Responsible Food Supply Chain Management: Cases of Irresponsible Behaviour and Food Fraud

Abstract

Responsibility is a critical element of today’s business. This responsibility transcends the fiscal element of sustainability and encompasses societal and environmental elements. However, through several ethical fiascos in the modern-day supply chain, the impact of irresponsible behaviour has been evidenced many a time. This chapter focuses on the relevance of responsible supply chain management by using stakeholder theory as a theoretical lens. To show the relevance of responsibility in the food supply chain, this chapter evidences two major cases of irresponsible behaviour within the supply chain context; slavery in modern food supply chains and food fraud. A conceptual solution using a four-pronged RSC (Responsible Supply Chain) approach which involves responsible sourcing, greater transparency, sustainable practices, and adherence to shared standards and values is proposed here. The effective implementation of this conceptual solution could mitigate irresponsible supply chain activity and as an extension, improve the responsibility orientation of the entire supply chain.