Blockchain-enabled carbon footprint traceability in Thailand’s organic food sector: A quintuple helix innovation approach

Abstract

Trustworthy carbon footprint data is increasingly critical for organic food supply chains, yet many existing systems lack transparency, credibility, and cross-sector integration particularly in emerging economies. This research aims to develop a blockchain-based traceability system that addresses these gaps through a sustainability-driven, multi-stakeholder approach. Grounded in the Quintuple Helix Innovation (5HI) model, the study incorporates perspectives from government, industry, academia, civil society, and environmental actors to co-create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) tailored to Thailand’s organic agriculture sector. Data were gathered from in-depth interviews with key stakeholders including farmers, processors, logistics providers, retailers, certifiers, regulators, system developers, and consumers supported by document analysis of relevant agricultural, climate, and blockchain-related policies. The resulting MVP integrates mobile applications, IoT sensors, and blockchain verification for real-time carbon tracking and transparent certification. The originality of this study lies in operationalizing the 5HI framework into a practical, participatory MVP design that merges technical feasibility with environmental and institutional accountability. Findings show promise in reducing certification fraud and enhancing traceability legitimacy, although implementation challenges such as interoperability, startup costs, and rural access persist. This work contributes a replicable model for sustainable digital transformation in agri-food innovation.