Digital transformation and business model innovation : a multiple case study of retail chains in Germany

This thesis examines how the digital revolution has affected German grocery stores in particular and the country's retail sector as a whole. This study illuminates the connection between digital transformation and business model innovation in the retail industry using various qualitative research techniques, including expert interviews with Company A and Company B and a thorough literature analysis. The findings draw attention to the enabling elements, which include strong leadership commitment, successful change management, engagement with external partners, availability of resources and competencies, and a customer-centric emphasis. Legacy systems, talent shortages, poor IT infrastructure, and cultural barriers are a few of the reported difficulties. By evaluating these elements, the study offers valuable perceptions and suggestions for retail businesses seeking to negotiate the challenges and take advantage of the advantages of digital transformation and business model innovation. The study adds to the body of knowledge by providing actual data and case studies that deepen the comprehension of how business model innovation in the retail sector interacts with digital transformation. This thesis offers concrete solutions to improve operations and preserve competitiveness in the constantly changing consumer products industry. It is an invaluable resource for retail organizations looking to stimulate business model innovation and drive digital transformation.Esta tese analisa a forma como a revolução digital afectou as mercearias alemãs, em particular, e o sector retalhista do país como um todo. Este estudo ilustra a ligação entre a transformação digital e a inovação do modelo empresarial no sector do retalho, utilizando várias técnicas de investigação qualitativa, incluindo entrevistas a especialistas da Empresa A e da Empresa B e uma análise exaustiva da literatura. As conclusões chamam a atenção para os elementos facilitadores, que incluem um forte empenhamento da liderança, uma gestão da mudança bem sucedida, o envolvimento com parceiros externos, a disponibilidade de recursos e competências e uma ênfase centrada no cliente. Os sistemas herdados, a escassez de talentos, as deficientes infra-estruturas de TI e as barreiras culturais são algumas das dificuldades comunicadas. Ao avaliar estes elementos, o estudo oferece percepções e sugestões valiosas para as empresas de retalho que procuram enfrentar os desafios e tirar partido das vantagens da transformação digital e da inovação do modelo empresarial. O estudo contribui para o corpo de conhecimento ao fornecer dados reais e estudos de caso que aprofundam a compreensão de como a inovação do modelo de negócio no sector do retalho interage com a transformação digital. Esta tese oferece soluções concretas para melhorar as operações e preservar a competitividade na indústria de produtos de consumo em constante mudança. É um recurso inestimável para as organizações de retalho que procuram estimular a inovação do modelo empresarial e impulsionar a transformação digital

Discussion Document Digitalization processes in agriculture and the rural environment

12 páginasLa digitalización involucra a todos los actores de las cadenas agroalimentarias; proveedores de insumos, agricultores, procesadores de alimentos, proveedores de software, operadores logísticos, cadenas de distribución, minoristas y consumidores, administraciones públicas, etc. Se presentan una reflexión de la importancia al valor que pueden agregar las nuevas tecnologías, mediante la integración y el tratamiento de datos procedentes de diversas fuentes.Digitization involves all the actors in the agri-food chains; input suppliers, farmers, food processors, software providers, logistics operators, distribution chains, retailers and consumers, public administrations, etc. They present a reflection of the importance to the value that new technologies can add, through the integration and treatment of data from various sources

Logistics and Agri\u2010Food: Digitization to Increase Competitive Advantage and Sustainability. Literature Review and the Case of Italy

This paper examines the current challenges faced by logistics with a focus on the agri\u2010food sector. After outlining the context, a review of the literature on the relationship between logistics and strategic management in gaining and increasing competitiveness in the agri\u2010food sector is con-ducted. In particular, the flow of the paper is as follows: after examining the aforementioned managerial problem and its broader repercussions, the paper proceeds to address two main research questions. First, how and by which tools can digitization contribute to improving supply chain management and sustainability in logistics? Second, what are the main managerial and strategic implications and consequences of this for the agri\u2010food sector in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, cost reduction, and supply chain optimization? Finally, the paper presents Italy as a case study, chosen both for its peculiar internal differences in logistical infrastructures and entrepreneurial management between Northern and Southern regions (which could be at least partially overcome with the use of new technologies and frameworks) and for the importance of the agri\u2010food sector for the domestic economy (accounting about 25% of the country\u2019s GDP), on which digitization should have positive effects in terms of value creation and sustainability

Shaping a view on the influence of technologies on sustainable tourism

To date, tourism is the fastest growing industry globally, but one of the least developed in terms of environmentally sustainable practices. However, only a small portion of documents elaborate on how the introduction of new technologies can impact a more sustainable development route for tourism. This study’s objective is to provide an overview on literature state‐of‐the‐art related to sustainable tourism and technological innovations, offering insights for further advancing this domain. We employ a bibliometric analysis and a comprehensive review of 139 articles, collected from Web of Science and Scopus databases, for the purpose of: (i) exploring and discussing the most relevant contributions in the publication network: (ii) highlighting key issues and emerging topics; (iii) uncovering open questions for the future. Our findings reveal contradictory views on the risks and benefits of technology adoption. Artificial intelligence, internet of things, circular economy, big data, augmented and virtual reality emerge as major trends. Five work streams are identified and described, leading to a broader perspective on how technology can shape the future of sustainable tourism. Relevant theoretical and managerial implications are derived. Finally, a research agenda is proposed as guidance for future studies addressing the outcomes of digital disruption on sustainable tourism.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Remaining traditional with the core while implementing digital solutions : a multiple case study of fast-moving consumer goods companies about digitalization and business model innovation

This dissertation explores the external and internal determinants influencing business model innovation in fast-moving consumer goods companies. It will further investigate the impact of digitalization-related factors on (existing) business models as well as the usage of digital technologies. In the end, barriers and success factors that shape business model innovation within the fast-moving consumer goods industry will be identified. In the literature review, definitions of the business model concept and its innovation are discussed. Based on those insights, the characteristics of business models in the fast-moving consumer goods industry are identified and a deepened understanding of the phenomenon on digitalization is created. Based on the theoretical insights gained in the literature review, a multiple case study spanning three different fast-moving consumer goods firms is performed. Business model developments and digitalization efforts of those three companies are investigated by the conduct of two semi-structured interviews per case with related managers, complemented with secondary data. It has been found that managing an old business model and a new business model that require different assets at the same time may create frictions that diminish profitability. As suppliers and distributors are highly interdependent and the German FMCG market is composed of a few big players, each interviewed company engages in different strategies and degrees of business model innovation and digitalization efforts. Especially adaptability seems to be a success factor to sustainable, long-term success.Esta dissertação explora os determinantes externos e internos que influenciam a inovação do modelo de negócio em empresas de bens de consumo rápido. Investigará o impacto dos factores relacionados com a digitalização nos modelos de negócio (existentes), bem como a utilização de tecnologias digitais. Serão identificadas as barreiras e os factores de sucesso. Na revisão da literatura, são discutidas as definições do conceito de modelo de negócio. Com base nesses conhecimentos, são identificadas as características dos modelos de negócio na indústria de bens de consumo rápido e é criada uma compreensão do fenómeno da digitalização. Com base nos conhecimentos teóricos, é efectuado um estudo de casos múltiplos que abrange três empresas diferentes de bens de consumo rápido. A evolução do modelo de negócio e os esforços de digitalização dessas três empresas são investigados através da realização de duas entrevistas semi-estruturadas por caso com os respectivos gestores, complementadas por dados secundários. Os resultados sugerem que a gestão de um modelo de negócio antigo e de um novo modelo de negócio, que exigem activos diferentes ao mesmo tempo, pode criar fricções que diminuem a rentabilidade. Uma vez que os fornecedores e os distribuidores são altamente interdependentes e o mercado alemão de produtos de grande consumo é composto por alguns grandes operadores, as empresas adoptam diferentes estratégias e graus de inovação do modelo de negócio e esforços de digitalização. A adaptabilidade, em especial, parece ser um fator de sucesso para um êxito sustentável e a longo prazo

A concept for application of integrated digital technologies to enhance future smart agricultural systems

Future agricultural systems should increase productivity and sustainability of food production and supply. For this, integrated and efficient capture, management, sharing, and use of agricultural and environmental data from multiple sources is essential. However, there are challenges to understand and efficiently use different types of agricultural and environmental data from multiple sources, which differ in format and time interval. In this regard, the role of emerging technologies is considered to be significant for integrated data gathering, analyses and efficient use. In this study, a concept was developed to facilitate the full integration of digital technologies to enhance future smart and sustainable agricultural systems. The concept has been developed based on the results of a literature review and diverse experiences and expertise which enabled the identification of stat-of-the-art smart technologies, challenges and knowledge gaps. The features of the proposed solution include: data collection methodologies using smart digital tools; platforms for data handling and sharing; application of Artificial Intelligent for data integration and analysis; edge and cloud computing; application of Blockchain, decision support system; and a governance and data security system. The study identified the potential positive implications i.e. the implementation of the concept could increase data value, farm productivity, effectiveness in monitoring of farm operations and decision making, and provide innovative farm business models. The concept could contribute to an overall increase in the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the agricultural sector as well as digital transformation in agriculture and rural areas. This study also provided future research direction in relation to the proposed concept. The results will benefit researchers, practitioners, developers of smart tools, and policy makers supporting the transition to smarter and more sustainable agriculture systems

Insight on current advances in food science and technology for feeding the world population

While the world population is steadily increasing, the capacity of Earth to renew its resources is continuously declining. Consequently, the bioresources required for food production are diminishing and new approaches are needed to feed the current and future global population. In the last decades, scientists have developed novel strategies to reduce food loss and waste, improve food production, and find new ingredients, design and build new food structures, and introduce digitalization in the food system. In this work, we provide a general overview on circular economy, alternative technologies for food production such as cellular agriculture, and new sources of ingredients like microalgae, insects, and wood-derived fibers. We present a summary of the whole process of food design using creative problem-solving that fosters food innovation, and digitalization in the food sector such as artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and blockchain technology. Finally, we briefly discuss the effect of COVID-19 on the food system. This review has been written for a broad audience, covering a wide spectrum and giving insights on the most recent advances in the food science and technology area, presenting examples from both academic and industrial sides, in terms of concepts, technologies, and tools which will possibly help the world to achieve food security in the next 30 years.Peer reviewe

A Journey into the European Supply Chains: Key Industries and Best Practices

Macro-trends and sectoral-specific evolutions are changing the way companies produce, distribute and build relationships in their supply network and with customers. Aiming to investigate the effective implementation of new supply chain concepts and innovation needs identified in the previous sections, this chapter provides a study of multiple cases of excellence among European supply chains. It depicts an overview of major trends and structural features of 8 key industries for European economy, i.e. Automotive, Aerospace, Fashion, Chemical, IT, Distribution/logistics, Furniture, Food and Beverage. For each industry, a structured investigation into one or more companies was performed with a total of 18 companies involved. The results identify possible matchings in relation to supply chain strategies, and good and best practices adopted accordingl