Enhancing Traceability in Organic Rice Supply Chain with Blockchain Technology Developed by Design Science Research Methodology

This study aims to create a greater understanding of (1) existing unlawful food fraud activity, (2) food fraud vulnerabilities and (3) related network structures within the organic potatoes’, carrots’, and onions’ supply chains. Three types of methodology were applied to meet the aims: (1) an analysis of historical prevalence and patterns of food fraud in the organic sector in general and in the three selected organic chains, (2) a food fraud vulnerability analysis of supply chain actors of the three specific organic supply chains in the Netherlands, and (3) a social network analysis to identify structural characteristics of the three organic supply chains in the Netherlands. Incident analysis using the Decernis food fraud database revealed 201 incidents with organic foods between 2004 and 2021, 47 of which had a food safety component. Most targeted products were plant-based. Key products were fruits (42 cases), cereals and pulses (38 cases),spices/herbs/flavourings (20 cases), vegetables (19 cases), processed food products (14 cases: juice, oil,jam, infant food, tomato paste, wine, etc.), seeds (13 cases), and coconut products (12 cases). Only two organic potatoes’, one organic carrots’, and two organic onions’ incidents were identified in the database. Food fraud vulnerability assessments revealed that the vulnerabilities of the organic potatoes’, carrots’, and onions’ chains to food fraud were fairly like each other, at a low to moderate level. This level was comparableto the level of the previously examined organic bananas’ chains and less vulnerable than the previously examined organic olive oil, eggs’, and pork chains. This all aligns with the low frequency of fraud incidents in the three organic food chains in the Decernis food fraud database. Because of the similarity in food fraud vulnerability level of the three chains under investigation, one supply chain, the organic potato supply chain,was selected for social network analysis. This analysis revealed three distinctive groups among the actors in this supply chain: (A) a group with many contacts within the potato growers’ group, (B) a group with many contacts across all the organic potato supply chain nodes, and (C) a group with mainly contacts outside the chain. The actors of the three groups have distinctively different interactions and would, hence, also have potentially different roles in food fraud events. Socially key actors could also be identified. Although the foodfraud vulnerabilities in the Dutch organic potato supply chain are limited, the social network analysis provides very useful information for future work. Given that this is the first time such an approach has been taken in a national food fraud context, identification, and visualisation of key actors from a social networkpoint of view in this particular chain will be useful for comparison with other food supply chain networks in future research.

For winning the competition, every entrepreneurs have to compete on supply chain. Tani Sejahtera Farm (TSF) is a distributor which cooperates with farmers in distributing organic rice in its supply chain. TSF had problems in coordinating product, financial, and information flows along its supply chain. This research aimed to analyze the condition of organic rice supply chain and its performance. The amount of samples were 14 samples which were all members of organic rice supply chain. FSCN (Food Supply Chain Networking) Framework was used for analyzing the condition of organic rice supply chain. Asset management efficiency approach was used for analyzing its performance. Organic rice supply chain had a network form. From the six elements, the condition of organic rice supply chain had not been good, especially in supply chain management, business processes and its overall performance. Supply chain management had not been implemented well in this supply chain. Its transaction system made TSF difficult to turn its capital back. From its business process, the financial and information flow had not been fluent. Its cash asset management performance had not been well also because it was too long for TSF in collecting its capital.

Recently, business of organic vegetables in YogyakartaYregion has been growing substantially. It is characterized by the formation of a new supply chain system called Jogjakarta organic market supply chain (POJOG) in addition to modern retail supply chain system that is already available i.e. Organic Farmers of Merapi (TOM). The different characteristics of these two supply chain systems allow the consumers to shift their preferences from modern retail supply chain to organic market supply chain when buying organic vegetables. Therefore, analysis of the performance and competitiveness of these two different supply chain systems is important for improvement of organic vegetable supply chain in the future. Based on the results of supply chain analysis, it was found that the added value obtained by modern retail supply chains TOM was 58.44%, while that obtained by organic market supply chain POJOG was 38.97%. The marketing margin ratio obtained by such players in modern retail supply chain system as farmers, TOM and Super Indo were 1.29, 1.91 and1.18 respectively, whereas those obtained by farmers and POJOG on the organic market supply chain were 2.10 and 1.29 respectively. In terms of marketing efficiency, Jogjakarta organic market performed better, accounting for 58%, more than double of those performed by modern retail supply chain that only accounted for 26%. Keywords: Value Chain Analysis; Organic Vegetables; Yogjakarta; Marketing Margin

A framework for modeling and simulating blockchain-based supply chain traceability systems

PurposeDesign science research (DSR) is a structured approach for solving complex ill-structured problems in organizations through the development of an artefact followed by its validation. This paper aims to evaluate existing DSR methodology and propose specific accents to promote DSR for environmental, social and governance (ESG)-oriented operational excellence (OPEX) initiatives within organizations.Design/methodology/approachThis commentary paper is based on an abductive reasoning approach to evaluate and understand DSR and assess its effectiveness for developing solutions to typical ESG-oriented OPEX-based problems within organizations.FindingsExisting literature on DSR is reviewed, after which it is evaluated on its ability to contribute to the implementation of sustainable solutions for ESG-oriented OPEX-based problems. Based on the review, specific DSR methodological accents are proposed for the development of ESG-oriented OPEX-based solutions in organizations.Research limitations/implicationsThis conceptual paper contributes to the conceptual understanding of the applicability, limitations and contextual preconditions for applying DSR. This paper proposes an explicit and, in some ways, alternative view on DSR research for OPEX researchers to apply and further the body of knowledge on matters of sustainability (ESG) in operations management.Practical implicationsCurrently, there is limited understanding and application of the DSR methodology for OPEX-based problem-solving initiatives, as appears in the scant literature on DSR applied for the implementation of OPEX based initiatives for ESG purposes. This paper aims to challenge and provide accents for DSR applied to OPEX-related problems by means of a DSR framework and thereby promotes intervention-based studies among researchers.Originality/valueThe proposed step-by-step methodology contains novel elements and is expected to be of help for OPEX-oriented academicians and practitioners in implementing DSR methodology for practical related problems which need research interventions from academics from Higher Education Institutions.

Purpose The organic reconfiguration in supply chain practices significantly varies with restaurant types, customers and the extent of the degree of serving organic food. The purpose of this study is to develop a quantitative application to measure the degree of serving Organic Food for Restaurant Supply Chains. Design/methodology/approach The detailed semi-structured interviews, onsite visits and secondary customer reviews of 60 restaurants of different sizes, locations and cuisines from India are used to explore typologies of organic supply chains. In the second stage, an approach for evaluating the degree of organic food serving is developed on the basis of Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) attributes, and differences between typologies are statistically tested using non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-test. Findings The results show that the degree of serving organic food differs with the type of restaurants across SCOR attributes. Based on the variations in SC practices, the work presents two types of restaurant supply chains – Organic Food Enthusiast (Type-I) and b) Village Voyagers (Type-II). The difference between the degree of serving organic food for the “Make” and “Enable” attributes is statistically insignificant. Despite variations in the strategic positioning, customer type and geographical context, both the organic supply chains tend to preserve their core making process. Practical implications The degree of serving organic food for each individual element of the SCOR model can be used by practitioners and managers to identify specific problems and opportunity areas where practical actions could be defined and taken to improve the organic food-based supply chain reconfiguration. Originality/value This paper proposes the quantitative approach to evaluating organic food serving capabilities of restaurant supply chains. Further, it empirically demonstrates the typologies of organic food serving supply chains.

Research Aims: This study discusses the practice of green supply chain management (GSCM) on environmental performance and operational costs in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia's food and beverage industry. Especially to examine the existence of ecocentricity and supply chain traceability that moderates GSCM practices with environmental performance and operational costs. Design/Methodology/Approach: The judgement sampling method was used in this study, and 85 respondents contributed. Research questionnaires were distributed online, and data were analysed using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Research Findings: The results of this study indicate that GSCM practices have a significant relationship to environmental performance and operational costs of MSMEs in the food and beverage industry in Indonesia. Supply chain ecocentricity moderates the relationship between GSCM practices, environmental performance, and operating costs. However, supply chain traceability does not moderate the relationship between GSCM practices, environmental performance, and operational costs. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: The concept and practice of GSCM is gaining popularity in developing countries, but is still limited to the scope of MSMEs. Thus, research on GSCM still has to be extended to MSMEs because most research is limited to large organisations. Managerial Implication in the South East Asian Context: This research covers the concept and practice of GSCM on MSMEs in Indonesia. For MSMEs in the food and beverage industry, this research is expected to be taken into consideration in implementing GSCM for supply chain ecocentricity to improve business performance. Research Limitation & Implications: Respondents are limited to the Java and Bali area and the food and/or beverage industry group.

Organic rice is one of the potential food commodity innovations, organic rice has increased interest and demand from the market but is not matched with organic rice productivity. Based on this, analyzing the supply chain to determine performance and recommend improvement strategies is necessary. The purpose of this research is to determine the current organic rice supply chain system, analyze supply chain performance, and develop strategies to improve the performance of the organic rice agroindustry supply chain in Jember Regency. The method used in this research is supply chain performance analysis using supply chain operation reference (SCOR) and strategy formulation using analytical network process and benefit opportunity cost risk (ANP-BOCR). These methods were chosen because they synergize with each other and have been widely used in previous studies to analyze similar problems. The results showed that the performance of the organic rice agroindustry supply chain in Jember Regency received a score of 66.01 or classified into the average range. Hence, there is a need for improvement in the supply chain that is carried out through strategy. The results show that the sub-criteria benefit (0.198205), opportunity (0.164375), and economic (0.109545) get the highest value. Based on the results of pairwise comparisons, it is also found that the most appropriate strategy is to improve all KPIs.

Purpose: After the covid 19 pandemic, cooperation has become increasingly necessary and important for the supply chain, especially the organic agricultural supply chain, which has loose and fragmented links. Furthermore, with the need for clean, safe food, organic agriculture is also receiving more attention from the government, consumers and businesses. This study aims to examine factors affecting supply chain cooperation based on a survey sample of 120 managers from businesses in the organic agricultural supply chain in Hanoi, Vietnam. From this analysis, we provide solutions to promote cooperation in the supply chain for the organic agriculture industry in Hanoi, Vietnam. Design/Methodology/Approach: This article uses the research method of analyzing and synthesizing theories about cooperation in the supply chain, thereby providing a research model. Then we use quantitative methods, exploiting the random approach to analyze factors affecting cooperation in the organic agricultural supply chain through surveying subjects that involved in organic agricultural supply chains in Hanoi, Vietnam. Findings: The research results describe the impact of factors affecting cooperation in the supply chain, showing the level of influence of these factors on cooperation. Through the level of impact, the authors propose solutions to enhance cooperation in the organic agricultural supply chain. Originality/Value: To the author's knowledge, this study is original in describing the impacts of factors affecting the cooperation of organic agricultural supply chains in Hanoi, Vietnam. Furthermore, the article uses random approaches, contributing to research through a practical lens.

The problem of organic rice farming is the limitation of market information. Organic rice products can’t be sold at high prices, some are still sold by farmers at nonorganic prices. Organic rice supply chain networks need to be identified by farmers so that farmers have market information and supply chain performance. For this reason, this research purpose to analyze the supply chain of organic rice in Pringsewu Regency. Data analysis method uses the concept of supply chain management performance with the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) approach. SCOR consists of four elements including reliability, responsiveness, flexibility, and assets. The results of measuring the performance of organic rice supply chains at all levels in the attributes of responsiveness and flexibility have achieved the superior performance position. The performance of organic rice supply chains attributes of asset at the farm level only achieves an advantage. But the supply chain performance in the attribute of reliability has not been able to reach a good performance position. So there needs to be an improvement effort through disciplinary shipping arrangements and product quality improvements to improve supply chain performance.

Lampung Province has organic rice fields which always increase with a planting area of 65.78 hectares. The problem of farmers is the limited access to the organic rice market. Products can’t be sold at organic prices; some are still sold by farmers at non-organic prices. Organic rice supply chain networks need to be identified by farmers so that farmers have market information and supply chain performance. For this reason, this research purpose to analyze the supply chain of organic rice in Pringsewu Regency. Data analysis method uses the concept of supply chain performance with the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) approach. SCOR consists of five elements including flexibility, reliability, responsiveness, assets, and cost. The results of performance organic rice supply chains at all levels in the attributes of flexibility and responsiveness have achieved the superior performance position. The performance of organic rice supply chains attributes of asset at the farm level only achieves an advantage. But the supply chain performance in the attribute of reliability has not been able to reach a good performance position. So, there needs to be an improvement effort through disciplinary shipping arrangements and product quality improvements to improve supply chain performance.

PurposeSince the implementation of the National Organic Program in 2002, the US organic market has grown in both scale and scope, consequently placing pressure on the organic supply chain. The crucial role of matching consumer demand for final products with farm-level production falls to certified organic handlers, the intermediary firms that process, manufacture and distribute organic products. Locating certified organic commodities and products that meet their needs, in a timely manner, is costly and challenging. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods study was designed to better understand organic sector supply chain relationships in the USA. Data were collected from certified organic handlers via survey and semi-structured interviews. Those interviewed were randomly selected from 153 survey respondents who expressed an interest in being interviewed. This paper presents an analysis of interviews with 26 certified organic handlers regarding the relationships with their suppliers.FindingsThree key concepts characterize the relationships between handlers and their suppliers: closeness, support and commitment. Nearly all handler supplier relationships possess some degree of closeness, where the handler expresses interest in their supplier. The relationships follow a spectrum of intensity, where the least engaged handlers provide little support and commitment, and the most engaged handlers provide support and commitment through a long-term relationship or contract.Originality/valueResearch into the organic supply chain is challenging to undertake, given the proprietary nature of the relationships. As the organic market continues to grow, the relationships along the supply chain will need to evolve to allow firms to meet consumer demand.

With the increasing prominence of food safety problems, consumers are paying more and more attention to the quality and safety of agricultural products. Information traceability of agricultural products supply chain is an important way to ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products. Blockchain technology provides a new solution for information traceability of agricultural products supply chain with its characteristics of decentralization, immutable and transparency. This paper reviews the basic principles of blockchain technology and its application in agricultural supply chain information traceability. By combing relevant literature, it is found that blockchain technology is widely used in the production, processing, logistics and other aspects of agricultural products, effectively improving the transparency and traceability of the supply chain. Finally, it is concluded that the information traceability of agricultural product supply chain under the blockchain improves the traceability, visibility and information security of the supply chain, and also promotes the cooperation and coordination among various entities in the supply chain. With the continuous development and improvement of blockchain technology, its application in agricultural product supply chain information traceability will be more extensive and in-depth, providing more solid technical support for the quality and safety of agricultural products.

Organic rice provides superior quality compared to non-organic one, leading to relatively higher prices. However, many farmers do not benefit from the price difference due to competition with large producers. This study aims to delineate the supply chain of organic rice and analyse its efficiency. This research was conducted in Kulon Progo Regency, precisely in Nanggulan District, identified as a pioneer in organic rice farming and has received organic certification from the Organic Certification Institute. A census was conducted, gathering a total of 67 respondents from the organic rice farmer group. The cooperative served as a marketing institution in the regency, purchasing organic rice from farmers. The organic rice supply chain was analysed descriptively, and its efficiency was assessed using indicators derived from the Performance Measurement System (PMS), encompassing production costs, profits, return on investment (ROI), and transaction costs. The findings unveiled that the organic rice farming in Kulon Progo comprised two supply chains with three key actors: farmers, the cooperative, and consumers. Chain 1 generated the highest efficiency for profit and ROI. To improve the performance of the organic rice supply chain, it is necessary to strengthen the involvement of cooperatives to access a wider market.

Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) represent a topic of great relevance for Europe. Among the strategic sectors highly dependent on them, there is the automotive sector. Considering the disruptive time this industry is living in and the complexity of the lifecycles of its products, it is challenging for practitioners to manage the supply risk of CRMs. In this work, a novel criticality assessment tool tailored to car electronics is proposed. Contrary to the majority of existing tools, it was developed following a structured Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, ensuring its relevance for practitioners. General requirements for the tool were gathered through interviews with seven European automotive companies, covering different stages of the car electronics value chain. The tool has been designed in constant interaction with experts from industry and academic peers. It has been validated on nine different raw materials for a hypothetical large European company. To perform the validation, the main players worldwide on the value chains were mapped for the first time. Compared to the other criticality assessment tools, this one presents the supply chains of the company as the unit of analysis. This, on the one hand, ensures that the information provided by the tool is relevant for the single company. On the other hand, it supports companies in complying with the EU Critical Raw Materials Act requests. Novel indices filling the gaps between the emerging needs of the European automotive sector and the current state of the art of the literature have been developed and implemented.