Impact of high-techs on firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience of fruit and vegetable food systems: A systematic review

Oscar Kwame Sottie; Miranda P.M. Meuwissen; Ana Cristina Zepeda; Anand K. Gavai; Maximilian Koppenberg

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104687

Impact of high-techs on firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience of fruit and vegetable food systems: A systematic review

Oscar Kwame Sottie^*
, Miranda P.M. Meuwissen
, Ana Cristina Zepeda
, Anand K. Gavai
, Maximilian Koppenberg

^*Corresponding author for this work

Financial Engineering & Business Information Systems

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

CONTEXT
High-tech solutions are potential tools to benefit fruit and vegetable (F&V) food systems' firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience. However, their high energy demand and the complexity of integrating high-tech throughout the food system stages may hinder achieving these benefits.

OBJECTIVE
We conducted a systematic literature review on the impact of high-techs on firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience of F&V food systems.

METHODS
For the period 2016–2024, following the PRISMA protocol, we identified a total of 52 primary studies, yielding 103 estimated effects. Based on predefined criteria, we included high-tech solutions ranging from artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), sensors, blockchain, robotics, data analytics, drones, model predictive control, to decision support systems.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
We found that the indicators only partially reflect high-tech solutions' economic performance such as water use reduction (8–95%), increased productivity (5–29%), and reduced food waste (7–25%). The predictive capabilities of high-tech innovations highlight their potential to strengthen the food system's ability to anticipate and mitigate shocks. In addition, we found consumer impacts remain unexamined, including whether high-tech enhances F&V affordability and accessibility. Finally, we developed a conceptual framework illustrating high-techs potential to integrate all F&V system stages. We recommend undertaking more quantitative impact research at the consumer and system-level to identify the potential of high-tech solutions to transform food systems.

SIGNIFICANCE
Our results inform policy debates on fostering the use of high-techs in designing F&V systems, and guide firm-level actors who decide on the adoption of high-techs in F&V systems.

Original language	English
Article number	104687
Number of pages	13
Journal	Agricultural systems
Volume	235
Early online date	12 Mar 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104687
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print/First online - 12 Mar 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 2 Zero Hunger
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Keywords

Digital technology
supply chain
Efficiency
Controlled environment agriculture
Industry 4.0

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ArticleFinal published version, 5.92 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Impact of high-techs on firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience of fruit and vegetable food systems: A systematic review",

abstract = "CONTEXT High-tech solutions are potential tools to benefit fruit and vegetable (F\&V) food systems' firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience. However, their high energy demand and the complexity of integrating high-tech throughout the food system stages may hinder achieving these benefits. OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic literature review on the impact of high-techs on firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience of F\&V food systems. METHODS For the period 2016–2024, following the PRISMA protocol, we identified a total of 52 primary studies, yielding 103 estimated effects. Based on predefined criteria, we included high-tech solutions ranging from artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), sensors, blockchain, robotics, data analytics, drones, model predictive control, to decision support systems. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We found that the indicators only partially reflect high-tech solutions' economic performance such as water use reduction (8–95\%), increased productivity (5–29\%), and reduced food waste (7–25\%). The predictive capabilities of high-tech innovations highlight their potential to strengthen the food system's ability to anticipate and mitigate shocks. In addition, we found consumer impacts remain unexamined, including whether high-tech enhances F\&V affordability and accessibility. Finally, we developed a conceptual framework illustrating high-techs potential to integrate all F\&V system stages. We recommend undertaking more quantitative impact research at the consumer and system-level to identify the potential of high-tech solutions to transform food systems. SIGNIFICANCE Our results inform policy debates on fostering the use of high-techs in designing F\&V systems, and guide firm-level actors who decide on the adoption of high-techs in F\&V systems.",

keywords = "Digital technology, supply chain, Efficiency, Controlled environment agriculture, Industry 4.0",

author = "Sottie, \{Oscar Kwame\} and Meuwissen, \{Miranda P.M.\} and Zepeda, \{Ana Cristina\} and Gavai, \{Anand K.\} and Maximilian Koppenberg",

note = "{\textcopyright} 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.",

year = "2026",

month = mar,

day = "12",

doi = "10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104687",

language = "English",

volume = "235",

journal = "Agricultural systems",

issn = "0308-521X",

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T1 - Impact of high-techs on firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience of fruit and vegetable food systems

T2 - A systematic review

AU - Sottie, Oscar Kwame

AU - Meuwissen, Miranda P.M.

AU - Zepeda, Ana Cristina

AU - Gavai, Anand K.

AU - Koppenberg, Maximilian

PY - 2026/3/12

Y1 - 2026/3/12

N2 - CONTEXT High-tech solutions are potential tools to benefit fruit and vegetable (F&V) food systems' firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience. However, their high energy demand and the complexity of integrating high-tech throughout the food system stages may hinder achieving these benefits. OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic literature review on the impact of high-techs on firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience of F&V food systems. METHODS For the period 2016–2024, following the PRISMA protocol, we identified a total of 52 primary studies, yielding 103 estimated effects. Based on predefined criteria, we included high-tech solutions ranging from artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), sensors, blockchain, robotics, data analytics, drones, model predictive control, to decision support systems. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We found that the indicators only partially reflect high-tech solutions' economic performance such as water use reduction (8–95%), increased productivity (5–29%), and reduced food waste (7–25%). The predictive capabilities of high-tech innovations highlight their potential to strengthen the food system's ability to anticipate and mitigate shocks. In addition, we found consumer impacts remain unexamined, including whether high-tech enhances F&V affordability and accessibility. Finally, we developed a conceptual framework illustrating high-techs potential to integrate all F&V system stages. We recommend undertaking more quantitative impact research at the consumer and system-level to identify the potential of high-tech solutions to transform food systems. SIGNIFICANCE Our results inform policy debates on fostering the use of high-techs in designing F&V systems, and guide firm-level actors who decide on the adoption of high-techs in F&V systems.

AB - CONTEXT High-tech solutions are potential tools to benefit fruit and vegetable (F&V) food systems' firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience. However, their high energy demand and the complexity of integrating high-tech throughout the food system stages may hinder achieving these benefits. OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic literature review on the impact of high-techs on firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience of F&V food systems. METHODS For the period 2016–2024, following the PRISMA protocol, we identified a total of 52 primary studies, yielding 103 estimated effects. Based on predefined criteria, we included high-tech solutions ranging from artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), sensors, blockchain, robotics, data analytics, drones, model predictive control, to decision support systems. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We found that the indicators only partially reflect high-tech solutions' economic performance such as water use reduction (8–95%), increased productivity (5–29%), and reduced food waste (7–25%). The predictive capabilities of high-tech innovations highlight their potential to strengthen the food system's ability to anticipate and mitigate shocks. In addition, we found consumer impacts remain unexamined, including whether high-tech enhances F&V affordability and accessibility. Finally, we developed a conceptual framework illustrating high-techs potential to integrate all F&V system stages. We recommend undertaking more quantitative impact research at the consumer and system-level to identify the potential of high-tech solutions to transform food systems. SIGNIFICANCE Our results inform policy debates on fostering the use of high-techs in designing F&V systems, and guide firm-level actors who decide on the adoption of high-techs in F&V systems.

KW - Digital technology

KW - supply chain

KW - Efficiency

KW - Controlled environment agriculture

KW - Industry 4.0

U2 - 10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104687

DO - 10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104687

M3 - Article

SN - 0308-521X

VL - 235

JO - Agricultural systems

JF - Agricultural systems

M1 - 104687

ER -

Impact of high-techs on firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience of fruit and vegetable food systems: A systematic review

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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