Maritime security guidelines: a study of Swedish ports’ perceived barriers to compliance

Due to the constant risk of piracy and terrorist attacks which cause disturbances within international shipping of goods, barriers to the adoption of maritime security guidelines (MSGs) at European ports have become prevalent. In this paper, a conceptual framework was created to explore the perceived barriers that prevent compliance with MSGs. To verify the conceptual framework, empirical data were collected using a mixed-methods approach, which was comprised of interviews with national experts and a survey of 47% of Swedish ports involved in the shipping of goods. According to the presented framework, the perceived barriers of Swedish ports to compliance with MSGs were linked to collaborations within the Swedish Maritime Security stakeholder network, available resources and educational knowledge about security culture. In addition, the perceived barriers of smaller ports were linked to the adaptation to MSGs at different levels and the absence of specific tools of maritime security management. Due to an increased interest in international shipping of goods, this paper is currently one of few that addresses the barriers to compliance with MSGs. Moreover, the paper presents a general conceptual framework, novel managerial implications and recommendations for future research

Exploring Swedish urban freight stakeholders’ interests in public spaces

Urban stakeholders have divergent interests in the use of public space in cities and should be considered in city-planning of urban freight. This paper explores Swedish urban stakeholder’s interests in the use of public space. A literature review on Urban Freight Stakeholders (UFSs) with direct impact on city-planning, and their interest’ in the use of public space was conducted and used as a theoretical foundation in a cross-case analysis of two Swedish cities. Forty-five semi-structured interviews, and forty-one answers from a multiple-choice question were used as empirical data in the evaluation of UFSs’ interests. The paper shows that interests’ of UFSs which contribute to attractive urban environment should be considered in city-planning of urban freight. In addition, policies on road safety, decoration of the city environment and pricing the use of public space in cities need to be developed at local authorities. The paper confirms property owners as UFSs with similar accessibility and service interests as local authorities in the city-planning of urban freight. The literature review of published research and a cross-case analysis of Swedish UFSs’ interests in public space in two cities provides insights for further development of research to enrich theory and city-planning of urban freight

Effects on logistic operations from RFID- and EPCIS-enabled traceability

Purpose – The paper aims to explore the potential effects on logistic operations of implementing the Electronic Product Code Information Service (EPCIS) standard and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to enable food traceability. A conceptual model for analysing supply chains according to EPCIS standard is also presented.Design/methodology/approach – A literature review was conducted to establish a theoretical framework. A case study of a Swedish fresh fish supply chain was then carried out.Findings – Implementation of the EPCIS standard and RFID technology to enable food traceability potentially affects the following logistic operations activities: identification, monitoring, labelling, goods handling, reporting of production, identification costs and revenue changes due to sales of goods. The conceptual model was used to analyse the effects.Research limitations/implications – The paper contributes to logistic research by studying the implementation of RFID technology and information standards to comply with food traceability requirements. The research is limited to fish supply chains; other sectors and supply chains need to be investigated for further generalisation of the results.Practical implications – Regulatory requirements on food traceability stipulate the implementation of food traceability systems, placing the responsibility on companies by authorities. The research presented can support managers in understanding the potential effects of implementing such systems.Originality/value – The discussion about logistics and food traceability has in part revolved around implementation of RFID technology and standardised approaches for handling information to preserve food quality and safety. This paper presents potential effects on logistic operations when implementing the EPCIS standard and RFID technology as a way of enabling traceability throughout food supply chains

Traceability in food supply chains Exploring governmental authority and industrial effects

Traceability in food supply chains has received increased attention in the last decade. The efforts of governmental authorities have also increased to regulate and control food supply chains and product characteristics related to information to ensure safety, quality, and preservation of living resources. Previous studies in the area take an industrial focus and exclude the governmental authority focus. This thesis thus focuses on exploring governmental authority and industrial effects on traceability in food supply chains. The purpose is to extend the traceability capabilities in food supply chains that are influenced by governmental authorities. The thesis reports findings from literature reviews and case studies that investigated three research questions. The first question embraces different perspectives of food supply chain traceability in supply chain management (SCM) literature, as well as the science theoretical perspective of food supply chain traceability. The second question explores modelling techniques for mapping food supply chains based on two dimensional flows of information between a governmental authority and actors, and of the flows of physical goods in three fresh food supply chains. The third question concerns the effects on operational activities and traceability information in fresh food supply chains by implementing the RFID based smart goods concept. The results show that food supply chain traceability is a multidisciplinary concept which is important for governmental authorities. Supply chain management techniques for mapping descriptive information flows and for capturing information in supply chains are applicable to improve traceability in fresh food supply chains. The thesis further examines the influence of traceability on operational activities in food supply chains. The results presented contribute to the understanding of traceability in food supply chains affected by governmental regulations from a managerial point of view. This is useful for authorities and industrial firms in the food industry as well as for academia, since it shows that food supply chain traceability should be prioritised to influence future supply chain traceability setups and theoretical development of the research area

Food traceability in regulated fresh food supply chains with an emphasis on the Swedish fishing industry

Food traceability is gaining increased attention in food companies and governmental authorities. This is because of the increase in legal and consumer requirements on ensuring food safety, quality and preservation of living resources. These requirements especially apply to the management of food traceability in regulated fresh food supply chains. Several studies have shown that management of food traceability is facilitated by the adoption of information communication technologies (ICT), which also enhances transparency. In order for logistics professionals and managers in regulated fresh food supply chains to gain an understanding of the ICT based management of food traceability, they need to be aware of the challenges involved in adopting it and the potential impacts it has on transparency. The research presented in this thesis examines how food traceability is managed and identifies challenges and impacts. Thus, the overall purpose is to study food traceability regarding impacts of ICT on transparency in regulated fresh food supply chains. Several methods are applied. The research is qualitative, based primarily on a longitudinal case study conducted in a real-life setting over five years in the fishing industry. This case study consists of four single, multi-unit analysis case studies with different time frames, objectives and number of participants, but with the common characteristic of being based on the existing theory on management of food traceability during the time period the research was carried out. One of the case studies was conducted to explore and obtain knowledge about information flows between a governmental authority and companies in regulated fresh food supply chains. The other three single case studies explored impacts on logistics operations, business processes and on the food supply chain transparency of adopting ICT in managing food traceability in fresh food supply chains. The ICT involved was radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and standardized information service frameworks. An integrative literature review was conducted to understand different perspectives on food traceability based on management approaches to ensure food safety. The thesis concludes that the governmental authority needs to be viewed as a stakeholder, and that the challenges in, and potential impacts on transparency of adopting ICT need to be understood in the management of food traceability in regulated fresh food supply chains. The research provides insights into conceptual modelling of fresh food supply chains as logistical chains. It also shows that managing food traceability by adopting RFID and standardized information service frameworks (e.g. the Electronic Product Code Information Service, EPCIS framework) is faced with technical and business challenges. The technical challenges identified concerned ensuring the readability of RFID tagged items and the management of information. The business challenges identified concerned increased initial and operational costs, the sharing of initial costs, and management of information visibility. Potential impacts are also identified on the information visibility aspect of transparency in logistics operations and business processes. These impacts are important when considering adoption of ICT to manage food traceability to meet regulatory and consumer. A conceptual model for analysing food traceability in regulated fresh food supply chains is proposed, where practical implications are to guide practitioners to increase their understanding. The summary provided of European regulations on the preservation of food safety, quality, and living resources and labelling of food products contributes to understanding the legal requirements that need to be fulfilled. The theoretical contributions of this thesis consists of: conceptual modelling of regulated fresh food supply chains; the categorization of challenges in adopting ICT to manage food traceability; a standardized exchange and storage of information to meet food traceability requirements; and potential impacts on transparency of adopting ICT to manage food traceability

Bar Coding for Product Traceability

Product traceability to ensure quality, safety, and sustainability of goods has become a worldwide societal concern. Developments in bar code technology have created extended opportunities to meet product traceability requirements. This article presents advantages and disadvantages to use bar code technology for product traceability linked to information management principles for unique identification, interoperability, and communication of traceability information. Challenges in bar code technology for product traceability include the development of cell phone applications and bar code symbology that ensure product readability, provide the ontology for traceability information recorded on the bar code, and bar codes that prevent falsification

Implementation of global traceability standards: incentives and opportunities

Purpose – Implementing global traceability standards (GTSs) facilitates interoperability in food supply chains (FSCs). The purpose of this paper is to present incentives, opportunities and requirements for implementing GTSs in a fresh FSC. Design/methodology/approach – The research was developed in two stages: a literature review was conducted to establish a theoretical framework; and then an in-depth case study of a Swedish fresh fish supply chain was conducted. The Kano methodology was used to evaluate opportunities based on implementation requirements in each enterprise. Findings – FSC enterprises implement a GTS to meet legal food traceability requirements. This incentive is stronger among enterprises upstream in the FSC than among downstream enterprises. Downstream enterprises emphasize communication with the end consumer as an incentive to implement a GTS. Implementing a GTS increases the opportunity to preserve end consumer confidence, efficiency in information sharing, reduces time in inventory management and the risk of theft. Research limitations/implications – The paper contributes to the field of food traceability by providing knowledge regarding incentives, opportunities and requirements for implementing standards to meet food traceability requirements at FSC enterprises. Practical implications – Regulatory requirements on traceability preservation of food safety, quality and sustainability stipulate the implementation of a GTS. The research presented can support managers in understanding incentives and opportunities for implementing a GTS. Originality/value – This paper combines in-depth academic research with the involvement of Swedish fresh food enterprises. The study is of benefit to fresh food enterprises, authorities and organizations in the further implementation and development of GTSs

Perspectives on food traceability: A systematic literature review

Purpose – This paper aims to increase our understanding of perspectives on food traceability in four supply chain risk management (SCRM) approaches to ensure food safety. The occurrence of food safety failures has led to increased attention on food traceability as a means of identifying the causes of deficiencies in supply chains. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents a literature review and synthesizes the broader domain of food traceability by analyzing perspectives based on SCRM approaches. In all, 129 published papers were selected and evaluated using content analysis. Findings – A framework of SCRM approaches on food traceability is presented. Eight perspectives on food traceability are identified and grouped according to four SCRM approaches: food supply chain complexity and unique identification of goods (logistics management); transparency and interoperability (information management); in-house production and outsourcing (production management); and food quality and safety requirements and the monitoring of food characteristics (quality management). Research limitations/implications – The findings provide an in-depth understanding and research suggestions for the management of traceability to ensure food safety in food supply chains. Conclusions are drawn from secondary sources, thus excluding empirical evaluation. Practical implications – The implementation of food traceability can result in changes to existing management systems. This paper addresses the perspectives and management challenges that can influence the implication of food traceability to ensure food safety. Originality/value – Perspectives on food traceability according to SCRM approaches are presented. Food traceability is analyzed using the philosophy of scientific framework and suggestions for further research are offered