Department of Logistics

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Browsing Department of Logistics by browse.metadata.advisor "Freiboth, Heinrich"

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    Assessing the potential of blockchain technology as an information-sharing platform in the major fruit export supply chains of South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-12) Beuting, Wout Lean; Kussing, Ulrike; Freiboth, Heinrich; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Logistics.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Supply chain management has become increasingly complicated with the deepening of globalisation. Supply chains and their stakeholders of first-tier and second-tier organisations have become significantly more versatile, at a time when there is an expanding relevance for delivery times, product quality, and efficiency. Information technologies are potentially supportive to the storage and exchange of data, and make the supply chain more easily manageable. This research study aims to assess the potential of blockchain technology for the major fruit export supply chains of South Africa, which are citrus, pome fruit, and table grapes. This research study follows a deductive approach and utilises a research methodology guided by a three-stage process. First, a systematic literature review was conducted to get a better understanding of blockchain technology and its potential for agricultural supply chains. Second, a qualitative multimethod data collection approach has been followed in the form of an industry case study. This research method has been adopted to get a better understanding of the information flows throughout the fruit export industry and how data is managed. Finally, in the analysis phase, the results of the previous two stages are combined to assess the potential of blockchain technology as an information-sharing platform in the South African fruit export industry. The results of the systematic literature review and the industry case study revealed the shortcomings of blockchain technology and the complexity of the South African fruit export supply chains. Both the produce exporter and the freight forwarder fulfil key roles when it comes to data management and the exchange of data elements. The decentralised systems of blockchain technology look very promising but they are still in the early phase of development. Despite its rapid improvements, the adoption of blockchain technology comes with many uncertainties which exposes its early stage of development at this stage. The analysis phase shows that neither blockchain technology nor the South African fruit export industry, is yet ready for the adoption of this system. The adoption of a decentralised system such as this brings a high degree of uncertainty as many challenges still need to be overcome. Besides that, the system requires a high-quality internet infrastructure which is not presently available for either entity. Nevertheless, the results show the relevance of supply chain transparency, visibility, and data quality on supply chain performance and their contribution to better-grounded decision-making processes. The recommendations given are intended to prepare the industry for the adoption of blockchain in the future. Investments are needed for further improvements of the domestic internet infrastructure in order to achieve blockchain’s potential. The improvements of blockchain technology are proceeding rapidly. It is recommended to follow these developments closely until blockchain is ready for industry-wide adoption. Until such time, recommendations are given on how to increase transparency, visibility, and data quality as these contribute significantly to supply chain performance and decision-making processes.