A systematic literature review to explore traceability and lifecycle relationship

Abstract

Traceability is the ability to follow a product along its lifecycle. It ensures product safety and quality along the supply chain, managing information generated by several players. Even though regulations establish the information that has to be traced, each player generates much more product (and process) information, which could be used to add value to products, with respect to, not only traceability, but also the lifecycle approach. However, the concepts do not appear to be immediately related in scientific panorama. This paper aims to explore the relationship between traceability and lifecycle through a systematic literature review. Six industries (Software, Manufacturing, Automotive, Automation, Aircraft, and Aerospace) and seven subject areas (Software engineering; System engineering; Industry 4.0; New product development; Process management; Data Management; and Environmental sustainability) were identified through bibliometric analysis. To better explore this relationship in the context of the food industry, a content analysis on lead papers’ sample was performed to identify traceability and lifecycle definitions, methodologies and technologies and their relation. The results of the work, synthetised in a proposed research map, will be of interest to those who are approaching the subject for the first time, and for companies involved in product lifecycle management and food traceability.

KEYWORDS:

• Traceability
• lifecycle
• food industry
• systematic literature review
• bibliometric analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Angelo Corallo

Angelo Corallo is Associated Professor at the Department of Innovation Engineering, University of Salento. His research interests are related to technologies, methodologies and organizational models supporting the New Product Development process in complex industries and knowledge management and collaborative working environments. Since 2000, he is the coordinator of several European and Italian research projects. Since 2000, he is lecturer of several courses at the Faculty of Engineering of University of Salento. He is author of about 110 scientific publications. Furthermore from 2010, starting from the result coming from research activities, two spin-offs and one start-ups have been launched.

Maria Elena Latino

Maria Elena Latino is graduated with honours in Management Engineering at the University of Salento in 2010. She is Research Fellow at the Department of Innovation Engineering of University of Salento from 2012. She is PhD student in Complex System Engineering and she will achieve the title in June 2020. In 2018 she was visiting scholar at Technological Institute de Monterrey, Campus Guadalajara, Mexico, collaborating with Prof. Mauricio Cervantes Zepeda. Her research is characterized by a cross-disciplinary focus, with major interest on product lifecycle management, system engineering methodology, business process modelling and simulation, Technical Knowledge Management, traceability system in Food Industry, technological system in Food Industry, Human factor in food labelling design, Consumer behaviour in Food Industry. Since 2013 she is associate of Naica SC. Main activities are: fundraising, project management, Business Process Management and Reengineering, Business Plan, Business Model, Market Analysis, Financial Analysis.

Marta Menegoli

Marta Menegoli is graduated in Management Engineering at University of Salento in April 2015. After her research thesis in the field of organizational systems, entitled “Definition of an Innovative Business Model for the Lean Start-Up”, began working together with Dhitech Scarl, measuring the performance indicators of the developed solutions, and Naica SC in activities of R&D on project proposals worth of European programs. She is research collaborator at the Department of Innovation Engineering of University of Salento since 2018. She improves her skills ad capabilities over time, gaining several IT certifications, carrying out mentorship activities and taking part in research project activities with the Department of Innovation Engineering of the University of Salento.

Pierpaolo Pontrandolfo

Pierpaolo Pontrandolgo is graduated in Mechanical Engineer in 1990 and he is PhD in Production Advanced Engineering Systems in 1998. After a work experience in FIAT Auto (1992–1993) as production engineer, he shifts to Plytechnic of Bari (www.poliba.it) where today is Ordinary Professor in Economic-Management Engineering. From 1995 and 1997 he was visiting scholar at University of South Florida (www.usf.edu), Tampa, Florida, collaborating with Prof. O. Geoffrey Okogbaa. He is member of: Associazione Italiana di Ingegneria Gestionale (AiIG – www.ingegneriagestionale.it); European Operations Management Association (EurOMA – www.euroma-online.org); Production and Operations Management Society (POMS – www.poms.org).