Presenting a model of the impact of convergent technologies on food industry supply chain management using a grounded theory approach

Mirghafoori, Seyed Habibollah; Andalib Ardakani, Davood; Keshavarz, Parisa

doi:10.22034/jtd.2025.2052359.1990

Presenting a model of the impact of convergent technologies on food industry supply chain management using a grounded theory approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Seyed Habibollah Mirghafoori ¹

Davood Andalib Ardakani ²

parisa keshavarz ²

¹ yazd university

² Department of Industrial Management - Faculty of Economics, Management and Accounting - Yazd University - Yazd - Iran

10.22034/jtd.2025.2052359.1990

Abstract

With the increasing complexity and challenges of supply chains in the modern world, the use of convergent technologies has been proposed as an essential solution in managing these chains. Convergent technologies offer significant capabilities in improving processes, clarifying information, optimizing resources, and increasing the speed of decision-making. By collecting and analyzing data from different points in the supply chain, these technologies enable more accurate demand forecasting, optimizing inventories, reducing costs, and increasing coordination between different departments. Therefore, in the present study, the grounded theory method has been used to examine the impact of convergent technologies and present a paradigmatic model of these indicators in supply chain management. To implement the grounded theory method, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The final interview questions continued until saturation (10 people). In this study, the statistical population was all food industry experts (managers, senior experts in the field of supply chain management and university professors) in Yazd province, and the selection of samples was purposeful, and the sample size was considered to be 10 people, considering the subject of the work, which is a new subject in the food industry.
Results: The main dimensions of the paradigmatic model, including the causal factors of inventory management, accurate forecasting, improving product safety, improving planning, increasing information and accurate selection, and reducing errors. Intelligent supply chain management as a central phenomenon; the use of innovative processes and systems, knowledge management as strategies and actions; financial performance, production process optimization, market forecasting and analysis, cost as background conditions; administrative factors as interfering conditions, and competitive advantage acquisition, smartization, improving operational efficiency and functional development, and customer satisfaction as outcomes were extracted.
Conclusion: Convergent technologies, as tools for linking different processes in the supply chain, can play a significant role in reducing costs, improving productivity, reducing waste, and promoting transparency in the operations of suppliers and distributors. In addition to reducing costs, these technologies allow companies to effectively overcome their weaknesses in the face of crises and unpredictable conditions. Therefore, the application of convergent technologies is not only a need to improve competitiveness in the global market, but also a requirement for achieving sustainability in supply chains in the modern world. These technologies reduce costs and response times by providing accurate and timely information, forecasting demand, optimizing inventories, and managing risks. In addition, convergent technologies have the ability to enhance supply chain flexibility and resilience to crises and market fluctuations, which ultimately leads to improved productivity and increased customer satisfaction.

Keywords

Supply chain management

new technologies

convergent technologies

intelligence

grounded theory

Subjects

Technology foresight

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