Title: Supply chain traceability: an institutional theory perspective

Authors: Ying Liao; Christopher S. Kwaramba; John F. Kros

Addresses: Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, College of Business, East Carolina University, USA ' Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, College of Business, East Carolina University, USA ' Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, College of Business, East Carolina University, USA

Abstract: Initially employed as a tool for detecting food contamination issues, traceability within the supply chain has had a long history of research. However, the view that supply chain traceability is a strategic management tool within other industries has not been fully researched. To address this research gap, this study examines the implementation of traceability through an institution theoretical lens. The research model consists of four important implementation elements of traceability: top management support (TMS), internal non-conforming process (INP), traceability information management (TIM) and supplier traceability management (STM). The model is tested with 238 responses obtained from a variety of industries using the online survey. Results of the study suggest that TMS is critical for a firm to develop an effective traceability system across supply chain. The influential pressures from organisation ownership and regulatory oversight are found to affect how implementation of traceability actually differs amongst firms.

Keywords: supply chain traceability; institutional theory; organisation ownership; regulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLEG.2020.109609

International Journal of Logistics Economics and Globalisation, 2020 Vol.8 No.3, pp.193 - 223

Received: 11 Mar 2020
Accepted: 23 Apr 2020
Published online: 16 Sep 2020 *

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