Technology assessment of blockchain-based technologies in the food supply chain. (1st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Köhler, Susanne; Pizzol, Massimo
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 269(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-01
• Subjects: Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122193
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Beyond the financial domain, the application of blockchain is highly relevant in supply chain traceability, but the trade-offs between implementation challenges and achievable impact remain unclear. In this study, six cases of blockchain-based technologies in the food supply chain were analyzed applying a technology assessment framework that distinguishes between four different components of a technology: technique, knowledge, organization, and product. The study intends to provide new critical insights on how blockchain-based technologies can be implemented in the food supply chain and to further the discussion of social and environmental implications of blockchain-based technologies. The results highlight how blockchain is not a stand-alone-technology, but rather one element in a system of technologies. While blockchain-based technologies are expected to bring a variety of impacts, only some are directly attributable to the blockchain element: increased transparency, traceability, and trust. Other impacts such as improved data management are a side-effect of digitizing non-digital processes. Further research is needed to confirm whether blockchain-based technologies bring the expected sustainability improvements in food supply chains. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: This study analyzes how blockchain-based technologies are implemented in food supply chains. Blockchain is one element in a system of technologies, not a stand-alone technology. Blockchain mainly increases trust, then authenticity, traceability, transparency. Other indirect benefits can be attributed to digitization that blockchain fosters. Long-terms impacts of implementing blockchain in the food chain are not yet proven.