Do motivations affect different voluntary traceability schemes? An empirical analysis among food manufacturers

•The relation of motivations adopting voluntary certifications to level of traceability is explored.•A survey was conducted through a questionnaire on 131 Italian firms.•Data was analyzed performing a Structural Equation Model.•Confidence-related and supply chain motivations are positively related to traceability.

The purpose of this study was to explore the links between the motivations leading firms to adopt quality certifications and the kinds of voluntary traceability implemented to comply with such requirements. Specifically, our analysis focuses on the voluntary traceability implemented to accomplish certification requirements addressing environmental and social sustainability. To reach our goal, we conducted a survey through an ad hoc questionnaire on a sample of 131 Italian food firms. Structural equation modeling with Partial Least Squares was used to analyze the relationships between the motivations of sustainability certification adoption and the kind of traceability implemented. The results show that most of the motivations related to the adoption of sustainability certifications are statistically linked to the level of traceability complexity implemented. More precisely, confidence-related and supply chain motivations are positively related to the level of traceability complexity, whereas profitability-related motivations are negatively associated.