Collaboration for Sustainability in the Food Supply Chain: A Multi-Stage Study in Italy

Abstract

Abstract:The objective of this study is twofold. Firstly, to analyze sustainability practices adopted in collaboration, including vertical collaboration i.e., with other actors or stages upstream or downstream in the supply chain, and horizontal collaboration i.e., with actors such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Secondly, to identify the sustainability performance expected from sustainability practices implemented in different supply chain stages. The study reports on a set of case studies representing four different food supply chain (FSC) stages: breeding/growing, processing, distribution and retail. The findings indicate that each stage selects different collaboration schemes for sustainability practices' implementation, prioritizing relations with upstream actors, namely grower/breeder, as these are key actors responsible for ensuring product quality and safety. In addition, the type of collaborative relationship is shown to be predominantly transactional for environmental and community practices, especially for solving specific short-term issues. Finally, varied areas of environmental and social sustainability performance are recognized, upstream and downstream, as a result of collaborative practices applied in different FSC stages, showing the diverse sustainability objectives pursued along the chain.

The Influence of Collaboration Initiatives on the Sustainability of the Cashew Supply Chain

“…Thus, following the arguments of León-Bravo et al [5], larger companies often feel higher external market pressures to demonstrate sustainability as they are closer to the final consumer. In food SCs, large processors adopt practices to support community and consumer education through external collaboration.…”

“…For instance, Touboulic and Walker [76] consider that companies often engage different types of suppliers, which involves, for example, the inclusion of small and medium companies in the strategic suppliers' board. The application of collaboration to the agri-food industry has been researched through studies that demonstrate its relevance, which is clear when related to sustainability [5][6][7]. According to Blome et al [73], sustainability collaboration can be observed as a pathway to address sustainability issues.…”

“…There are debates in the literature relating to both sustainability performance and collaboration [5,101], but they are still inconclusive. Hence, advancements should be made in the understanding of this relationship, since it has a direct influence on how SC sustainability should be observed.…”

“…Despite this broad area of focus, there has been an emergence of studies pertaining to the food supply chain perspective that analyze this relationship [5][6][7]. The increased attention given by the academic community to the food supply chain (SC) is justified by the complex sustainability requirements of the agri-food industry, which have compelled heterogeneous stakeholders to collaborate towards better sustainability outcomes [7].…”

Typology and Success Factors of Collaboration for Sustainable Growth in the IT Service Industry

“…In addition, the inter-firm collaboration can achieve sustainable growth by building various eco-networks [6]. For example, in a food supply chain, different collaboration forms between actors of upstream and downstream in each stage of supply chain enable the successful implementation of sustainability practices [7]. In particular, collaboration in various functions such as R&D activities, design, marketing and production is at the center of the recent changes for sustainable growth in the IT service industry across the globe.…”