The uses of tracking in operations management: Synthesis of a research program

The significance of tracking in operations management has been overshadowed, theoretically by the concept of supply chain visibility, and practically by the attention grabbing radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. This paper describes how uses of tracking for operations management, specifically, to improve the management of project and service supply chains, were explored and developed in a ten‐year research program. Key results of the program are synthesized and linked to the relevant academic discourse in operations management using design science methodology.