Blockchain for beef traceability: Developing an artifact using Design Science Research

Abstract Purpose: This article aims to describe the development of a technological artifact using the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology to optimize traceability in the beef supply chain through blockchain. This article addresses a critical gap in the beef supply chain: the lack of robust technological mechanisms for effective traceability. It explores blockchain as a promising alternative to strengthen transparency and foster trust within the agri-food sector. The study details the development of a blockchain-based technological artifact, emphasizing its functionalities, document integration, and simulation results. The system demonstrates enhanced security, visibility, and reliability throughout the production chain. The explanatory core of the research rests on blockchain’s capacity to mitigate fraud and inefficiencies through its inherent decentralization, immutability, and auditability. These features underpin the observed improvements in trust and efficiency. The study describes the demand for traceability within the Brazilian context, in which beef production assumes a strategic role in agribusiness and global exports. It highlights how social and economic pressure justify the adoption of blockchain to ensure safety and credibility. The findings suggest potential scalability of the proposed solution to other food sectors and its applicability to public policies related to auditing and regulatory control, under similar conditions of transparency and traceability. The study advances beyond theoretical analysis by introducing a technological artifact capable of transforming practices in the beef supply chain, thereby improving efficiency and reliability through a scientifically rigorous design approach. Originality/value: The study addresses a relevant problem in the agricultural supply chain, offering an innovative solution to guarantee data security, transparency, and reliability, from the source to the end consumer. The application of blockchain in the Brazilian context is an unprecedented contribution, promoting significant improvements in the visibility and control of beef production. Design/methodology/approach: The research used the DSR methodology, which is characterized by the creation of a technological artifact to solve complex and relevant problems. The development of the artifact followed seven main guidelines, including the relevance of the problem, methodological rigor, and design evaluation. For data analysis, traceability simulations and validation of the integrated system were used in order to test the practical feasibility of the proposed solution. Findings: The results show an advance in automation and data security, from the identification of animals to the issuing of tax documents, reinforcing consumer confidence and efficiency of the process. The findings advance a practical solution for enhancing traceability across the food chain, with scalability potential to other sectors and applicability to public policy and auditing frameworks.