Title: Evaluation of food technologies across supply chain actors: a systematic review of explanatory models

Authors: Carolin Kamrath; Joshua Wesana; Hans De Steur; Xavier Gellynck; Stefanie Bröring

Addresses: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn, Institute for Food and Resource Economics, Meckenheimer Allee 174, 53115, Bonn, Germany ' Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium; Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK ' Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium ' Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium ' Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn, Institute for Food and Resource Economics, Meckenheimer Allee 174, 53115, Bonn, Germany

Abstract: Acceptance of novel technologies along the food supply chain is essential for technology-based innovations to be effective in tackling global challenges such as food security. In order to obtain insights and identify research gaps in the context of food technology evaluation research, this study conducts a systematic review of empirical studies that utilised established explanatory models with food chain actors. Out of 183 primary studies included from 1991 to 2017, the majority was conducted in developed countries, while only 23% targeted developing countries. Further, most studies have looked at genetically modified food, with consumers being the most common stakeholder considered. Regarding the models, theory of planned behaviour and protection motivation theory were by far the most frequently applied explanatory models. Our results highlight the need for research on the evaluation of novel food technologies by non-consumer actors for a holistic understanding across the supply chain.

Keywords: evaluation; acceptance; adoption; explanatory models; TPB; theory of planned behaviour; PMT; protection motivation theory; food technology; food chain actors; farmer; processor; consumer; systematic review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2023.131798

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2023 Vol.17 No.3, pp.244 - 288

Accepted: 15 Jun 2021
Published online: 04 Jul 2023 *

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