The Effect of E-Business in Food Production/Agriculture: A Literature Review

This research paper explores the impact of e-business on the food production and agriculture sector. It examines the role of e-commerce in enhancing logistics, supply chain management, and information flow within the agro-food industry. The paper analyzes existing literature to identify the benefits and challenges of e-business adoption in agriculture, highlighting key research methodologies and potential gaps in current research. The study concludes by suggesting areas for further investigation and proposing a suitable research methodology for future research on the topic.

Management Research Methods (MRM)
The Effect of E-Business in Food production/Agriculture
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
2. Literature Review........................................................................................................................4
E-commerce in agro-food industry..................................................................................................4
Effects of e-commerce on the agriculture logistics.........................................................................5
E-commerce in the agri-food sector................................................................................................6
Effects of e-commerce on agriculture and food..............................................................................6
3. Analysis Section..........................................................................................................................7
Research Questions..........................................................................................................................7
Theories...........................................................................................................................................7
4 Critical analysis of research methodologies...............................................................................10
a) Application of research methodologies in the literature............................................................10
b) Deployment of research methods to contribute to the research................................................11
c). Possibilities of gaps by the research methods in conducting research.....................................12
5. Conclusion.................................................................................................................................14
References......................................................................................................................................16
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1. Introduction
E-commerce is an innovative model to conduct business activities for the growth of an
organisation. It has played a vital role in the growth and development of the retail sector. The
whole research will be based on the use of e-commerce in the agriculture to analyse the effects of
the e-commerce on the agriculture sector (Khan, 2016). The different research paper will be used
in this research to conduct an appropriate literature review on the topic. A research paper which
is used in the literature review has totally based on the myth or reality of the e-commerce in the
agro-food industry. It is essential for the author to use specific research papers, journals, and
literature which are based on the research topic. Another literature is based to analyse the effects
of the e-commerce on the logistics used in the agriculture sector. This research paper will
identify the logistical problems in the agriculture industry and also define the effects of the e-
commerce activities to resolve these problems. The whole research will produce an overall
review of the e-commerce on the agriculture industry which will explain the effects in the
delivery of products, information flow, supply chain management and growth of the farmer by E-
commerce. It is required to keep the equilibrium point in the supply and demands to sustain the
profitability of the trade. The role of e-commerce will briefly explain in the below-given
literature review to analyse its impacts on the industry.
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2. Literature Review
E-commerce in agro-food industry
According to Mupemhi, et. al., (2011), e-commerce is based on the economic infrastructure
which helps to conduct e-business and commercial activities in the geographical area. Internet
connectivity is prior to conducting e-commerce activities which can help the farmers and agro-
business firms. E-business activities support to reduce the sales cost of the of produced
agriculture products which helps to the agro-business firms and farmers to improve their profits
and revenues. Mostly online sales and transactions are made in the e-commerce in which price is
based on the variety of the agriculture products. E-business decreases the operational cost of the
business and improves the profits for the firm. Most of the agro-business firms are using both
online and offline methods for marketing and sales of the products which reduce the operation
cost. It has enhanced the customer assistance element in the sales of the agro products to the
targeted market.
Figure 1: Benefits of E-commerce for Agriculture industry
Source: Author
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Advantageous of E
commerce in
agriculture
Reduced
operational cost
Enhance profits of
agro business firms
and farmers
Reduce selling
price enhnace
customer
satsifaction
Develops better
relation in
customers and
agro business firms
Supports in
product and
service betterment

Effects of e-commerce on the agriculture logistics
As stated by Cai., (2015), logistic has a significant role in the development of the agriculture
industry. Agriculture plays a significant role in the economic development of the country so the
emerged use of e-commerce helps in the development of the economy of the nation. It was
difficult to manage supply chain management in the traditional business system because
demands cannot be determined accurately but after the use of e-commerce an agro-business firm
can effectively analyse the demands and according to this they can set the supply’s as well. It has
developed a fast supply chain in the logistics of the agriculture products to customers. It is the
contemporary trend to use the online method in the sales of the products which helps to the
customers to select a product from a wide range. Along with it, the seller has to provide a
delivery time to the customer to deliver the product so it has played a significant role in the
development of the agriculture logistics chain in the targeted geographical area. It has developed
a faster delivery of the products in the targeted markets.
Figure 2: Effects of e-commerce on agriculture logistic
Source: Author
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Effects of e
commerce on
agriculture logistics
Improved network Enlarged working
area
Declined logistic
time
Develops logistic
network in non
existing areas

E-commerce in the agri-food sector
As per the view of Zeng, et. al., (2017), e-commerce activities are grounded on the hardware
availability of the networking and internet. Technology plays a significant role in the
development of e-commerce activities so it is essential for the government to develop a proper
network of the high data speed internet to support the e-commerce. The e-business is enhancing
communication between the product developer and customers which helps to the agro-business
forms to produce a better variety of product for their targeted customers. It has improved
business to customers market in the agro-business sector. E-commerce supports to the agro-
business firms to analyse the future demands of specific products which can help them to make
some provisions. The e-commerce helps to the farmers and customers to make a flow of
information about the product which helps to determine the product pricing, packaging, and
logistics network development in the particular area. Zeng (author) of this literature has
pronounced it as a systematic literature review which is not justified by the work. It is creating a
huge confusion in observation of the core meaning. Discussion and analysis are not fully
developed which is not developing an appropriate meaning.
Effects of e-commerce on agriculture and food
According to Halvorson, (2018), e-commerce has played a significant role in improving the
supply chain management in the agriculture sector. It helps to the agro-business firms to forecast
the demands which help them to make a better provision for the future demands to accomplish
them. Most of the enterprises and business forms are working from online selling method which
helps them to develop their business and enhance their profits in the existing markets. It has
developed a better supply chain and logistics management to supply products. Either then this, e-
commerce helps to the agriculture industry to develop better records of production, sales,
demands, supplies, trends etc. It has supported to create a better coordination among the farmers
and agro-business enterprise to determine corps to grow in the upcoming time. It helps to keep
sustainability in the product demands and supplies to manage profitability for customers and
seller also (Franco and Regi, 2016).
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3. Analysis Section
This section comprises of the research questions, theories as well as methods that are related to
the literature review. Moreover, the alternative research methods have also been discussed in the
analysis section.
Research Questions
The research question reflects the main area or issue within which the research has to be
conducted. The list of research questions are as follows:
Question 1 – Do there is a significant effect of e-business in the food production?
Question 2 – Does the e-business impact on the food production?
Theories
There are several types of research theories which are used by the researchers in order to gain
significant knowledge about the respective issue or problem. In this study also there are various
research theories have been used in regards to determining the effect of e-business on the food
production. The theories are such as:
 Positivists and Empirism – This theory states that the information can be gathered in a
way that it creates a scientific knowledge in respect of the research study (Sachs, 2018). This
type of theory has been used in order to enhance the human knowledge and experiences. In
respect to the particular research study, the various evidence and experiences have been
generated in the form of literature review so as to identify the effect of e-business on the food
production.
 Phenomenology – The Phenomenology theory includes the quantitative and statistical
research which does not consist of general explanation regarding the human behavior
(Woodside, 2010). In this research study, the Phenomenology theory has not be focused on only
qualitative data through the use of a secondary source of data collected is highlighted to know
the impact of e-business on food production.
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Methods used in the Literature
In the literature review, there are various methods being used and emphasised. For example, the
various methods are as follows:
 Diagnostic Method – This method provides with the critical examining of the learning
and knowledge related to a specified field. In this study, the literature comprises of the critical
analysis in which the arguments have been made in respect of research methodology used by the
economist for justifying their statements. It leads to creating a diagnostic analysis of the reported
study.
 Qualitative Method – As per this method, the views, opinions, thoughts, and mindset of
various authors and persons have been considered for exploring a particular topic of research
(McDonough, 2014). This study has also made use of the secondary approach in which the data
is been gathered with the help of journals and Pdfs that provides with the critical reasoning in the
context of e-business effect on the food production.
The extent of use of alternative research methods
There are some other alternative research methods that can also be used in the research study.
For such purpose tabular presentation has been made below:
Serial
No.
Alternative research methods Extent of use
1. Quantitative Method The research study might also use the
qualitative method in which the use of various
facts, figures and graphs can be made in order
to provide the authenticate results (Chevalier
and Buckles, 2013).
2. Mixed Method The study can also make mixed method for its
extensive use so as to provide reliable and
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accurate results.
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4 Critical analysis of research methodologies
a) Application of research methodologies in the literature
Most of the literature which is used in this research is developed by the qualitative analysis by
conducting secondary research to collect data and develop an outcome on their research topic.
Previous research, government data and journal articles are used to collect information which is
an appropriate source to collect data and information. It is essential for the author to conduct an
appropriate research according to the needs of the research topic. Many authors have conducted
research earlier on this topic which is a cause to use the qualitative secondary research. After the
data collection, part author of the literature used in the current research thematic analysis is used
to development outcomes. Different themes are created on the collected information to develop
an outcome on the research topic (Dan and Qihong, 2014). “E-commerce in agri-food sector: a
systematic literature review” this literature is totally based on the secondary research to gather
information which is relevant to the research topic. The qualitative research method is used in
this to gather information which is effectively applied in the research. “E-Commerce in Agro-
food Industry in Zimbabwe: Myth or Reality” in this research paper secondary research is
conducted to gather information from the relevant sources. Firms which are working in the
agriculture sector are used in the research to collect information. The qualitative research method
is used in this research which has helped to the researcher to make a better discussion and
outcome on the research topic. Thematic analysis is used in this research which helps to the
author to develop an outcome.
“Research on the Influence of E-commerce Platform to Agricultural Logistics: An Empirical
Analysis based on Agricultural Product Marketing” the author of this research is also used the
qualitative research method and secondary research method to collect data and information
relevant with the research topic. It has defined a model which is used in the agriculture logistic
which is developed by the thematic analysis. It can be said that most of the research is conducted
by secondary research to gather data. Qualitative research methods are used in that literature
which is used in the current research paper. Most of the authors are used books, journals and
other relevant articles on the research topic which helps them to make a better research.
Qualitative research methods are effective to gather views and opinions of the targeted audience
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on the research topic which is effectively applied in this research. Most authors have used
thematic analysis to analyse the collected data and make a review of the information. Different
themes are created by the authors to develop their outcomes in the distinct sections to develop
clarity in the outcomes of the research. The thematic and graphical analysis is most appropriate
methods to design and present the outcomes in front of the targeted audiences. It helps to get a
clear meaning of the research outcomes. It is identified that secondary research is easy to conduct
which can be a possible reason for the authors to use in conducting researches which helps them
to develop their opinion on the collected data.
b) Deployment of research methods to contribute to the research
“E-Commerce in Agro-food Industry in Zimbabwe: Myth or Reality” in this research” Mupemhi
and other authors has appropriately used the research methodologies to conduct the research. The
author has used the primary research which helps in to collect data and information on the
current market situation. It is effectively deployed in the research to gather information, analyse
it and develop an outcome for the targeted audience (Carpio, et. al., 2013). Research
methodologies are not defined in this research but on the basis of understandings level, it is
identified that primary research is conducted. Another biggest loophole is identified that data
collection process and collected data is not disclosed in this research, directly results are
mentioned in the methodology section. It is creating a doubt on the appropriate use of research
methodologies in this research. Results of this research are explained in different themes which
help to the readers to get an exact meaning of the research outcomes. “Research on the Influence
of E-commerce Platform to Agricultural Logistics: An Empirical Analysis based on Agricultural
Product Marketing” in this research Cai and other authors have not defined the research
methodologies section in this research which is not an effective manner to conduct a research.
After the introduction section, it has developed a large literature review of the relevant journals
and books which shows that authors have conducted the secondary research method in this
research report. The empirical analysis is used to analyse the collected information and data in
this research which helps to the authors to develop an observation on the gathered relevant data.
The empirical analysis is divided into some major subparts which have effetely applied and
supported by the author to develop an outcome on the gathered information in the literature
review section.
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“E-commerce in agri-food sector: a systematic literature review” in this Zeng and other authors
have conducted an appropriate research by effectively explaining the abstract, introduction and
research methodology section. But it is not clearly explaining which of the research method are
used in this research. According to the research structure, it is identified secondary research is
conducted in this research paper in which descriptive analysis is made. All of the relevant
information is analysed by the descriptive analysis method which it has not clearly produced the
meaning of the collected data. After the descriptive analysis, thematic findings are generated by
the author on different themes which are made by the author. Most themes are based on the
research topic and higher quantity of data on a specific topic. Zeng and other authors have not
used effectively the research methodologies which are creating confusion in the outcomes. It is
essential for the authors to use effective research methodologies which can help them to conduct
an effective research to gather quality data as per the needs of the research topic. After this, it
helps to use effective data analysis techniques, data interpretation and develop an outcome on the
research topic. It is also required for the authors to define the research methodologies in the
research paper to resolve the doubts and issues of the readers.
c). Possibilities of gaps by the research methods in conducting research
Most of the authors have not defined the research methodologies in their research paper which
are creating a limitation in getting the exact meaning of their researches. These kinds of
researches are not trustworthy and outcomes of these kinds of researches are not valid so it is
essential to determine and define the research methodology in the research. It will be the key part
for the author while conducting research on “The effects of e-commerce on the agriculture”. The
author will briefly explain the research methodologies which are used in this research to validate
this research and make a better outcome on the research study. It is the key gap which is
identified in the research papers which are used in the current literature review. Another thing is
that most of the authors are used qualitative research method which works on the opinions and
views and suggestion of the targeted audience. Measurement of profits, demands, and supplies,
forecasting are related to the numerical calculation so it is essential for the author to conduct the
quantitative research method. It is effective for the measurement of the statistical and numerical
data to analyse the effects of e-commerce on the agriculture sector. It can help to the author to
analyse the variance of online and offline business activities on the agriculture. Either then this,
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numerical and graphical data analysis method has to be used in this research to analyse the
impacts of the e-business activities on the agriculture firms and industry. This research will
target to agro-business firms so it is essential for the author to use graphical analysis to present
them variance in between offline trading and e-business activities which motivates them to use e-
commerce.
It is essential to conduct primary research to identify the effects of the e-commerce on the
agriculture industry so it is essential for the author to use farmer, agro-business firms and e-
commerce users in the agriculture trade. Primary research will help the author to gather the most
relevant data to conduct an appropriate research on the research topic. The primary research
supports to gather current information on the contemporary situation of the agriculture market
which can support to the author to analyse the negative and positive effects of e-commerce on
the agriculture industry effectively. Secondary research is mostly conducted by the authors in
the previous research to the use of primary research with quantitative research method is
effective helps to the author to conduct a better research on the previous research. All of these
things support to the author to use the gap of the previous research paper to develop a better
research study to identify the effects of e-commerce on the agriculture sector.
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5. Conclusion
On the basis of the above report study and based on the respective research questions it has been
identified that there is a significant effect of e-business on the food production. The e-business
helps in raising the food production and also in increasing the demand. With the help of e-
business, the forecasting and demand management in regards to the food production has also
been enhanced. Moreover, the e-business impact on the food production in many ways and is an
emerging need and desire of every economy. Through, the use of effective e-business strategies
the food production within the respective economy also gets enhanced. In addition to this, the
author has provided with the various views and use of different methodologies in order to prove
with the respective statement that there is a significant impact of e-business on food production.
Hence, the study of e-business and food production is very useful in gaining a comprehensive
knowledge of factors influencing food production.
Further investigation in the light of the analysis
There is a need for further investigation to the respective research study in which the mixed
approach can also be used for identifying the various factors impact upon the food production
due to e-business. Moreover, the other theories can be investigated and emphasised in which the
grounded theory can also be used. The knowledge regarding the development of food production
and agriculture has also been emphasised and further investigated so as to derive a meaningful
attempt. Furthermore, the significance of using the e-business platform must also be highlighted
more in the further investigation so that benefits of using e-business can also be identified. The
study of e-business will also provide with the new ways, tools, and techniques for the food
production. Moreover, the ways in which the farmers can get benefitted must be further
investigated so that productivity of farmers can be increased significantly.
A suitable research methodology for the proposed investigation and potential research
question
The research study can also make use of the mixed approach in which both of the qualitative, as
well as quantitative method, can be used to investigate a respective research topic. It is among
the essential approach when determining the impact of e-business in the agricultural sector and
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especially within the food production. With the help of mixed approach more authenticate and
real-time data can be extracted so that a meaningful conclusion can be drawn from the respective
research. The e-business and food production is a very vague term and in order to analyse the
significant effects, the use of mixed approach seems to be an appropriate method for addressing a
potential research question. The qualitative data represents about the views and opinions and on
the other hand, quantitative data reflects the facts, figures, and trends that provide an accurate
outcome for the research.
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