Study to address potential retail losses associated with mobile point-of-sale technology

While consumers may look forward to mobile coupons and touch-less payment, researchers at the University of Arkansas are examining these new technologies to address the potential for theft and fraud.

The Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas has partnered with the leading retail trade association on a research initiative to address risks associated with these emerging technologies.

“Retailers are quickly adapting to customers who are increasingly wired, self-sufficient and seeking convenience,” said John Aloysius, associate professor of supply chain management in the Walton College. “Given the retail focus of the Walton College, we look forward to discovering what this impact will be and to helping our industry partners.”

Viswanath Venkatesh, Distinguished Professor of information systems and holder of the George & Boyce Billingsley Endowed Chair in Information Systems, will work with the team to evaluate risks posed by new and emerging technologies, including self-checkout, mobile coupons, touchless payment and mobile self-checkout. The project will also identify and evaluate possible loss-prevention strategies.

“It is exciting to be looking at the new frontiers in mobile technologies,” Venkatesh said. “This work is the cutting edge of loss prevention.”

Aloysius and Venkatesh will collaborate with the Retail Industry Leaders Association to accomplish these objectives.

“We need to get out in front of this emerging trend now to position ourselves so that we can proactively address the challenges that lie ahead rather than reacting to challenges once these emerging point-of-sale technologies become the norm,” said Lisa LaBruno, vice president of loss prevention and legal affairs at the association.

The researchers will compile their findings in an industry report and then build a risk-assessment checklist that retailers can use at store locations to mitigate theft-related risks. LaBruno said the project has the potential to deliver tremendous value to the retail industry.

Provided by University of Arkansas