Blockchain-enabled traceability has been widely promoted as an AgriTech innovation that can enhance transparency, accountability and value creation across agricultural and food supply chains. Nevertheless, adoption remains uneven, particularly in large-scale, export-oriented production systems. This study investigates how digital traceability reshapes supervisory structures, stakeholder relationships and coordination mechanisms across the supply chain, using Thailand's durian export supply chain as the empirical context.
A qualitative system dynamics approach was used to examine technology adoption dynamics across the supply chain. The study synthesized insights from the literature and in-depth stakeholder data to develop an integrated causal framework that captures the reinforcing effects of market confidence, executive commitment and operational capabilities. The analysis also incorporated cost trade-offs, distrust of technology and perceived hierarchical injustice.
Blockchain challenges in agricultural and food systems stem not only from technological readiness but also from governance pressures and unequal value distribution among participants. Perceived fairness, coordination costs and institutional uncertainty strongly shape the direction and dynamics of technology adoption across the value chain. In addition, policy trust and institutional alignment are critical to reducing stakeholder resistance and fostering broader adoption of sustainable traceability systems.
This research advances understanding of food supply chains by reframing blockchain adoption not merely as a technological choice, but as a governance and coordination challenge. By integrating stakeholder trust, institutional signaling and value-distribution dynamics, the study offers insights into AgriTech-driven transitions and the governance of sustainable traceability within export-oriented agri-food systems.
