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Blockchain: case studies in food supply chain visibility
Abstract and Figures
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate how blockchain has moved beyond cryptocurrencies and is being deployed to enhance visibility and trust in supply chains, their limitations and potential impact.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative analysis are undertaken via case studies drawn from food companies using semi-structured interviews.
Findings
Blockchain is demonstrated as an enabler of visibility in supply chains. Applications at scale are most likely for products where the end consumer is prepared to pay the premium currently required to fund the technology, e.g. baby food. Challenges remain in four areas: trust of the technology, human error and fraud at the boundaries, governance, consumer data access and willingness to pay.
Research limitations/implications
The paper shows that blockchain can be utilised as part of a system generating visibility and trust in supply chains. Research directs academic attention to issues that remain to be addressed. The challenges pertaining to the technology itself we believe to be generalisable; those specific to the food industry may not hold elsewhere.
Practical implications
From live case studies, we provide empirical evidence that blockchain provides visibility of exchanges and reliable data in fully digitised supply chains. This provides provenance and guards against counterfeit goods. However, firms will need to work to gain consumer buy-in for the technology following repeated past claims of trustworthiness.
Originality/value
This paper provides primary evidence from blockchain use cases “in the wild”. The exploratory case studies examine application of blockchain for supply chain visibility.
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... In the past two decades, there has been a trend that manufacturers, distributors and logistics service providers in join hands to collaborate in business operations and decision-making (Zhou, 2015). Enhancing logistics visibility means that the company is in a position to fully control its logistics and have a well-framed flow of its goods from the point of origin to the final consumers (Rogerson & Parry, 2020). Logistics visibility has been argued to be one of the integral critical success factors in supply chain, where organizations are able to ensure that their logistics and long-standing the changing dynamics, and well monitored to achieve the intended goals. ...
... A study by Khalifa et al. (2021) revealed that logistics visibility had a significant impact on the seamless flow of goods across the supply chain thus promoting organizational performance. Rogerson and Parry (2020) on the other hand revealed that logistics visibility was essential for enhancing organization's control of distribution processes thus steering its effectiveness. A study by Leończuk (2021) showed a weak relationship between logistics visibility and organizational performance. ...
... In supply chain management, when dealing with customers the company has to anlayse its transactional costs and determine the best ways to enhance the satisfaction of the customers through the minimal costs possible (Rogerson & Parry, 2020). The transaction costs include the costs incurred when handling customers and when meeting their needs and requirements. ...
This paper sought to examine the relationship between logistics visibility and performance of large food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study was anchored on transaction cost analysis theory. The study utilized a cross-sectional research design. The target population was 561 respondents drawn from the 187 large food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. The sampling frame for the study was the human resource managers in each of the food and beverage manufacturing firms since they are the custodians of all the employees in the firms. Using a stratified random sampling, a sample of 228 respondents was selected. A structured and semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Using a 10% of the sample size, the questionnaire was pilot-tested to assess validity and reliability before the actual data was collected. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 27. The data was presented using tables. The findings revealed that logistics visibility significantly and positively influenced performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms. It was concluded that as a result of ineffective embrace of logistics visibility, the manufacturing firms failed to optimize their supply chain towards enhancing performance. The study recommended the essence of logistics visibility as a way of ensuring control of logistics processes among the food and beverage manufacturing firms for better performance.
... Moreover, it showed that they lessen location errors and enhance location accuracy for inventory, materials, and personnel. Rogerson & Parry (2020) examined blockchain implementation for SCV through discovery case studies. The study revealed that blockchain is a visibility enabler technology. ...
The COVID-19 pandemic and later supply chain disruptions highlighted the need to re-evaluate current approaches in supply chains, the critical role of using disruptive technologies in dealing with disruptions, enabling end-to-end visibility, and creating more resilient supply chains. The study investigated the indirect effect of supply chain visibility on the relationship between using disruptive technology and supply chain performance by utilizing path analysis with latent variables. In this way, it helps supply chains achieve superior performance by enhancing visibility and focusing on technologies that will boost visibility in the technology investments. Moreover, the study encourages companies that have not initiated digital transformation to make transformation decisions by revealing the direct effects of technology and visibility on supply chains. The study was performed in four stages, and the sample size was 393 companies. The study will contribute considerably to the basis for further studies and the future's supply chains.
... Addressing the challenge of lack of reliability in input data (TB 4 ) demands a strategic approach that incorporates both technological and procedural solutions. The literature advocates for the IoT Blockchain integration for data reliability (Allen et al., 2019; Babich and Hilary, 2020; Brookbanks and Parry, 2024;Olsen and Tomlin, 2020;Rogerson and Parry, 2020;Ziolkowski et al., 2020). This integration or ensuring that data is natively digital makes information collecting more precise and reliable, which is important, especially in situations where data integrity is critical, such as SC&L, and the healthcare sector, among others. ...
The integration of blockchain technology (BT) in supply chain management (SCM) is at the forefront of technological advancements, yet it faces significant barriers that hinder its widespread adoption. This study aims to delve into these challenges, employing the diffusion of innovations (DOI) theory to systematically investigate and propose a strategic framework for overcoming the technological barriers to BT adoption within SCM. Through a comprehensive systematic literature review (SLR) of 155 publications, complemented by rigorous content analysis and expert interviews, this research identifies and categorizes 16 primary technological barriers, including scalability and privacy issues, that impede BT integration. The proposed framework, informed by DOI theory, outlines tailored strategies across three critical adoption stages: initiation, where the focus is on mitigating high energy consumption and scalability issues; adoption decision, emphasizing the formulating international standards for blockchain architecture, embedding abstraction layers within software projects; and implementation, concentrating on enhancing security, interoperability and system efficiency. This research contributes significantly to both academic literature and practical applications. Academically, it extends the DOI theory within the SCM context and enriches the blockchain literature by providing a nuanced understanding of the specific barriers to BT adoption. Practically, it offers a roadmap for industry practitioners, delineating actionable strategies to navigate the adoption process effectively. This study not only bridges the gap between theoretical insights and practical implementations but also serves as a vital resource for policymakers and standard-setting bodies in facilitating and regulating BT adoption in SCM, thereby fostering innovation and competitive advantage in the marketplace.
... This shift has been facilitated by stakeholder involvement, knowledge-sharing systems, and government policy reforms, which emphasize the importance of collaboration in overcoming CE obstacles. Food, Agri [116,117] 12. ...
This review explores the integration of Circular Economy (CE) principles in manufacturing, focusing on its potential to transform industrial practices by promoting sustainability, economic adaptability, and social welfare. As manufacturers face the depletion of natural resources and growing environmental concerns, CE presents a regenerative model that prioritizes resource efficiency, waste reduction, and closed-loop systems. The study provides a detailed analysis of the current state of CE adoption, outlining significant barriers such as economic, technological, and regulatory and showcase innovative strategies and business models that successfully apply circular principles. Additionally, the paper emphasizes the role of supportive legislative frameworks, economic incentives, and educational initiatives in accelerating CE adoption. The review offers actionable recommendations for industry stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, continuous learning, and robust monitoring systems to ensure a smooth transition. By uniting manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers under shared CE principles, this review advocates for a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for the manufacturing sector.
Purpose
The integration of blockchain technology (BT) in supply chain management (SCM) is at the forefront of technological advancements, yet it faces significant barriers that hinder its widespread adoption. This study aims to delve into these challenges, employing the diffusion of innovations (DOI) theory to systematically investigate and propose a strategic framework for overcoming the technological barriers to BT adoption within SCM.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a comprehensive systematic literature review (SLR) of 155 publications, complemented by rigorous content analysis and expert interviews, this research identifies and categorizes 16 primary technological barriers, including scalability and privacy issues, that impede BT integration.
Findings
The proposed framework, informed by DOI theory, outlines tailored strategies across three critical adoption stages: initiation, where the focus is on mitigating high energy consumption and scalability issues; adoption decision, emphasizing the formulating international standards for blockchain architecture, embedding abstraction layers within software projects; and implementation, concentrating on enhancing security, interoperability and system efficiency.
Originality/value
This research contributes significantly to both academic literature and practical applications. Academically, it extends the DOI theory within the SCM context and enriches the blockchain literature by providing a nuanced understanding of the specific barriers to BT adoption. Practically, it offers a roadmap for industry practitioners, delineating actionable strategies to navigate the adoption process effectively. This study not only bridges the gap between theoretical insights and practical implementations but also serves as a vital resource for policymakers and standard-setting bodies in facilitating and regulating BT adoption in SCM, thereby fostering innovation and competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Blockchain technology and its business applications have attracted considerable scholarly interest, leading to a surge in academic studies. While this wealth of research is beneficial, it also poses challenges in identifying the most relevant publications. Despite the availability of survey articles, research on this topic remains fragmented and concentrates on specific industrial sectors. This review addresses this gap by providing a detailed literature analysis, highlighting key themes, recent advancements, the benefits of blockchain adoption for businesses, and associated challenges. This study employs a multi-method literature review approach called bibliometric systematic literature review (B-SLR), combining bibliometric analysis with systematic literature review (SLR) techniques. This review critically examines studies of blockchain adoption in modern business from 2017 to 2023. Our findings reveal a decline in academic publications on blockchain for businesses since 2023, along with a shift in core themes from traditional supply chains to exploring blockchain's role in environmentally sustainable supply chains, such as reverse logistics, green supply chains, and the circular economy. Additionally, there is an emerging focus on the role of blockchain in virtual environments, such as the metaverse and digital twins. Drawing from our analysis, we also present a theoretical framework and highlight ten crucial areas for future research.
The evolution of Third-Party Logistics (3PL) services in Vietnam began with the country’s economic reforms, known as Đổi Mới, in 1986. These reforms transitioned Vietnam from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented one, paving the way for the development of logistics and supply chain services. In its early stages, Vietnam’s logistics sector was underdeveloped, with limited infrastructure and technology. At that time, the concept of 3PL services was relatively new, and most logistics operations were handled in-house by manufacturing and trading companies, focusing mainly on basic transportation and warehousing services. However, with Vietnam entering the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007, the transformation of the logistics sector in Vietnam has undergone significant transformation as just focusing on basic logistics services is not sufficient to be competitive in the global market. This chapter examines the rapid expansion of the Third-Party Logistics (3PL) sector, driven by Vietnam's growing integration into global trade and manufacturing. Despite challenges such as high logistics costs, reliance on road transport, and limited infrastructure, Vietnam's logistics market continues to expand. 3PL companies are critical to enhancing supply chain efficiency, facilitating international trade, and reducing costs through economies of scale. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) particularly benefit from outsourcing logistics to 3PL providers, allowing them to compete globally. Technological advancements such as Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), and Goods-to-Person (G2P) technology have revolutionized warehouse management, improving efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. Route optimization algorithms and real-time tracking systems have also enhanced logistics operations, reduced operational costs, and improved customer satisfaction. Integrating emerging technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and Autonomous Vehicles, offers promising opportunities for Vietnam's logistics sector to overcome inefficiencies and improve supply chain transparency. Vietnam's 3PL sector, characterized by the presence of both international and domestic players, is expected to grow significantly due to the rise of e-commerce and the government's focus on infrastructure development. To fully realize its potential, the sector must address challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, skill gaps, and high implementation costs of new technologies. However, with strategic investments in technology, workforce training, and crucial government support, Vietnam's logistics industry is poised for continued growth and success in the global marketplace.
This study investigates the impact of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) enabling technologies in enhancing the resilience of supply chain systems and the barriers to adopting Industry 4.0 in the supply chains. We use the novel grey influence analysis (GINA) to examine the influence relations among supply chain resilience enhancers and barriers. The study has identified seven enhancers and nine barriers to adopting I4.0 that can improve supply chain resilience. While analyzing the enhancers, the research findings indicate that visibility and coordination in the supply chain are the major enhancers. For barriers, based on the overall influence score, financial constraints, lack of skills and expertise, and inaccessibility of new technology have ranked first, second, and third, respectively. The identified barriers to adopting I4.0 indicate that reducing financial constraints could facilitate the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies. This study is among the initial investigations to analyze the supply chain resilience enhancers and barriers together for adoption of Industry 4.0. The findings of this study can assist decision-makers and practitioners in overcoming the identified barriers, thereby focusing on the important enhancers of resilience for facilitating the effective adoption of Industry 4.0 in supply chains.
The potential of blockchain has been extensively discussed in practitioner literature, yet rigorous empirical and theory-driven information systems (IS) research on blockchain remains scarce. This special issue addresses the need for innovative research that offers a fresh look at the opportunities and challenges of blockchain. This editorial integrates and goes beyond the papers included in this special issue by providing a framework for blockchain research in IS that emphasizes two important issues. First, we direct the attention of IS research toward the blockchain protocol level, which is characterized by recursive interactions between human agents and the blockchain protocol. Second, we highlight the need for IS research to consider how the protocol level constrains and affords blockchain applications, and how these constraints and other concerns at the application level lead to changes at the protocol level. Rooted in a socio-material view of IS, we offer a multi-paradigmatic IS research agenda that underscores the need for behavioral (individual, group, and organizational), design science, and IS economics research on blockchain. Our research agenda emphasizes issues of blockchain governance, human and material agency, blockchain affordances and constraints, as well as the consequences of its use.
We develop a perspective of IT innovation in the public sector as a process that involves three complementary areas of ideology and concomitant dispute: first, the widespread view of e‐government as a transformative force that leads to major improvements of public sector functions for the benefit of society at large; second, ideologies concerning the substantive policies enacted by public sector organizations; and third, ideology regarding public sector modernization. Our research examines how the objectives of IT projects and their actual effects in government are influenced by such ideologies and contestations that surround them. We develop our theoretical contribution with a critical discourse analysis that traces the ideological underpinnings of two consecutive IT projects for the administration of international trade in Mexico. This analysis associates the objectives of the IT projects with the emergence and ensuing contestation in Mexican politics of two ideologies: the first ideology concerns free international trade as imperative for economic development; the second ideology concerns public sector modernization that sought to overcome historically formed dysfunctionalities of public administration bureaucracies by adopting management practices from the private sector. The analysis then identifies the effects of the ideologically shaped IT projects on two key values of public administration: efficiency and legality. The insights of this research on the role of ideology in IT innovation complement organizational perspectives of e‐government; socio‐cognitive perspectives that focus on ideas and meaning, such as technology frames and organizing visions; and perspectives that focus on politics in IT innovation.
Though there is a wide acceptance of the strategic importance of integrating operations with suppliers and customers in supply chains, many questions remain unanswered about how best to characterize supply chain strategies. Is it more important to link with suppliers, customers, or both? Similarly, we know little about the connections between supplier and customer integration and improved operations performance. This paper investigated supplier and customer integration strategies in a global sample of 322 manufacturers. Scales were developed for measuring supply chain integration and five different strategies were identified in the sample. Each of these strategies is characterized by a different “arc of integration”, representing the direction (towards suppliers and/or customers) and degree of integration activity. There was consistent evidence that the widest degree of arc of integration with both suppliers and customers had the strongest association with performance improvement. The implications for our findings on future research and practice in the new millennium are considered.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the combined impact of radio frequency identification (RFID), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Blockchain technologies on supply chain transparency (SCT).
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 211 US manufacturing managers is analyzed using a covariance-based structural equation modeling methodology.
Findings
The structural model fits the data relatively well. RFID technology directly and positively impact both IIoT and Blockchain technologies which, in turn, directly and positively impact SCT. RFID technology indirectly affects SCT through both IIoT technology and Blockchain technology.
Research limitations/implications
This study is the first to empirically assess the impact of RFID, IIoT and Blockchain technologies on SCT. First-wave empirical studies must be replicated to support generalization of the findings.
Practical implications
This study provides empirical evidence to support the implementation of a combination of RFID, IIoT and Blockchain technologies as infrastructure necessary to achieve end-to-end SCT.
Originality/value
New measurement scales for IIoT technology utilization and Blockchain technology utilization are developed and assessed for validity and reliability. This is the first study to assess the combined impact of RFID, IIoT and Blockchain technologies on SCT.
Purpose
There is a lot of interest in blockchain in the supply chain and several papers call it a disruptive technology. Existing research, however, is mostly conceptual and focused on use-case development and early pilots. This paper aims to report the findings from a workshop with managers aimed at empirically exploring what adoption rates and focus areas are for blockchain in the supply chain, what drives blockchain in the supply chain applications and what barriers are to the implementation of blockchain in the supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
A workshop with managers was organized to empirically explore blockchain adoption levels and focus areas in the supply chain, as well as drivers and barriers of implementation.
Findings
Workshop participants reported that adoption of blockchain in the supply chain today is very limited but actively considered by many. Drivers for this consideration include achieving greater transparency and visibility, as well as, improving processes and reducing costs. Participants identify many barriers, including a lack of understanding of costs and benefits of blockchain in the supply chain. Interestingly, participants report less concern about the feasibility of the technology implying managerial consideration if progressing beyond the technology and into the potential adoption of it. As a result, participants may be moving beyond the hype surrounding blockchain and giving consideration to the many remaining questions. A working technology does not yet mean that there is a feasible supply chain adoption. As a result, it may be too early to tell whether blockchain will be a disruptive technology. This paper identifies several fruitful areas for further consideration by management and in research.
Originality/value
As there is little empirical research on blockchain in the supply chain, this paper moves beyond use-case development and the exploration of pilot cases and studies how companies may consider supply chain adoption beyond the pilot and the early development of blockchain. Although only offering an initial exploration, this paper uncovers progress being reported in industry and many areas where further consideration and research can help advance thinking and practice.
Problem definition: Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology. While it has grown in prominence, its full potential and possible downsides are not fully understood yet, especially with respect to operations management (OM). Academic/practical relevance: This article fills this gap. Methodology: After briefly reviewing the technical foundations, we explore multiple business and policy aspects. Results: We identify five key strengths, the corresponding five main weaknesses, and three research themes of applying blockchain technology to OM. The key strengths are (1) visibility, (2) aggregation, (3) validation, (4) automation, and (5) resiliency. The corresponding weaknesses are (1) lack of privacy, (2) lack of standardization, (3) garbage in, garbage out, (4) black box effect, and (5) inefficiency. The three research themes are (1) information, (2) automation, and (3) tokenization. Managerial implications: We illustrate these research themes with multiple promising research problems, ranging from classical inventory management, to new areas of ethical OM, and to questions of industrial organization.
Purpose
This paper aims to encourage the study of blockchain technology from an operations and supply chain management (OSCM) perspective, identifying potential areas of application, and to provide an agenda for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
An explanation and analysis of blockchain technology is provided to identify implications for the field of OSCM.
Findings
The hype around the opportunities that digital ledger technologies offer is high. For OSCM, a myriad of ways in which blockchain could transform practice are identified, including enhancing product safety and security; improving quality management; reducing illegal counterfeiting; improving sustainable supply chain management; advancing inventory management and replenishment; reducing the need for intermediaries; impacting new product design and development; and reducing the cost of supply chain transactions. The immature state of practice and research surrounding blockchain means there is an opportunity for OSCM researchers to study the technology in its early stages and shape its adoption.
Research limitations/implications
The paper provides a platform for new research that addresses gaps in knowledge and advances the field of OSCM. A research agenda is developed around six key themes.
Practical implications
There are many opportunities for organisations to obtain an advantage by making use of blockchain technology ahead of the competition, enabling them to enhance their market position. But it is important that managers examine the characteristics of their products, services and supply chains to determine whether they need or would benefit sufficiently from the adoption of blockchain. Moreover, it is important that organisations build human capital expertise that allows them to develop, implement and exploit applications of this technology to maximum reward.
Originality/value
This is one of the first papers in a leading international OSCM journal to analyse blockchain technology, thereby complementing a recent article on digital supply chains that omitted blockchain.
Blockchains are increasingly studied in the context of new applications. Permissioned blockchains promise to deal with the issue of complete removal of trust, a notion that is currently the hallmark of the developed society. Before the idea is adopted in contexts where resource efficiency and fast operation is a requirement, one could legitimately ask the question: can permissioned blockchains match the performance of traditional large‐scale databases? This paper compares two popular frameworks, Hyperledger Fabric and Apache Cassandra, as representatives of permissioned blockchains and distributed databases, respectively. We compare their latency for varying workloads and network sizes. The results show that, for small systems, blockchains can start to compete with traditional databases, but also that the difference in consistency models and differences in setup can have a large impact on the resulting performance.
Blockchain, as a decentralized ledger technology with characteristics of transparent, secure, permanent and immutable, has been applied in many fields such as cryptocurrency, equity financing, and corporate governance. However, the blockchain technology is in the experimental stage and has several problems to be solved including limited data processing capacity, information confidentiality, and regulatory difficulties. This study sheds light on the potential application of blockchain technology in financial accounting and its possible impacts. We argue that in the short run the public blockchain could be used as a platform for firms to voluntarily disclose information. In the long run, the application could effectively reduce errors in disclosure and earnings management, increase the quality of accounting information and mitigate information asymmetry. We also discuss potential impacts that the application will have on independent auditors and financial accountants.