Prioritization of e-traceability drivers in the agri-food supply chains

Abstract

Electronic traceability (e-traceability) is a growing trend in the agri-food industry, offering improved transparency, accountability, and reduced risk of foodborne illnesses through the use of electronic systems to trace products throughout the entire supply chain. E-traceability drivers in the agri-food supply chain encompass diverse factors motivating companies to adopt electronic systems for product tracking, aiming to enhance visibility, minimize risk, ensure compliance, and promote safety, sustainability, and efficiency through clear and verifiable records of product origins, quality, and sustainability, building consumer trust and loyalty. By identifying the main drivers of e-traceability, this research aims to shed light on the factors that motivate companies to implement electronic systems for tracking and monitoring products. For solving this problem of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), this study proposes a hybrid MCDM model. The model combines “Factor Relationship” (FARE) and “Axial Distance-based Aggregated Measurement” (ADAM) methods in the fuzzy environment. The results indicate that the most important drivers are supply chain efficiency, technology development and sustainability. These drivers are critical and they significantly impact the successful implementation and adoption of e-traceability strategies in the agri-food sector.