Leveraging IoT Micro-Factories for Equitable Trade: Enhancing Semi-Finished Orange Juice Value Chain in a Citriculture Society

Abstract

Sustainable development initiatives are essential for enhancing the social economy and environmental preservation in marginalised rural areas of Tanzania. This study examines the impact of an IoT micro-factory on sustainable development, addressing issues such as inadequate production techniques, agribusiness monopolisation practices, the shortage of small-scale factories, and the failure to leverage global market comparative advantages. It explores the mediating role of architectural innovation and the moderating role of industrial symbiosis. The study surveyed 196 participants, including 100 orange farmers, 96 industrial engineers in the beverage sector, and conducted interviews with 3 industrial managers and 3 industrial consultants. SmartPLS 4 was used to evaluate the relationships between constructs. The results indicate that both IoT micro-factories and global production networks (GPNs) have a direct influence on sustainable social-economic development. Architectural innovation mediates these relationships, while industrial symbiotic moderates the interaction between IoT micro-factories and architectural innovation. The findings emphasise the importance of IoT micro-factories for sustainable development, with industrial symbiotic relationships addressing gaps in knowledge, skills, and equitable trade. The industrial stakeholders should prioritise IoT micro-factories as small-scale factories to promote sustainable development in rural communities of developing countries.