Enabling digitisation to reduce risk in the food system

Digitalising food manufacturing

<scp>IFST</scp> vision for a <scp>UK</scp>‐wide national food strategy

Partnerships promote innovation in food supply chains

The adoption of digital technologies has become a strategic necessity for enterprises operating in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven business environment. Enterprise Resource Management (ERM) systems integrate key business functions such as finance, human resources, production, inventory, and customer management into a unified digital platform. For Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the effective adoption of digital ERM technologies can significantly enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and decision-making capabilities. The present study examines the level of adoption of digital technologies in Enterprise Resource Management among MSMEs in Amravati city, Maharashtra. The study aims to analyze awareness levels, adoption patterns, perceived benefits, and challenges faced by MSMEs while implementing digital ERM systems. A descriptive research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 100 MSME owners and managers across manufacturing, trading, and service sectors. Secondary data were obtained from academic journals, government reports, and published literature. The findings indicate that while awareness regarding digital ERM technologies is moderate, the level of adoption remains limited due to financial constraints, lack of technical expertise, and resistance to organizational change. The study concludes that targeted training programs, government incentives, and affordable digital solutions are essential to promote wider adoption of digital ERM systems among MSMEs in Amravati city. Keywords: Digital Technologies, Enterprise Resource Management, MSMEs, Digital Adoption, Amravati City

Digital transformation plays an increasingly important role in the growth and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), yet little is known regarding spatial inequalities in their adoption of advanced digital technologies. Using recent data from the Flash Eurobarometer 486, we study the spatial patterns of drivers for the implementation of new digital technologies in SMEs in Europe. In our analysis, the focus is on the possible influence of location. Considerable heterogeneity of SMEs is found in their propensity to adopt advanced digital technologies related to the strength of the local business environment and to the urban/rural hierarchy.Plain English Summary: European SMEs and DigitalisationThe adoption of digital technologies favours the competitiveness, resilience, and internationalisation of firms, but SMEs, which form the backbone of the EU economy, are lagging behind. A recent survey reveals that location greatly influences the probability that European SMEs adopt digital technology. Rural and small-town SMEs are less likely to be adopters, even when country, sector, and firm-specific characteristics are taken into account. However, good business environments always encourage the adoption of digitalisation technologies, whatever the geographic location of an SME. Innovators tend to be adopters, especially when they employ green innovation or management innovation. Larger SMEs, companies that are part of a business group, grow more rapidly, and/or export, are all more likely to adopt digital technologies. Policy-makers need to contemplate the urban/rural-divide and promote strong business environments in all types of locations. Public encouragement towards innovation is likely to indirectly promote easier access to digital technologies.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the significant supply chain issues in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) food industry. The objectives are to identify the major themes and the dynamic evolution of SME food supply chain (FSC) issues, the current research trends, the different modelling approaches used in SME FSC, and the most addressed SME food sector.Design/methodology/approachIn all, 3,733 published articles from 2002 to 2018 in the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database were collected, from which 1,091 articles were shortlisted for the review. The authors used bibliographic coupling combined with co-word analysis to identify the historical relations of the research themes that emerged during the periods 2002–2014 and 2002–2018.FindingsThis research identified five major research themes such as production and distribution in alternative food networks, relationship, safety and standards in the FSC, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impact of the farm food system, traceability and product quality in FSC and asymmetric price transmission in the FSC. Among the identified themes, GHG emission impact of the farm food system and traceability and product quality in the FSC have received increasing attention in recent years. The dairy sector is the most addressed sector (36 per cent), followed by fruits and vegetables (27 per cent), meat and poultry (18 per cent), seafood (10 per cent) and grains and oilseed (8 per cent). It is also identified that the dairy sector has received significant attention in the “GHG Emission impact of farm food system” theme. Similarly, meat and poultry sectors have received much attention in the “Traceability and product quality in the food supply chain” theme. Also, the authors identified that the empirical modelling approaches are the most commonly used solution methodology, followed by the conceptual/qualitative methods in the SME FSC.Originality/valueThis study maps and summarizes the existing knowledge base of supply chain issues in the SME food sector. The results of this review provide the major research areas, most commonly used approaches and food sectors addressed. This study also highlights the research gaps and potential future research direction.

This study aims to examine the factors determining Palestinian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Digital Technology (DT) adoption intention. A modified Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework integrated with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) theory is employed. Data was collected via a questionnaire as a sample for the quantitative approach, and experts’ semi-structured interviews as a sample for the qualitative approach is conducted. The findings presented in this study reveal that SMEs factors such as Business Model, and Enabling Regulatory Environment, are the major factors affecting DT intention adoption by SMEs in Palestine. The study findings determine the enablers and obstacles to SMEs' DT adoption intention. This study contributes significantly to the theoretical understanding of DT adoption via developing a DT framework for the SMEs in Palestine. This study's major contribution to the existing knowledge and literature in DT adoption is via developing a TOE framework for providers (supply-side) factors in general and in Palestine to fill the gaps in past studies and surge the concept and dimensions of technology acceptance from being mobile banking adoption to all DT adoption applications implemented by SMEs. The findings could be useful to policymakers, government agencies, Palestine, and other development partners to design and direct their policy interventions. This study emphasized the importance of digital technologies adoption by SMEs that will improve processes, drives innovation and enhance customer involvements.

This research examines the impact of Digital Technology on Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) activities (in terms of profits and business expansion). The selected sample was 320 SMEs which included 150 SMEs that adopted Digital Technology in their business activities and 170 SMEs that did not adopt Digital Technology in their business but were in the same business field as those that adopted DT. Questionnaires are used to obtain information from these SMEs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and econometric analysis [Propensity Score Matching (PSM)]. The results obtained from the PSM analysis show that the implementation of DT has helped business expansion in the study area among SMEs that adopted DT compared to SMEs that did not adopt DT. However, the implementation of DT has not had a significant impact on the profits of SMEs in the study area compared to non-participating SMEs in DT. Therefore, it is suggested that the adoption of DT is highly recommended among SMEs as this tends to increase business expansion. On the other hand, so that the impact of DT can be felt on entrepreneurs' profits, the costs of implementing DT must be reduced through assistance in the form of grants, subsidies, tax exemptions, tax holidays, and free consultation services in the field. DT areas and loans at lower interest rates should be provided by authorities and stakeholders to encourage SMEs to adopt digital technologies in their businesses.

Biopharma Is Going Digital … Bit by Bit

Can digital technology adoption promote environmental innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? Evidence from China

PurposeThis study aims to explore the determinants of digital technology adoption within micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in a developing economy. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of fit-viability and task-technology fit models, this study investigates the impact of environmental fit, task-technology fit and viability on the intention to adopt digital technologies among MSMEs.Design/methodology/approachThis study validates the theoretical model using structural equation modeling, using data collected from 280 experienced respondents employed in the MSMEs in India.FindingsThe results indicate that both functional and symbolic benefits positively impact managers’ intention to adopt digital technology. However, subgroup analysis reveals that in the case of service enterprises, only functional benefits have a positive influence on managers’ intention to adopt digital technology. In addition, the findings underscore the crucial role of viability in shaping the intention to adopt digital technologies among MSMEs. This study highlights how functional and symbolic benefits motivate digital technology adoption in MSMEs.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of empirical studies investigating the factors influencing the adoption of digital technology by MSME firms, especially within the context of developing economies and specifically within the MSME domain. This study contributes to the theoretical discussion surrounding digital technology adoption among MSMEs in India. Through empirical research, it expands on the fit-viability model and formulates a technology adoption model within the MSME context.

Abstract: This study investigates how digital tools can enhance supply chain resilience among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe. The research employs a comprehensive desk review methodology, analysing recent publications from Zimbabwean and international repositories to examine the relationship between digital technology adoption and supply chain resilience. Zimbabwe's SME sector faces significant challenges including limited access to financing, infrastructure constraints, and supply chain disruptions exacerbated by global crises such as COVID-19. The study reveals that Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies including artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, enterprise resource planning systems, and e-commerce platforms offer substantial opportunities for enhancing supply chain visibility, flexibility, and responsiveness. However, adoption rates remain low due to high implementation costs, limited digital literacy, and inadequate ICT infrastructure. Key findings indicate that personal innovativeness, education levels, ICT literacy, security concerns, and ease of use significantly influence digital tool adoption among Zimbabwean SMEs. The research demonstrates that SMEs implementing digital tools exhibit improved supply chain performance, enhanced risk management capabilities, and greater operational efficiency. Digital transformation enables real-time tracking, predictive analytics, automated processes, and improved stakeholder collaboration. The study concludes that coordinated efforts involving government support, private sector investment, and capacity building initiatives are essential for successful digital transformation. Recommendations include developing affordable digital solutions, improving ICT infrastructure, enhancing digital literacy programs, and creating supportive regulatory frameworks. This research contributes valuable insights into leveraging digital technologies for building resilient supply chains in developing economies, particularly within the African context.

This paper examines the impact of digital technology (DT) adoption, defined to encompass both intensity and scale of DT usage on financial performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using Thailand as a case study during 2018–21, with emphasis on the role of information and communications technology (ICT) and personnel graduated in ICT, and DT depth. The results show that the depth of ICT adoption, firm size, and sectors matters in analyzing the impact of DT on firms’ financial performance. SMEs receive significant benefits when adopting ICT in purchasing goods and services via the Internet, online sales (e-commerce), and online payments. Firms in the services sector tend to gain more benefits from operating through online activities than the manufacturing firms. Software usage generates benefits mostly for the medium and large firms but is of less importance for small firms. Interestingly, access to the Internet, except for e-commerce, has limited impacts on financial performance, even in large firms. The depth of technology, in general, generates greater impact on revenue and price-cost margins than on profit, reflecting the high cost of obtaining advanced technology or diversifying DT usage. The shortage of basic and advanced ICT staff generates concerns about SMEs’ financial performance.

Food supply chains are highly distributed, collaborative, heterogeneous, diverse, and varied by product, process, and destination. The global food supply chain (FSC) objective is to maintain a good balance between supply and demand and move products from producer to market. However, sustainability of the FSC has become a major concern as limited resources and increasing population pressure threaten its existence. Supply chain management is an important issue for FSC due to information flow throughout the supply chain. Industry-specific characteristics and extensive integration among multiple actors in an entire supply chain exacerbate this situation. The agri-food sector has one of the lowest rates of information technology penetration for innovation. Over the past thirty years, information and communication technology (ICT) has been introduced into the agricultural and food sectors, helping to improve food production and transportation. However, there are various challenges, such as transparency, accountability, food scandal, trust, and inefficient information flow, that the food supply chain is still facing in reaching sustainable goals. The complexity of food supply systems and the opportunities and challenges faced regarding desired sustainability performance need to be examined to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Blockchain is an emerging and disruptive digital technology that can transform governance and sustainability in integrated food supply chains. It provides a transparent, immutable, and traceable ledger that minimizes anomalies and information fraud, making it a potential solution for designing a transparent, traceable food system. Blockchain can potentially improve the sustainability of the food supply chain by providing a transparent traceability system. Food traceability is important for managing the food supply chain and protecting public health. It allows quick and accurate traceability of contaminated food that causes foodborne illness outbreaks, leading to the withdrawal of contaminated food from markets. Blockchain can achieve traceability, provenance tracking, transparency, and reduce environmental impact in the food supply chain. It also helps in achieving sustainable development goals set by the UN. However, there is no scientific research on blockchain’s contribution to achieving these goals in the food supply chain. Therefore, this article presents a systematic literature review and thematic analysis to study the relationship between FSC sustainability, blockchain, and sustainable development goals.

Digital technologies (DTs) have emerged as a major driving force, transmuting the ways Supply Chains (SCs) are managed. The integration of DTs in supply chain management (SCM), Digital Supply Chain Management (DSCM), has fundamentally reshaped the SCM landscape, offering new opportunities and challenges for organizations. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of modern DTs and the way they impact modern SCM. This chapter has twofold objectives. First, it illustrates the major changes that DTs have brought to the supply chain landscape, unraveling their multifaceted implications. Second, it offers readers a deeper and comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising from the incorporation of DTs into supply chains. By going through the chapter, readers will be able to have a comprehensive grasp of how DTs are reshaping SCM and how organizations can survive and thrive in the digital age. This chapter commences by shedding light on how DTs have and continue to redefine SCM, improving supply chain resilience, visibility, and sustainability in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It also highlights the role of DTs in enhancing SC visibility, agility, and customer-centricity. Furthermore, this chapter briefly highlights the challenges related to the adoption (pre and post) of DTs in SCM, elucidating on issues related to talent acquisition, data security, and regulatory compliance. It also highlights the ethical and societal implications of this digital transformation, emphasizing the significance of responsible and sustainable practices. This chapter, with the help of three cases, illustrates how the adoption of DTs in SC can impact the various SC performance indicators.