Typical traceability barriers in the Indonesian vegetable oil industry
ISSN: 0007-070X
Article publication date: 30 November 2020
Issue publication date: 5 February 2021
Abstract
Purpose
A traceability system is a key success factor in global food trade, but implementing it in vegetable oil industry is one of the most difficult undertakings in food supply chain management. This study aims to (1) identify typical operational barriers in the implementation of bulk-liquid traceability system in the Indonesian vegetable oil industry by considering the perspective of experts and (2) model the relationship between the barriers structurally in order to improve the reliability of the traceability system.
Design/methodology/approach
To do so, data from in-depth interviews with experts were examined by using content analysis. Then the authors used a combination of decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), interpretive structural modelling (ISM) and matrice d'impacts croisés multiplication appliqué un classement (MICMAC) to construct the hierarchical model and to cluster the typical barriers based on their driving power and dependence power.
Findings
In total, 20 typical traceability barriers along the internal chain (supplier-input-process-output-customer) were identified. The interrelationships between these barriers were modeled in a hierarchical structure, seeking to answer why it is difficult to implement a traceability system and what actions should be taken to remove these barriers.
Practical implications
The model can shed light on how to manage barriers in bulk-liquid food commodity industry, especially in the vegetable oil industry. An action map has been proposed to overcome the operational barriers. This model will also help tracing the critical points of the traceability system.
Originality/value
Compared to other food commodities, operational barriers in vegetable oil chain has never been studied specifically. In fact, there are many operational aspects that hinder traceability. The Indonesian context entails social, economic and environmental factors as well, so it can inform decision-makers in formulating an action map.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are very grateful to The Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia for providing Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant.
Citation
Gunawan, I., Vanany, I. and Widodo, E. (2021), "Typical traceability barriers in the Indonesian vegetable oil industry", British Food Journal, Vol. 123 No. 3, pp. 1223-1248. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-06-2019-0466
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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