Digitalization in the agri-food industry: the relationship between technology and sustainable development

Abstract

PurposeDigitalization is becoming the subject of considerable interest in the literature. This is in view of its relevance in addressing social problems and contributing to the development of communities and societies. In the agri-food-industry, digitalization is also expected to contribute significantly to solve several challenges the sector is facing at this moment, such as the increasing food demand and resource use. However, the effects of advanced technologies are less a function of the technologies themselves than of how they are used by people. The study analyses the dominant challenges faced by firms in the agri-food industry in the usage and adoption of digital technology. Also, they show how these challenges impact on the sustainable development of digital technology for firms in the industry and provide avenues for future research.Design/methodology/approachThe authors propose a structured literature review aiming to investigate the following research question: what are the main challenges faced by firms within the agri-food industry in the adoption of smart technologies?FindingsResults illustrate the dominant challenges faced by firms in the agri-food industry in the usage and adoption of digital technology. Also, they show how these challenges impact on the sustainable development of digital technology for firms in the industry and provide avenues for future research.Originality/valueSo far, in the context of digitalization in the agri-food industry, various researchers have analysed different kinds of challenges to the adoption of smart technologies. This work reviews these contributions to create a clear reference framework of the challenges faced by agri-food firms while providing future avenues of research and implications at a policymaking, economic-managerial and socio-environmental level.

The Aspects of Artificial Intelligence in Different Phases of the Food Value and Supply Chain

“…Barriers to artificial intelligence can be removed or reduced by developing financial and digital literacy among farmers. The low level of entrepreneurship of farmers and the conservative approach to farming as a business lead to the search for proven artificial intelligence solutions for the farm, therefore the dissemination of good practices and faster development of artificial intelligence technology, standardizing solutions, would help to overcome barriers to artificial intelligence [ 55 ].…”

COVID-19, local food system and digitalisation of the agri-food sector

“…The digitalisation of the agriculture sector has always been one of the strategies used to enhance and boost the food system. The digitalised agri-food sector is collaborative and sustainable economically and socially, benefiting businesses and the environment (Carmela Annosi et al , 2020). For instance, investing in new technologies that enable farmers to connect with information and institutions that can decrease uncertainty and mitigate risks, such as access to data, markets and financial services, help farmers to have more efficient in production and distribution…”

Digital innovation through networking among agro-food SMEs: the role of R&D projects

“…, 2021) but also the heterogeneity of the sector (Lezoche et al. , 2020) and lack of supporting institutions (Annosi et al. , 2020).…”

“…Yet, despite the opportunities that such technologies can bring, the extant literature has acknowledged the challenges and open issues related to digital innovation in the agri-food sector, including the technological gap to be bridged, awareness issues and cultural adoption (Ara ujo et al, 2021), technology access (Annosi et al, 2020) the need to upgrade skills and capabilities (Bresciani et al, 2021) but also the heterogeneity of the sector (Lezoche et al, 2020) and lack of supporting institutions (Annosi et al, 2020).…”