IOT, Blockchain, and AI Integration for Enhanced Traceability and Operational Performance in Food Supply Chains: A Systematic Review and TOE Framework Analysis in Thailand
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Abstract
Food safety incidents, food fraud, and increasing trust deficits are exerting pressure on food supply chains, thereby necessitating robust traceability capabilities as a competitive advantage. Relying on a single digital technology remains insufficient in scope. Therefore, the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is critically important for Thailand as a major agro-food exporter to achieve comprehensive supply chain transparency, reliable data, and timely predictive insights. However, adoption rates among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain modest due to high costs, skills gaps, and inadequate digital infrastructure coverage. This systematic literature review employs PRISMA-guided procedures to synthesize both quantitative and qualitative peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 to 2025, examining the integrated application of all three technologies, including pairwise combinations, within food supply chain contexts. It utilizes the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework to analyze Thailand-specific enablers and barriers and to interpret the connections between enhanced traceability capabilities and measurable operational performance outcomes. The synthesis reveals that technology integration strengthens traceability through three core pillars: real-time data visibility from IoT sensing and tracking systems, tamper-resistant and verifiable records through blockchain, and provenance verification through AI analytics and pattern recognition. These elements collectively translate into tangible operational benefits, including expedited decision-making and product recall processes, more precise and efficient quality control mechanisms, and cost reductions through automation, waste minimization, and comprehensive risk management. Within the Thai context, key enablers include government policy support, established industry standards, and multi-stakeholder collaborative frameworks, while significant barriers encompass high initial investment requirements, uneven digital infrastructure distribution, skill development gaps, and regulatory compliance burdens—particularly challenging for small-scale operators. In conclusion, this review proposes a conceptual framework positioning traceability as a mediating mechanism linking technology integration with operational performance improvements in speed, quality, and cost reduction dimensions, and provides actionable policy recommendations regarding infrastructure investment and capability enhancement initiatives to accelerate the responsible and inclusive advancement of Thailand’s food industry in the digital era.
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