Industry 4.0 digital technologies enhancing sustainability: Applications and barriers from the agricultural industry in an emerging economy

Digital technologies are powerful innovations that can enhance operational improvements and social and environmental sustainability. This phenomen is amplified for developing countries characterised by agricultural-centered economies. The need of understanding impacts, benefits and obstacles of implementing digital technologies is crucial for the economy, the environment and the society of those countries and for the entire planet. Hence, this study provides a detailed understanding of the benefits of Industry 4.0 technology in the agricultural industry and the barriers that might impede its wider adoption. First, A qualitative research was conducted through an exploratory single case study, analysing different business units of a multinational firm to discover the application of digital technologies and relative barriers in a developing country. Then, through a quantitative approach, barriers were clustered, rated and ranked. The study highlights digital technologies’ social and environmental impacts in optimising operations and resource use. Findings reveal that drones, Internet of Things sensors, Cloud, and Big Data analytics are among the most beneficial technologies in the agricultural industry, while among the most impactful barriers are scarce government support and limited access to foreign markets, followed by economic, technological, and cultural barriers.