Abstract
In recent years, traceability systems have been developed as practical tools for improving supply chain (SC) transparency and visibility, especially in health and safety-sensitive sectors like food and pharmaceuticals. Blockchain-related SC traceability research has received significant attention during the last several years, and arguably blockchain is currently the most promising technology for providing traceability-related services in SC networks. This paper provides a systematic literature review of the various technical implementation aspects of blockchain-enabled SC traceability systems. We apply different drivers for classifying the selected literature, such as (a) the various domains of the available blockchain-enabled SC traceability systems and relevant methodologies applied; (b) the implementation maturity of these traceability systems along with technical implementation details; and (c) the sustainability perspective (economic, environmental, social) prevalent to these implementations. We provide key takeaways regarding the open issues and challenges of current blockchain traceability implementations and fruitful future research areas. Despite the significant volume and plethora of blockchain-enabled SC traceability systems, academia has so far focused on unstructured experimentation of blockchain-associated SC traceability solutions, and there is a clear need for developing and testing real-life traceability solutions, especially taking into account feasibility and cost-related SC aspects.
Highlights
Global production networks have adopted supply chains (SCs) as a generic organizational model [1]
We present a detailed taxonomy of the available blockchain-specific SC traceability implementations
Real case studies are necessary to understand the suitability of the different blockchain technologies/platforms according to the application context while measuring long term performance, managerial aspects, privacy and security, and other measurable features
Summary
Global production networks have adopted supply chains (SCs) as a generic organizational model [1]. SC management is considered a critical inter-organizational mechanism for creating a competitive advantage, in the context of supplier and consumer alliances and networks. Customers’ numerous demands, such as increased flexibility, velocity, information, and product traceability, have fueled the growth of SCs in recent years. This phenomenon can be explained by several factors, including the acceleration of technological innovations, which allow for better system and process performance; globalisation of trade, which allows customers faster access to products; and environmental responsibility, which prompts customers to inquire about the long-term viability of their purchases [3]. Due to globalisation, fluctuating client expectations, expanded product lines, uncertainty about supplier performance, and a slew of other parameters, SC networks have become more complex, increasing commodities and goods’
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