Enabling added value : benefits and drawbacks of transparency in global supply chains

Supply chain transparency (SCT) aims to enhance supply chains, but research often reflects only the perspectives of lead firms, mostly from Western countries. This study examines a coffee supply chain from Peru to Switzerland, assessing the benefits and drawbacks of SCT for various stakeholders across developed, emerging, and developing economies. To address the research question, "What are the conditions for SCT to create added value for all stakeholders?" we conducted interviews, field observations, and text analysis. We provide a framework outlining SCT's advantages and limitations, highlighting diverse transparency needs along the supply chain. Our findings show how individual actors contribute to SCT and propose strategies for its improvement. This study advances SCT research by emphasizing that the added value of transparency depends on its effective implementation across all supply chain levels.