Under the TITAN project framework, Verena Otter and Daniela Robinson from Wageningen University & Research published the article “Transparency and Changing Stakeholder Roles in the Digital Age of Sustainable Agri-Food Supply Chain Networks” in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. The study addresses the digital transparency gap in agri-food supply chains.
To investigate this gap, the authors conducted 21 semi-structured pilot interviews with technology providers in the EU agri-food sector. The findings show that primary stakeholders in the supply chain face power imbalances and relationship practices that hinder cooperation in data sharing, while NGOs, governments, and technology providers demonstrate a strong interest in supporting digital transparency. This mix of interests creates complexity, slows the adoption of digital innovations, and shapes how modern supply chain’s function.
The study provides a digital perspective on agri-food supply chains, which can serve as a basis for future research, including the development of more complex quantitative models to better explain the system. Agri-food managers, scientists, and policymakers need to work together to improve collaboration and governance so that these digital tools can effectively support sustainability.
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