Digital Technologies in the Strategic Management and Sustainable Development of Agribusiness

 Dear Colleagues,

Agribusiness is at the forefront of economic development, food security, and sustainability. As digital technologies continue to reshape industries, their integration into strategic management practices is transforming the agricultural sector. Innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, precision farming, and big data analytics offer new ways to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in agribusiness operations. However, the adoption and scaling of these technologies present challenges related to cost, infrastructure, data governance, and stakeholder engagement. The role of digital transformation in agribusiness extends beyond operational efficiency, influencing environmental sustainability, supply chain resilience, and rural development. Smart farming solutions, autonomous machinery, and predictive analytics can optimize resource use, reducing waste and environmental impact. Blockchain technology can improve traceability and transparency in food supply chains, ensuring compliance with sustainability standards and consumer trust. Additionally, platforms enabled by AI and machine learning provide real-time insights that support data-driven decision-making, fostering resilience in agricultural markets. Despite the promises of digital transformation, the disparity in access to technology, digital literacy, and financial resources among agribusiness stakeholders—particularly in smallholder farming—remains a key barrier. Furthermore, the governance and ethical dimensions of technology adoption require rigorous examination, ensuring that digital innovation contributes to sustainable development rather than exacerbating inequalities. This Special Issue aims to advance the academic debate on how digital technologies are shaping the strategic management and sustainable development of agribusiness. It seeks high-quality contributions that explore innovative digital strategies, business models, policy frameworks, and empirical studies that address the key challenges and opportunities in this evolving landscape.

Key topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Digital transformation in agribusiness: Case studies on the adoption and impact of digital technologies in different agricultural sectors.

- AI, machine learning, and big data in decision-making: How data-driven approaches enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.

- Blockchain for transparency and traceability: Innovations in food supply chains, quality assurance, and sustainability tracking.

- IoT and smart farming: Precision agriculture, automated monitoring systems, and connected farm management.

- Digital business models in agribusiness: New revenue models enabled by platform-based agriculture and digital marketplaces.

- Policy and governance of digital agribusiness: Regulations, ethical considerations, and frameworks for responsible digital adoption.

- Sustainability and resilience using digital technologies: Mitigating environmental impacts, optimizing resource efficiency, and using climate-smart agriculture.

- Cybersecurity and data privacy in digital agriculture: Risk management in agribusiness digitalization.

- Rural connectivity and digital inclusion: Addressing the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to technology in farming communities.

- Human capital and digital skills in agribusiness: Training, education, and capacity-building for the digital future of agriculture.

- Organizational and human roles and impacts in digital transformation in agriculture.

This Special Issue welcomes interdisciplinary research contributions, including empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, policy analyses, and case studies.

Prof. Dr. Antonio Domingos Padula
Dr. Carlos Alberto Oliveira de Oliveira
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• digital transformation
• precision agriculture
• blockchain in agribusiness
• artificial intelligence in farming
• big data analytics in agriculture
• sustainable agribusiness
• IoT in agriculture
• agri-food supply chain management