Enhancing Consumer Trust in Supply Chains Through BlockchainBased Product Traceability

Abstract

Blockchain technology (BCT) is transforming supply chain management by facilitating immutable, transparent, and decentralized tracking of goods movement among stakeholders. This study examines the impact of consumer awareness of traceability on the adoption of blockchain technology in supply chains and its capacity to mitigate product counterfeiting and price escalation. Conventional ERP systems are deficient in secure ingredientlevel traceability, hindering consumers' ability to authenticate product quality and legitimacy. A smart contract-based supply chain architecture is deployed on the Ethereum Blockchain to securely record and trace each product's lifespan, from raw material acquisition to retail sale. Consumers may scan a QR code or input a product ID to obtain comprehensive provenance information and evaluate the relationship between product cost and ingredient quality. The system is analyzed in two scenarios: classic ERP-based traceability and improved BCT-enabled traceability, focusing on comparative assessments of consumer utility, willingness to pay, and store pricing behavior. The system comprises modules for stakeholder management, update tracking, profit analytics, and Google Maps integration, hence boosting transparency and facilitating informed purchasing decisions. This study illustrates the essential importance of traceability awareness in facilitating BCT adoption and enhancing trust within supply chain ecosystems.