Harnessing Emerging Digital Technologies to Promote Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Supply Chains: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The impact of digital transformation in agriculture, including innovations in crop supply chains, is global. Despite that, the level of this technology practice varies across countries, regions, crop types, technologies, socio-economic statuses, and cultures. In the literature, there needs to be more evidence for digital technologies’ role in the role of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) to improve agricultural supply chains (ASC). Thus, this scoping study synthesizes extant research on the extent to which Emerging Digital Technologies (EDTs) promote EDI in the ASC. Methodology: A scoping approach to systematic literature review (SLR) was applied to achieve the objective by deploying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews. The methodology guided the process of conducting the scoping review step by step. Findings: Emerging technologies have been found to focus much on some parts of the ASC (such as transportation) where there are limited studies in other ASC parts. Most emerging technologies have been employed in the food supply chain where there is limited literature on the cash crops supply chain. Research limitations/implications: The evidence gathered through this study informs innovation policies and prioritizes opportunities for future research and practices in the area. IoT, Blockchain, and Machine Learning are among the technologies worth detailed study for EDI in agricultural supply chain innovations. Each of these provides unique contributions but is subject to further evaluation, re-development, and deployment that considers the local context, nature of innovation, and other dynamics within the ecosystem. Originality/value: This review provides insight into the current body of knowledge on the role of EDTs towards addressing EDI in ASC.