Table A2 Cross case analysis Dimension... | Emerald Publishing

Table A2

Cross case analysis

Dimension	Upstream actors (farmer, slaughterhouse, Hide collector)	Midstream actor (Tannery)	Downstream actors (manufacturer and focal firm)	Cross-tier interpretation
Role in traceability system	Generation of origin data and initial identification of materials	Transformation and linking of input and output batches	Integration and orchestration of traceability data across tiers	Traceability operates as a layered system combining data generation, transformation, and integration
Primary objective of traceability	Ensure origin identification and traceability of raw materials	Maintain continuity of traceability across transformation processes	Enable transparency, product-level visibility, and coordination across the network	Objectives evolve from operational traceability to system-level visibility and coordination
Traceability level	Batch-level traceability	Batch-level traceability with transformation linking	Item-level traceability for finished products	Traceability depth increases downstream, reflecting different information requirements
Type of data generated	Origin data (animal identification, location, supplier)	Transformation data (processing activities, quality, batch linkage)	Product-level traceability data and integrated supply chain information	Data evolve from raw origin attributes to integrated and structured traceability information
Data granularity	Low to medium (batch-level)	Medium (batch-level with transformation detail)	High (item-level)	Increasing granularity reflects trade-offs between operational feasibility and visibility
Degree of system integration	Limited (data transferred through intermediaries)	Partial (integration between upstream and downstream data)	High (central integration across tiers)	System integration is uneven and increases towards the focal firm
Interaction with digital platform	Interaction with digital platform	Interaction with digital platform	Interaction with digital platform	Interaction with digital platform
Indirect participation through data passed to downstream actors	Indirect participation through data passed to downstream actors	Indirect participation through data passed to downstream actors	Indirect participation through data passed to downstream actors	Indirect participation through data passed to downstream actors
Active participation through data upload and retrieval	Active participation through data upload and retrieval	Active participation through data upload and retrieval	Active participation through data upload and retrieval	Active participation through data upload and retrieval
Central role in managing, validating, and accessing traceability data	Central role in managing, validating, and accessing traceability data	Central role in managing, validating, and accessing traceability data	Central role in managing, validating, and accessing traceability data	Central role in managing, validating, and accessing traceability data
Key challenges	Data capture at source and limited digital capabilities	Ensuring consistency of data across transformations	Integrating heterogeneous data across multiple supply chain tiers	Challenges differ across tiers but are interdependent
Contribution to traceability system	Provide origin and initial traceability data	Ensure continuity and linkage of traceability information	Enable system-wide visibility, integration, and transparency	Effective traceability depends on complementary roles across tiers

Dimension	Upstream actors (farmer, slaughterhouse, Hide collector)	Midstream actor (Tannery)	Downstream actors (manufacturer and focal firm)	Cross-tier interpretation
Role in traceability system	Generation of origin data and initial identification of materials	Transformation and linking of input and output batches	Integration and orchestration of traceability data across tiers	Traceability operates as a layered system combining data generation, transformation, and integration
Primary objective of traceability	Ensure origin identification and traceability of raw materials	Maintain continuity of traceability across transformation processes	Enable transparency, product-level visibility, and coordination across the network	Objectives evolve from operational traceability to system-level visibility and coordination
Traceability level	Batch-level traceability	Batch-level traceability with transformation linking	Item-level traceability for finished products	Traceability depth increases downstream, reflecting different information requirements
Type of data generated	Origin data (animal identification, location, supplier)	Transformation data (processing activities, quality, batch linkage)	Product-level traceability data and integrated supply chain information	Data evolve from raw origin attributes to integrated and structured traceability information
Data granularity	Low to medium (batch-level)	Medium (batch-level with transformation detail)	High (item-level)	Increasing granularity reflects trade-offs between operational feasibility and visibility
Degree of system integration	Limited (data transferred through intermediaries)	Partial (integration between upstream and downstream data)	High (central integration across tiers)	System integration is uneven and increases towards the focal firm
Interaction with digital platform	Interaction with digital platform	Interaction with digital platform	Interaction with digital platform	Interaction with digital platform
Indirect participation through data passed to downstream actors	Indirect participation through data passed to downstream actors	Indirect participation through data passed to downstream actors	Indirect participation through data passed to downstream actors	Indirect participation through data passed to downstream actors
Active participation through data upload and retrieval	Active participation through data upload and retrieval	Active participation through data upload and retrieval	Active participation through data upload and retrieval	Active participation through data upload and retrieval
Central role in managing, validating, and accessing traceability data	Central role in managing, validating, and accessing traceability data	Central role in managing, validating, and accessing traceability data	Central role in managing, validating, and accessing traceability data	Central role in managing, validating, and accessing traceability data
Key challenges	Data capture at source and limited digital capabilities	Ensuring consistency of data across transformations	Integrating heterogeneous data across multiple supply chain tiers	Challenges differ across tiers but are interdependent
Contribution to traceability system	Provide origin and initial traceability data	Ensure continuity and linkage of traceability information	Enable system-wide visibility, integration, and transparency	Effective traceability depends on complementary roles across tiers