Bringing more value to small farmers: a study of potato farmers in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Zahoor Hassan ◽  
Muhammad Shakeel Sadiq Jajja ◽  
Muhammad Asif ◽  
George Foster
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Cost Structure ◽  
Small Farmers ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Purpose Small farmers, being the primary producers of crops, are the key players in the food supply chain. Yet, they remain the most marginalized in the value chain. The marginalization of small farmers can affect food sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to identify opportunities for bringing more value to small farmers in an agricultural value chain. Design/methodology/approach This paper makes use of action research, studying the potato value chain, in a developing agricultural country Pakistan. The authors conducted an in-depth study of 37 farmers in four regions, each being a large potato growing ecosystem. The study examined the end-to-end decision-making processes, sources of input (both physical and information), cultivation and sales practices, cost structure, productivity and profitability of the farmers in potato farming. Findings Large variations exist in the crop yield, cost structure and profitability of farmers within each of and among the four regions due to differences in cultivation practices and approach to sales. There is a significant potential to lower costs, increase yield and enhance overall profitability by using the existing better processes. By addressing the issues faced by small farmers their profits can be potentially doubled. The paper also discusses potential means of recrafting and streamlining the value chain to bring more value to small farmers. Research limitations/implications The paper provides a detailed account of how different interventions can increase the value for small farmers. Since the current food supply chain and sustainability are under stress, worldwide, the findings of this study have implications for farmers as well as policy makers. Originality/value The literature on streamlining the agricultural value chain and enhancing the share of small farmers is scarce. Improving the value chain and reducing the marginalization of small farmers is an essential step toward increasing food sustainability.

Determining value in the food supply chain

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (11) ◽  
pp. 2649-2663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Manning
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Interaction Model ◽  
Multiple Stakeholders ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Predominant Factor ◽  
Purchasing Behaviour ◽  
Food Offering

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore what the term “value” means to the multiple stakeholders interfacing and interacting with the food supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – The research included a literature review and the development of a cost: reward (give: get) stakeholder interaction model. Findings – Perceptions of value are individualistic. Conflict of interest exists for business between maintaining shareholder value and delivering “value” within the food offering to its customers and the wider array of societal stakeholders. Shareholders are profit driven and price is the predominant factor that influences consumer purchasing behaviour leading to a constantly negotiated interface between price and other reward factors. Reward factors such as financial, degree of utility, affordability, hedonistic factors defining the emotional worth of food, acquirability and the ratio of price: volume of food are explored. Originality/value – This research is of academic value and of value to policy makers and practitioners in the food supply chain.

scholarly journals Sustainable food security futures

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahir Irani ◽  
Amir M Sharif
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Enterprise Level

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to signpost the genesis of food security and associated factors such that organisations, enterprises, policy makers and interested stakeholders can seek to explore and understand this important societal issue. The challenges that food security poses are eclectic in nature and cut through country, society, organisation and individual boundaries. Only through identifying these factors – hence identifying underlying factors of food waste and usage of information within food supply chains to untangle them – can we adopt enterprise interventions in order to initiate and mitigate food security risk. Design/methodology/approach – As a viewpoint piece, there is no empirical work to report in this paper. An exploratory review of the literature has allowed for the extraction of food security concerns that need the attention of stakeholders across the enterprise to ensure robust food supply chains can be are created, maintained and sustained through a better understanding and usage of information, knowledge and data. Findings – This paper articulates six constructs that underpin the challenges of establishing food security. It is suggested that information relating to factors may support decision-makers within communities, organisations and enterprises to better understand these factors that then contribute towards enhanced food security. Relevant strategies or policies can then emerge and be developed such that strategic as well as operational interventions can be prioritised across national, regional or industry level. Underpinning the above, the waste within and across the food supply chain contributes to the six factors, also highlighting where additional focus may need to be applied to sustain food supply chains. Research limitations/implications – This paper is a position paper that does not offer factual insight but rather highlights a direction of thought that others can consider exploring as part of wider research agendas in the topical area where enterprise, organisational, and information-based contributions may support the development of strategy-led food security policy. Practical implications – This paper provides reassuring insights that will help decision and policy makers assemble their thoughts when it comes to prioritising their communications and interventions amongst organisational/enterprise-level stakeholder groups involved in food security and food supply chain contexts. Social implications – This paper has highlighted the need for more research around the human and organisational factors that are identified as both underpinning the need for food security and, as drivers of waste throughout the food supply chain. Indeed, there is further work needed to highlight the inter-relationships that exist and, which then feed into resulting interventions. Originality/value – To raise the importance of food security amongst differing stakeholder community groups at the organisational and enterprise level.

Challenges and opportunities of Turkish food retail in Germany from a value chain perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanju Aygün ◽  
Gerald Oeser
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Food Retail ◽  
Content Type ◽  
A Value ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Purpose Turkish food retail in Germany fulfils social, cultural, and economic functions, but is threatened by shifts in demand and competition. The purpose of this paper is to give a holistic, interdisciplinary, and action-oriented view of the challenges and opportunities of Turkish food retail in Germany. Design/methodology/approach Based on a qualitative study using expert interviews with 18 businesspersons from different parts of the Turkish food supply chain in Germany and a qualitative survey of 349 working Bachelor students of trade, industrial, and logistics management as well as business informatics, this paper takes a value chain approach. Findings The main opportunities of Turkish food retail in Germany lie in increasing its efficiency, using purchasing associations and brand building, targeting well-funded German consumers, offering fluent Turkish-German customer service and shopping experiences, providing appealing shop locations, designs, and layouts, product range adjustments, and promotions. Research limitations/implications This paper is based on a small scale qualitative study as access to Turkish food retail experts is limited. The sample was carefully selected to be a fair representation of the Turkish food supply chain. As for the consumers, only students have been surveyed so far, because they were targeted by the experts interviewed. In order to allow wider generalizations, this sample could be extended. Originality/value This study complements and enhances the very limited research on Turkish food retail in Germany. For the first time, the call for a holistic, interdisciplinary, and action-oriented examination of the challenges and opportunities of Turkish food retail in Germany is answered from a value chain perspective.

scholarly journals When Amazon ate Whole Foods: big changes for Big Food

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 615-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Phillips-Connolly ◽  
Aidan J. Connolly
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Processed Food ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Food Value

The grocery store is ground zero in the tsunami of change facing Big Food. Consumers are changing how they relate to grocery stores, increasingly circling the perimeter, focusing on produce and preferentially choosing fresh, local, and new, even unknown, brands while spending less time in the processed food aisles in the center. The next generation, the millenials, are increasingly shunning traditional outlets when buying food. Traditional leading brands of processed food, backed by traditional marketing strategies (heavy advertising on traditional media, coupons, brand extensions, etc.) are failing to hold on to their customers. The challenges can be found throughout the food value chain, from new competitors for grocery providers to new delivery mechanisms, from changes in generational food preferences with social media platforms to express their preferences to farmers who increasingly can and want to communicate directly with the end-users who actually eat the food that they produce. This access to more information opens more options (and opportunities) to buyers and suppliers all along the food value chain. Barely 100 years old, the grocery store model is becoming obsolete, and with it the organization of the food value chain must be re-written. So what does that mean for Big Food and the food supply chain? What directions can the industry take to adjust to the new competitive realities? This paper offers direction and guidance for Big Food and other producers in the food supply chain.

scholarly journals Impact of supply chain integration on halal food supply chain integrity and food quality performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Helmi Ali ◽  
Mohammad Iranmanesh ◽  
Kim Hua Tan ◽  
Suhaiza Zailani ◽  
Nor Asiah Omar
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Quality ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Halal Food ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The current complex halal food supply chain (SC) has caused food scandals, which have illustrated the weakness of multiple food quality standards and certification and audits in ensuring food safety. Drawn on the resource-based view (RBV) theory, the purpose of this study is to explore the impacts of SC integration (SCI) on halal food SC integrity and, consequently, food quality. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data were collected from 275 halal-certified food companies in Malaysia and analysed using structural equation modelling – SmartPLS3.0. Findings The results confirmed that SCI, including internal, supplier and customer integrations, has significant effects on the dimensions of the halal food SC integrity which, in turn, lead to halal food safety and quality. Practical implications The importance of SCI in halal food SC is highlighted in this study. The impact of SCI is contexted in halal food SC integrity and food quality. Therefore, it provides a clear understanding to managers of SC applicability in the halal food industry. Originality/value Based on the RBV theory, this study contributes to the limited body of research of the relationships among SCI from the context of the halal industry with a specific focus on food supply chain integrity and food quality.

Food tracking and blockchain-induced knowledge: a corporate social responsibility tool for sustainable decision-making

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Rainero ◽  
Giuseppe Modarelli
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Field Analysis ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeIn the disruptive technologies era, the lack of convincing business cases on blockchain (BC) adoption about food supply chain, the existence of uncertainties and barriers to adoption due to knowledge scarcity on characteristics as well as the potentialities and risks involved in it, have triggered the need to investigate the first multinational BC adoption for food supply chain in Europe, to consider how it can guarantee knowledge for the consumption/purchase decision-making and the creation-mechanism of consciousness for sustainable behavioral choice.Design/methodology/approachThe authors provide a field exploratory analysis based on customers' perceptions and real knowledge about BC (as a knowledge-constructive tool) in the food and beverage sector. This connected with the need for an informed context, favoring sustainable conscious decision-making related to both the food chain and innovation acceptance. This analysis included the use of innovation acceptance as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategic orientation through a survey- and interview-based field analysis (80 respondents).FindingsThe findings of this study can be considered as antecedents of innovation acceptance in the sector. The analysis assesses consumers' scarce knowledge and perceptions on the BC system, the scarce usage level and the higher acquiring propensity for traceable foodstuffs generating bi-directional/dimensional value, considering that consumption habits could change through security and certainty antecedents and induced knowledge provided by external technological intervention.Originality/valueBy trying to match innovation and the knowledge-construction need as a vehicle for acceptance, the theoretical contribution would empower the literature on food traceability from the perspective of strategic BC application through a from-knowledge-to-knowledge strategy.

Blockchain for Agri-Food Supply Chain and Logistics Management

2022 ◽  
pp. 127-150
Author(s):  
Pinki Saini ◽  
Unaiza Iqbal ◽  
Mazia Ahmed ◽  
Devinder Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Agricultural Produce ◽  
Quality Certification ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Food Safety And Quality

Today, the globalization of the supply chain in the food industry has surged remarkably; hence, food safety and quality certification have become critical. Blockchain is recognized as a promising technology in the agri-foods industry where it can act as a systematic and robust mechanism for increasing the food traceability and provide a transparent and efficient way to assure quality, safety, and sustainability of agri-foods. By lowering the cost and increasing value, this digital technology has the potential to increase profitability of agricultural produce along the value chain. This chapter aims to investigate the potential utilization of blockchain technology in the agri-food industry, where it can be used to address issues of trust and transparency and to facilitate sharing of information sharing among stakeholders. The technology is still in a preliminary stage; thus, this chapter is written to examine its implication in the agri-food supply chain, existing initiatives, challenges, and potential.

Supply chain issues in SME food sector: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Jose ◽  
PrasannaVenkatesan Shanmugam
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Product Quality ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food System ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Major Research ◽  
Food Sector ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Themes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significant supply chain issues in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) food industry. The objectives are to identify the major themes and the dynamic evolution of SME food supply chain (FSC) issues, the current research trends, the different modelling approaches used in SME FSC, and the most addressed SME food sector. Design/methodology/approach In all, 3,733 published articles from 2002 to 2018 in the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database were collected, from which 1,091 articles were shortlisted for the review. The authors used bibliographic coupling combined with co-word analysis to identify the historical relations of the research themes that emerged during the periods 2002–2014 and 2002–2018. Findings This research identified five major research themes such as production and distribution in alternative food networks, relationship, safety and standards in the FSC, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impact of the farm food system, traceability and product quality in FSC and asymmetric price transmission in the FSC. Among the identified themes, GHG emission impact of the farm food system and traceability and product quality in the FSC have received increasing attention in recent years. The dairy sector is the most addressed sector (36 per cent), followed by fruits and vegetables (27 per cent), meat and poultry (18 per cent), seafood (10 per cent) and grains and oilseed (8 per cent). It is also identified that the dairy sector has received significant attention in the “GHG Emission impact of farm food system” theme. Similarly, meat and poultry sectors have received much attention in the “Traceability and product quality in the food supply chain” theme. Also, the authors identified that the empirical modelling approaches are the most commonly used solution methodology, followed by the conceptual/qualitative methods in the SME FSC. Originality/value This study maps and summarizes the existing knowledge base of supply chain issues in the SME food sector. The results of this review provide the major research areas, most commonly used approaches and food sectors addressed. This study also highlights the research gaps and potential future research direction.

scholarly journals The importance of relationship characteristics in the export performance of food firms

2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 1305-1320
Author(s):  
Philippos Karipidis ◽  
Polymeros Chrysochou ◽  
Ioanna Karypidou
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Export Performance ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Business Systems ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Producer Prices

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore how food-exporting firms assess the importance of relationship characteristics of the supply chain that impact their performance as well as how it relates to export performance indicators.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was administered across 83 food firms in Greece, assessing the importance of relationship characteristics of the supply chain by using the best–worst scaling technique.FindingsThe most important characteristics relate to the quality of the primary material and the procurement costs and producer prices; these are considered more important by export-oriented food firms compared to non–export-oriented food firms. Characteristics that relate to the relationship between members of the agri-food supply chain and the interorganizational business systems and governance mechanisms are also considered of average importance. Characteristics related to the adoption of differentiation strategies are considered least important.Practical implicationsProducers should emphasize the quality and prices of their product as well as establish collaborations with food firms. Food firms need to emphasize interorganizational business systems and governance mechanisms that reduce procurement costs, instead of trying to reduce producer prices. Public authorities should engage stakeholders of the agri-food supply chain in relationships that will enable food firms to deliver on their quality and price demands.Originality/valuePrimary production and collaborations of it with food firms have not been studied in regards to what extent they relate to food firms' export performance.

A quantitative risk assessment methodology and evaluation of food supply chain

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 1272-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rishabh Rathore ◽  
Jitesh J. Thakkar ◽  
Jitendra Kumar Jha
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Quantitative Risk Assessment ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Risk Quantification

Purpose The food supply chain is exposed to severe environmental and social issues with serious economic consequences. The identification and assessment of risk involved in the food supply chain can help to overcome these challenges. In response, the purpose of this paper is to develop a risk assessment framework for a typical food supply chain. Design/methodology/approach An integrated methodology of grey analytical hierarchy process and grey technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution is proposed for developing a comprehensive risk index. The opinion of the experts is used to illustrate an application of the proposed methodology for the risk assessment of the food supply chain in India. Findings Valuable insights and recommendations are drawn from the results, which are helpful to the practitioners working at strategic and tactical levels in the food supply chain for minimising the supply chain disruptions. Research limitations/implications The risk quantification for the case organisation is primarily based on inputs collected from the experts working for Indian food supply chain, and so the generalisation of the results is limited to the context of developing countries. However, the generalisability of the proposed risk quantification methodology and key insights developed in the food supply chain will assist practitioners in policy making. Practical implications The risk priorities established by this research would enable an implementation of systematic risk mitigation strategies and deployment of necessary resources for leveraging the efficiency of food supply chain. Originality/value Specifically, this research has delivered a risk quantification framework and strengthened the inquiry of risk management for the food supply chain.

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