Optimizing the Process of Obtaining and Maintaining Rainforest Alliance Certification in the Sri Lankan Supply Chain

This research aims to optimize acquiring and maintaining the Rainforest Alliance certification in the Sri Lankan tea supply chain by introducing a blockchain framework. To address the challenges in the certification process, a specialized blockchain framework is developed by conducting unstructured interviews with industry experts. The main challenges identified during the unstructured interviews were limited resources and knowledge for smallholders, coordination and record-keeping complexities for tea estates and stakeholders, and the time-consuming and expensive adaptation of practices for manufacturers, particularly those with complex supply chains. To assess the influence of various blockchain success factors on the proposed network within the tea industry, Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and Matrice d'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement (MICMAC) analyses are employed. The ISM analysis highlights “immutability” as the foremost driving factor for blockchain success, closely followed by “transparency” and “data accuracy.” In terms of dependence on power, “efficiency” emerges as the most influential factor, complemented by the significance of “trust” and “integrity.” The structured level partition reveals three categories of success factors: bottom-level factors are highly influential, intermediate-level factors act as facilitators, and top-level factors, while less influential individually, are vital for overall success, relying on lower-level alignment. While relying on expert opinions and subjective judgments, a foundational step is taken toward advancing sustainable supply chain management practices in the tea industry.