This book contributes to blockchain applications in food supply chain management from both theoretical and practical perspectives. By using the case study research method, it empirically investigates why and how food companies implement blockchain technology. Moreover, it proposes a conceptual framework based on the case findings and extant literature.
The book provides empirical evidence to verify academic findings such as critical success factors and barriers. Furthermore, it identifies the implementation process to answer the ‘how’ question. Uniquely, it applies the innovation process model and the practice-based view (PBV) to studies on food supply chains and blockchain. Thus, building on the original model and theory, it enriches the theory on blockchain implementation, making it a valuable asset for all researchers and practitioners interested in blockchain adoption and food supply chain management.
Author(s): Chen Zhang, Yu Gong, Steve Brown
Series: Contributions to Management Science
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 310
City: Cham
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Food System
1.2 Food Supply Chains
1.2.1 Prevent Potential Food Hazards
1.2.2 Food Recall
1.3 Traceability
1.4 Traceability Innovation
1.5 Blockchain
1.5.1 Blockchain Applications
1.6 Research Objectives
1.6.1 Research Questions
1.6.2 Research Structure
References
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 Food Supply Chain Management
2.1.1 Supply Chain Management
2.1.2 Food Supply Chain
2.1.3 The Trends of Food Supply Chain Management
2.2 Blockchain
2.2.1 Blockchain Description
2.2.2 Blockchain Features
2.2.2.1 Decentralisation
2.2.2.2 Security
2.2.2.3 Smart Contract
2.2.2.4 Immutability
2.3 Traceability
2.3.1 Traceability Definitions
2.3.2 The Motivations for Traceability
2.3.3 The Benefits of Traceability
2.3.4 Transparency
2.3.5 Technology Innovations on Food Traceability
2.4 A Content-Based Analysis of Blockchain and the Food Supply Chain
2.4.1 Literature Review Method
2.4.2 Thematic Analysis
2.4.2.1 Benefits
2.4.2.2 Barriers
2.5 Theoretical Basis
2.5.1 Innovation Process Model
2.5.2 Practice-Based View (PBV)
2.6 Research Gaps
2.7 Summary
References
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
3.1 Research Method
3.1.1 Qualitative Research
3.1.2 Case Study
3.2 Case Selection
3.3 Data Collection
3.4 Data Analysis Strategy
3.5 Ethical Issues
3.6 Quality Assurance
3.7 Summary
References
Chapter 4: Case Analysis: BeefLedger
4.1 Background Information
4.1.1 Company Background
4.1.2 Beef Industry in Australia
4.2 Issues Within the Australian-China Beef Supply Chain
4.2.1 Fragmented Information Flow and Misinformation Within the Cross-Border Supply Chain
4.2.2 Inefficient Cross-Border Document and Payment Process
4.2.3 Consumer Concerns
4.3 Blockchain Implementation
4.3.1 Preparation
4.3.2 Implementation
4.3.3 Coordinating with Stakeholders
4.3.4 Future Plan
4.4 Blockchain Benefits
4.4.1 Optimising the Information Flow for BeefLedger
4.4.2 Streamlining Cross-Border Documentation and Payment
4.4.3 Enhance Consumer Buying Confidence
4.5 Implementation Barriers
4.6 Case Summary
References
Chapter 5: Case Analysis: W Company
5.1 Background Information
5.1.1 Company Background
5.1.2 Background of Main Partners
5.1.3 Retail Sector in China
5.2 Issues Within China´s Retail Supply Chain
5.2.1 Consumer Concerns
5.2.2 Supplier Management
5.3 Blockchain Implementation
5.3.1 Preparation
5.3.2 Implementation
5.3.2.1 Stage One
5.3.2.2 Stage Two
5.3.3 Future Plan
5.3.3.1 Inviting More Upstream Sub-suppliers
5.3.3.2 Enabling the Module of Customer Feedback
5.3.3.3 Using Smart Contract
5.3.3.4 Micro-Insurance Project
5.3.4 Stakeholder Engagement
5.4 Blockchain Benefits
5.4.1 Transparency and Traceability
5.4.2 Supplier Management
5.4.2.1 Precise Supplier Management
5.4.2.2 Liability Defining
5.4.3 Marketing
5.5 Implementation Barriers
5.6 Case Summary
References
Chapter 6: Case Analysis: FairChain
6.1 Background Information
6.1.1 Company Background
6.1.2 Global Coffee Supply Chain
6.1.3 European Coffee Industry
6.2 Issues Within Coffee Supply Chain
6.2.1 Value Inequality
6.2.2 Unsustainable Sourcing
6.3 Blockchain Implementation
6.3.1 Preparation
6.3.2 Implementation
6.3.3 Stakeholder Engagement
6.3.3.1 Farmers´ Engagement
6.3.3.2 Consumer Involvement
6.3.3.3 Impact Consortia
6.3.4 Future Plans
6.4 Blockchain Benefits
6.4.1 Story Proving
6.4.1.1 Shared Value Chain
6.4.1.2 Positive Externalities
6.4.2 Marketing
6.5 Implementation Barriers
6.6 Case Summary
References
Chapter 7: Cross-Case Analysis
7.1 Innovation Process Model
7.1.1 Setting the Stage Activities
7.1.1.1 Identify the Issues and Clarify Company Demand
7.1.1.2 Identify Partners
7.1.2 Customer Clue-Gathering Activities
7.1.2.1 Data Collection and Proposed Business Model
7.1.2.2 Run Pilots
7.1.3 Negotiating, Clarifying, and Reflecting Activities
7.1.3.1 Design and Implement New System
Blockchain System Design
Data Collection Methods
7.1.3.2 Supplier Engagement
7.1.4 Inter-Organisational Learning
7.1.4.1 Stakeholder Collaboration
Consumers´ Engagement
Suppliers´ Engagement
Third-Party Support
7.1.4.2 System Adjusting and Business Adapting
Technology Perspective
Business Perspective
7.2 Critical Success Factors
7.2.1 Capabilities
7.2.1.1 Knowledge
7.2.1.2 Resources
7.2.2 Collaboration
7.2.2.1 Leadership
7.2.2.2 Stakeholder Acceptance
7.2.3 Technology Readiness
7.2.3.1 Technology Maturity
7.2.3.2 Technology Compatibility
7.2.4 External Environment
7.2.4.1 External Support
7.2.4.2 Market Awareness
7.3 Common Barriers and Solutions
7.3.1 Intra-Organisational Barriers
7.3.2 Inter-Organisational Barriers
7.3.3 System-Related Barriers
7.3.4 External Barriers
7.4 Project Outcomes
7.4.1 Supply Chain and Traceability Efficiency
7.4.2 Information Transparency and Supply Chain Visibility
7.4.3 Information Authenticity and Accountability
7.4.4 Supply Chain Digitisation
7.4.5 Supply Chain Resilience
7.4.6 Sustainability
7.5 Summary
References
Chapter 8: Discussion
8.1 Innovation Process Model
8.1.1 Setting the Stage Activities
8.1.2 Customer Clue-Gathering Activities
8.1.3 Negotiating, Clarifying, and Reflecting Activities
8.1.4 Inter-Organisational Learning
8.2 Blockchain Adoption Influencing Factors and Performance Outcome
8.2.1 Critical Success Factors
8.2.1.1 Capabilities
Knowledge
Resources
8.2.1.2 Collaboration
Leadership
Stakeholder Acceptance
8.2.1.3 Technology Readiness
Technology Maturity
Technology Compatibility
8.2.1.4 External Environment
External Support
Market Awareness
8.2.2 Common Barriers and the Solutions
8.2.2.1 Intra-Organisational Barriers
8.2.2.2 Inter-organisational Barriers
8.2.2.3 Systems-Related Barriers
8.2.2.4 External Barriers
8.2.3 Project Outcomes
8.2.3.1 Supply Chain and Traceability Efficiency
8.2.3.2 Information Transparency and Supply Chain Visibility
8.2.3.3 Information Authenticity and Accountability
8.2.3.4 Supply Chain Digitisation
8.2.3.5 Supply Chain Resilience
8.2.3.6 Sustainability
8.3 Summary
References
Chapter 9: Implications and Conclusion
9.1 Answers to the Research Questions
9.1.1 Answer to the First Research Question
9.1.2 Answer to the Second Research Question
9.2 Research Contributions
9.2.1 Contributions to Theories
9.2.1.1 Contributions to the Blockchain Research in Food Supply Chain
9.2.1.2 Contributions to the Innovation Process Model
9.2.1.3 Contributions to the Practice-Based View
9.2.2 Contributions to Practice
9.2.2.1 Contributions for Focal Companies
9.2.2.2 Contributions for Suppliers
9.2.2.3 Contributions for Third Parties
9.3 Limitations
9.4 Future Research Directions
9.5 Final Words
References
Appendices
Appendix 1: Cover Letter for Selected Companies
The Application of Blockchain in Food Supply Chain Management
Research Background
Format/Time Scale
Project Contact and Interviewer
Deliverable
Appendix 2: Interview Protocol
Interview Protocol for Focal Company
Food Supply Chain-Related Questions
Blockchain-Related Questions
Innovation-Related Questions
Interview Protocol for Technology Support Team
Blockchain-Related Questions
Food Supply Chain-Related Questions
Innovation-Related Questions
Interview Protocol for Upstream Suppliers
Food Supply Chain-Related Questions
Blockchain-Related Questions
Interview Protocol for Downstream Customers
Food Supply Chain-Related Questions
Blockchain-Related Questions
