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Blockchain for Food Traceability - Consumer Requirements in Austria

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HCI in Business, Government and Organizations (HCII 2024)

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Abstract

Global food supply chains are becoming increasingly complex and the demand for transparency and traceability in food is growing. As a result, there is increasing pressure on the food industry to track food from production to sale. However, current traceability systems are inadequate, with blockchain technology offering a promising approach to food traceability. However, little is known about consumers’ interests and requirements for traceability information. As such, this paper examines the requirements of Austrian consumers for food traceability and the advantages and disadvantages of satisfying the identified requirements with blockchain technology. In this regard, the requirements of consumers mainly relate to the welfare of animals and the precise indication of the origin of animal products. As such, the use of blockchain technology exhibits significant potential for enhancing transparency and traceability within the supply chain, however, requiring a nuanced strategy to maximize its advantages and overcome inherent limitations such as efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability.

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Acknowledgments

This research is sponsored by the Government of Upper Austria as part of the excellence network for logistics Logistikum.Retail.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, 4400, Steyr, Austria

    Robert Zimmermann & Patrick Brandtner

  2. Wacker Neuson, Flughafenstraße 7, 4063, Hörsching, Austria

    Magdalena Richter

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  1. Robert Zimmermann
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Correspondence to Robert Zimmermann .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Singapore Management University, Singapore, Singapore

    Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah

  2. Singapore Management University, Singapore, Singapore

    Keng Leng Siau

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Zimmermann, R., Richter, M., Brandtner, P. (2024). Blockchain for Food Traceability - Consumer Requirements in Austria. In: Nah, F.FH., Siau, K.L. (eds) HCI in Business, Government and Organizations. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14721. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61318-0_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61318-0_18

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