A fuzzy AHP analysis of potential criteria for initiatives in digital transformation for agribusiness

ABSTRACT Purpose: Exploring criteria for digital transformation in agribusiness (DTA) and analyzing their potential importance (weight) and priorities (ranking) for future DTA projects. Originality/value: Digital transformation (DT) has become increasingly central in agribusiness, fostering a rapid process of dependence on digital technologies for operational processes. However, the lack of consistent criteria for DTA may hinder progress towards project development and industrial applications, as well as obstruct further research due to potential conceptual, technical, and theoretical shortcomings. Design/methodology/approach: A manual review of literature coupled with automatic text clustering tools was employed to elicit criteria and subcriteria. To analyze weights and rankings, two methods were used in tandem: fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy technique for order preference by similarities to ideal solution (Topsis) in order to aggregate responses from DTA specialists. Findings: The criteria extracted from the literature were: knowledge management (analysis, monitoring, decision-making), automation (planting and harvesting, processing and manufacturing, maintenance, technology, machinery and tools), efficiency (costs, work and personnel, processes), and continuity (quality and food safety, environmental sustainability). The results point to a set of criteria anchored in the transition of operations to digital technologies yet bound by the physical limitations of a traditional non-digital business. This paper contributes to the development of the literature by providing a set of criteria for DTA projects and analyzing their possible importance according to a panel of specialists. Practical implications include a definition of areas and their potential relative importance for future implementations.