Analysis of information flows and their interrelation with beef traceability: the view of certifiers on adherence to the Brazilian System of Individual Identification of Bovines and Buffaloes (SISBOV)

Abstract

The traceability of information has become a fundamental process in the context of cattle raising, contributing to the competitive advantage, efficiency and reduction of the costs of the productive processes. The Brazilian System for the Individual Identification of Bovines and Buffaloes (SISBOV) acts as a national database fed by information about animals and rural properties, contributing as a management control tool and allowing the access of rural establishments to the so-called “Lista Trace”. The informational flows generated in the process of traceability and adherence to the system are highlighted, as strategic resources in decision-making. In this context, the research sought to answer whether informational flows can be considered inputs in the process of traceability and access to SISBOV, and the most relevant motivation for adhering to the system, with the main objective of analyzing and identifying informational flows in the process of traceability and in joining SISBOV from certifying companies. Specifically, the motivations and difficulties in the process of joining the system and its requirements were verified. For that, an applied research, of exploratory nature and qualitative approach, was carried out, using the case study with the certifiers that audit the protocols of access to the system in the data collection. The results indicated the differentiation of the price obtained by the certification as the greatest motivation and the issue regarding management and control as the greatest difficulty in accessing the system. It is concluded that information flows are paramount, as they connect rural establishments and certifiers in adhering to the system, permeating gains and competitive advantage. As a contribution of this research, it is expected to refute difficulties in access and demonstrate to the producing establishments that adherence to the system generates gains, offsetting the costs of implementation.