Basics of Digital Traceability
What is digital traceability?
Tracking and verifying products throughout the supply chain using digital tools.
The academic article focused on which industry for digital traceability?
Agri-food supply chains.
Which organization published the governmental article on digital traceability?
A) World Economic Forum (WEF)
B) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
C) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
D) World Trade Organization (WTO)
A) World Economic Forum (WEF)
Which company was investigated in the Aftonbladet article?
A) Zara
B) Lidl
C) H&M
D)WhatsApp
C)H&M
What ethical issue is associated with digital traceability?
A) It forces companies to give away all their trade secrets for free.
B) It makes all products disappear from supply chains forever.
C) Privacy concerns about data collection and sharing.
D) It requires every citizen to memorize the entire supply chain of every product they buy.
Correct Answer: C) Privacy concerns about data collection and sharing.
Name one key benefit of digital traceability.
Increases transparency, improves sustainability, or builds consumer trust.
What international organization’s countries were analyzed in the academic study?
A) United Nations (UN)
B) Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
C) World Trade Organization (WTO)
D) European Union (EU)
B) Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
List minimum two objectives of the WEF’s digital traceability framework.
Sustainability, Circularity, Efficiency, Resilience.
What tracking method did journalists use in their investigation?
Airtags placed in clothing donations.
Why do some companies resist implementing full digital traceability?
A) Because they prefer to track their products using ancient treasure maps.
B) Digital traceability makes their products teleport to random locations.
C) Because they believe customers enjoy the mystery of not knowing where products come from.
D) High costs, potential exposure of unethical practices, or fear of public backlash.
D) High costs, potential exposure of unethical practices, or fear of public backlash.
True or False: Digital traceability can only be applied to food supply chains.
False. It applies to fashion, electronics, and other industries too.
Name two technological tools used for digital traceability in food supply chains.
Blockchain, AI, IoT (Internet of Things).
What technology does the WEF suggest using to enhance traceability?
Blockchain, AI, data-sharing platforms.
What was a key finding of the Aftonbladet investigation?
A) H&M successfully recycles 100% of the clothes it collects.
B) Most recycled clothes remain in Sweden for local resale.
C) Digital traceability ensures all donated clothes are tracked efficiently.
D) Many “recycled” clothes were exported and dumped instead of being reused.
D) Many “recycled” clothes were exported and dumped instead of being reused.
How can digital traceability help prevent greenwashing?
By providing verifiable, transparent data on a product’s journey.
What types of data does digital traceability collect?
A)Production history
B)Distribution journey
C)Sourcing
D)Disposal
E) All of the above
E) All of the above
What is a major policy challenge discussed in the academic article?
A) The high cost of consumer education on digital traceability
B) The need for global cooperation and standardization of digital tracking systems
C) The lack of demand for traceability from businesses and consumers
D) The inability of technology to track products accurately
B) The need for global cooperation and standardization of digital tracking systems
Name a major benefit of digital traceability for businesses according to the governmental article.
Better efficiency, waste reduction, and legal compliance.
What persuasive technique did Aftonbladet use in their report?
A) Investigative evidence
B) Strong visuals
C) Emotional appeal
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What is one way consumers can use digital traceability to make better purchasing choices?
Scanning QR codes to check product history, ethical sourcing, or recycling pathways.
What is one challenge businesses face when implementing digital traceability?
High costs, data-sharing issues, technological limitations.
What was one conclusion from the academic article regarding digital traceability?
A) Digital traceability is unnecessary for sustainability and supply chain efficiency.
B) Digital traceability is only useful for food supply chains and does not apply to other industries.
C) Most industries have already successfully implemented full digital traceability systems.
D) It is essential for sustainability but requires better cooperation, lower costs, and stronger security.
D) It is essential for sustainability but requires better cooperation, lower costs, and stronger security
What is a potential drawback of digital traceability for companies?
High implementation costs, data security concerns, need for industry-wide cooperation.
What does the Aftonbladet article reveal about corporate greenwashing?
Companies claim sustainability, but lack transparency in their actual recycling practices.
What is one major legal or policy solution that could force better traceability?
A) Government regulations requiring full supply chain transparency.
B) A suggestion from industry leaders that companies ‘try their best’ to be transparent.
C) A yearly award for the ‘most traceable’ company, with no legal enforcement.
D) A viral hashtag campaign encouraging companies to be more honest.
A) Government regulations requiring full supply chain transparency.