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Smart Systems Implementation in UK Food Manufacturing Companies: A Sustainability Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew Thomas

    (Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK)

  • Claire Haven-Tang

    (Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK)

  • Richard Barton

    (Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK)

  • Rachel Mason-Jones

    (Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK)

  • Mark Francis

    (Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK)

  • Paul Byard

    (Engineering Employers Federation, Wales CF31 3WT, UK)

Abstract

The UK food industry faces significant challenges to remain sustainable. With major challenges, such as Brexit, on the horizon, companies can no longer rely on a low labour cost workforce to maintain low production costs and achieve economic sustainability. Smart Systems (SS) is being seen as an approach towards achieving significant improvements in both economic and environmental sustainability. However, there is little evidence to indicate whether UK food companies are prepared for the implementation of such systems. The purpose of this research is to explore the applicability of Smart Systems in UK food manufacturing companies, and to identify the key priority areas and improvement levers for the implementation of such systems. A triangulated primary research approach is adopted that includes a questionnaire, follow-up interviews, and visits to 32 food manufacturing companies in the UK. The questionnaire and interviews are guided by a unique measuring instrument that the authors developed that focusses upon SS technologies and systems. This paper makes an original contribution in that it is one of the few academic studies to explore the implementation of SS in the industry, and provides a new perspective on the key drivers and inhibitors of its implementation. The findings suggest that the current turbulence in the industry could be bringing food companies closer to the adoption of such systems; hence, it is a good time to define and develop the optimum SS implementation strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Thomas & Claire Haven-Tang & Richard Barton & Rachel Mason-Jones & Mark Francis & Paul Byard, 2018. "Smart Systems Implementation in UK Food Manufacturing Companies: A Sustainability Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:12:p:4693-:d:189336
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Judit Nagy & Judit Oláh & Edina Erdei & Domicián Máté & József Popp, 2018. "The Role and Impact of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things on the Business Strategy of the Value Chain—The Case of Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-25, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jaroslav Vrchota & Martin Pech & Ladislav Rolínek & Jiří Bednář, 2020. "Sustainability Outcomes of Green Processes in Relation to Industry 4.0 in Manufacturing: Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-47, July.
    2. Abbate, Stefano & Centobelli, Piera & Cerchione, Roberto, 2023. "The digital and sustainable transition of the agri-food sector," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    3. Ricardo Chalmeta & Nestor J. Santos-deLeón, 2020. "Sustainable Supply Chain in the Era of Industry 4.0 and Big Data: A Systematic Analysis of Literature and Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-24, May.
    4. Xiaoxia Chen & Mélanie Despeisse & Björn Johansson, 2020. "Environmental Sustainability of Digitalization in Manufacturing: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-31, December.

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