Exploring social impacts of digitalization in dairy sector: insights from a systematic literature review

The dairy sector is recognized as a societal asset; however, it is also associated with environmental, social, and economic impacts and is vulnerable to climate change and global food challenges. While environmental issues remain central, increasing attention is being paid to social aspects. Nevertheless, social sustainability is still underrepresented in the literature, highlighting the need for further research. In parallel, there is growing academic interest in technologies, and the key role of digitalization in promoting the dairy sector’s green transition is being highlighted. Yet existing studies focus on environmental and economic effects, dedicating limited attention to social impacts. Social dimensions are often treated indirectly, and technologies are mostly assessed for their technical functions. This study aims to address these gaps by identifying the main areas of technology application within the dairy sector and examining the associated social sustainability impacts. A systematic literature review was conducted following a quantitative protocol using the Scopus database, yielding 59 relevant records. The analysis enabled the identification of how and for what purposes technologies are used in the industry and to assess their related social impacts. Four key domains of technological application were identified (animal monitoring; supply chain optimization; product and process sustainability; improvements in workers’ quality of life and stakeholder collaboration) and summarized within a theoretical framework, together with social benefits, challenges, and future opportunities. A critical analysis of social impacts based on the UNEP Social Life Cycle Assessment classification is provided, followed by practical implications for companies and policy makers and a future research agenda.