Contemporary environment of enterprises functioning in clusters is relentlessly changeable, even turbulent. The changes that occur in the market cause that even the entrepreneurs that cooperate within the scope of clusters are being forced to take decisions concerning continuous innovation implementation to maintain a proper level of competitiveness. However, the internal environment of industrial clusters and intra-organizational partnership based on mutual trust and commitment strengthen the interdependence of partners, increase the effectiveness of the common use of resources and are conducive to the transfer of technology and diffusion of innovations. The paper presents the innovative dimension of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and the possibility of its implementation in the companies of an industrial cluster, mainly within the scope of automatic data collection in IT systems. The main focus of the article is on the process of taking strategic decisions relating to the implementation of this technology in the context of the diffusion of innovations in industrial clusters. The author indicates that this process can be determined, inter alia, by the pressure of global comparativeness and operative effectiveness (the innovation of processes, the effectiveness of information circulation, the increase in data accuracy, the improvement of the quality of services, etc.). Moreover, it is emphasised that RFID technology, constituting an example of an eco-innovative solution, contributes to environmental protection and more efficient use of resources. It also generates a range of other advantages for its users, e.g., it contributes to more efficient management of the relationships with key stakeholders, the optimization of stock level, as well as supply processes, which, as a result, reduce the costs of running a business. The article aims to characterise the process of RFID technology transfer, as a potential element of intellectual capital of an industrial cluster, which is conducive to the strengthening of its competitiveness, including its members (mainly enterprises) which function in the conditions of knowledge-based economy. This work aims at the literature review of some aspects of the current developments in this field and the key conclusions, which will facilitate multidimensional characteristics of the problem and identify future direction of next research.