Exposition of techno-functional components of intelligent food supply chain: a review and future research agenda Anil Kumar Sharma and Manoj Kumar Srivastava Management Development Institute Gurgaon, Gurgaon, India, and Ritu Sharma Amity Business School, Amity University, Haryana, India Abstract Purpose – The new technology aspects of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), such as digital technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), block chain, big data analysis and the internet of things (IoT) as a digital cosmos, have the potential to fundamentally transform the future of business and supply chain management. By augmenting the functional components of the food supply chain (FSC), these technologies can transform it into an intelligent food supply chain (iFSC). The purpose of this study is to identify the I4.0 utilization for FSC to become an iFSC. Additionally, it suggests future research agendas to bridge the academic knowledge gaps. Design/methodology/approach – This study utilizes the bibliometric analysis methodology to investigate the techno-functional components of iFSC in the context of I4.0. The study followed steps of bibliometric analysis to assess existing components’ knowledge in the area of intelligent food supply chain management. It further reviews the selected articles to explore the need for I4.0 technologies’ adoption as well as its barriers and challenges for iFSC. Findings – This study examines the integration of emerging technologies in FSC and concludes that the main emphasis is on the adoption of blockchain and internet of things technology. To convert it into iFSC, it should be integrated with I4.0 and AI-driven FSC systems. In addition to traditional responsibilities, emerging technologies are acknowledged that are relatively uncommon but possess significant potential for implementation in FSC. This study further outlines the challenges and barriers to the adoption of new technologies and presents a comprehensive research plan or collection of topics for future investigations on the transition from FSC to iFSC. Utilizing artificial intelligence techniques to enhance performance, decision-making, risk evaluation, real-time safety, and quality analysis, and prioritizing the elimination of barriers for new technologies. Originality/value – The uniqueness of this study lies in the provision of an up-to-date review of the food supply chain. In doing so, the authors have expanded the current knowledge base on the utilization of all I4.0 technologies in FSC. The review of designated publications yield a distinctive contribution by highlighting hurdles and challenges for iFSC. This information is valuable for operations managers and policymakers to consider. Keywords Bibliometric analysis, IoT, Supply chain management, Food supply chain, Blockchain, I4.0, Intelligent food supply chain Paper type Literature review 1. Introduction and background Several essential technological and functional components facilitate the transformative impact of supply chain digitization and I4.0 on the manufacturing and supply chain sectors. These features encompass state-of-the-art technologies and digital systems that collaborate to enhance supply chain operations and revolutionize industrial procedures (Rafael, 2023). The implementation of I4.0 technologies is anticipated to greatly enhance performance in supply chain management. This will be achieved through a comprehensive approach that integrates the supply chain, promotes information sharing, and ensures transparency across all stages of the supply chain (Fatorachian and Kazemi, 2021; Zekhnini et al., 2022). To achieve efficient information dissemination and ensure transparency throughout the many phases of the supply chain, it is imperative to foster a data-driven culture. The implementation of a data-driven culture, together with the efficient usage of operational data and experience data, improves supply chain management. The combination of digital transformation and alliance management skills boosts the capabilities of the supply chain. The significance of digital transformation is increasing in contemporary corporate environments and serves as a crucial driver for advancement and success in supply chain management (SCM) (Dubey et al., 2024). The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/0885-8624.htm Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing © Emerald Publishing Limited [ISSN 0885-8624] [DOI 10.1108/JBIM-10-2023-0582] Received 10 October 2023 Revised 19 December 2023 24 February 2024 Accepted 21 April 2024