Brownboard - A tool to facilitate improved supply chain traceability
Author
Editor
- Vesa Autere
- Anu H. Bask
- Gyöngyi Kovács
- Karen Spens
- Kari Tanskanen
Summary, in English
This paper aims to describe the brownboard tool and to elaborate on its characteristics. Brownboard can be seen as a tool within process mapping and it is focused on
supply chain traceability. The process map is created in a dynamical group process where supply chain actors with different competence level meet and interact.
The brownboard tool is used in a case study based on a Swedish supply chain for frozen food; ice cream. The data collection includes on-site interviews, observations, and review of internal documents. Empirical results from the case are used to exemplify the use of the tool.
This study indicates that the brownboard tool enables identification of potential traceability related improvements by its visualization of the flow throughout the supply chain and through highlighting potential risks connected to traceability for the supply chain actors.The evidence has so far been collected through a single case study, and is thereby limited. Although there are limitations in how far one can generalize, the evidence should be regarded as a first step toward future research on this tool in a wider supply chain context.
The Swedish food industry has worked intensively with internal traceability, while supply chain traceability is identified as important but not yet fully implemented. In addition, due to increased consumer awareness about food safety, new regulations, and standards, traceability has become a focus area for the food industry in Sweden. Brownboard is one possible tool that can be used in order to facilitate the process towards fully implemented supply chain traceability.
This paper describes and illustrates the use of a novel tool within process mapping for gaining improved supply chain traceability.
supply chain traceability. The process map is created in a dynamical group process where supply chain actors with different competence level meet and interact.
The brownboard tool is used in a case study based on a Swedish supply chain for frozen food; ice cream. The data collection includes on-site interviews, observations, and review of internal documents. Empirical results from the case are used to exemplify the use of the tool.
This study indicates that the brownboard tool enables identification of potential traceability related improvements by its visualization of the flow throughout the supply chain and through highlighting potential risks connected to traceability for the supply chain actors.The evidence has so far been collected through a single case study, and is thereby limited. Although there are limitations in how far one can generalize, the evidence should be regarded as a first step toward future research on this tool in a wider supply chain context.
The Swedish food industry has worked intensively with internal traceability, while supply chain traceability is identified as important but not yet fully implemented. In addition, due to increased consumer awareness about food safety, new regulations, and standards, traceability has become a focus area for the food industry in Sweden. Brownboard is one possible tool that can be used in order to facilitate the process towards fully implemented supply chain traceability.
This paper describes and illustrates the use of a novel tool within process mapping for gaining improved supply chain traceability.
Department/s
Publishing year
2008
Language
English
Pages
393-408
Publication/Series
Beyond Business Logistics
Full text
- Available as PDF - 392 kB
- Download statistics
Document type
Conference paper
Topic
- Other Mechanical Engineering
Keywords
- food safety
- food supply chain
- process mapping
- food traceability
- small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- packaging logistics
Conference name
20th Annual NOFOMA Conference, 2008
Conference date
2008-06-05 - 2008-06-06
Conference place
Helsinki, Finland
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISBN: 978-951-98050-9-2