Blockchain-Based Traceability System From the Users' Perspective: A Case Study of Thai Coffee Supply Chain
Issued Date
2022-01-01
Resource Type
eISSN
21693536
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85139267182
Journal Title
IEEE Access
Volume
10
Start Page
98783
End Page
98802
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
IEEE Access Vol.10 (2022) , 98783-98802
Suggested Citation
Tharatipyakul A., Pongnumkul S., Riansumrit N., Kingchan S., Pongnumkul S. Blockchain-Based Traceability System From the Users' Perspective: A Case Study of Thai Coffee Supply Chain. IEEE Access Vol.10 (2022) , 98783-98802. 98802. doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3206860 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/84359
Title
Blockchain-Based Traceability System From the Users' Perspective: A Case Study of Thai Coffee Supply Chain
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
We explored the use of blockchain technology for traceability to improve the safety and value of food, focusing on the coffee supply chain as a case study. The main goal was to evaluate the feasibility in terms of design, perceived benefits, and challenges of applying blockchain and traceability from the users' perspective. We implemented a prototype using a user-centered iterative interface design. Then we used the prototype to answer our research questions in mixed-method research, including in-depth interviews (10 participants) and a survey (350 participants) with stakeholders in the coffee supply chain in Thailand. The results showed that timeline-based design was preferred over map-based or text-based design for the visualization of traceability information and that blockchain was a promising technology, as 67% of the survey participants saw a positive influence of blockchain on the adoption of applications. The most notable benefits were origin checking and increasing product trustworthiness. The most notable challenges were inaccurate or incomplete information and the disclosure of trade secrets. More work is required to address the challenges for everyone in the supply chain ecosystem to adopt the proposed traceability system, including (1) providing trustworthiness and completeness of information by cross-checking with third parties or other users, (2) protecting sensitive information by aligning users' interests or allowing control of information disclosure, and (3) educating and giving producers the motivation for the difficulty and the extra work.