Operational definitions of packaging sub-functionalities (inductively defined based on the analysis of the reviewed papers)
| Packaging functionality | Packaging sub-functionality (enhanced by SP) | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Information management and accessibility (CM1) | Enhancing the efficient flow of information among supply chain stakeholders using smart indicators, sensors, and data carriers to enable the storage, monitoring, tracking, tracing, and sharing of real-time product data (e.g. Kabadurmus et al., 2023; Rajan and Wani, 2025) |
| Information-based decision-making (CM2) | Utilising real-time data to support decision-making and enable informed, proactive, and timely strategic responses (e.g. Abekoon et al., 2024; Heising et al., 2017) | |
| Protection | Preservation (PT1) | Maintaining product quality, freshness, and safety by mitigating spoilage through the controlled release or absorption of active components and the regulation of internal atmospheric conditions (e.g. Zuo et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2025) |
| Environment monitoring (PT2) | Employing sensors, indicators, and data carriers to monitor internal and external environmental conditions and product quality parameters to prevent damage and contamination (e.g. Versino et al., 2023; Kamau et al., 2025) | |
| Anti-theft (PT3) | Preventing unauthorised removal or loss of products by employing additional security measures to actively safeguard goods during transit, storage, and retail display (e.g. Yang et al., 2024; Fernandez et al., 2023) | |
| Authentication (PT4) | Verifying product genuineness and preventing the entry of counterfeit items into the supply chain through the integration of embedded identification and tracking mechanisms (e.g. Ahmed et al., 2018; Versino et al., 2023) | |
| Anti-tampering (PT5) | Providing clear evidence of external environmental impacts to indicate potential product interference, and signalling possible safety or integrity issues (e.g. Mostaccio et al., 2023; Ganeson et al., 2023) | |
| Traceability (PT6) | Providing information on origin, handling, and movement across the supply chain to ensure transparency, visibility, and integrity while preventing fraud and counterfeiting (e.g. Yang et al., 2024; Singh et al., 2025) | |
| Convenience | Automation and the elimination of manual processes (CV1) | Elevating continuous streams of real-time data collection through data carriers and smart sensors to facilitate data sharing and immediate advanced analysis, resulting in automated data-driven decision-making and process execution (e.g. Abekoon et al., 2024; Htun et al., 2023) |
| Process efficiency and optimisation (CV2) | Enhancing the efficiency and optimisation of logistics handling through real-time data from embedded sensors, leading to reduced consumption of resources such as time, energy, materials, and cost (e.g. Gerrans et al., 2023; Mostaccio et al., 2023) | |
| Streamlined processes (CV3) | Simplifying operations and removing unnecessary steps or redundancies to make processes smoother, quicker, and easier to manage (e.g. Abekoon et al., 2024; Zhang et al., 2025) | |
| Instructions and recommendations (CV4) | Providing stakeholders with actionable operational guidance (e.g. handling and storage conditions) to enhance information sharing, flow, and timely communication (e.g. Kabadurmus et al., 2023; Al-Thani et al., 2025) | |
| Containment | Enhancing the containability of secondary or tertiary packaging (CT1) | Ensuring the reusability of structurally sound units through condition monitoring and the removal of damaged items, thereby reducing risks during transit and storage (e.g. Machiels et al., 2021; Abekoon et al., 2024) |
| Packaging functionality | Packaging sub-functionality (enhanced by SP) | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Information management and accessibility (CM1) | Enhancing the efficient flow of information among supply chain stakeholders using smart indicators, sensors, and data carriers to enable the storage, monitoring, tracking, tracing, and sharing of real-time product data (e.g. |
| Information-based decision-making (CM2) | Utilising real-time data to support decision-making and enable informed, proactive, and timely strategic responses (e.g. | |
| Protection | Preservation (PT1) | Maintaining product quality, freshness, and safety by mitigating spoilage through the controlled release or absorption of active components and the regulation of internal atmospheric conditions (e.g. |
| Environment monitoring (PT2) | Employing sensors, indicators, and data carriers to monitor internal and external environmental conditions and product quality parameters to prevent damage and contamination (e.g. | |
| Anti-theft (PT3) | Preventing unauthorised removal or loss of products by employing additional security measures to actively safeguard goods during transit, storage, and retail display (e.g. | |
| Authentication (PT4) | Verifying product genuineness and preventing the entry of counterfeit items into the supply chain through the integration of embedded identification and tracking mechanisms (e.g. | |
| Anti-tampering (PT5) | Providing clear evidence of external environmental impacts to indicate potential product interference, and signalling possible safety or integrity issues (e.g. | |
| Traceability (PT6) | Providing information on origin, handling, and movement across the supply chain to ensure transparency, visibility, and integrity while preventing fraud and counterfeiting (e.g. | |
| Convenience | Automation and the elimination of manual processes (CV1) | Elevating continuous streams of real-time data collection through data carriers and smart sensors to facilitate data sharing and immediate advanced analysis, resulting in automated data-driven decision-making and process execution (e.g. |
| Process efficiency and optimisation (CV2) | Enhancing the efficiency and optimisation of logistics handling through real-time data from embedded sensors, leading to reduced consumption of resources such as time, energy, materials, and cost (e.g. | |
| Streamlined processes (CV3) | Simplifying operations and removing unnecessary steps or redundancies to make processes smoother, quicker, and easier to manage (e.g. | |
| Instructions and recommendations (CV4) | Providing stakeholders with actionable operational guidance (e.g. handling and storage conditions) to enhance information sharing, flow, and timely communication (e.g. | |
| Containment | Enhancing the containability of secondary or tertiary packaging (CT1) | Ensuring the reusability of structurally sound units through condition monitoring and the removal of damaged items, thereby reducing risks during transit and storage (e.g. |
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