Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a scenario analysis on the experts’ perceptions of benefits and barriers related to adopting digital technologies for the life cycle assessment (LCA) to catalyse a circular economy transition in the agri-food system.
Methods
A literature review was performed to identify LCA’s digital technologies that can be implemented within the agri-food system. Furthermore, an in-depth interview with a panel of senior researchers was conducted to establish a set of items and assess the perceived benefits and barriers associated with an “empowered LCA”, i.e. a future-oriented LCA based on digital technologies. To this end, a two-stage exploratory factor analysis relying on the principal component analysis technique was carried out to refine the set of items. Finally, a covariance-based structural equation model was performed, built on a confirmatory factor analysis, to test the measurement model.
Results and discussion
The study’s findings provide five constructs to explore the potential benefits and barriers related to adopting a digital technologies-based LCA (empowered LCA) for a circular economy transition in the agri-food system. More specifically, the benefits can be assessed using the following constructs: “benefits for the data collection and analysis”, “benefits for the LCA analysts”, “benefits for the management” and “benefits for traceability”. In addition, the barriers have been evaluated using a single construct labelled “general barriers”.
Conclusions
The study highlights the relevance of digital technologies for a circular economy transition to develop a more reliable LCA, enhancing legislative compliance and supporting the traceability processes in the agri-food system. The associated implications for LCA experts, agri-food managers and policymakers are presented. Furthermore, limitations and future research directions are also discussed.
Funder
Università degli Studi di Salerno
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
General Environmental Science
Reference146 articles.
1. Acquaye A, Yamoah FA, Feng K (2015) An integrated environmental and fairtrade labelling scheme for product supply chains. Int J Prod Econ 164:472–483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2014.12.014
2. Alexandratos N, Bruinsma J (2012) World agriculture toward 2030/2050 – the 2012 Revision. ESA Working Paper No. 12–03, Agricultural Development Economics Division, Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/esa/Global_persepctives/world_ag_2030_50_2012_rev.pdf. Accessed 10 June 2022
3. Aryal A, Liao Y, Nattuthurai P, Li B (2018) The emerging big data analytics and IoT in supply chain management: a systematic review. Supply Chain. Manag. Int. J in press, Asdrubali
4. Arzoumanidis I, Salomone R, Petti L, Mondello G, Raggi A (2017) Is there a simplified LCA tool suitable for the agri-food industry? An assessment of selected tools. J Clean Prod 149:406–425
5. Arzoumanidis I, Walker AM, Petti L, Raggi A (2021) Life cycle-based sustainability and circularity indicators for the tourism industry: a literature review. Sust 13(21):11853
Cited by
8 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献