Purpose This study explores the incorporation of digital technologies in the context of the food industry’s attempts to achieve operational excellence (OPEX) and support sustainable transformation. This study also aims to investigate the factors that influence the successful integration of digital technologies in the context of the food industry for OPEX. Design/methodology/approach The systematic literature review (SLR) is utilized to create a solid foundation for this study, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis is used to determine the relative importance of the primary factors impacting the integration of digital technologies to achieve OPEX. Findings The findings of this study reveal a comprehensive understanding of the key factors that influence the success of digital technology integration. Data and technology (DT) is the most relevant category of factors, as evidenced by a high priority value (PV = 0.419),which means 41.9% weightage among the five categories. Research limitations/implications The study acknowledges a few limitations, such as industry-specific and unique critical components, in addition to providing helpful insights and useful recommendations. Future research should think about doing comparable studies in different industries and broadening the study’s scope to minimize these constraints. In the context of the changing landscape of sustainable digital transformation, these theoretical, practical, and societal implications collectively highlight the study’s significance and impact, providing a solid basis for furthering research, directing industry practices, and influencing policy decisions. Originality/value By using a dual-method approach with SLR and AHP methods, the study not only clarifies how digital technologies influence OPEX but also provides useful advice for companies looking to improve their ability for adaptability in a digitally driven environment.
Kumar et al. (2025) studied this question.