Data-driven Approach to Assessing the Sustainability of Agricultural Supply Chains: A Review of Frameworks and Methodologies

Abstract

Lack of industrialization, inadequate management, misinformation, and inefficient 
supply networks are major challenges faced by the agriculture and food industry. Addressing these 
challenges requires considering not only food production techniques but also social, 
environmental, and economic factors. The integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as the 
Internet of Things, blockchain, and big data, is increasingly popular and can assist in establishing 
sustainable supply chains. The shift to a digital environment, propelled by these technological 
advancements, is transforming the agricultural supply chain. To evaluate the use of analytics and 
the achievement of sustainable agriculture supply chain goals, we conducted a review of 84 
scholarly articles published between 2000 and 2017. The objective was to understand the extent of 
analytics usage, data collection processes, and resources employed in the supply chain. Our 
findings provide a practical framework for professionals in the agri-food supply chain, 
emphasizing the significance of supply chain visibility and resources in the development of data 
analytics and sustainable performance. This framework serves as a guide for professionals to 
strategically allocate investments towards a robust, data-driven agri-food supply chain. Finally, we 
explore future research avenues and discuss the limitations of our study.