A framework for food supply chain digitalization: lessons from Thailand |
| |
Authors: | Pichawadee Kittipanya-ngam Kim Hua Tan |
| |
Institution: | 1. Department of Operations Management, Thammasat Business School, Thammasat University, Pranakorn Bangkok, Thailand;2. pichawadee@tbs.tu.ac.th;4. Division of Operations Management and Information Systems, Nottingham University Business School, Nottingham University Jubilee Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
| |
Abstract: | AbstractThe promise of digitalization is enormous and nowhere is it more critical than in its potential to transform food supply chain. Consumers have become more educated and are demanding real-time updated information on foods they consumed through digital media. They are also increasingly demanding to know if the foods they consume are environmentally and socially sustainable or not. As a result, food product traceability, safety, and sustainability issues have become crucial concerns to food retailers, distributors, processors, and farmers. Digitalization allows food supply chains to be highly connected, efficient, and responsive to customer needs and regulation requirements. However, digitalizing a traditional food supply chain is challenging and resource demanding. This is more so for developing countries where moving food from farms to consumers can take months as it travels through an array of middlemen. Unfortunately, little is available in the existing literature on food supply chain digitalization. So far, current researchers mainly explore the benefits of digitalization. Using cases in three companies, this paper explores the practices, challenges, and opportunities faced by Thailand food manufacturers in digitalizing their food supply chains. A framework for food supply chain digitalization is proposed and its implications for research and practices are discussed. |
| |
Keywords: | Food supply chain supply chain digitalization transparency visibility blockchain |
|
|