Breaking digital barriers: a study on achieving sustainable consumption and production patterns in food supply chain

Purpose Food is an essential commodity for human survival and growth. A significant proportion of food is squandered due to unsustainable consumption and production (SCP) practices. Although there is a growing body of research and ongoing debates surrounding the principles of SCP and the usability of digital technology in achieving the same, its barriers remain unexplored. This study aims to bridge this gap by identifying and examining the barriers faced in digitalising the food supply chain (FSC) to make consumption and production patterns sustainable. Design/methodology/approach A total of 15 barriers are identified and interpreted with the help of industry experts. The total interpretive structural modelling methodology and MICMAC analysis are used in the present study to configure the barriers, obtain the contextual relationships between them and categorise them according to their functioning. Findings The research finds that a complex and fragmented FSC, a lack of skilled human resources, a lack of awareness among stakeholders and organisational inertia are remarkable hurdles in digitalising the FSC. These barriers create substantial challenges to achieving SCP patterns across the supply chain. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by systematically identifying and analysing the barriers to digitalising the FSC, a topic that has received limited attention. The findings offer both managerial and policy implications for advancing SCP practices through digital transformation.