Bibliometric Analysis of Inventory Management in the Food Supply Chain: A Digitalization and Sustainability Perspective

Recent advancements in digital technologies have transformed food systems, notably impacting production, distribution, and inventory management. Inventory management in the food sector differs from other industries due to the perishable nature of food products, complex supply chains, and stringent safety standards, which demand innovative and agile approaches. Furthermore, there is an increasing emphasis on sustainability across a diverse array of industries. Despite these shifts, few bibliometric analyses have focused on inventory management within the food sector, especially in the context of sustainability and digitalization. The purpose of this study is to present research trends in the food supply chain, specifically focusing on inventory and stock management within the context of the digital and sustainable era. This research was conducted using bibliometric analysis, leveraging VOSviewer and Rstudio software for visualization. The study employs co-citation analysis, bibliographic coupling, and keyword evolution analyses to identify major research themes and emerging trends. The findings indicate that research in the food supply chain is rapidly evolving, with food sustainability being a well-developed area, particularly in food waste management, environmental impact, and decision-making for sustainability. However, inventory control, warehouse optimization, and digital forecasting solutions remain underexplored. Well-established and highly influential topics include life cycle assessment, biofuels, and the interplay of food production with climate change. Areas such as sustainability, environmental impact, and food waste remain fundamental to the research but have limited integration with digital innovations. The analysis reveals a significant gap in technology-driven inventory strategies in the context of sustainable food logistics. Constrained by its reliance on a single database (Scopus), the study suggests that incorporating additional databases and content analysis could further enrich the findings. Overall, this research provides novel insights into thematic clusters and emerging issues, offering valuable guidance for future research and strategic planning in sustainable food logistics.