Multi-tier supply chain behavior with blockchain technology: evidence from a frozen fish supply chain

Abstract

Relationships in multi-tier supply chains (MTSCs) are complex and require constant information sharing. For MTSCs involved in perishable product distribution, blockchain technology (BCT) is one of the most promising technologies that can ensure products’ traceability and safety. This study examines a Portuguese MTSC for frozen fish products piloting BCT adoption for its supply chain (SC) practices. The goal is therefore to explore the consequences of information availability inherent for BCT adoption pilots in the SC context. This study follows a mixed-method approach, with qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Three semi-structured interviews with players from a single frozen fish SC, including supplier, transporter, and retailer were conducted. MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2022 software was used for further coding and data analysis. An online survey among retail chain consumers was conducted resulting in 112 responses. Regression analysis and Pearson correlation test were further performed via IBM SPSS Statistics software. Data collection for both parts took place between December 2021 and July 2022. This study explores four layers in the SC– including supplier, transporter, retailer and final consumer. Findings revealed a current lack of extensive and detailed information from upper tiers regarding products’ characteristics. Despite being hyped as a “trust-enabling” technology, BCT was found not to eliminate the need for trustful relationships between players prior to adoption, as information input requires human intervention. Even in those cases when the traceability option is not of major interest to final consumers, findings revealed a higher probability of purchasing fish products that have traceable information available.

Guest editorial: Supply chain transparency: opportunities, challenges and risks

“…The implementation of SCT practices by firms is limited by data availability (Cousins et al, 2019;Xu and Jackson, 2019). There is a lack of information about SC operations beyond firsttier suppliers, especially for indirect suppliers and downstream links in the SC (Dou et al, 2018;Tokkozhina et al, 2023). The reasons primarily lie in the vast number of suppliers, their global distribution and their reluctance to share information, as well as issues with the quality of information (Sodhi and Tang, 2019).…”

“…Given the constrained access to information by firms concerning their suppliers and customers, achieving SCT in a comprehensive and expansive SC network presents a significant challenge (Khan et al, 2021). Nevertheless, it is crucial to understand the flow of information and key participants within each link of the SC (Tokkozhina et al, 2023). It facilitates firms to effectively identify potential risks and opportunities in SCs.…”

Toward an Intelligent Blockchain IoT-Enabled Fish Supply Chain: A Review and Conceptual Framework

“…The authors of [31] investigated the motivation across supplier, transporter, retailer, and final customer toward the adoption of Blockchain in frozen fish SC. The study came to the conclusion that traceability matters for the four types of SC participants and there is a higher likelihood of purchasing fish products that have traceable information available.…”

Blockchain-Based Traceability for Agricultural Products: A Systematic Literature Review

“…The various processes of the fish farm are automatically executed through smart contracts to reduce the risk of error or manipulation. To explore the effect of blockchain technology (BCT) adoption in the context of multi-tiered supply chains (SC), Tokkozhina et al [133] examine the practical adoption of BCT in a multi-tiered supply chain for frozen fish products in Portugal. A mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative data collection was used.…”

“…(6) follows a mixed-method approach, with (6) The results show that consumers are more likely [133] qualitative and quantitative data collection to buy fish products with traceability information. techniques.…”