Leveraging Milk-Traceability Technologies for Supply-Chain Performance: Evidence from Saudi Dairy Firms

Afyaa Alessa, Himanshu Shee () and Tharaka De Vass
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Afyaa Alessa: Department of Management, College of Business Administration, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
Himanshu Shee: Business School, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Tharaka De Vass: Department of Management, Monash Business School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-25

Abstract: Growing concern over food safety and adulteration has thrust milk traceability technologies to the forefront of agrifood supply chains. This qualitative study explores the technological, organisational, and environmental (TOE) determinants of traceability technology adoption in Saudi Arabia’s dairy sector. In-depth semi-structured interviews with nine senior managers from small-, medium-, and large-scale dairy farms were analysed thematically in NVivo. Thematic analysis revealed that technological cost and compatibility played crucial role, while contrary to the prior literature, respondents downplayed technological complexity, arguing that training could offset it. Organisational culture and employee resistance were the primary inhibitors within dairy firms. Saudi Vision 2030, post COVID-19 consumer pressure and competitor pressure emerged as the dominant environmental factors. The findings offer insights for managers and policymakers on how to improve supply chain transparency, operational efficiency, product quality, and consumer trust while advancing several UN SDGs.

Keywords: traceability; internet of things; dairy firm; TOE framework; UN SDGs; Saudi Arabia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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