Coordinative structures and development of food supply chains

Abstract

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -This case study aims to analyse dyadic empirical relations within food supply chains. The categories of market, hierarchy or power, network and social relations were used to disclose the coordinative structures on the chain level and connect these with the chain development. Design/methodology/approach -The actors of three vegetable supply chains were interviewed. The coordinative relations of actors were identified and the coordinative structures on the chain level were made visible by combining the ego networks of chain actors. The "story of supply chain development" was intertwined with the analysis. Findings -The studied food supply chains were coordinated mostly by duplex or multiplex relations, combining market, hierarchy or power, network and social relations. In addition to the strategic network, presented in literature, the study identified a coordinative structural mode of socially overlaid network. In general, the network relation was found to be used as an effective "glue" within all coordinative structures. Both coordinative structural modes exhibited substantial growth, on the condition that agricultural base and buyers enabled enlargement. Originality/value -Economic sociological perspective has been used in explaining food supply chain development by making visible the coordinative relations and structures on the chain level. The chain level phenomena appear as a promising field of study.

Values-Based Supply Chains as a Strategy for Supporting Small and Mid-Scale Producers in the United States

“…Similar to Mikkola's analysis [31] of three different vegetable supply chains, we found distinct differences but also overall similarities in challenges on the chain level. In this section, we highlight the key challenges faced by supply chain partners and some innovative ways they are managing to overcome some of these challenges.…”

“…Additionally, both the cooperative and the food hub have taken on didactic roles, coaching newer farmers in understanding buyer requirements, such as what type of product is acceptable, packing standards, postharvest handling and food safety. These interactions have long histories and are similar to the socially overlaid networks described by Mikkola [31].…”

“…The retailer holds a monthly luncheon with a grower for its staff to become more familiar with the farms. In each case, the type of communication is similar to "socially overlaid networks" described by Mikkola [31] in which actors knew each other from local contexts and had a common history as opposed to the "strategic networks" described by Jarillo [32]. In addition to sharing information and values within these supply chains, the partners also share their values by being involved in broader agricultural and culinary communities.…”

“…The buyers and farmers socialize at local events, as well as reconnecting at an annual farm conference. They can be considered to be socially overlaid networks [31].…”

Situations analysis of the malt barley value chain integration and performance in Ethiopia

“…Even though spot market is a widely used mode of transaction governance in developing countries (Vieira and Traill, 2008) its use in a pure form across the entire value chain is unlikely (Mikkola, 2008). Different forms of transaction governance are practiced at different links or mix of multiple forms could be used at some interfaces.…”