*3.2. Variables*

*3.2. Variables* The mentioned research involved the realization of the research based on several dependent and independent variables. Due to the nature of the research subject, the procedure was implemented in three parts. The first part examined the influence of critical indicators on the sustainability and functionality of the FSC in the segment of wholesale and retail activities. The functioning of the FSC appears as a dependent variable, whereas seven critical indicators that appear in the functioning of the FSC were chosen as the independent variables of the interval type of measurement. These variables are the coordination and transfer of information; loss and/ or waste of food; economic performance; The mentioned research involved the realization of the research based on several dependent and independent variables. Due to the nature of the research subject, the procedure was implemented in three parts. The first part examined the influence of critical indicators on the sustainability and functionality of the FSC in the segment of wholesale and retail activities. The functioning of the FSC appears as a dependent variable, whereas seven critical indicators that appear in the functioning of the FSC were chosen as the independent variables of the interval type of measurement. These variables are the coordination and transfer of information; loss and/ or waste of food; economic performance; transaction costs; external elements; safety and security of food; control of raw materials, food, and waste flows [1,2,4,5,7,8,11,15,22,23]. The impacts of the given indicators on the sustainability and functioning of the FSC in the segment of wholesale and retail activities were evaluated based on a Likert scale (0—no impact; 5—very high impact). In the second segment, the impact of the implementation of modern technologies on critical indicators in FSC was examined. The implementation of BT, IoT, DLT, TTI, RFID, etc., appears as an independent variable of the interval type of measurement, whereas the dependent variables are all of the analyzed indicators. The impact of digitalization on the critical indicators was also assessed using a Likert scale. In the last part of the research, the sustainability and functioning of the FSC appear as a dependent variable, which is evaluated based on the impact of the digitalization process, the independent variable. The ratings were determined

based on a Likert scale. In all segments of the conducted research, FSC participants in the segment of wholesale and retail activities (physical distributors, wholesale, and retail), and the managerial positions of respondents (top management, mid-level management, and operational management) were chosen as independent grouping variables.
