{rfName}
Di

Indexed in

License and use

Citations

13

Altmetrics

Grant support

This paper has been supported by Project PID2021-124641NB-I00 of the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Spain).

Analysis of institutional authors

González-Mendes, SorayaAuthorAlonso-Munoz, SaraCorresponding AuthorGarcia-Muiña, Fernando EAuthorGonzalez-Sanchez, RocioAuthor

Share

May 6, 2024
Publications
>
Article
Hybrid Gold

Discovering the conceptual building blocks of blockchain technology applications in the agri-food supply chain: a review and research agenda

Publicated to:British Food Journal. 126 (13): 182-206 - 2024-04-16 126(13), DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-06-2023-0517

Authors: Gonzalez-Mendes, Soraya; Alonso-Munoz, Sara; Garcia-Muina, Fernando E; Gonzalez-Sanchez, Rocio

Affiliations

Rey Juan Carlos Univ, Dept Business Adm ADO Appl Econ & Fundaments Econ, Madrid, Spain - Author

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an overview of the application of blockchain to agri-food supply chains, including key issues and trends. It examines the state of the art and conceptual structure of the field and proposes an agenda to guide future research.Design/methodology/approachThis article performs a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software on a sample of 205 articles from the WoS database to identify research trend topics.FindingsThe number of publications in this area has increased since 2020, which shows a growing research interest. The research hotspots are related to the integration of blockchain technology in the agri-food supply chain for traceability, coordination between all actors involved, transparency of operations and improvement of food safety. Furthermore, this is linked to sustainability and the achievement of the sustainable development gtoals (SDGs), while addressing key challenges in the implementation of blockchain-based technologies in the agri-food supply chain.Practical implicationsThe application of blockchain in the agri-food supply chain may consider four key aspects. Firstly, the implementation of blockchain can improve the traceability of food products. Secondly, this technology supports sustainability issues and could avoid disruptions in the agri-food supply chain. Third, blockchain improves food quality and safety control throughout the supply chain. Fourthly, the findings show that regulation is needed to improve trust between stakeholders.Originality/valueThe paper provides a comprehensive overview of the blockchain phenomenon in the agri-food supply chain by optimising the search criteria. Moreover, it serves to bridge to future research by identifying gaps in the field.

Keywords

Agri-food supply chainBlockchainChallengesManagementResearch agendaSafetySmart contractThematic organisationTraceability

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal British Food Journal due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position 65/173, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Food Science & Technology.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2025-07-16:

  • WoS: 3
  • Scopus: 6

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-16:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 109.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 226 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 1.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 1 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (González Mendes, Soraya) and Last Author (González Sánchez, Rocío).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Alonso Muñoz, Sara.