Development of a decision support information system for the regulation of consumer goods in the agricultural sector

Abstract

This research explores the requirements and operational dynamics of the regulatory system governing large-scale product consumption in the agriculture and consumer sectors. Through semi-structured interviews with ten key stakeholders — comprising producers, distributors, regulators, and consumers — the study identifies major challenges and opportunities for improvement within the system. A two-stage data analysis was conducted using semantic analysis and NVIVO software, which helped to uncover the primary concerns and priorities of these stakeholders. The findings highlight the critical need for a user-friendly, comprehensive, and collaborative digital platform that addresses current challenges. Such a platform should provide real-time stock tracking, demand forecasting, and efficient information sharing among stakeholders, ultimately fostering a more interconnected and responsive regulatory environment. Furthermore, it could enhance decision-making processes and help mitigate issues related to supply chain disruptions, overproduction, and waste. The research focuses specifically on the consumer potato sector, which presents a limitation in terms of its applicability to other high-consumption agricultural products, such as grains, fruits, and vegetables, which may have different regulatory needs. Moreover, the qualitative nature of the methodology, while providing depth and context, may not capture the full quantitative scope of the challenges faced. Future research should aim to broaden the scope by including additional high-consumption products and incorporating quantitative methods to further validate and expand upon these …