Digital Technologies for Sustainable Value in the Food Sector

In this paper, we analyse how and to what extent the adoption of digital technologies in the food and retail sector is a driver for the pursuit of sustainability objectives, and therefore for the creation of sustainable value. The in-depth analysis of the literature presents a scenario that scarcely corresponds to the picture drawn by the empirical study. Thanks to a multiple case study on six companies, leaders in the food sector in Italy, it was possible to highlight a general immaturity of the relationship between digital technology decisions and sustainability strategies in this sector. The paper identifies possible reasons for the current state as a basis for future improvements.