The current COVID-19 pandemic has led to the acceleration of the digitization process and to a shifting to Industry 4.0. Blockchain (BC) is one of the technologies that has been introduced worldwide in recent years. It has been beneficial for the tourism industry, in addition to many other sectors. This article investigates the advantages and disadvantages of BC adoption in the tourism industry, as well as the possible solutions to overcome the challenges. This paper conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) that consists of the operations for detecting, selecting, categorizing, and analyzing relevant articles on a specified subject. It is evident from the results that the majority of the academic works illustrate the benefits of BC implementation and explain its potential by providing diverse models of BC-based systems. However, since BC is a young technology, numerous challenges have appeared on the path to its full adoption in the tourism industry. Possible solutions are the achievement of a collaborative approach among the stakeholders, the deepening of academic research in the field, testing more models of BC-based systems, and the establishment of relevant policies. Consequently, the implications for the theory, practice, policy, and research of this work are significant.

The wine sector is one of the most ‘amazing’ and significant agri-food sectors worldwide since ancient times, considering revenue or employment as well as health aspects. This article aims to describe the impact of the implementation of blockchain technology (BCT) in the wine supply chain. After the literature review, the study is based on Agent Based Models (ABMs) and carried out by the GAMA program. Then, the model and simulation of BCT wine supply chain is designed. Finally, the paper compares traditional and BCT-based supply chains, and the advantages of the last one are evident. Blockchain is a useful tool to ensure a traceability system and to protect the production from any type of fraud and contamination.

Food loss and waste remains a big academic and policy concern all over the world. Reduction of flw is one of the ways to enhance the food quality and security as well as environmental sustainability and economic wellbeing. The aim of the article is to tackle the issue of the flw and investigate the results that derive from worldwide implemented projects and strategies. To do so, the paper brings together the findings of the main fieldworks related to the flw issue categorizing them along the several phases of the food supply chain: harvesting, processing, storage, transportation and consumption. Besides the analysis of academic literature on the topic, we have collected and described several good practical cases and initiatives related to flw problem carried out similarly to the results of the authors cited in the theoretical part of the paper. Findings show our point of view on the importance of optimal and sustainable use of resources, as well as the ways through which food related expenditures can be reduced. An aware, bottom-up and crosssectional approach appears to be crucial for facing this global issue and for making it more manageable over time.

The development of agribusiness sector is given gradually increasing importance. This works aims at identifying the elements that create the successful ecosystem for agricultural development, their benefits and application in agri-food systems; additionally, to bring on a light of the role of agricultural policies in these processes. For this purpose, the authors have carried out an analysis of the concern related literature and present a preliminary theoretical framework/model as a tool for supporting local development and incorporate a successful effective ecosystem. The key implications of this paper include an increased attention to agricultural research, to the role of the collaboration between relevant stakeholders, as well as of the agriculture, which uses information technologies for the better utilization of natural resources, and what is the most important is, the role of agricultural policies.

PurposeThe main aims are underlining the role of functional foods (FFs) for population wellbeing, investigating the reasons in the self-consciousness of the different countries' populations and exploring what influences in purchasing decisions to address the management of food-producing businesses. This information will make consumer management easier.Design/methodology/approachA two-step methodology was adopted: (1) literature review and (2) online interview. The principal component analysis (PCA) was used to facilitate and reduce the data complexity. Software Stata/SE was used for data analysis in both Italy and Georgia.FindingsCustomers' attitudes, awareness level and decision-making process are clarified through the comparative analysis between Italian and Georgian populations. They have a number of reasons that incentivize their behavior. These reasons may be used by food-producing businesses to evaluate their performance and develop ad hoc strategies for consumer management.Originality/valueThe key elements that determine the FF and motivate the consumer to buy can constitute a foundation for actions related to the development and management of food-producing businesses. Knowing the factors that consumers consider in the process of choosing FFs will help define the strategies that businesses should use for product improvement, better managing the consumer. This study can support the development of education, prevention and promotion of managerial improvements. The innovative mixed methodology applied to the topic is one of the original factors of the study.