Implementation of supply chain 4.0 in food and beverage industry: Perceived drivers and barriers

Purpose - Despite considerable growth in literature on Industry 4.0 technologies, the research on the factors influencing the investment on these technologies in pursuit of supply chain 4.0 is yet incipient. The study aims to fill this knowledge void by exploring the perceived drivers and barriers intertwined in the implementation of supply chain 4.0 in the context of food and beverage industry. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative exploratory research was employed involving 20 semi-structured interviews with senior managers from the Australian food and beverage supply chain. The interviews’ data were analysed with VOSViewer software version 1.6.14. Findings - The results unravel that reduction in supply-demand misalignment, fast-changing consumer’s needs, threat of legal penalties and cost optimisation are the key drivers; whereas lack of collaboration, organisational inertia, and lack of awareness are currently the critical barriers to implement supply chain 4.0. Research limitations – The study derives seven propositions and a theoretical framework that need to be empirically corroborated. Practical implications – Understanding of drivers and barriers will help practitioners to make more informed decision for implementation of supply chain 4.0. Social implications – Implementation of supply chain 4.0 can enhance the performance of the food and beverage industry, thus offering more job opportunities and sustained food supply. Originality/value – This is the first study in exploring drivers and barriers to the implementation of supply chain 4.0; thus, adds new knowledge to the growing body of the literature. The paper introduces a novel method for qualitative data analysis contributing to the methodological development of the supply chain management field.