Leveraging Digital Transformation for Responsible Food Production and Distribution in an Emerging Economy’s Manufacturing Sector

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores the role of digital transformation in enhancing responsible food production and distribution within Nigerian manufacturing firms, focusing on supply chain digitization and predictive maintenance. While digital technologies hold significant potential to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and optimize distribution, adoption barriers in Nigeria have contributed to persistent food waste, high energy consumption, and inefficiencies in logistics and distribution systems. Research design, data, and methodology: Based on the resource-based view theoretical foundation, the study adopts a survey research design. Primary data were collected through a closed-ended structured questionnaire. This was administered to 274 production engineers and warehouse managers and food items distributors, IT professionals and supply chain managers in the Nigerian food manufacturing sector. The Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyse the data using SmartPLS software. Results: The results demonstrate that supply chain digitization and predictive maintenance significantly enhance responsible food production and distribution by reducing waste and improving logistics resource efficiency. Conclusions: The study underscores the critical role of digital transformation tools in achieving sustainability in food production and distribution. The implication is by integrating digitalisation into food supply chain processes and functions, manufacturing industry can realize their responsible production goals.