Immediate Feedback on Accuracy and Performance: The Effects of Wireless Technology on Food Safety Tracking at a Distribution Center

Abstract

The effects of wireless ring scanners, which provided immediate auditory and visual feedback, were evaluated to increase the performance and accuracy of order selectors at a meat distribution center. The scanners not only increased performance and accuracy compared to paper pick sheets, but were also instrumental in immediate and accurate data capture and tracking in compliance with the Public Health Security Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act (BTA) of 2002. The intervention, which required minimal training, successfully accelerated key operational processes and compliance with food safety mandates. The implications for Organizational Behavior Management practitioners are discussed.

Keywords:

• auditory feedback
• food safety tracking
• Public Health Security Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act (2002)
• visual feedback
• wireless wearable computers
• work procedure changes

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Kristen Rost and several anonymous reviewers for their editorial assistance.