Study on the Application of Blockchain Technology to Improve Efficiency and Transparency in Food Supply Chain Management

This study examines the transformative potential of blockchain technology in food supply chain management through a comprehensive systematic literature review. Recent food safety incidents and supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed critical vulnerabilities in current food supply chain management systems. Through a systematic analysis of 85 peer-reviewed articles published from 2018 to 2020, we investigated how blockchain technology enhances supply chain transparency and efficiency, identified implementation challenges, and determined the key success factors for adoption. Our research method followed established frameworks for systematic reviews, utilizing major academic databases such as the Web of Science, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and ScienceDirect. The study identifies four key characteristics of blockchain technology that are particularly beneficial for supply chain management—decentralization, immutability, transparency, and traceability. Our findings demonstrate that blockchain implementation has significantly improved food safety response capabilities, enhanced data security, and reduced operational costs. Implementation benefits extend beyond operational improvements to include increased consumer trust and improved producer margins. While initial implementation requires substantial investment, organizations have achieved favorable returns through operational efficiency improvements. This study contributes to both the theoretical perspective and practical application of blockchain technology in food supply chains, offering valuable insights for industry practitioners and policymakers