Explaining the Indigenous Components of Sugarcane Production and Processing with Emphasis on Process Innovations: A Fuzzy Approach

Alavi, Seyed Naser; Davoodi, Sayyed Mohammadreza; Khamseh, Abbas

doi:10.22034/jer.2024.2025318.1088

Explaining the Indigenous Components of Sugarcane Production and Processing with Emphasis on Process Innovations: A Fuzzy Approach

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Seyed Naser Alavi ¹

Sayyed Mohammadreza Davoodi ²

Abbas Khamseh ³

¹ Department of Management, Dehaghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dehaghan, Iran.

² Department of Management, Dehaghan Branch. Islamic Azad University. Dehaghan. Iran.

³ Department of industrial management, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.

10.22034/jer.2024.2025318.1088

Abstract

Introduction: Process innovation is a subset of innovation related to improving or reconfiguring production methods, workflows, or techniques. Process innovation aims to optimize the production or delivery method of existing goods or services. The importance of process innovation lies in its potential to simplify operations, reduce costs, minimize resource consumption, and improve productivity and quality. In agriculture, innovation catalyzes transformation, efficiency improvement, sustainability, and flexibility in production systems. Process innovation in sugarcane production and processing is vital to address the multifaceted challenges facing the industry, including market demand fluctuations, environmental degradation, and socio-economic inequalities. By embracing innovation, stakeholders can increase productivity, optimize resource use, reduce environmental impacts, and as a result, ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the sugarcane sector. In this regard, the present research was designed and carried out to explain the indigenous components of sugarcane production and processing with an emphasis on process innovations.
Methodology: The research adopted Sandelowski and Barso's meta-composite qualitative approach. The process started with a systematic review of 405 primary articles and finally, 33 articles related to the research purpose were selected. The inclusion criterion was the publication in the field of sugarcane production and processing between 2010 and 2023. To validate the proposed model and increase acceptability, the fuzzy Delphi method with a panel of experts was used. The results were verified and reviewed by the experts.
Findings: The fuzzy Delphi resulted in deriving 57 key local indexes within four processes, i.e. planting, growing, harvesting, and processing. According to the results, it can be concluded that the integration of indigenous knowledge systems with modern innovations is important to enhance sustainability, flexibility, and learning in the sugarcane industry. In addition, joint efforts among the beneficiaries are needed to reinforce innovation, promote knowledge exchange, and develop comprehensive strategies to advance the sustainability and prosperity of the sugarcane sector.
Conclusion/ Implications: It can be inferred that innovation in the process of sugarcane production is too important to be ignored because it acts as a catalyst to enhance productivity, sustainability, and flexibility in the industry. Hence, it is suggested to create an interdisciplinary platform for cooperation and knowledge exchange to integrate indigenous knowledge systems with modern innovations in the process of sugarcane production. This way, communication among researchers, policymakers, industry players, and local communities is facilitated to create and implement innovative solutions proportional to specific fields and needs of sugarcane producers.

Keywords

Innovation

Process Innovation

Sugarcane Industry

Sugarcane Production and Processing

Meta-synthesis

Fuzzy Delphi

Subjects

Business

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