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The proliferation of traceability standards shed light on the understanding of the mechanisms leading agri-food firms to choose among different kind of rules and systems for their implementation. The present paper investigates the role of firms economic incentives on the adoption of different traceability systems. In specific, the analysis aims at segmenting food firms on the basis of economic incentives for the adoption of voluntary traceability and the levels of the system complexity implemented.

A survey based on an ad hoc questionnaire was conducted in 2014 on a sample of firms certified ISO 22005/2008. Cluster analysis was run for the analysis and one-way ANOVA was used to confirm differences among clusters.

The analysis presents three different clusters in terms of economic incentives for voluntary traceability and the level of systems complexity implemented. All the clusters reveal that supply chain incentives play a key role. Moreover, ‘fine traceability’ clusters firms with high level of traceability. They consider food safety as an important incentive to adopt a voluntary standard. ‘Medium traceability’ groups firms with an average level of traceability system complexity. The interviewed consider the firm reputation as strategic driver for voluntary standard implementation. The cluster ‘coarse traceability’ groups firms which introduced traceability for quality differentiation of products on the market. These firms implemented a low level of traceability system complexity.

The paper presents some limitations due to the sample dimension. Future research is oriented to test such results on an extended sample and to analyse the relationships between the traceability system implemented and the different kind of economic incentives for traceability standards.

The present paper offers two main contributions. From a conceptual point of view it tries to deepen existing knowledge on the mechanisms regulating the existence of different traceability standards. From a managerial point of view, the analysis contributes in the understanding of firm strategies in relation to the adoption of different traceability systems. Such results could address firm management on the allocation of financial resources for the adoption of different traceability systems.

Increased focus on safe and healthy food has resulted in the need for implementing electronic chain traceability. This poses challenges both regarding technical solutions and business processes. The purpose of this paper is to report from a research project where implementation in a value chain for farmed salmon is used to investigate these challenges.

The first step in the project was to establish a complete value chain for farmed salmon as a basis for further study. The second step was to use theoretical concepts of internal traceability and chain traceability as a basis for analyzing the status of each company regarding readiness to implement electronic chain traceability. The third step was to compare the final level of implementation in each company with the level of implementation readiness at the start of the project.

Implementation of electronic chain traceability may involve changes both in work processes and software systems. This study shows that a set of criteria regarding implementation readiness can be used to assess the challenges and risks involved. Coherence between implementation readiness and the final level of implementation is indicated.

This research is limited to companies in a specific food sector. The generalization of the results for use in other sectors needs to be investigated.

Because of the increasing demand for improving chain traceability, it can be expected that implementation readiness regarding electronic chain traceability solutions will be an important factor in selecting partners in food value chains.

The large number of companies involved in this study is a good basis for evaluating the complexity of implementing electronic chain traceability. This paper describes guidelines and assessment criteria for companies planning to implement such solutions.

A traceability system is a key success factor in global food trade, but implementing it in vegetable oil industry is one of the most difficult undertakings in food supply chain management. This study aims to (1) identify typical operational barriers in the implementation of bulk-liquid traceability system in the Indonesian vegetable oil industry by considering the perspective of experts and (2) model the relationship between the barriers structurally in order to improve the reliability of the traceability system.

To do so, data from in-depth interviews with experts were examined by using content analysis. Then the authors used a combination of decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), interpretive structural modelling (ISM) and matrice d'impacts croisés multiplication appliqué un classement (MICMAC) to construct the hierarchical model and to cluster the typical barriers based on their driving power and dependence power.

In total, 20 typical traceability barriers along the internal chain (supplier-input-process-output-customer) were identified. The interrelationships between these barriers were modeled in a hierarchical structure, seeking to answer why it is difficult to implement a traceability system and what actions should be taken to remove these barriers.

The model can shed light on how to manage barriers in bulk-liquid food commodity industry, especially in the vegetable oil industry. An action map has been proposed to overcome the operational barriers. This model will also help tracing the critical points of the traceability system.

Compared to other food commodities, operational barriers in vegetable oil chain has never been studied specifically. In fact, there are many operational aspects that hinder traceability. The Indonesian context entails social, economic and environmental factors as well, so it can inform decision-makers in formulating an action map.

The notion, technologies and organizational elaboration of traceability have become more prominent and more systematic in recent years in many different fields, notably food. This chapter argues that traceability has many faces: it is a programmatic value embedded in norms and regulations; it is a frontier of technology development such as blockchain, and it is a continuous processual and political dynamic of organizational connectedness, leading also to resistance. These different aspects make up “traceability infrastructures,” which embody a number of tensions and dynamics. Three such dynamics are explored in this chapter: the tension between organizational entities and meta-entities, problems of agency and the distribution of responsibility, and dialectics of connectivity and disconnectivity. These three dynamics generate three testable propositions, which define a prolegomena for a new subject of “traceability studies.” Overall, traceability is argued to be an ongoing process of connecting discrete agencies – a process of “chainmaking” – and is formative of more or less stable forms of distributed agency and responsibility.

Sustainability certification of agricultural commodities might be one measure to ensure deforestation-free supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to add to previous assessments of soy certification systems with respect to “zero deforestation” criteria by focusing on the aspect of traceability.

A conceptual framework for assessing certification systems is proposed based on a literature review. This concept is applied to 16 soy certification systems, considering previous studies and available chain-of-custody certification options.

Among the sample, five certification systems may contribute to ensuring deforestation-free soy supply chains, as they have relatively high “zero deforestation” and assurance requirements and support at least segregation. Other chain-of-custody systems are insufficient in terms of traceability, but still dominate the market.

The assessment considers only certification systems that have been benchmarked according to criteria developed by the European feed industry. Regular updates and further assessments of certification systems for other commodities are recommended.

Supply chain actors and policymakers are informed about certification systems that may ensure deforestation-free sourcing. However, different factors influence the implementation of zero deforestation commitments, such as adverse effects, economic trade-offs and new certification and traceability concepts.

The implementation of deforestation-free supply chains should contribute to achieving sustainable development goals. Potential adverse social effects need to be considered.

This study focuses on the so far rather neglected but essential aspect of traceability, which is required for ensuring deforestation-free sourcing along the whole supply chain.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a proposed framework for traceability purpose. Hence, the framework provides a formal and structured way of viewing a traceability solution. This structure lays the required bases for a traceability system before starting development and deployment.

The paper examines several traceability publications, including systems and literature review. The study covers the traceability implementation phase. Therefore, this research approaches the traceability issue from three perspectives (description, engineering and executive one). The separation between aspects is essential when describing and comparing traceability systems. This distinction is also helpful when recommending solution improvements.

The framework identifies six traceability bases: aims, functions, specifications, data classification, processes and procedures. These can establish a basis for a general purpose tool that can enable users to develop an efficient traceability solution. Thus, the first ontology expresses the framework domain and ensures optimal use of it. The second one represents the bases that can serve as a knowledge base to manage the product data.

The suggested framework tackles the implementation of traceability. Therefore, the design emphasizes the importance of technological concerns. Some studied cases could require more research angles (i.e. economic and legislative). Thus, framework enrichment is essential for further improvements.

The framework helps users to develop a general, interoperable and scalable traceability solution. These are important to promote the generalization of traceability systems.

The framework fulfills a requirement for establishing general traceability foundations. Therefore, the guide independently operates of the product or the industry specificity. Moreover, the bases aim to bridge the gap between solution engineering and traceability requirements.

The research presented in this paper aims at understanding the views of European food risk management experts on food traceability implementation, implementation of the general food law, and the advantages the system can offer for effective risk mitigation.

Delphi methodology was applied to understand experts ' views on the efficiency of existing traceability systems in Europe following the implementation of the General Food Law. An internet survey was administered in two rounds, in order to elicit expert views on changes needed to current traceability practices, if traceability systems are to contribute to improved food safety.

Traceability was considered to be an effective safety- and quality-monitoring system with potential to improve safety within food chains, as well as increasing consumer confidence in food safety and consumer protection. However, the results underlined the need for further improvements, particularly regarding the definition of food chain traceability, enforcement of regulations, and harmonisation of practice.

Expert opinion regarding food traceability and its implementation was confined to Europe and the impact of European legislation. Further research at a global level is needed, given the need to trace food and food ingredients across the regional boundaries imposed by European legislation, the increased globalisation of food chains, and the need for pan-global harmonisation of food traceability legislation.

The results provide important insights into the advantages and shortcomings of the present European traceability approach enshrined in the European General Food Law.

A food traceability system that provides detailed information on food production, processing, transfer, and distribution can create value in food exchange. This study aims to investigate which type of consumer personality places greater value on the food traceability label.

According to the meta-theoretic model of motivation and personality (3M), this study develops a framework that links personality traits with food safety issues. Data are collected from a survey of consumers in shopping malls. The research hypotheses are tested using structural equation modeling.

Based on the 3M hierarchical model, consumers who have open, conscientious, and extroverted personalities, and material and body needs tend to have higher needs for learning and health consciousness. They care more for food value and have positive perception of food traceability labels. This results in intentions to purchase products with a food traceability label.

Using their conclusions on the relationship of personality traits with a food traceability system, the authors provide suggestions for businesses planning marketing strategies to gain competitive advantages. For consumers, a food traceability system creates value in food exchange. Regarding policy concerns, the government should regulate the implementation of a food traceability label to disclose comprehensive information regarding food safety.

Although various constructs are linked to food traceability, few studies have focused on the value of food exchange. Consumers with specific personality characteristics have different perceptions and reactions to a food traceability system. This study can fill the knowledge gap regarding the relationship between the value of food exchange and consumer personality traits.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and investigate analyzed core operational problems of aquatic products with food traceability system and their performance in the Taiwanese market and to develop the marketing strategies to solve these core operational problems.

Based on all of the core operational problems derived from the literature, the paper interviewed distributors and aquatic product producers and collected their ideas to resolve the above problems. Then, the study applies the TRIZ theory to find the improving and worsening parameters for those issues, based on which the study can develop strategies to improve the marketing model of aquatic products with food traceability systems to solve operational problems.

The findings of the study are of three fold: identified seven core problems of aquatic products with food traceability systems; identified seven strategies for improving marketing model to solve operational problems of aquatic products with food traceability systems and developed the new marketing model to solve operational problems for aquatic products with food traceability systems.

Promoting the food traceability certification comprehensively cannot only improve the food safety in Taiwan but also improve the competitiveness of Taiwanese industries as well as help to expand to the international market.

The contribution of this study lies in extending the body of knowledge of application of TRIZ methodology in marketing model for aquatic products with food traceability systems. The findings of this study can be used as a reference for aquaculture products with traceability systems in other countries, as food safety is a globally growing trend.

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the actual consumer demand for traceable pork by investigating consumer preferences for pork with combined levels of traceability information based on differences in individual consumer preferences, in order to support the government in decision making regarding the gradual construction of safe food markets.

Combinations of four types of traceability information, including farming, slaughter and processing, distribution and sales, and government certification, with price were randomly designed. To identify consumer preferences for these attribute combinations of traceable pork, 215 consumers in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province were investigated using a real choice experiment and the mixed logit model.

Significant heterogeneity was observed in consumer preferences for traceable pork. The information of farming, slaughter and processing, distribution and marketing, and government certification could significantly improve consumer utility. Moreover, consumers had the highest preference for government certification information.

Although numerous studies have been performed on consumer preferences for food safety attributes using a real choice experiment, almost none of them focus on Chinese consumers. Therefore, this study is an attempt to fill this gap. The conclusions of this study can serve as a reference for the Chinese government in developing safe food consumption policies. Although Chinese consumers have cried out for improvement of pork safety, they have different preferences for traceability information; thus, the government must promote traceable food step-by-step, using consumer preferences as a starting point.