Using blockchain technology to drive operational excellence in perishable food supply chains during outbreaks
The International Journal of Logistics Management
ISSN: 0957-4093
Article publication date: 20 December 2021
Issue publication date: 9 August 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the potential of blockchain technology (BT) to support the operational excellence in perishable food supply chain (PFSC) during outbreaks, by doing use-case analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review is performed to determine the dimensions of operational excellence in the food supply chain (FSC), then a single use-case analysis is conducted to explore the potential of blockchain in order to achieve operational excellence for PFSC during the pandemics by applying context, interventions, mechanism and outcomes (CIMO) logic.
Findings
The findings of this study reveal that blockchain capabilities such as immutability and transparency, visibility, traceability, integration and interoperability, disintermediation and decentralisation, smart contracts and consensus mechanism provide better sustainable operational excellence outcomes for PFSCs to be more responsive, flexible, efficient and collaborative to cope with the impacts of COVID-19.
Research limitations/implications
This research employs only one real case with multiple PFSC participants. Statistical generalisation is not possible at this stage of the research. However, the findings are not restricted to this single use-case.
Practical implications
This study provides a research direction to explore the potential of BT to achieve operational excellence in the PFSC during outbreaks and generates prescriptive knowledge for better managerial decision-making across the PFSC during outbreaks.
Originality/value
This research conducts semi-structured interviews with different participants in one blockchain ecosystem to understand multiple participants' perspectives of operational excellence within PFSC.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of a special section “Operational excellence in the supply chain of perishables at the time of the outbreak”, guest edited by Sachin Kumar Mangla, Gunjan Soni, Michael Bourlakis and Vikas Kumar.
The first author, Dr. Yasanur Kayikci gratefully acknowledges the support provided by Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey under the grant number 1059B191801214 for this research.
Citation
Kayikci, Y., Durak Usar, D. and Aylak, B.L. (2022), "Using blockchain technology to drive operational excellence in perishable food supply chains during outbreaks", The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 33 No. 3, pp. 836-876. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-01-2021-0027
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited