Motivations and Challenges for Food Companies in Using IoT Sensors for Reducing Food Waste: Some Insights and a Road Map for the Future

Ramakrishnan Ramanathan (), Yanqing Duan, Tahmina Ajmal, Katarzyna Pelc, James Gillespie, Sahar Ahmadzadeh, Joan Condell, Imke Hermens and Usha Ramanathan
Additional contact information
Ramakrishnan Ramanathan: Essex Business School, University of Essex–Southend Campus, Elmer Approach, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1LW, UK
Yanqing Duan: Business and Management Research Institute (BMRI), University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton LU1 3JU, UK
Tahmina Ajmal: Research Institute of Smart Cities, University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton LU1 3JU, UK
Katarzyna Pelc: Business and Management Research Institute (BMRI), University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton LU1 3JU, UK
James Gillespie: Computer Science Research Institute (CSRI), School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems (SCEIS), Ulster University, Northland Road, L’Derry BT48 7JL, UK
Sahar Ahmadzadeh: Business and Management Research Institute (BMRI), University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton LU1 3JU, UK
Joan Condell: Computer Science Research Institute (CSRI), School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems (SCEIS), Ulster University, Northland Road, L’Derry BT48 7JL, UK
Imke Hermens: Whysor B.V., Brandemolen 65, 5944 ND Arcen, The Netherlands
Usha Ramanathan: Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-21

Abstract: Food waste is a serious problem worldwide, including in Europe. Research efforts are being carried out to reduce food waste. In this paper, we focus on using modern digital technologies (also known as Industry 4.0 technologies) to reduce waste in food supply chains. Based on interactions with a number of food companies in Europe over the last four years using Action Research, we provide new insights on the motivations and challenges for food companies when they are engaged in the use of technologies for reducing food waste in their supply chains. Motivations for firms include improved food quality of their produce, improved reliability, support in meeting legal requirements, a green image, and improved revenues from selling the food that has been saved. However, data security issues and trust issues posed challenges in using these technologies. Since this is an emerging area of research, we look at potential business models for technology companies for working with food companies in reducing food waste, identify value propositions and value capture, and look at how these investments in technologies can improve the sustainability of food businesses. We believe technology companies can leverage the opportunities, develop new business models with value propositions around the use of technologies, and support food companies via timely alerts in case of potential quality issues. Value capture occurs via the sale of hardware and subscriptions.

Keywords: food waste; Industry 4.0; business models; motivations; challenges (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/2/1665/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/2/1665/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:2:p:1665-:d:1036331

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().