Smart Intelligent Packaging: Understanding the Perspective of Food Producers in Georgia

Given the scholarly emphasis on researching intelligent packaging, this study seeks to examine food manufacturers’ awareness of intelligent packaging and explore the specific features and characteristics they seek in such packaging. The paper aims to answer the following research questions by means of the qualitative interview method: (i) To what extent do smart packaging features matter to food manufacturers in Georgia? (ii) How familiar are food manufacturers in Georgia with innovative packaging solutions? The aim of this exploratory study is to gain a deeper understanding of the research phenomena and delve into various factors influencing the perspectives of food producers related to smart intelligent packaging in Georgia for the first time. Purposive sampling was applied to recruit food manufacturers. The main results show that although Georgian food producers are less aware of smart intelligent packaging, they are interested in it and determine certain smart intelligent features, traceability and monitoring attributes, and indicators that would increase their products’ quality and safety. While the research is confined to a single country, the findings provide valuable insights into the attitudes of food producers towards intelligent packaging, shedding light on the market potential of smart packaging systems in Georgia. Consequently, the study contributes to the discourse on intelligent packaging in the food industry, offering diverse perspectives on its practicality in business. The research outcomes offer dual contributions to both academic knowledge and business practices. This investigation into food manufacturers’ perspectives on smart intelligent packaging in Georgia is unprecedented. By examining their opinions on packaging, the study uncovers the market potential of intelligent packaging in developing economies. The insights gained from the research may assist food manufacturers in making informed decisions regarding the adoption of innovative packaging solutions, weighing the costs against the perceived benefits.