Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Information Technology as Enabler of Transparency in Food Supply Chains - An Empirical Study

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
HCI in Business, Government and Organizations (HCII 2021)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 12783))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

Due to globalization, food supply chains are scattered around the globe. As a result, they become more complex and anonymous, potentially confusing customers of the food’s origin and production conditions. In addition, due to higher living standards, consumers are demanding greater transparency in the food production process in terms of safety, quality, and sustainability. Simultaneously, technological developments have made various technologies available to track and provide information about food production to consumers at the physical Point of Sale (POS). However, current literature does not provide a comprehensive overview of technologies presenting transparent product information and guidelines about additional information consumers want to know. Therefore, the authors present a literature review of transparent product information and an outline of technologies to provide such information at the POS. Additionally, the authors present the results of an online survey highlighting the importance of individual transparent product information from a consumer point of view. Combining this information, the authors deduct guidelines on how to use technology to present transparent information to the consumer at the POS.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Aung, M.M., Chang, Y.S.: Traceability in a food supply chain: safety and quality perspectives. Food Control 39, 172–184 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Buzby, J.C.: International Trade and Food Safety. Economic Theory and Case Studies. Bibliogov (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cannella, S., Dominguez, R., Framinan, J.M., Ponte, B.: Evolving trends in supply chain management: complexity, new technologies, and innovative methodological approaches. Complexity 2018, 1–3 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hooker, N.H., Caswell, J.A.: Trends in food quality regulation: implications for processed food trade and foreign direct investment. Agribusiness 12, 411–419 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. van Plaggenhoef, W.: Integration and self regulation of quality management in Dutch agri-food supply chains. A cross-chain analysis of the poultry meat, the fruit and vegetable and the flower and potted plant chains. [S.l.s.n.] (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Frank, P., Brock, C.: Bridging the intention-behavior gap among organic grocery customers: the crucial role of point-of-sale information. Psychol. Mark. 35, 586–602 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Qian, J., et al.: Food traceability system from governmental, corporate, and consumer perspectives in the European Union and China: a comparative review. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 99, 402–412 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. George, R.V., Harsh, H.O., Ray, P., Babu, A.K.: Food quality traceability prototype for restaurants using blockchain and food quality data index. J. Clean. Prod. 240, 118021 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Trienekens, J.H. (ed.): European Pork Chains. Diversity and Quality Challenges in Consumer-Oriented Production and Distribution. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Behnke, K., Janssen, M.F.W.H.A.: Boundary conditions for traceability in food supply chains using blockchain technology. Int. J. Inf. Manag. 52, 101969 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hobbs, J.E.: Information asymmetry and the role of traceability systems. Agribusiness 20, 397–415 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Espiñeira, M., Santaclara, F.J.: Advances in Food Traceability Techniques and Technologies. Elsevier Science (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Nilsson, F., Göransson, M., Båth, K.: Models and technologies for the enhancement of transparency and visibility in food supply chains. In: Sustainable Food Supply Chains, pp. 219–236. Elsevier (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Astill, J., et al.: Transparency in food supply chains: a review of enabling technology solutions. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 91, 240–247 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Agrawal, T., Pal, R.: Traceability in textile and clothing supply chains: classifying implementation factors and information sets via Delphi study. Sustainability 11, 8–9 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hou, B., Hou, J., Wu, L.: Consumer preferences for traceable food with different functions of safety information attributes: evidence from a menu-based choice experiment in China. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 17, 146 (2019)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  17. Jin, S., Zhang, Y., Xu, Y.: Amount of information and the willingness of consumers to pay for food traceability in China. Food Control 77, 163–170 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Liu, R., Gao, Z., Snell, H.A., Ma, H.: Food safety concerns and consumer preferences for food safety attributes: evidence from China. Food Control 112, 107157 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Zhang, B., Fu, Z., Huang, J., Wang, J., Xu, S., Zhang, L.: Consumers’ perceptions, purchase intention, and willingness to pay a premium price for safe vegetables: a case study of Beijing, China. J. Clean. Prod. 197, 1498–1507 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Siddh, M.M., Soni, G., Jain, R., Sharma, M.K., Yadav, V.: Agri-fresh food supply chain quality (AFSCQ): a literature review. IMDS 117, 2015–2044 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Manski, S.: Building the blockchain world: technological commonwealth or just more of the same? Strateg. Chang. 26, 511–522 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Kamilaris, A., Fonts, A., Prenafeta-Boldύ, F.X.: The rise of blockchain technology in agriculture and food supply chains. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 91, 640–652 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Opara, L.U., Mazaud, F.: Food traceability from field to plate. Outlook Agric. 30, 239–247 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Dacko, S.G.: Enabling smart retail settings via mobile augmented reality shopping apps. Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change 124, 243–256 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Pantano, E., Priporas, C.V., Dennis, C.: A new approach to retailing for successful competition in the new smart scenario. IJRDM 46, 264–282 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Pantano, E., Vannucci, V.: Who is innovating? An exploratory research of digital technologies diffusion in retail industry. J. Retail. Consum. Serv. 49, 297–304 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. EUROSTAT: Almost 8 out of 10 internet users in the EU surfed via a mobile or smart phone in 2016. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/7771139/9-20122016-BP-EN.pdf. Accessed 14 Jan 2021

  28. Microsoft News Centre Europe: Is this the supermarket of the future? Coop’s digital transformation. https://news.microsoft.com/europe/features/supermarket-of-the-future/. Accessed 10 Feb 2021

  29. Vojvodić, K.: Brick-and-mortar retailers: Becoming smarter with innovative technologies. Strat. Manag. 24, 3–11 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Román, S., Sánchez-Siles, L.M., Siegrist, M.: The importance of food naturalness for consumers: Results of a systematic review. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 67, 44–57 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Petrescu, D.C., Vermeir, I., Petrescu-Mag, R.M.: Consumer understanding of food quality, healthiness, and environmental impact: a cross-national perspective. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 17, 169 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Mayring, P.: Qualitative content analysis: theoretical foundation, basic procedures and software solution. Klagenfurt

    Google Scholar 

  33. Rugel, M., Jaskolla, L., Skulschus, M.: System und Systematik von Fragebögen. Innovativer ontologiebasierter Ansatz. Comelio-Medien, Berlin (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  34. SurveyCircle.com: Das ist SurveyCircle. https://www.surveycircle.com/de/. Accessed 22 Dec 2020

  35. Zimmermann, R., Wetzlinger, W., Mayer, M., Obermeier, G., Auinger, A.: Annex - Information Technology as Enabler of Transparency in Food Supply Chains. Zenodo (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Beer-Borst, S.: Fragebogen eingesetzt im Projekt „Gesund & Gut: Na Klar!” NFP69 Salzkonsum. Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin der Universität Bern (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Meise, J.N.: Communicating Supply Chain Transparency to Consumers. The Impact of Supply Chain Information Provision on Consumers’ Preference and Willingness to Pay. Shaker, Aachen (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Gremmer, P., Hempel, C., Hamm, U., Busch, C.: Zielkonflikt beim Lebensmitteleinkauf: Konventionell regional, ökologisch regional oder ökologisch aus entfernteren Regionen? (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  39. EFSA: Food safety in the EU. [Publications Office of the European Union], [Luxembourg] (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  40. ECR: SERVICEPLATTFORM WARENGRUPPENKLASSIFIKATION. https://ecr-austria.at/arbeitsgruppen/serviceplattform-warengruppenklassifikation/. Accessed 13 Jan 2021

  41. Universität Innsbruck: Liebe in Zeiten des Corona-Virus. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/7771139/9-20122016-BP-EN.pdf. Accessed 13 Jan 2021

  42. Denver, S., Jensen, J.D., Olsen, S.B., Christensen, T.: Consumer preferences for ‘Localness’ and organic food production. J. Food Prod. Mark. 25, 668–689 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Louise, E., Datta, K.: From beef to bananas. Consumer preferences and local food flows in Honolulu, Hawai. In: Sahakian, M., Saloma, C.A., Erkman, S. (eds.) Food Consumption in the City. Practices and Patterns in Urban Asia and the Pacific. Routledge, London, New York (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Martínez-Ruiz, M.P., Gómez-Cantó, C.M.: Key external influences affecting consumers’ decisions regarding food. Front. Psychol. 7, 1618 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Meyerding, S.G.H., Trajer, N., Lehberger, M.: What is local food? The case of consumer preferences for local food labeling of tomatoes in Germany. J. Clean. Prod. 207, 30–43 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Sanchez-Siles, L.M., et al.: The Food Naturalness Index (FNI): an integrative tool to measure the degree of food naturalness. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 91, 681–690 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Sigurdsson, V., Larsen, N.M., Alemu, M.H., Gallogly, J.K., Menon, R.G.V., Fagerstrøm, A.: Assisting sustainable food consumption: the effects of quality signals stemming from consumers and stores in online and physical grocery retailing. J. Bus. Res. 112, 458–471 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Trienekens, J.H., Wognum, P.M., Beulens, A.J.M., van der Vorst, J.G.A.J.: Transparency in complex dynamic food supply chains. Adv. Eng. Inform. 26, 55–65 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Zander, K., Risius, A., Feucht, Y., Janssen, M., Hamm, U.: Sustainable aquaculture products: implications of consumer awareness and of consumer preferences for promising market communication in Germany. J. Aquat. Food Prod. Technol. 27, 5–20 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Prüf nach!: Rückverfolgung Ihres Produktes—Zurück zum Ursprung. https://www.zurueckzumursprung.at/grundwerte/qualitaetssicherung-und-rueckverfolgung/rueckverfolgung-ihres-produktes/. Accessed 14 Jan 2021

  51. Metro Pro Trace: PRO TRACE Fisch—METRO. https://www.metro.de/unternehmen/nachhaltigkeit/pro-trace/fisch. Accessed 14 Jan 2021

  52. Check Your Product: Check Your Product. https://www.check-your-product.com. Accessed 14 Jan 2021

  53. Ocean Disclosure Project: Ocean Disclosure Project. https://oceandisclosureproject.org/. Accessed 14 Jan 2021

  54. Codecheck: Codecheck.info - Produkte checken und gesund einkaufen. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02011R1169-20140219&from=DE. Accessed 14 Jan 2021

  55. Verein Österreichische Eierdatenbank: Verein Österreichische Eierdatenbank. https://www.eierdatenbank.at/#was-steht-auf-dem-ei. Accessed 14 Jan 2021

  56. REWE Rückverfolgbarkeit bis zum Erzeugerbetrieb: REWE führt Rückverfolgbarkeit bis zum Erzeugerbetrieb per QR-Code ein. https://www.rewe-group.com/de/newsroom/pressemitteilungen/1710-rueckverfolgbarkeit-bis-zum-erzeugerbetrieb. Accessed 14 Jan 2021

  57. European Parliament: Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1169/oj/eng. Accessed 10 Feb 2021

  58. Pekkanen, T.-L., Pätäri, S., Albadera, L., Jantunen, A.: Who cares about product sustainability information at the moment of purchase? Consumer evidence from three countries. Sust. Dev. 26, 229–242 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Caputo, V., Nayga, R.M., Scarpa, R.: Food miles or carbon emissions? Exploring labelling preference for food transport footprint with a stated choice study. Aust. J. Agric. Resour. Econ. 57, 465–482 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Mora, D., Jain, S., Nalbach, O., Werth, D.: Holographic recommendations in brick-and-mortar stores. In: AMCIS 2020 Proceedings, vol. 12 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This study has been conducted within the training network project PERFORM funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 765395. Note: This research reflects only the authors’ view. The Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Steyr, Austria

    Robert Zimmermann, Werner Wetzlinger, Gabriele Obermeier & Andreas Auinger

  2. HOFER KG, Hofer Straße 1, 4642, Sattledt, Austria

    Magdalena Mayer

Authors
  1. Robert Zimmermann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Werner Wetzlinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Magdalena Mayer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gabriele Obermeier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Andreas Auinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert Zimmermann .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA

    Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah

  2. Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA

    Keng Siau

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Zimmermann, R., Wetzlinger, W., Mayer, M., Obermeier, G., Auinger, A. (2021). Information Technology as Enabler of Transparency in Food Supply Chains - An Empirical Study. In: Nah, F.FH., Siau, K. (eds) HCI in Business, Government and Organizations. HCII 2021. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 12783. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77750-0_20

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77750-0_20

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-77749-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-77750-0

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation