Implementation of global traceability standards: incentives and opportunities
Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2015
Purpose – Implementing global traceability standards (GTSs) facilitates interoperability in food supply chains (FSCs). The purpose of this paper is to present incentives, opportunities and requirements for implementing GTSs in a fresh FSC.
Design/methodology/approach – The research was developed in two stages: a literature review
was conducted to establish a theoretical framework; and then an in-depth case study of a Swedish fresh
fish supply chain was conducted. The Kano methodology was used to evaluate opportunities based
on implementation requirements in each enterprise.
Findings – FSC enterprises implement a GTS to meet legal food traceability requirements.
This incentive is stronger among enterprises upstream in the FSC than among downstream
enterprises. Downstream enterprises emphasize communication with the end consumer as an
incentive to implement a GTS. Implementing a GTS increases the opportunity to preserve
end consumer confidence, efficiency in information sharing, reduces time in inventory management
and the risk of theft.
Research limitations/implications – The paper contributes to the field of food traceability by
providing knowledge regarding incentives, opportunities and requirements for implementing
standards to meet food traceability requirements at FSC enterprises.
Practical implications – Regulatory requirements on traceability preservation of food safety,
quality and sustainability stipulate the implementation of a GTS. The research presented can support
managers in understanding incentives and opportunities for implementing a GTS.
Originality/value – This paper combines in-depth academic research with the involvement of
Swedish fresh food enterprises. The study is of benefit to fresh food enterprises, authorities and
organizations in the further implementation and development of GTSs.
Standards
Small-to-medium-sized enterprises
Standardization
Tracking