Title: Applying blockchain-based smart contracts to eliminate unfair trading practices in the food supply chain

Authors: Yevhen Kononets; Horst Treiblmaier; Miroslava Rajčániová

Addresses: Department of Economic Policy, FEM, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Nitra, Slovakia ' Department of International Management, Modul University Vienna, Vienna, Austria ' Department of Economic Policy, FEM, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic; Faculty of Economics, University of West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic

Abstract: In this paper we critically evaluate the applicability of blockchain-based smart contracts to reduce unfair trading practices (UTPs) in the food supply chain. Face-to-face interviews and a quantitative survey were used to collect and analyse the opinions of 20 experts in blockchain and food supply management. The results show that contractual parties with asymmetric bargaining power along the food supply chain can implement blockchain-based smart contracts to reduce the negative impacts of UTPs. The creation of templates for such types of contracts and promotion by regulative authorities could help their dissemination. This is the first study to explore the applicability of blockchain-based smart contracts in the food supply chain and its impact on UTPs. We especially focus on the needs of small and medium-sized food producers and farmers who experience negative impacts on their businesses due to existing power asymmetries.

Keywords: unfair trading practices; UTPs; food supply chain; blockchain technology; smart contract; contract efficiency; empirical research; expert interviews.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2022.127082

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2022 Vol.43 No.3, pp.297 - 316

Received: 10 Feb 2020
Accepted: 07 Aug 2020
Published online: 22 Nov 2022 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article