The role of industry 4.0 technologies in the export flower industry: Insights from a systematic literature review and surveys in emerging economies

This paper aims to investigate the application of Industry 4.0 technologies in the flower industry focusing on the export business. The flower export sector is a very important industry for developing countries with considerable potential for improvement with Industry 4.0 technologies. Despite this potential, the deployment of these technologies encounters numerous barriers especially in emerging countries. This paper also studies the influence of these technologies on the productivity and sustainability of flower farms, including the entire process from planting to post-harvest management and distribution. We use a mixed-method strategy to accomplish these objectives: we performed a systematic literature review and carried out exploratory surveys administered to flower farmers in Ecuador and Colombia. The findings indicate that while the application of smart agricultural technologies in floriculture is currently restricted in emerging countries, there exists potential for its implementation. This research also points out obstacles for their adoption, including expenses, technical difficulties, and insufficient specialist. This research discusses the opportunities and problems associated with the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies in floriculture by offering both theoretical and practical insights, while also giving recommendations for industry stakeholders in managing this transition.