Information integration in multi-dimensional agri-food supply chain networks: a service-oriented approach in the KodA program
C.N. Verdouw, J. Wolfert, A.J.M. Beulens · Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling · 2007
Agri-food companies increasingly participate as net worked enterprises in multi- dimensional, dynamic and knowledge-based networks. They have to make new connections rapidly and employ 'up-to-the-minute' information smoothly in business operations. Appropriate exchange and integration of information should enable this. As part of the Dutch co-innovation program 'KodA', an in-depth study investigated the role of informat ion integration in multi-dimensional networks, described the current situation in agri-food supply chain networks (particularly arable farming) and provided a vision for the future. This paper presen ts the results of this study. It concludes that the level of standardization for data, application and proces s integration in arable farming is poor. A service- oriented approach that supports companies to concen trate on their business processes is proposed as a solution direction. Developments should focus on in dustry-specific elements, adopting worldwide cross-industry standards and building upon existing industry standards. A step-by-step approach in which business partners themselves are responsible, organizational embedding and involvement of all relevant stakeholders are important success factors . Keywords. service-oriented architecture (SOA), business proce ss management (BPM), information integration, data standardization, interoperability , arable farming