Business Intelligence and Analytics for Sustainability: A Study on the Swedish Food Industry

Abstract: The food industry is facing challenges in responding to the climate crisis, and research highlights the potential of using Business Intelligence & Analytics for organizations sustainability efforts. The aim of this study is to holistically map through the affordance lens, what capabilities organizations in the food industry may potentially gain by using BI&A for sustainability. The study investigates how data collection and integration, data or analysis driven strategy, predictive analytics and dashboards and visualizations aid in efforts related to food wastage and resource consumption reduction, governance of suppliers’ sustainability efforts, customer awareness and sustainability reporting. The study has an inductive approach and interviews were conducted with food retailers and producers to collect data which was then analysed. The results show how organizations view the use of BI&A for sustainability positively, however with a few cautions kept in mind to ensure successful use for their sustainability efforts. Multiple affordances were identified in relation to the BI&A elements under scrutiny and it can be concluded that BI&A provides many capabilities for organizations in the food industry.