# Blockchain Integrated IoT for Food Supply Chain: A Grey Based Delphi-DEMATEL Approach
###### Abstract  
The Food Supply Chain (FSC) can be made more efficient, resilient, and transparent by implementing industry 4.0 technologies. In this context, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) become a panacea for several FSC problems. As a result of FSC complexity and their specific needs, the adoption of Blockchain integrated IoT (B-IoT) in FSC is challenging, and further investigation is required. Therefore, this study aims to explore the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for the adoption B-IoT in FSC. To achieve this objective, a literature review is conducted to identify the CSFs of B-IoT adoption and then a grey Delphi is conducted on finalised CSFs. Ten CSFs finalised that faceplete for the adoption of B-IoT in FSC. Further, these CSFs were analysed through a grey Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) to determine the importance and causal relationships among them. A grey DEMATEL analysis also categorised these factors into influencing and influenced groups. The findings showed that \"top management support\", \"knowledge management\", \"technology hardware readiness\", \"skilled personnel\", and \"high investment\" were the influencing factors that needed to be addressed for the effective adoption of B-IoT. The FSC partners could benefit from the findings of this study by focusing on high-priority CSFs. The causal relationship among CSFs also helps the managers achieve optimal utilisation of resources. Further, this study encourages the FSC stakeholders to adopt the B-IoT in their supply chain to improve their performance. blockchain; critical success factors; internet of things (IoT); grey Delphi; grey DEMATEL; food supply chain +
Footnote †: journal: Medical Engineering  
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Footnote 1: email: {[[https://doi.org/10.3390/app13021079](https://doi.org/10.3390/app13021079)]([https://doi.org/10.3390/app13021079](https://doi.org/10.3390/app13021079))}  
Footnote †: journal: Medical Engineering  
tracked and stored from the beginning to the end of the production, processing, distribution, and depletion process [5]. In addition, blockchain-based authenticating and tracking of the information throughout the entire FSC helps to identify and address sources of contamination. Furthermore, blockchain-based technology is being used to enhance traceability and trust by providing verified supply chain information that can be accessed by all stakeholders [6; 7]. It has become popular to utilize blockchains in supply chains to provide transparency and authenticity, and their efficiency has been explored by [PERSON] et al. [8]. They found that blockchain-based traceability is improved significantly in comparison to traditional traceability systems. Blockchain-based technologies seem to offer a relatively higher level of security and reliability as well as greater transparency and traceability [9; 10]. Therefore, the integration of IoT and blockchain contributes to making the FSC more efficient and sustainable [4; 11]. Food fraud continues to increase, resulting in huge financial losses and undermining consumer confidence [12]. Examples include the detection of horse meat in multiple ground beef products found in Europe [13] and the seizure of 100,000 tons of expired meat in China in 2015 [14]. These incidents make consumers more aware of food products; they become more interested in product origin, processing, and other characteristics [15]. Therefore, the FSC must provide transparency, traceability, and product information to guarantee food safety and quality [16]. Adoption of B-IoT in the FSC might solve this problem of economic loss and consumer confidence [17]. B-IoT is regarded as a promising technology that has potential to provide solutions to an extensive range of supply chain issues [18; 19]. The adoption of B-IoT improves supply chain performance through enabling transparency, traceability, and operational efficiency [17; 20]. In this context, the food industry has begun promoting the deployment of B-IoT.