Digitalisation of food supply chains: transformation factors for sustainable logistics in the digital era

Purpose This study aims to identify and explore the factors crucial in facilitating the digital transformation in food supply chains within the context of the food industry. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study that depends on interviews with potential food supply chain players was used accompanied by a grounded theory methodology through an iterative process. Thirty-one interviews were conducted with food supply chain stakeholders: suppliers, logistics providers and retailers. NVivo programme was used for the analysis. Following this, a focus group workshop was conducted to categorise the themes into highly abstracted core factors. Findings The study identified six core factors that are vital for digital transformation: training, collaboration and communication, management support and commitment, security, data integration, and supply chain tracking and monitoring. These core factors are derived from workshop discussion, which highlight particularly the vital role of training, and management support and commitment. Each core factor consists of low-level themes; 12 low-level themes emerged from the analysis. These findings highlight the role of transformation factors in facilitating digitalisation in food supply chains. Originality/value This study presents a framework to help stakeholders overcome obstacles in digitising the food supply chain and improving efficiency and food security, particularly in developing countries. This research provides a framework of core factors accompanied by low-level themes that give detailed explanations of how organisations can leverage digital technologies to optimise their supply chains. The framework also establishes a reference point for future studies to add or refine these factors. As the industry continues to embrace digital transformation, it is crucial for stakeholders to carefully consider the opportunities and challenges that come with these technological advancements to fully leverage their benefits.