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The technological evolution of food traceability systems and their impact on firm sustainable performance: A RBV approach

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  • Brofman Epelbaum, Freddy Moises
  • Garcia Martinez, Marian

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical framework grounded on the Resource Based View (RBV) of the firm to determine the strategic impacts from the technological evolution of food traceability systems. By viewing food traceability systems as unique resources embedded in firms' routines, the research aims to establish the effects of technological innovations on firm sustainable performance. We empirically test our theoretical framework using data from an online survey to UK food companies that have implemented technological innovations in their traceability systems. Regression analysis supports our overall hypothesis that firms gain sustainable competitive advantage by innovating food traceability systems. Technological innovations in human resources are a major source of improved sustainable performance as they make the resource non-substitutable in the short and medium term. This article provides important policy implications for regulators and businesses as food traceability systems become integral to ensure food supply chain integrity. Regulatory interventions do not drive the technological evolution of food traceability systems; innovation relates to the idiosyncratic situation of the firm, making firms to compete to obtain the right non-substitutable resources, particularly human, to work with regulators.

Suggested Citation

  • Brofman Epelbaum, Freddy Moises & Garcia Martinez, Marian, 2014. "The technological evolution of food traceability systems and their impact on firm sustainable performance: A RBV approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 215-224.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:150:y:2014:i:c:p:215-224
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2014.01.007
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhou, Xiongyong & Xu, Zhiduan, 2022. "Traceability in food supply chains: a systematic literature review and future research directions," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 25(2), March.
    3. Stranieri, S. & Cavaliere, A. & Banterle, A., 2015. "Voluntary traceability standards: which is the role of economic incentives?," 2015 International European Forum (144th EAAE Seminar), February 9-13, 2015, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 206213, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
    4. Sara Walton & Annie Zhang & Conor O'Kane, 2020. "Energy eco‐innovations for sustainable development: Exploring organizational strategic capabilities through an energy cultures framework," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 812-826, March.
    5. Ximing Chen & Jie Shang & Muhammad Zada & Shagufta Zada & Xueqiang Ji & Heesup Han & Antonio Ariza-Montes & Jesús Ramírez-Sobrino, 2021. "Health Is Wealth: Study on Consumer Preferences and the Willingness to Pay for Ecological Agricultural Product Traceability Technology: Evidence from Jiangxi Province China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-13, November.
    6. Saak, Alexander E., 2016. "Traceability and reputation in supply chains," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 149-162.
    7. Emlinger, Charlotte & Latouche, Karine, 2022. "When quality management helps agri-food firms to export," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322407, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    8. Muhammad Haseeb & Hafezali Iqbal Hussain & Beata Ślusarczyk & Kittisak Jermsittiparsert, 2019. "Industry 4.0: A Solution towards Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business Performance," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-24, May.
    9. Zhou, Xiongyong & Zhu, Qinghua & Xu, Zhiduan, 2022. "The mediating role of supply chain quality management for traceability and performance improvement: Evidence among Chinese food firms," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    10. Ronaldo Brito da Silva & Claudia Aparecida de Mattos, 2019. "Critical Success Factors of a Drug Traceability System for Creating Value in a Pharmaceutical Supply Chain (PSC)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-18, June.
    11. Mukesh Kumar & Rakesh D. Raut & Mahak Sharma & Vikas Kumar Choubey & Sanjoy Kumar Paul, 2022. "Enablers for resilience and pandemic preparedness in food supply chain," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 1198-1223, December.
    12. Charlotte Emlinger & Karine Latouche, 2021. "When Quality Management Helps Agri-food Firms to Export," Post-Print hal-03518705, HAL.
    13. Montecchi, Matteo & Plangger, Kirk & West, Douglas C., 2021. "Supply chain transparency: A bibliometric review and research agenda," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    14. Auler, Daniel P. & Teiceira, Rafael & Nardi, Vinicius, 2016. "Food safety as a field in supply chain management studies: a systematic literature review," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 20(1), September.
    15. Pappa, Ioanna & Illiopoulos, Constantine & Massouras, Theofilos, 2019. "On Sustainability of a Dairy Sector in Crisis," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 10(02), January.
    16. Dai, Hongyan & Ge, Ling & Zhou, Weihua, 2015. "A design method for supply chain traceability systems with aligned interests," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(PA), pages 14-24.
    17. Zhi-Ping Fan & Xue-Yan Wu & Bing-Bing Cao, 2022. "Considering the traceability awareness of consumers: should the supply chain adopt the blockchain technology?," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 309(2), pages 837-860, February.
    18. Rodrigues, Daniel & Teixeira, Rafael & Shockley, Jeff, 2019. "Inspection agency monitoring of food safety in an emerging economy: A multilevel analysis of Brazil's beef production industry," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 1-16.
    19. Liu, Weihua & Long, Shangsong & Wei, Shuang, 2022. "Correlation mechanism between smart technology and smart supply chain innovation performance: A multi-case study from China's companies with Physical Internet," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    20. Xiongyong Zhou & Madeleine Pullman & Zhiduan Xu, 2022. "The impact of food supply chain traceability on sustainability performance," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 93-115, June.
    21. Rabab Ali Abumalloh & Mehrbakhsh Nilashi & Keng Boon Ooi & Garry Wei-Han & Tat-Huei Cham & Yogesh K. Dwivedi & Laurie Hughes, 2024. "The adoption of metaverse in the retail industry and its impact on sustainable competitive advantage: moderating impact of sustainability commitment," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 342(1), pages 5-46, November.

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