Design Principles for Food Heritage Digital Twins

Ivo Mendes (), José Monteiro () and João Barata ()
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Ivo Mendes: University of Coimbra, CISUC/LASI, DEI
José Monteiro: University of Coimbra, CISUC/LASI, DEI
João Barata: University of Coimbra, CISUC/LASI, DEI

A chapter in Advances in Information Systems Development, 2025, pp 189-210 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This paper presents the design of a Digital Twin (DT) for the traditional Serra da Estrela cheese production, integrating digital innovation to preserve Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) while improving production efficiency and sustainability. The study adopts a Design Science Research approach, combining knowledge from interviews with cheesemakers and theoretical reflections using Strong Structuration Theory, Communities of Practice, and Practice-Based Knowledge Management. The DT prototype replicates the cheesemaking process, ensuring compliance with protected designation of origin standards and preserving tacit knowledge. It provides real-time monitoring, process optimization, and a digital repository of traditional practices. This research pioneers the application of DTs to ICH in food production and introduces the Hybrid Knowledge Structuration Model to integrate traditional and digital knowledge systems. The DT reveals the potential to improve cheesemakers’ operational efficiency, compliance, and sustainability, offering a practical tool to optimize production while preserving cultural authenticity. This research contributes to the long-term preservation of cultural heritage, local development, and rural socio-economic sustainability, proposing design principles for the advances of heritage digital twins.

Keywords: Digital twin; Intangible cultural heritage; Serra da Estrela cheese; Strong structuration theory; Communities of practice; Practice-based knowledge management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-87880-0_10

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