Evaluation of Digital Technologies in Food Logistics: MCDM Approach from the Perspective of Logistics Providers

Background: In the era of rapid digital transformation, efficient food logistics (FL) is critical for sustainability and competitiveness. Maintaining food quality, minimizing waste, and optimizing costs are complex challenges that advanced digital technologies aim to address, particularly amid growing e-commerce and last-mile delivery demands. This underscores the need for a structured, quantitative evaluation of technological solutions to ensure operational reliability, efficiency, and sustainability. Methods: This study employs a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) model combining Criterion Impact LOSs (CILOS) and Multi-Objective Optimization on the basis of Simple Ratio Analysis (MOOSRA) to evaluate key FL technologies: IoT, blockchain, Big Data analytics, automation and robotics, and cloud/edge computing. Nine evaluation criteria relevant to logistics providers were used, covering operational efficiency, flexibility, sustainability, food safety, data reliability, KPI support, scalability, costs, and implementation speed. CILOS determined criteria weights by considering interdependencies, and MOOSRA ranked technologies by benefits-to-costs ratios. Sensitivity analysis validated result robustness. Results: Automation and robotics ranked highest for enhancing efficiency, reducing errors, and improving handling and safety. Blockchain was second, supporting traceability and data security. Big Data analytics was third, enabling demand prediction and inventory optimization. IoT ranked fourth, providing real-time monitoring, while cloud/edge computing ranked fifth due to indirect operational impact. Conclusions: The CILOS–MOOSRA model enables transparent, structured evaluation, integrating quantitative metrics with logistics providers’ priorities. Results highlight technologies that enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability while revealing integration challenges, providing a strategic foundation for digital transformation in FL.