Despite the rapid growth of the Indian food sector, the transition to sustainable food cold chains (SFCCs) is hindered by systemic inefficiencies, high post-harvest losses and significant carbon emissions. While these issues are well documented, the current literature lacks a robust, theory-driven framework for prioritizing the enablers needed to address them, especially under conditions of expert uncertainty. To address this gap, this study identifies and analyses the critical enablers of SFCC adoption in India, providing a strategic roadmap for the sector's sustainable transformation.
We employ a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework that integrates the Neutrosophic Best-Worst Method (NBWM) and Neutrosophic DEMATEL (N-DEMATEL). This approach captures the uncertainty inherent in expert judgment and provides a structured understanding of the interrelationships among enablers. Based on expert consultation, 13 critical enablers were identified.
Our findings reveal that the promotion of innovative business models (e.g. cooling-as-a-service), the deployment of renewable energy solutions and the strengthening of first-mile storage infrastructure are top enablers. The causal analysis further highlights those enablers, like reliable grid access, that act as upstream levers, amplifying the impact of other enablers. Theoretically, this research operationalizes the triple bottom line (TBL) framework within a hybrid NBWM–N-DEMATEL approach.
From a practical standpoint, the study provides a roadmap for policymakers and managers to prioritize investments in infrastructure, clean energy and service-oriented models. Theoretically, the study advances food supply chain literature by operationalizing the TBL framework within a hybrid neutrosophic MCDM environment. By establishing a causal hierarchy, this research provides a theoretical foundation for understanding how economic and technological stability must precede environmental outcomes in emerging economies.
The study contributes methodologically by combining NBWM and NDEMATEL to analyse enablers of SFCC, providing frameworks for achieving sustainability in the Indian food sector. This approach aligns academic principles with real-world application, offering concrete guidance to foster long-term environmental and operational resilience in cold chain logistics.
