Digital Traceability, Consumer Trust, and Sustainable Value Creation in Agrifood Supply Chains
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70076/simj.v3i3.212Keywords:
digital traceability, consumer trust, blockchain, agrifood supply chain, sustainable value creationAbstract
The increasing complexity of agrifood supply chains has intensified demands for transparency, food safety, product authenticity, and sustainability. Digital traceability connects information across supply chain stages through technologies such as blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), QR codes, and digital information systems. This study examines the role of digital traceability in strengthening consumer trust and supporting sustainable value creation in agrifood supply chains. A qualitative Systematic Literature Review (SLR) analyzed 15 scientific articles published between 2022 and 2024. Articles were selected from academic databases using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and analyzed through thematic synthesis. The findings indicate that digital traceability improves transparency by increasing the availability and verifiability of product origin information. Reliable traceability information can reduce information asymmetry and strengthen consumer confidence in food safety, product authenticity, and sustainability attributes. Consumer trust links traceability information with purchasing decisions, willingness to pay, and acceptance of sustainable food products. Digital traceability also supports sustainable value creation through improved accountability, information exchange, stakeholder coordination, and reduced opportunities for food fraud. However, implementation remains constrained by technology costs, data quality, interoperability, digital literacy, governance, and unequal access among smallholders. The review concludes that digital traceability can support sustainable agrifood supply chains when combined with reliable data, stakeholder collaboration, inclusive governance, and effective consumer communication. Institutional support and stakeholder engagement remain essential for strengthening consumer trust and promoting sustainable value creation.
References
W. A. H. Ahmed and B. L. MacCarthy, “Blockchain-enabled supply chain traceability – How wide? How deep?,” International Journal of Production Economics, vol. 263, Art. no. 108963, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2023.108963.
R. M. Ellahi, L. C. Wood, and A. E.-D. A. Bekhit, “Blockchain-based frameworks for food traceability: A systematic review,” Foods, vol. 12, no. 16, Art. no. 3026, 2023, doi: 10.3390/foods12163026.
S. Charlebois, N. Latif, I. Ilahi, B. Sarker, J. Music, and J. Vezeau, “Digital traceability in agri-food supply chains: A comparative analysis of OECD member countries,” Foods, vol. 13, no. 7, Art. no. 1075, 2024, doi: 10.3390/foods13071075.
M. Reitano, G. Pappalardo, R. Selvaggi, C. Zarbà, and G. Chinnici, “Factors influencing consumer perceptions of food tracked with blockchain technology: A systematic literature review,” Applied Food Research, vol. 4, no. 2, Art. no. 100455, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.afres.2024.100455.
A. Panghal, S. Pan, P. Vern, R. S. Mor, and S. Jagtap, “Blockchain technology for enhancing sustainable food systems: A consumer perspective,” International Journal of Food Science & Technology, vol. 59, no. 5, pp. 3461–3468, 2024, doi: 10.1111/ijfs.16835.
Z. Tao, J. Chao, and J. Chao, “The impact of a blockchain-based food traceability system on the online purchase intention of organic agricultural products,” Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies, vol. 92, Art. no. 103598, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.ifset.2024.103598.
C. D. Duong, T. T. Dao, T. N. Vu, T. V. N. Ngo, and M. H. Nguyen, “Blockchain-enabled food traceability system and consumers’ organic food consumption: A moderated mediation model of blockchain knowledge and trust in the organic food chain,” Sustainable Futures, vol. 8, Art. no. 100316, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100316.
L. Compagnucci, D. Lepore, F. Spigarelli, E. Frontoni, M. Baldi, and L. Di Berardino, “Uncovering the potential of blockchain in the agri-food supply chain: An interdisciplinary case study,” Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, vol. 65, Art. no. 101700, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.jengtecman.2022.101700.
F. Dal Mas, M. Massaro, V. Ndou, and E. Raguseo, “Blockchain technologies for sustainability in the agrifood sector: A literature review of academic research and business perspectives,” Technological Forecasting and Social Change, vol. 187, Art. no. 122155, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122155.
C. Cozzio, G. Viglia, L. Lemarie, and S. Cerutti, “Toward an integration of blockchain technology in the food supply chain,” Journal of Business Research, vol. 162, Art. no. 113909, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113909.
J. Steinke, Y. Ivanova, S. K. Jones, T. Minh, A. Sánchez, J. Sánchez-Choy, and J. Mockshell, “Digital sustainability tracing in smallholder context: Ex-ante insights from the Peruvian cocoa supply chain,” World Development Sustainability, vol. 5, Art. no. 100185, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.wds.2024.100185.
K. Duan, H. Onyeaka, and G. Pang, “Leveraging blockchain to tackle food fraud: Innovations and obstacles,” Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, vol. 18, Art. no. 101429, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101429.
A. Marchese and O. Tomarchio, “A blockchain-based system for agri-food supply chain traceability management,” SN Computer Science, vol. 3, Art. no. 279, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s42979-022-01148-3.
P. Vern, A. Panghal, A. N. Dilbaghi, R. S. Mor, K. Muduli, and A.-A. Dabo, “Unlocking consumer trust: Exploring key factors in blockchain-enabled traceability for processed food supply chain,” LogForum, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 209–226, 2024, doi: 10.17270/J.LOG.001023.
Anastasiadis, F., Manikas, I., Apostolidou, I., & Wahbeh, S. Y. (2022). The role of traceability in end-to-end circular agri-food supply chains. Industrial Marketing Management, 104, 196–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2022.04.021
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Smart International Management Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
