Critical success factors for implementing traceability systems in Chinese food enterprises

Food safety has always been the focus of worldwide attention. However, the implementation of traceability system (TS) in China faces many challenges which are creating major barriers to the traceability system implementation success. Research reported in this paper aims to identify critical success factors (CSF) for implementing TS in Chinese food enterprises. To achieve the research objectives, this research adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Extensive literature review was conducted to establish initial understanding of TS implementation success and associated critical success factors. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with managers to establish a set of TS implementation success measures in the context of Chinese food enterprises. Survey questionnaires were designed to identify the critical success factors influencing TS implementation success. Exploratory factor analysis technique was used for the development of the CSF framework.