Resilience and sustainability enhancements in food supply chains using Digital Twin technology: A grey causal modelling (GCM) approach

The adoption of digital technologies can result in the increase in production, efficacy, and profitability of food supply chains (FSC). Digital twin in the food supply chain can enhance the resilience of food supply chain, reduce the food waste, and improve the sustainability. The purpose of this research is to identify and analyze the role of digital twin technology in enhancing the resilience and sustainability of food supply chain. The novel grey causal modelling (GCM) methodology has been utilized in this research for analysis. The GCM for the causal analysis can consider the four features that are characterized as the causes, the effects, the objectives, and the outcomes. This research work has identified the fifteen factors from the extant literature review and experts’ opinions. The responses are collected from the experts in two phases. In the first phase, responses were taken to find the cause-and-effect factors, and in second phase, responses were collected to rank the identified cause-effect pairs for various objectives to calculate the outcomes for the study. The various situations were plotted based on their outcomes with respect to objectives using the magnitude plots. Findings of the study suggest that enhanced coordination is the decisive causal factor, considering the dual objectives of resilience and sustainability. This research can be helpful for policymakers, practitioners, and food industries for the development of resilient sustainable FSC system.