Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
FrancoAngeli Journals

Regular Articles

Early View

Sustainable Food Supply Chains in Maritime Ports: A Review Across Management, Economic, and Social Dimensions

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/ecag2025oa19420
Submitted
febbraio 17, 2025
Published
2025-08-08

Abstract

The growing pressures on the global food supply chain highlight the challenges faced by maritime ports, which are responsible for 80% of global trade, emphasising the need for sustainable operations across management, economic, and social dimensions. This article analyses the research trends in this area within the Scopus database, which was researched on July 11, 2024. The PRISMA method (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was applied.
Based on the results of the systematic literature review, four main subjects were the focus of the researchers: i) smart port requirements and sustainable performance; ii) the technological innovations driving sustainable supply chain management; iii) circular economy and digital supply chain sustainability; iv) frameworks and models for integrating sustainable digital supply chain. Additionally it opens possibility for future research could cover the gaps identified in this article, such as analyzing the effects of Technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and the Internet of Things on the efficiency and environmental goals of ports, evaluating social sustainability in the supply chain through indicators like child labor, rural poverty traps, and standards of living, and food economy. The findings contribute to the academic understanding of sustainable development in maritime ports, considering the interconnections among business, economic, and social factors, establishing the groundwork for key performance indicators (KPIs) and opening perspectives for practical innovation.

References

  1. Aarset, B., Beckmann, S., Bigne, E., Beveridge, M., Bjorndal, T., Bunting, J., & Young, J. (2004). The European consumers’ understanding and perceptions of the “organic” food regime: The case of aquaculture. British Food Journal, 106(2), 93-105. Doi: 10.1108/00070700410516784.
  2. Agrawal, P., & Narain, R. (2018). Digital supply chain management: an overview. Mater. Science and Engineering, 455, 012074. Doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/455/1/012074.
  3. Agyabeng-Mensah, Y., Afum, E., Acquah, I. S. K., & Baah, C. (2023). How does supply chain knowledge enhance green innovation? The mediation mechanisms of corporate reputation and non-supply chain learning. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 38(4), 852-868. Doi: 10.1108/JBIM-04-2021-0192.
  4. Alsmadi, A., Al-Gasaymeh, A., Alrawashdeh, N., & Alhwamdeh, L. (2022). Financial supply chain management: A bibliometric analysis for 2006-2022. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 10(3), 645-656. Doi: 10.5267/j.uscm.2022.5.010.
  5. Amouei, A. M., Valmohammadi, C., & Fathi, K. (2023). Developing and validating an instrument to measure the impact of digital supply chain activities on sustainable performance. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 36(4), 925-951. Doi: 10.1108/JEIM-12-2021-0520.
  6. Amouei, A. M., Valmohammadi, C., & Fathi, K. (2024). Proposing a conceptual model of the sustainable digital supply chain in manufacturing companies: a qualitative approach. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 37(2), 544-579. Doi: 10.1108/JEIM-08-2022-0269.
  7. Annunziata, A., Ianuario, S., & Pascale, P. (2011). Consumers’ attitudes toward labelling of ethical products: The case of organic and fair trade products. Journal of Food Products Marketing, 17(5), 518-535. Doi: 10.1080/10454446.2011.618790.
  8. Au-Yong-Oliveira, M., Marinho, C., & Chkoniya, V. (2024). The NEXUS story and its stakeholder analysis: Digitalising multimodal logistics and the associated value chain worldwide. Proceedings of the 19th European Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ECIE 2024), 19(1), Article 2700.
  9. Belhadi, A., Kamble, S., Gunasekaran, & A., Mani, V. (2021). Analyzing the mediating role of organizational ambidexterity and digital business transformation on industry 4.0 capabilities and sustainable supply chain performance. Supply Chain Management Journal, 27(6), 696-711. Doi: 10.1108/SCM-04-2021-0152.
  10. Botti, A., Monda, A., Pellicano, M., & Torre, C. (2017). The re-conceptualization of the port supply chain as a smart port service system: The case of the port of Salerno. Systems, 5(2), 35. Doi: 10.3390/systems5020035.
  11. Bui, T. D. (2024). Assessing sustainable supply chain transparency practices in Taiwan semi-conductor industry: A hierarchical interdependence approach. International Journal of Production Economics, 272, 109245. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2024.109245.
  12. Buiza-Camacho-Camacho, G., del Mar Cerbán-Jiménez, M., & González-Gaya, C. (2016). Assessment of the factors influencing on a smart port with an analytic hierarchy process. Revista DYNA, 91(5), 498-501. Doi: 10.6036/7800.
  13. Cacho, J. L., Tokarski, A., Thomas, E., & Chkoniya, V. (2021). Port Dada Integration: Opportunities for Optimization and Value Creation. In V. Chkoniya (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in Business and Industry (pp. 1-22). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. Doi: 10.4018/978-1-7998-6985-6.ch001.
  14. Camarinha-Matos, L., Rocha, A., & Graça, P. (2024). Collaborative approaches in sustainable and resilient manufacturing. Journal of Intelligence Manufacturing, 35, 499-519. Doi: 10.1007/s10845-022-02060-6.
  15. Canavari, M., Imami, D., Gjonbalaj, M., Gjokaj, E., & Alishani, A. (2017). Urban consumer preferences for food in post-conflict economies – the case of Kosovo. In C. Chan, B. Sipes, & T. Lee (Eds.), Enabling Agri-entrepreneurship and Innovation: Empirical Evidence and Solutions for Conflict Regions and Transitioning Economies (pp. 148-163). Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
  16. Chkoniya, V. (2021). Handbook of Research on Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in Business and Industry. IGI Global. Doi: 10.4018/978-1-7998-6985-6.
  17. Cimino A., Longo F., Mirabelli G., & Solina V. (2024) A cyclic and holistic methodology to exploit the Supply Chain Digital Twin concept toward a more resilient and sustainable future. Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, 11, 100154. Doi: 10.1016/j.clscn.2024.100154.
  18. Demir, S., Gunduz, M. A., Kayikci, Y., & Paksoy, T. (2023). Readiness and maturity of smart and sustainable supply chains: A model proposal. Engineering Management Journal, 35(2), 181-206. Doi: 10.1080/10429247.2022.2050129.
  19. Denyer, D., & Tranfield, D. (2009). Producing a systematic review. In: Buchanan, D., & Bryman, A. (eds.), Organizational Res. Methods (pp. 671-689). Sage Publications.
  20. Dwivedi, A., & Paul, S. K. (2022). A framework for digital supply chains in the era of circular economy: Implications on environmental sustainability. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(4), 1249-1274. Doi: 10.1002/bse.2953.
  21. Fainshtein, E., Chkoniya, V., Fiore, M., & Serova, E. (2024). An innovation potential and organizational performance: An integrative role of company’s dynamic capabilities. Agricultural and Food Economics, 12, 41. Doi: 10.1186/s40100-024-00334-6.
  22. Frederico, G. F. (2021). Towards a supply chain 4.0 on the post-COVID-19 pandemic: A conceptual and strategic discussion for more resilient supply chains. Rajagiri Management Journal, 15(2), 94-104. Doi: 10.1108/RAMJ-08-2020-0047.
  23. Garcia-Muiña, F. E., González-Sánchez, R., Ferrari, A. M., & Settembre-Blundo, D. (2018). The paradigms of Industry 4.0 and circular economy as enabling drivers for the competitiveness of businesses and territories: The case of an Italian ceramic tiles manufacturing company. Social Sciences, 7(12), 255. Doi: 10.3390/socsci7120255.
  24. Ghobakhloo, M., Iranmanesh, M., Foroughi, B., Tirkolaee, E.B., Asadi, S., & Amran, A. (2023). Industry 5.0 implications for inclusive sustainable manufacturing: an evidence-knowledge-based strategic roadmap. Journal of Cleaner Production, 417, 138023. Doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138023.
  25. González, A. R., González-Cancelas, N., Molina Serrano, B., & Orive, A. C. (2020). Preparation of a smart port indicator and calculation of a ranking for the Spanish port system. Logistics, 4(2), 9. Doi: 10.3390/logistics4020009.
  26. Huffaker, R. G., & Castellini, M. (2011). Detecting deterministic food-system dynamics from observed price data. In 5th International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks, University of Bonn, Germany, February 14-18, 2011, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria.
  27. International Association of Ports and Harbors (2024). World Ports Sustainability Report 2022-2023. International Association of Ports and Harbors https://susta inableworldpor t s.org/wp-content /uploads / IAPH_ANNUAL_REPORT_2022-2023.pdf.
  28. Jun, W. K., Lee, M.-K., & Choi, J. Y. (2018). Impact of the smart port industry on the Korean national economy using input-output analysis. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 118, 480-493. Doi: 10.1016/j.tra.2018.10.004.
  29. Karmaker, C. L., Mainul Bari, A. B. M., Anam, MdZ., Ahmed, T., Ali, S. M., Pacheco, D. A. J., & Moktadir, MdA. (2023). Industry 5.0 challenges for postpandemic supply chain sustainability in an emerging economy. International Journal of Production Economics, 258, 108806. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2023.108806.
  30. Kumar, A., Shrivastav, S. K., Shrivastava, A. K., Panigrahi, R. R., Mardani, A., & Cavallaro, F. (2023). Sustainable supply chain management, performance measurement, and management: A review. Sustainability, 15(6), 5290. Doi: 10.3390/su15065290.
  31. Lahane, S., Paliwal, V., & Kant, R., (2023). Evaluation and ranking of solutions to overcome the barriers of Industry 4.0 enabled sustainable food supply chain adoption. Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, 8, 100116. Doi: 10.1016/j.clscn.2023.100116.
  32. Liao, F., Hu, Y., Chen, M., & Xu, S. (2024). Digital transformation and corporate green supply chain efficiency: Evidence from China. Economic Analysis and Policy, 81, 195-207. Doi: 10.1016/j.eap.2023.11.033.
  33. Machado, E. A., Scavarda, L. F., Caiado, R. G. G., & Santos, R. S. (2024). Industry 4.0 and sustainability integration in the supply chains of micro, small, and medium enterprises through people, process, and technology within the triple bottom line perspective. Sustainability, 16(3), 1141. Doi: 10.3390/su16031141.
  34. Moher, D., Shamseer, L., Clarke, M., Ghersi, D., Liberati, A., Petticrew, M., Shekelle, P., & Stewart, L. A. (2015). Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Systematic Reviews, 4(1). Doi: 10.1186/2046-4053-4-1.
  35. Notteboom, T., Pallis, A., & Rodrigue, J.-P. (2022). Port Economics, Management and Policy (1st ed.). Routledge. Doi: 10.4324/9780429318184.
  36. O’Connor, A. M., Anderson, K. M., Goodell, C. K., & Sargeant, J. M. (2014). Conducting systematic reviews of intervention questions, I: Writing the review protocol, formulating the question, and searching the literature. Zoonoses and Public Health. Doi: 10.1111/zph.12125.
  37. Othman, A., El-gazzar, S., & Knez, M. (2022). A framework for adopting a sustainable smart seaport index. Sustainability, 14(8), 4551. Doi: 10.3390/su14084551.
  38. Park, A., & Li H. (2021). The effect of blockchain technology on supply chain sustainability performance. Sustainability, 13(4), 1726. Doi: 10.3390/su13041726.
  39. Payer, R. C., Quelhas, O. L. G., & Bergiante, N. C. R. (2024). Framework to supporting monitoring the circular economy in the context of industry 5.0: A proposal considering circularity indicators, digital transformation, and sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production, 466, 142850. Doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142850.
  40. Pittaway, L., Robertson, M., Munir, K., Denyer, D., & Neely, A.: Networking and innovation: a systematic review of the evidence. International Journal of Management Reviews, 5-6(3-4), 137-168. Doi: 10.1111/j.1460-8545.2004.00101.x.
  41. Qin, M., Su, C. W., Wang, Y., & Doran, N. M. (2024). Could “digital gold” resist global supply chain pressure?. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 30(1), 1-21. Doi: 10.3846/tede.2023.18557.
  42. Rigó, L., Fabianová, J., Lokšík, M., & Mikušová, N. (2024). Utilising digital twins to bolster the sustainability of logistics processes in Industry 4.0. Sustainability, 16(6), 2575. Doi: 10.3390/su16062575.
  43. Riso, T., & Morrone, C. (2023). To align technological advancement and ethical conduct: An analysis of the relationship between digital technologies and sustainable decision-making processes. Sustainability, 15(3), 1911. Doi: 10.3390/su15031911.
  44. Saraji, M. K., & Streimikiene, D. (2022). Evaluating the circular supply chain adoption in manufacturing sectors: A picture fuzzy approach. Technology in Society, 70, 102050. Doi: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.102050.
  45. Su, C. W., Shao, X., Jia, Z., Nepal, R., Umar, M., & Qin, M. (2023). The rise of green energy metal: could lithium threaten the status of oil?. Energy Economics, 121, 106651. Doi: 10.1016/j.eneco.2023.106651.
  46. Tantau, A., Maassen, M., & Fratila, L. (2018). Models for analyzing the dependencies between indicators for a circular economy in the European Union. Sustainability, 10(7), 2141. Doi: 10.3390/su10072141.
  47. Tranfield, D., Denyer, D., & Smart, P. (2003). Towards a methodology for developing evidence-informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. British Journal of Management, 14(3), 207-222. Doi: 10.1111/1467-8551.00375.
  48. Tseng, M.-L., Islam, M. S., Karia, N., Fauzi, F. A., & Afrin, S. (2019). A literature review on green supply chain management: Trends and future challenges. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 141, 145-162. Doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.10.009.
  49. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (2023). Review of maritime transport 2023. United Nations. -- https://unctad.org/webflyer/review-maritimetransport-2023.
  50. Varriale, V., Cammarano, A., Michelino, F., & Caputo, M. (2023). Industry 5.0 and triple bottom line approach in supply chain management: The state-of-the-art. Sustainability, 15(7), 5712. Doi: 10.3390/su15075712.
  51. Xiao, Y., & Watson, M. E. (2017). Guidance on conducting a systematic literature review. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 39(1). Doi: 10.1177/0739456x17723971.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...