IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/fan/macoma/vhtml10.3280-maco2022-002-s1003.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The digital transformation process in the agri-food sector: A case study

Author

Listed:
  • G. Denisse Chamochumbi D.
  • Massimo Ciambotti
  • Federica Palazzi
  • Francesca Sgr?

Abstract

The paper investigates the ongoing digital transformation process in a firm operat-ing in the agri-food sector by analyzing the approach adopted, the barriers and challenges faced when implementing digital technologies, and the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on this process. The authors opted for a qualitative approach based on a single case study. The results suggest that the preferred approach of top management played a crucial role in supporting the changes brought about by the transformation. Specifically, it is a conscious, incremental, and critical approach that combines digitalization and craftsmanship. The research reveals four barriers to the implementation of digital technologies: resistance to change, a lack of digi-tal skills, an inadequate organizational structure, and financial constraints. Fur-thermore, the results show that the Covid-19 crisis has accelerated the implemen-tation of digital technologies, which was already in progress during the pre-pandemic period.

Suggested Citation

  • G. Denisse Chamochumbi D. & Massimo Ciambotti & Federica Palazzi & Francesca Sgr?, 2022. "The digital transformation process in the agri-food sector: A case study," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(2 Suppl.), pages 43-70.
    • Handle: RePEc:fan:macoma:v:html10.3280/maco2022-002-s1003
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=71308&Tipo=ArticoloPDF
    Download Restriction: Single articles can be downloaded buying download credits, for info: https://www.francoangeli.it/DownloadCredit
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raj, Alok & Dwivedi, Gourav & Sharma, Ankit & Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz & Rajak, Sonu, 2020. "Barriers to the adoption of industry 4.0 technologies in the manufacturing sector: An inter-country comparative perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    2. Hess, Thomas & Matt, Christian & Benlian, Alexander & Wiesböck, Florian, 2016. "Options for Formulating a Digital Transformation Strategy," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 81032, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    3. Brandes, Elke & McNunn, Gabriel Sean & Schulte, Lisa A. & Bonner, Ian J. & Muth, D. J. & Babcock, Bruce A. & Sharma, Bhavna & Heaton, Emily A., 2016. "Subfield profitability analysis reveals an economic case for cropland diversification," ISU General Staff Papers 201601010800001048, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    4. Kamble, Sachin S. & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Ghadge, Abhijeet & Raut, Rakesh, 2020. "A performance measurement system for industry 4.0 enabled smart manufacturing system in SMMEs- A review and empirical investigation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    5. Rosa Lombardi & Raffaele Trequattrini & Federico Schimperna & Myriam Cano-Rubio, 2021. "The Impact of Smart Technologies on theManagement and Strategic Control: A Structured Literature Review," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2021(suppl. 1), pages 11-30.
    6. Valeria Cirillo & Lucrezia Fanti & Andrea Mina & Andrea Ricci, 2021. "Digitalizing Firms: Skills, Work Organization and the Adoption of New Enabling Technologies," LEM Papers Series 2021/04, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    7. Zhou, Honggeng & Shou, Yongyi & Zhai, Xin & Li, Ling & Wood, Craig & Wu, Xiaobo, 2014. "Supply chain practice and information quality: A supply chain strategy study," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(PC), pages 624-633.
    8. Matias Laine & Janne T. Järvinen & Timo Hyvönen & Hannele Kantola, 2017. "Ambiguity of financial environmental information," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 30(3), pages 593-619, March.
    9. Marco Remondino & Alessandro Zanin, 2022. "Logistics and Agri-Food: Digitization to Increase Competitive Advantage and Sustainability. Literature Review and the Case of Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-21, January.
    10. Uwe Deichmann & Aparajita Goyal & Deepak Mishra, 2016. "Will digital technologies transform agriculture in developing countries?," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 47(S1), pages 21-33, November.
    11. Chun-Liang Chen & Yao-Chin Lin & Wei-Hung Chen & Cheng-Fu Chao & Henry Pandia, 2021. "Role of Government to Enhance Digital Transformation in Small Service Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-24, January.
    12. Rosa Lombardi, 2021. "Le dimensioni della conoscenza aziendale. Profili di investigazione tra crisi pandemica ed economia digitale," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2021(3), pages 5-14.
    13. Jill E. Hobbs, 2020. "Food supply chains during the COVID‐19 pandemic," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 68(2), pages 171-176, June.
    14. Hess, Thomas & Matt, Christian & Benlian, Alexander & Wiesböck, Florian, 2016. "Options for Formulating a Digital Transformation Strategy," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 82423, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    15. Papadopoulos, Thanos & Baltas, Konstantinos N. & Balta, Maria Elisavet, 2020. "The use of digital technologies by small and medium enterprises during COVID-19: Implications for theory and practice," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    16. Matt, C. & Hess, Thomas & Benlian, Alexander, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 75002, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    17. Christian Matt & Thomas Hess & Alexander Benlian, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 57(5), pages 339-343, October.
    18. Brandes, Elke & McNunn, Gabriel Sean & Schulte, Lisa A. & Bonner, Ian J. & Muth, D. J. & Babcock, Bruce A. & Sharma, Bhavna & Heaton, Emily A., 2016. "Subfield profitability analysis reveals an economic case for cropland diversification," ISU General Staff Papers 3442, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    19. Ana Esteso & M.M.E. Alemany & Angel Ortiz, 2018. "Conceptual framework for designing agri-food supply chains under uncertainty by mathematical programming models," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(13), pages 4418-4446, July.
    20. Matt, C. & Hess, Thomas & Benlian, Alexander, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 75202, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    21. Rachel A. Bahn & Abed Al Kareem Yehya & Rami Zurayk, 2021. "Digitalization for Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: Potential, Status, and Risks for the MENA Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-24, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Fabio Nappo & Alessandra Lardo & Maria Teresa Bianchi & Federico Schimperna, 2023. "The impact of digitalisation on professional football clubs," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(2), pages 117-136.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Changling Sun & Ziang Lin & Marek Vochozka & Zuzana Vincúrová, 2022. "Digital transformation and corporate cash holdings in China’s A-share listed companies," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 13(4), pages 1081-1116, December.
    2. Xin Zhang & Yaoyu Xu & Liang Ma, 2022. "Research on Successful Factors and Influencing Mechanism of the Digital Transformation in SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Swen Nadkarni & Reinhard Prügl, 2021. "Digital transformation: a review, synthesis and opportunities for future research," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(2), pages 233-341, April.
    4. Ander, Veronika & Cihelka, Petr & Tyrychtr, Jan & Novák, David, 2022. "Towards Compromise User Experience Design in Ambient Intelligent Environment," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(2), June.
    5. Coskun-Setirek, Abide & Tanrikulu, Zuhal, 2021. "Digital innovations-driven business model regeneration: A process model," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    6. Sascha Kraus & Paul Jones & Norbert Kailer & Alexandra Weinmann & Nuria Chaparro-Banegas & Norat Roig-Tierno, 2021. "Digital Transformation: An Overview of the Current State of the Art of Research," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, September.
    7. Piepponen, Amanda & Ritala, Paavo & Keränen, Joona & Maijanen, Päivi, 2022. "Digital transformation of the value proposition: A single case study in the media industry," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 311-325.
    8. Burström, Thommie & Parida, Vinit & Lahti, Tom & Wincent, Joakim, 2021. "AI-enabled business-model innovation and transformation in industrial ecosystems: A framework, model and outline for further research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 85-95.
    9. Florian Wiesböck & Thomas Hess, 2020. "Digital innovations," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(1), pages 75-86, March.
    10. Jinkai Liang & Ke Du & Dandan Chen, 2023. "The Effect of Digitalization on Ambidextrous Innovation in Manufacturing Enterprises: A Perspective of Empowering and Enabling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-23, August.
    11. Teubner, Alexander & Stockhinger, Jan, 2020. "IT/IS strategy research and digitalization: An extensive literature review," ERCIS Working Papers 34, University of Münster, European Research Center for Information Systems (ERCIS).
    12. Li, Min & Liu, Na & Kou, Aiju & Chen, Wenchuan, 2023. "Customer concentration and digital transformation," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    13. Florian Diener & Miroslav Špaček, 2021. "Digital Transformation in Banking: A Managerial Perspective on Barriers to Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-27, February.
    14. Sodamin, Dino & Vaněk, Jiří & Ulman, Miloš & Šimek, Pavel, 2022. "Fair Label versus Blockchain Technology from the Consumer Perspective: Towards a Comprehensive Research Agenda," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(2), June.
    15. Maniriho, Aristide & Musabanganji, Edouard & Mulumeoderhwa, Fidèle & Manirakiza, Dismas & Lebailly, Philippe, 2022. "Preferences of Small-Scale Farmers for Innovative Farming Techniques in Volcanic Highlands in Rwanda," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(2), June.
    16. Abdul Karim Feroz & Hangjung Zo & Ananth Chiravuri, 2021. "Digital Transformation and Environmental Sustainability: A Review and Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, February.
    17. Saarikko, Ted & Westergren, Ulrika H. & Blomquist, Tomas, 2020. "Digital transformation: Five recommendations for the digitally conscious firm," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 63(6), pages 825-839.
    18. Monica Molino & Claudio G. Cortese & Chiara Ghislieri, 2021. "Technology Acceptance and Leadership 4.0: A Quali-Quantitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-18, October.
    19. Shaibu, Abdul-Fatawu & Shaibu, Mohammed Hardi, 2022. "Agricultural Aid and Growth in Sub Saharan Africa: a Review of Empirical Evidence," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(2), June.
    20. Fertő, Imre & Bojnec, Štefan & Podruzsik, Szilárd, 2022. "Do Subsidies Decrease the Farm Income Inequality in Hungary?," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(2), June.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:fan:macoma:v:html10.3280/maco2022-002-s1003. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Stefania Rosato (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/sommario.aspx?IDRivista=166 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.