Towards the Smart Sustainable and Circular Food Supply Chains through Digital Technologies

Abstract

Food supply chain management has become a remarkable issue due to the increasing food waste caused by globalization and population growth. It is essential to gain understanding of the drivers of circular economy in food supply chains and investigate stimulating factors in the development of circular food supply chains. Thus, this study conducted a systematic literature review from 2008 to 2020, including an analysis of 137 articles performed on data to answer specific research questions regarding circular food supply chain drivers. Drivers for transition to circular economy in food supply chains are presented in five main categories with 22 sub-drivers. This research contributes to the existing literature by presenting a novel approach to digital transformation in smart food supply chains through the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies. The findings present potential drivers of circular economy in food supply chains for digital transformation. This study also ensures operational efficiencies by digital technologies in food supply chains that can be beneficial for practitioners.