Blockchain Applications in Food Supply Chain Management: Case Studies and Implications

Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Chapter 1: Introduction
	1.1 Food System
	1.2 Food Supply Chains
		1.2.1 Prevent Potential Food Hazards
		1.2.2 Food Recall
	1.3 Traceability
	1.4 Traceability Innovation
	1.5 Blockchain
		1.5.1 Blockchain Applications
	1.6 Research Objectives
		1.6.1 Research Questions
		1.6.2 Research Structure
	References
Chapter 2: Literature Review
	2.1 Food Supply Chain Management
		2.1.1 Supply Chain Management
		2.1.2 Food Supply Chain
		2.1.3 The Trends of Food Supply Chain Management
	2.2 Blockchain
		2.2.1 Blockchain Description
		2.2.2 Blockchain Features
			2.2.2.1 Decentralisation
			2.2.2.2 Security
			2.2.2.3 Smart Contract
			2.2.2.4 Immutability
	2.3 Traceability
		2.3.1 Traceability Definitions
		2.3.2 The Motivations for Traceability
		2.3.3 The Benefits of Traceability
		2.3.4 Transparency
		2.3.5 Technology Innovations on Food Traceability
	2.4 A Content-Based Analysis of Blockchain and the Food Supply Chain
		2.4.1 Literature Review Method
		2.4.2 Thematic Analysis
			2.4.2.1 Benefits
			2.4.2.2 Barriers
	2.5 Theoretical Basis
		2.5.1 Innovation Process Model
		2.5.2 Practice-Based View (PBV)
	2.6 Research Gaps
	2.7 Summary
	References
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
	3.1 Research Method
		3.1.1 Qualitative Research
		3.1.2 Case Study
	3.2 Case Selection
	3.3 Data Collection
	3.4 Data Analysis Strategy
	3.5 Ethical Issues
	3.6 Quality Assurance
	3.7 Summary
	References
Chapter 4: Case Analysis: BeefLedger
	4.1 Background Information
		4.1.1 Company Background
		4.1.2 Beef Industry in Australia
	4.2 Issues Within the Australian-China Beef Supply Chain
		4.2.1 Fragmented Information Flow and Misinformation Within the Cross-Border Supply Chain
		4.2.2 Inefficient Cross-Border Document and Payment Process
		4.2.3 Consumer Concerns
	4.3 Blockchain Implementation
		4.3.1 Preparation
		4.3.2 Implementation
		4.3.3 Coordinating with Stakeholders
		4.3.4 Future Plan
	4.4 Blockchain Benefits
		4.4.1 Optimising the Information Flow for BeefLedger
		4.4.2 Streamlining Cross-Border Documentation and Payment
		4.4.3 Enhance Consumer Buying Confidence
	4.5 Implementation Barriers
	4.6 Case Summary
	References
Chapter 5: Case Analysis: W Company
	5.1 Background Information
		5.1.1 Company Background
		5.1.2 Background of Main Partners
		5.1.3 Retail Sector in China
	5.2 Issues Within China´s Retail Supply Chain
		5.2.1 Consumer Concerns
		5.2.2 Supplier Management
	5.3 Blockchain Implementation
		5.3.1 Preparation
		5.3.2 Implementation
			5.3.2.1 Stage One
			5.3.2.2 Stage Two
		5.3.3 Future Plan
			5.3.3.1 Inviting More Upstream Sub-suppliers
			5.3.3.2 Enabling the Module of Customer Feedback
			5.3.3.3 Using Smart Contract
			5.3.3.4 Micro-Insurance Project
		5.3.4 Stakeholder Engagement
	5.4 Blockchain Benefits
		5.4.1 Transparency and Traceability
		5.4.2 Supplier Management
			5.4.2.1 Precise Supplier Management
			5.4.2.2 Liability Defining
		5.4.3 Marketing
	5.5 Implementation Barriers
	5.6 Case Summary
	References
Chapter 6: Case Analysis: FairChain
	6.1 Background Information
		6.1.1 Company Background
		6.1.2 Global Coffee Supply Chain
		6.1.3 European Coffee Industry
	6.2 Issues Within Coffee Supply Chain
		6.2.1 Value Inequality
		6.2.2 Unsustainable Sourcing
	6.3 Blockchain Implementation
		6.3.1 Preparation
		6.3.2 Implementation
		6.3.3 Stakeholder Engagement
			6.3.3.1 Farmers´ Engagement
			6.3.3.2 Consumer Involvement
			6.3.3.3 Impact Consortia
		6.3.4 Future Plans
	6.4 Blockchain Benefits
		6.4.1 Story Proving
			6.4.1.1 Shared Value Chain
			6.4.1.2 Positive Externalities
		6.4.2 Marketing
	6.5 Implementation Barriers
	6.6 Case Summary
	References
Chapter 7: Cross-Case Analysis
	7.1 Innovation Process Model
		7.1.1 Setting the Stage Activities
			7.1.1.1 Identify the Issues and Clarify Company Demand
			7.1.1.2 Identify Partners
		7.1.2 Customer Clue-Gathering Activities
			7.1.2.1 Data Collection and Proposed Business Model
			7.1.2.2 Run Pilots
		7.1.3 Negotiating, Clarifying, and Reflecting Activities
			7.1.3.1 Design and Implement New System
				Blockchain System Design
				Data Collection Methods
			7.1.3.2 Supplier Engagement
		7.1.4 Inter-Organisational Learning
			7.1.4.1 Stakeholder Collaboration
				Consumers´ Engagement
				Suppliers´ Engagement
				Third-Party Support
			7.1.4.2 System Adjusting and Business Adapting
				Technology Perspective
				Business Perspective
	7.2 Critical Success Factors
		7.2.1 Capabilities
			7.2.1.1 Knowledge
			7.2.1.2 Resources
		7.2.2 Collaboration
			7.2.2.1 Leadership
			7.2.2.2 Stakeholder Acceptance
		7.2.3 Technology Readiness
			7.2.3.1 Technology Maturity
			7.2.3.2 Technology Compatibility
		7.2.4 External Environment
			7.2.4.1 External Support
			7.2.4.2 Market Awareness
	7.3 Common Barriers and Solutions
		7.3.1 Intra-Organisational Barriers
		7.3.2 Inter-Organisational Barriers
		7.3.3 System-Related Barriers
		7.3.4 External Barriers
	7.4 Project Outcomes
		7.4.1 Supply Chain and Traceability Efficiency
		7.4.2 Information Transparency and Supply Chain Visibility
		7.4.3 Information Authenticity and Accountability
		7.4.4 Supply Chain Digitisation
		7.4.5 Supply Chain Resilience
		7.4.6 Sustainability
	7.5 Summary
	References
Chapter 8: Discussion
	8.1 Innovation Process Model
		8.1.1 Setting the Stage Activities
		8.1.2 Customer Clue-Gathering Activities
		8.1.3 Negotiating, Clarifying, and Reflecting Activities
		8.1.4 Inter-Organisational Learning
	8.2 Blockchain Adoption Influencing Factors and Performance Outcome
		8.2.1 Critical Success Factors
			8.2.1.1 Capabilities
				Knowledge
				Resources
			8.2.1.2 Collaboration
				Leadership
				Stakeholder Acceptance
			8.2.1.3 Technology Readiness
				Technology Maturity
				Technology Compatibility
			8.2.1.4 External Environment
				External Support
				Market Awareness
		8.2.2 Common Barriers and the Solutions
			8.2.2.1 Intra-Organisational Barriers
			8.2.2.2 Inter-organisational Barriers
			8.2.2.3 Systems-Related Barriers
			8.2.2.4 External Barriers
		8.2.3 Project Outcomes
			8.2.3.1 Supply Chain and Traceability Efficiency
			8.2.3.2 Information Transparency and Supply Chain Visibility
			8.2.3.3 Information Authenticity and Accountability
			8.2.3.4 Supply Chain Digitisation
			8.2.3.5 Supply Chain Resilience
			8.2.3.6 Sustainability
	8.3 Summary
	References
Chapter 9: Implications and Conclusion
	9.1 Answers to the Research Questions
		9.1.1 Answer to the First Research Question
		9.1.2 Answer to the Second Research Question
	9.2 Research Contributions
		9.2.1 Contributions to Theories
			9.2.1.1 Contributions to the Blockchain Research in Food Supply Chain
			9.2.1.2 Contributions to the Innovation Process Model
			9.2.1.3 Contributions to the Practice-Based View
		9.2.2 Contributions to Practice
			9.2.2.1 Contributions for Focal Companies
			9.2.2.2 Contributions for Suppliers
			9.2.2.3 Contributions for Third Parties
	9.3 Limitations
	9.4 Future Research Directions
	9.5 Final Words
	References
Appendices
	Appendix 1: Cover Letter for Selected Companies
		The Application of Blockchain in Food Supply Chain Management
			Research Background
			Format/Time Scale
			Project Contact and Interviewer
			Deliverable
	Appendix 2: Interview Protocol
		Interview Protocol for Focal Company
			Food Supply Chain-Related Questions
			Blockchain-Related Questions
			Innovation-Related Questions
			Interview Protocol for Technology Support Team
				Blockchain-Related Questions
				Food Supply Chain-Related Questions
				Innovation-Related Questions
			Interview Protocol for Upstream Suppliers
				Food Supply Chain-Related Questions
				Blockchain-Related Questions
			Interview Protocol for Downstream Customers
				Food Supply Chain-Related Questions
				Blockchain-Related Questions