IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i19p10496-d640403.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Blockchain-Enabled Supply Chain Traceability in the Textile and Apparel Supply Chain: A Case Study of the Fiber Producer, Lenzing

Author

Listed:
  • Wafaa A. H. Ahmed

    (Department of Operations Management and Information Systems, Nottingham University Business School, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK)

  • Bart L. MacCarthy

    (Department of Operations Management and Information Systems, Nottingham University Business School, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK)

Abstract

Supply chain traceability is a dominant concern for many industries, regulators, and policymakers. In the textile and apparel industries, social, environmental, and sustainability issues are frequent causes for concern, highlighting the need for effective traceability solutions. Blockchain technology has characteristics that make it attractive for supply chain traceability applications. However, the literature lacks discussion of empirical cases. We discuss current blockchain applications in the textile and apparel industries and analyze an exemplar of a prominent blockchain traceability solution adopted by a world-leading fiber producer, the Lenzing group. In this study, we identify two related objectives for traceability-product authentication and supply chain sustainability. The case study analysis has stimulated a rich discussion about the different levels of traceability achievable across the supply chain, the digital identification of products, and the extension of blockchain solutions across the whole supply network. Significant technical and business challenges exist in extending traceability to the upstream raw material supply chain and to the dispersed garment manufacturing networks downstream. More broadly, the study highlights the need to (1) clarify the objectives of a traceability initiative, and (2) scope a traceability solution appropriately, both horizontally across the supply chain and vertically with respect to the granularity of the items traced.

Suggested Citation

  • Wafaa A. H. Ahmed & Bart L. MacCarthy, 2021. "Blockchain-Enabled Supply Chain Traceability in the Textile and Apparel Supply Chain: A Case Study of the Fiber Producer, Lenzing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:19:p:10496-:d:640403
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/19/10496/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/19/10496/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bailu Fu & Zhan Shu & Xiaogang Liu, 2018. "Blockchain Enhanced Emission Trading Framework in Fashion Apparel Manufacturing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Mehrdokht Pournader & Yangyan Shi & Stefan Seuring & S.C. Lenny Koh, 2020. "Blockchain applications in supply chains, transport and logistics: a systematic review of the literature," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(7), pages 2063-2081, April.
    3. Aiello, Giuseppe & Enea, Mario & Muriana, Cinzia, 2015. "The expected value of the traceability information," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 244(1), pages 176-186.
    4. Nicky J. Welton & Howard H. Z. Thom, 2015. "Value of Information," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 35(5), pages 564-566, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Büşra Ayan & Elif Güner & Semen Son-Turan, 2022. "Blockchain Technology and Sustainability in Supply Chains and a Closer Look at Different Industries: A Mixed Method Approach," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-39, December.
    2. MacCarthy, Bart L. & Ahmed, Wafaa A.H. & Demirel, Guven, 2022. "Mapping the supply chain: Why, what and how?," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    3. Kurniawati, 2023. "Sustainable Textile Practices by Integrated Viscose Rayon and Yarn Producers: An Empirical Study," GATR Journals jfbr210, Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise.
    4. Antonella Moretto & Laura Macchion, 2022. "Drivers, barriers and supply chain variables influencing the adoption of the blockchain to support traceability along fashion supply chains," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 1470-1489, December.
    5. Muhammad Nazam & Muhammad Hashim & Florian Marcel Nută & Liming Yao & Muhammad Azam Zia & Muhammad Yousaf Malik & Muhammad Usman & Levente Dimen, 2022. "Devising a Mechanism for Analyzing the Barriers of Blockchain Adoption in the Textile Supply Chain: A Sustainable Business Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-31, December.
    6. Rocco Furferi & Yary Volpe & Franco Mantellassi, 2022. "Circular Economy Guidelines for the Textile Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-20, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Vincenzo Varriale & Antonello Cammarano & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2021. "Sustainable Supply Chains with Blockchain, IoT and RFID: A Simulation on Order Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-23, June.
    2. 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).
    3. Lijing Zhu, 2017. "Economic Analysis of a Traceability System for a Two-Level Perishable Food Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-16, April.
    4. Azmawani Abd Rahman & Mohani Abdul, 2017. "Establishment of Traceability practices through Halal Assurance System (HAS) Implementation," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 7(6), pages 130-139, June.
    5. Yang, Ya & Chi, Huihui & Tang, Ou & Zhou, Wei & Fan, Tijun, 2019. "Cross perishable effect on optimal inventory preservation control," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 276(3), pages 998-1012.
    6. Liu, Hengyu, 2022. "Combating unethical producer behavior: The value of traceability in produce supply chains," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    7. Gaukler, Gary & Ketzenberg, Michael & Salin, Victoria, 2017. "Establishing dynamic expiration dates for perishables: An application of rfid and sensor technology," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 617-632.
    8. Dai, Bin & Nu, Yu & Xie, Xia & Li, Jianbin, 2021. "Interactions of traceability and reliability optimization in a competitive supply chain with product recall," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 290(1), pages 116-131.
    9. Tang, Christopher S. & Sodhi, ManMohan S. & Formentini, Marco, 2016. "An analysis of partially-guaranteed-price contracts between farmers and agri-food companies," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 254(3), pages 1063-1073.
    10. Vahid Nooraie, S. & Parast, Mahour Mellat, 2016. "Mitigating supply chain disruptions through the assessment of trade-offs among risks, costs and investments in capabilities," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 171(P1), pages 8-21.
    11. Wallbach, Sören & Lehner, Roland & Röthke, Konstantin & Elbert, Ralf & Benlian, Alexander, 2020. "Trust-Building Effects of Blockchain Features – An Empirical Analysis of Immutability, Traceability and Anonymity," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 120705, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    12. Leopold-Wildburger, Ulrike & Strohhecker, Jürgen, 2017. "Strategy map concepts in a balanced scorecard cockpit improve performanceAuthor-Name: Hu, Bo," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 258(2), pages 664-676.
    13. Bai, Chunguang & Sarkis, Joseph, 2022. "A critical review of formal analytical modeling for blockchain technology in production, operations, and supply chains: Harnessing progress for future potential," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    14. Wallbach, Sören, 2020. "Assimilation and Diffusion of Multi-Sided Platforms in Dynamic B2B Networks: Inhibiting Factors and Their Consequences," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 123277, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    15. 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.
    16. Sengupta, Tuhin & Narayanamurthy, Gopalakrishnan & Hota, Pradeep Kumar & Sarker, Tapan & Dey, Subhendu, 2021. "Conditional acceptance of digitized business model innovation at the BoP: A stakeholder analysis of eKutir in India," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    17. Nino Adamashvili & Radu State & Caterina Tricase & Mariantonietta Fiore, 2021. "Blockchain-Based Wine Supply Chain for the Industry Advancement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, November.
    18. 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.
    19. Vincent Tawiah & Abdulrasheed Zakari & Guo Li & Anthony Kyiu, 2022. "Blockchain technology and environmental efficiency: Evidence from US‐listed firms," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(8), pages 3757-3768, December.
    20. Valeria Costantini & Francesco Crespi & Giovanni Marin & Elena Paglialunga, 2016. "Eco-innovation, sustainable supply chains and environmental performance in European industries," LEM Papers Series 2016/19, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:19:p:10496-:d:640403. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.