The IoT research in sustainable agricultural supply chain management: A conceptual framework

Timely information and decision making are vital for success of agricultural supply chain management, which is possible through capturing information by using wireless sensor networks. The Internet of Things comprises of such devices, which are laid in the form of communicating network around the agricultural setting for obtaining information. The current study aims to review prior studies based on the usage of IoT in sustainable agricultural supply chain management. A literature review has been conducted by using selected studies from reputed journals. It has been found that IoT applications in the sustainable agricultural supply chain and is currently under a nascent stage in developing countries. This is due to influence of multiple barriers, which poses serious problems, and therefore it is imperative for agricultural scientists and managers to understand the interrelationships. Farm managers, research scientists, and policy makers must aim to remove the barriers for achieving sustainability in agricultural supply chain management. The study is unique, first, in terms of scope of study; second, it identifies and categorizes the barriers to IoT application in agricultural supply chain; and third, it proposes a conceptual framework with research propositions and finally provides food for thought to the research community.