Effects of using smart goods on traceability information and carried out activities in supply chains of fresh food- a cross case analysis

Paper in proceeding, 2010

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of using the smart goods on traceability information and consequently on the carried out activities for different actors of the fresh food supply chains. Identification of the valuable traceability information types in fresh food supply chains is conducted as the first step to reach the purpose. Literature is reviewed to identify a theoretical frame for the smart goods and traceability in the fresh food supply chains. Three Nordic supply chains of fresh food are studied for answering the research questions. The valuable types of traceability information from perspective of different actors of the fresh food supply chains are identified as an outcome of the paper. Advantages and disadvantages of using the traditional and smart-goods-based traceability systems are found. The traceability information and activities in the fresh food supply chains that are affected by using the smart goods and kinds of such effects are generated out of this research. This paper is contributing to the literature on the traceability especially in the food supply chains. The smart goods concept developed by literature is empirically analyzed and evaluated in this paper. The results of this paper are useful for operations managers of the fresh food supply chains to understand the effects of using the smart goods to manage their supply chain information and activities. This paper evaluates the effects of using the smart goods from perspective of different actors including authorities in fresh food supply chains. Supply chains with both centralized and decentralized information systems are studied in this paper.