Analysis of the Impact of Investment in Green Technologies on the Sustainability of the Food Supply Chain, with a Focus on Environmental Risk Reduction

Document Type : Research/ Original/ Regular Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Production and Industry Relations, Research Institute of Logistics and Defense Technology, National Defense University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Crop Plant Physiology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 PhD in Food Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

Abstract

In today's world, where food supply chains are increasingly exposed to the adverse effects of climate change and the degradation of natural resources, the relationship between investments in emerging green technologies and the mitigation of environmental risks has become a critical area of inquiry. This study seeks to provide an in-depth examination of this relationship by moving beyond general assumptions and identifying the underlying mechanisms through which green technology investments contribute to environmental risk reduction. Accordingly, the present research aims to investigate the role of investments in green technologies in reducing environmental risks within Iran’s food supply chain. From the perspective of purpose, this study is applied-developmental in nature, while methodologically it adopts a descriptive-analytical approach using a mixed-methods design. The research was conducted in Iran during 2024. In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis was employed, and sixteen     semi-structured interviews were conducted with subject-matter experts until theoretical saturation was achieved. The identified themes related to green technology investment were subsequently validated using the Delphi technique. In the quantitative phase, data were collected from 395 managers and experts working in relevant organizations through a researcher-developed questionnaire. The questionnaire's validity was confirmed by experts, and its reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Quantitative data were analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach in SmartPLS software. The qualitative findings revealed three overarching themes (technological governance structures, transformative technologies, and sustainable ecosystem requirements), nine organizing themes (driving policy frameworks, transformative financial structures, participatory technology governance, advanced production technologies, intelligent distribution technologies, integrated recycling technologies, natural resource sustainability, climate adaptability, and food system resilience), and thirty-six basic themes. The Delphi analysis confirmed the validity of all identified themes, which subsequently formed the basis for questionnaire development. The quantitative findings further confirmed the significant effect of green technology investments on reducing environmental risks in the food supply chain. The results demonstrated that all three dimensions—technological governance, green technologies, and ecosystem requirements—exert a significant negative effect on environmental risks within the food supply chain. The findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge on sustainable food supply chain governance and provide a practical roadmap for policymakers, food industry managers, and investors. By adopting an integrated and evidence-based approach, stakeholders can effectively reduce environmental risks and promote the development of a resilient and sustainable food system.

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Supply Chain Management
Volume 28, Issue 90 - Serial Number 90
Serial number 90. Spring 2026
June 2026
Pages 21-50

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History

  • Receive Date: 29 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 03 September 2025
  • Accept Date: 31 December 2025
  • Publish Date: 15 June 2026

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