Exploring Linkages between Consumer Trust and E-SCM in Food Safety: A Case of Taiwanese Enterprises

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to understand food enterprises' perception toward the implementation of e-supply chain management technologies for the assurance of safety and preservation of quality for products in food supply chains which may positively influence consumer trust. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Multiple methods are employed to study the research problem, both qualitative and quantitative. The approach undertaken is based on grounded theory, interview, and survey. Experts working for food supply chains operating in Taiwan were interviewed and subsequently data was collected for exploratory factor analysis. FINDINGS: The research revealed that the implementation of track-and-trace technology, warehouse management system, and transportation management system for food supply chains in Taiwan can foster consumer trust when it comes to the management of food safety. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS (IF APPLICABLE): The first limitation in this study stems from the self-report methodology, by reason of responses from the tested sample which may be exaggerated or understated. A second limitation stems from the potential lack of testing for measuring the causal relationships between each of the e-supply chain management technologies and their effects on consumer trust. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This paper offers a pragmatic approach to supply chain management in food safety so that it would guide enterprises in food supply chains to establish an effective foundation upon which to gain consumer trust.