Chain Governance Research Articles

Fresh agricultural product logistics network governance: insights from small-holder farms in a developing country

ABSTRACT Fresh agricultural products (FAPs) require special handling to maintain product quality, especially during socio-economic crises. In developing countries, there is a compelling need for a robust supply chain governance strategy to regulate the supply chain actors involved in the logistics and distribution system. This paper proposes an innovative way to design FAP logistics governance to address specific problems in the FAP logistics networks of developing countries, where FAP supply chains are not well integrated. Three logistics governance scenarios were modelled using discrete-event simulation. The results revealed that the fully distributed governance could effectively reduce process delay and consequently minimise logistics costs, especially within the logistics networks serving multiple markets. This is due to that fact that the distributed governance allows the actors involved in the network to have some autonomy to manage their resources. The paper contributes to improving the fundamental understanding of the governance for FAP logistics networks consisting of small-holder farms. Our work also offers valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners into how to improve FAP supply chain management.

Co-constructing Organizational Sustainability Identities and Supply Chain Management Practices

Literature on sustainability governance of supply chains typically maintains that supplying organizations can be treated as a homogenous group, and that sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) entails a unanimous set of practices. In this paper, we expose the diversity of SSCM practices and explore how organizational sustainability identities (OSI) act as their drivers. Through a comparative qualitative inquiry comprising organizations from food and metal products supply chains, we find that OSI of SSCM-practicing organizations affect i) which types of suppliers are perceived as relevant to engage in SSCM, ii) what sustainability criteria are applied to suppliers, and iii) how they are managed in diverse ways to contribute to sustainability transitions. We present a model of OSI co-construction which shows how the diversity of SSCM practices unfolds through three process dimensions, namely OSI balancing, OSI translation, and OSI structuration. This model and the empirical insights obtained document and clarify the previously unexplored link between organizational identity and impacts through SSCM practices.

Improving Gender Equality in GVCs: A Comparative Analysis of Interventions in Three Countries

Global value chain (GVC) governance has become an essential part of the international development agenda to promote the inclusion and integration of all GVC's participants at all levels that benefit from the upgrading process. Ensuring gender equality and inclusion at the community level has been overlooked in this agenda, despite the recognition and adaptation of SDG 5 gender equality by governments and businesses worldwide. Previous literature indicates community governance as a supplement GVC governance structure to private, social, and public governance can facilitate livelihood upgrading for rural communities. However, it remains unclear under which conditions both women and men can equally benefit from the livelihood upgrading. To address this gap, this study that draws from GVC governance literature, feminist theory, and institutional theory empirically examined the effect of third-party interventions launched in artisanal mining communities on gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly the furthest reaches of a GVC when local institutions are weak—using a novel dataset collected from local miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Zimbabwe. We adopted ten indicators that reflect SDG 5 to investigate the pre-intervention conditions of five mining associations in three countries. Our study offers insights based on evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and practitioners who integrate SDG 5 into their global sustainability strategies. In the form of collective efforts from social and community actors, women and girls can benefit from integrating into the global economy, especially in the first mile of the GVC.

Meta-Organizing for Sustainability: A Comparative Analysis of NGO and Industry-Driven Efforts

Continued proliferation and competition amongst sustainability standard-setting organizations in most global industries and issue areas has generated considerable interest in understanding the mechanisms that may lead to standards harmonization. Drawing on the collective action and meta-organization literatures, this study sheds light on the organization of sustainability meta-governance, underscoring differences in objectives, organizational structures and mechanisms for dealing with collective action dilemmas. By means of 41 interviews and 439 archival documents, we employ a comparative case study approach to examine how eight different industry meta-governors deal with these key issues and how these differ from NGO-based approaches. Findings reveal that NGO and industry-based meta-regulators hold opposing conceptions of harmonization and develop considerably dissimilar mechanisms for bringing these about. While NGO meta-governors’ pluralistic, legitimacy-based approaches have been referred to as “creating a market for standards”, we suggest that industry meta-governors’ centralized approach, characterized by industry concentration and supply chain governance, is best described as “standards commoditization”. We outline implications of this study for both practice and future research.

Sustainable supply chain management in the leather industry: a systematic literature review

ABSTRACT As a global manufacturing sector, the leather industry has been a critical player in the international commerce market. With growing concerns about its sustainability, there tends to be an increasing number of studies in academic literature as well as grey literature (e.g. industry reports) focusing on leather supply chain management. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive review of the current research that illustrates the relationships between sustainable leather supply chain governance practices and their antecedents and consequences. This paper aims to identify the main themes of sustainable leather supply chains through a systematic literature review of 61 studies published between 1992 and 2022 identified from the Scopus and WoS databases and industry reports and propose a theoretical framework based on the thematic findings for future research. In these contexts, five themes were identified from the literature: drivers, practice, barriers, enablers and outcomes of sustainable supply chain governance in the leather industry. Ultimately, a conceptual framework identifying the themes and their linkages was developed. The article also suggests future research directions and managerial implications.

Optimization of agricultural product logistics supply chain governance path based on Improved Genetic Algorithm in the digital economy era

The efficient supply chain mode of agricultural product logistics is an important guarantee for the sustainable development of agricultural product logistics. Based on this, the paper proposes the optimization method of agricultural product logistics supply chain governance path in the digital economy era based on improved genetic algorithm. The paper discusses the mode of agricultural product logistics supply chain in the digital economy era from the aspects of structure flow and business process. In the process of constructing the supply chain model of agricultural product logistics, the node function of chain supermarket and the leading demand of agricultural products market are highlighted, and the rationality of push-pull process is highlighted. The "push pull" process is fully applied to clarify the separation point of order, and the key management and optimization of agricultural product logistics supply chain governance path are designed according to the characteristics of different business processes.

A blockchain-based multisignature approach for supply chain governance: A use case from the Australian beef industry

This paper designed and implemented a blockchain-based multisignature approach to digitally transform supply chain governance in multi-tier food supply chains, particularly in a geographically dispersed beef supply chain. An exploratory case study was utilised to demonstrate the design, implementation, and evaluation of a blockchain-based multisignature approach that was deployed on the Smart Trade Networks (STN) Proof of Authority (PoA) blockchain system for data collection and validation in a beef supply chain context. The multisignature approach was implemented with a use case to track a shipment of 92 cattle and meat products through key events from farm to food service. The use-case deployment records approximately 6000 data points registered on the STN PoA blockchain system. The real-case deployment illustrates the capability of the blockchain-based multisignature approach to digitally improve beef supply chain governance by enabling whole-of-chain transparency and trustworthy information sharing and supports supply chain professionals to have a better understanding of how to unlock blockchain potential for supply chain transformation.

How do emerging market suppliers reshape the governance of global value chains? Evidence from China

AbstractThe growth in the number of emerging market firms with a global presence highlights the need to better understand how suppliers influence the governance in global value chains (GVCs). However, existing frameworks do not sufficiently elaborate this phenomenon's standing at firm level. Using a multi‐case study of six suppliers in China, this research explains how suppliers can reshape the governance structure with capability development, and thus change the power balance in GVCs. This study highlights governance changes from a supplier‐centric perspective: external governance with decentralized control and internal governance with control integration. More specifically, through the underlying mechanism from a value‐based perspective, suppliers can take greater control of specific value chain activities and move from being a value creator to becoming a value innovator.

Local divergence and obstacles to spur inclusive coastal development in Iloilo Province, the Philippines

This purpose of this article is to demonstrate (1) how growing seaweed in the central Philippines is affected by multifaceted local dynamics and (2) how it is also dependent on the complementary livelihood strategies of in situ and ex situ diversification. This article explores the livelihood trajectories of 45 households that were all engaged in growing seaweed in 2015. Surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted with households and key informants in two municipalities. Results reveal a process of livelihood divergence. While in one municipality growing seaweed has become a relative success, virtually all households in the other municipality have had to stop growing seaweed, returned to fishing, and remained poor. The reasons for this divergence can be found in the spheres of environmental challenges, value chain governance dynamics, and local coastal governance. Three implications are put forward that could improve the inclusiveness of coastal development in the Philippines and beyond.

Contractual Supply Chain Governance, Relational Supply Chain Governance and Performance Of Agro Processing Firms In Kenya

Contractual Supply Chain Governance, Relational Supply Chain Governance and Performance Of Agro Processing Firms In Kenya

Assessment of Value Chain Governance and Preference Along Sesame Value Chain in North-Western, Nigeria

Assessment of Value Chain Governance and Preference Along Sesame Value Chain in North-Western, Nigeria

Food for thought: Transport within the food supply chain

Recently Hayden and Zunino Singh wrote in the Journal of Transport History of the greater need to study food movement. Whilst accepting their general premise, we argue that they downplay the fact that the evolution of logistics and supply chains has received sparse attention in the historical literature. Using case studies of the domestic British milk trade (1919–c.1945) and international quail trade ( c.1850–1914), we demonstrate how a concept originating in the study of modern supply chains – supply chain governance – can be illuminating. As a conceptual framework, this can facilitate the identification of key agents, institutions and goods movements within supply chains, and the nature of the relationships between them, whilst illuminating how change and development is shaped by regulation, economic cycles, consumer demand, and, of course, transport. The concept's application therefore presents a robust way to better understand the movement of goods in history.

Mapping Fisheries Cold Chain in Western Java Using a Value Chain Perspective

The fisheries sector is one of Indonesia's promising industries. This industry accounts for approximately 2.6 percent of total national GDP. However, fishery products are perishable and contribute to a total loss of approximately 40due to the fishery cold chain implementation was not yet optimal. Cold chain facilities were out of reach for small fisheries due to the large investments required. The study aimed to describe the current state of fisheries cold chain implementation. In the fisheries value chain, value chain mapping was used to enable fact-finding and linkage between existing conditions, chain actors, and governance. The research was carried out in two areas: Banten and West Java. The research conducted 90 interviews with fishermen, 9 collecting traders, 6 big traders, and 6 transporters. The research found that there are numerous channels in the chain governance. These channels have different requirements and demands in both traditional and modern markets. Furthermore, the fisheries cold chains in both regions varied based on key features and the inclusion of small stakeholders in the business relation. In conclusion, limited cold chain infrastructures were utilized by the actors directly and indirectly for decent work and reduce poverty. Keywords: cold chain, fisheries industry, SDG 1, SDG 8, value chain analysis

Upstream and downstream dyad governance within the network structures: Creating supply chain governance for the customized products

Upstream and downstream dyad governance within the network structures: Creating supply chain governance for the customized products

Make‐or‐buy decisions for industrial additive manufacturing

AbstractMuch of the potential of industrial additive manufacturing (AM) is said to lie in the digital specification of components that can be transmitted seamlessly and unambiguously to partners fostering flexible outsourcing. In industry, we observe nuanced AM supply chain governance structures that result from make‐or‐buy decisions, with a tendency to implement AM in‐house. Thus, there is a discrepancy between what is discussed in the literature and implemented in practice. We apply a multiple‐case study approach to investigate why and how AM impacts the make‐or‐buy decision of manufacturing firms. We identify four decision profiles demonstrating the spectrum of specific governance structures and develop a framework to explain the underlying rationales. We find strong arguments for in‐house AM including firms’ perceived need to protect their digitally encapsulated intellectual property, reevaluation of their core competencies, commitment to internal learning, and senior management's enthusiasm for AM. By using transaction cost economics and the resource‐based view, we contribute to the understanding of how arguments of these general theories are modified by the digital and emerging traits of AM. We reveal contradicting guidance in the theories’ argumentation for the case of AM and provide managers a clear perspective on alternative strategies for their AM implementation process.

Paradoxes of Inclusion: Adverse Effects of Inclusive Interventions in Northern Ethiopia

The involvement of smallholders in various inclusive business models (IBMs) is being widely promoted in Ethiopia. The inclusion, exclusion and distribution effects of IBMs must be better understood, however, in order to make them more impactful. This study, which was carried out in three districts in northern Ethiopia, employed a mixed methods approach. Our results show that inclusion and exclusion are both complex and multidimensional. A focus on transaction costs, productive resource endowments and chain governance is crucial for enhancing smallholders’ inclusion. Our results further indicate that income obtained from participation in IBMs is unequally distributed. The benefits of IBMs vary according to the underlying position of the smallholder. Hence, inclusive development interventions should acknowledge the various positions of smallholders and consider how their positions shape social relations locally. The paper thus reveals the various dimensions, contradictory tendencies, hidden costs and side effects of IBMs.

Critical sustainability issues in the production of wind and solar electricity generation as well as storage facilities and possible solutions

Extended implementation of renewable energy technologies is vital to limit global warming. However, there are critical sustainability issues connected to the production of wind turbines, solar photovoltaic modules, electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries. These include the use of conflict minerals, toxicity, and finite availability or supply chain governance risks of rare earth elements, cobalt, and lithium, that need to be taken into consideration. “Conflict minerals” refer to tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold, and their current mining is frequently linked to human rights violations and the financing of violent conflicts. This article focuses on one conflict mineral used in solar panels, tin, the three rare earth elements praseodymium, dysprosium and neodymium, mainly used in permanent magnets that are employed in wind turbines and electric motors in electric vehicles, and lithium and cobalt, as they are needed in lithium-ion batteries for solar and wind energy technologies, and electric vehicles. Focusing on these we identify unfavorable implications of using these elements, including issues of lacking transparency and human rights violations, toxicity and finite availability. Alleviating measures are reviewed for their past contributions as well as their future potential to reduce supply chain risks. These include analyzing the supply chain according to ethical standards, extending regulations beyond the scope of conflict minerals, looking for possible minerals or component substitutes, somewhat diverse across these fields, and increasing the minerals’ recycling rates.

Understanding regional value chain evolution in peripheral areas through governance interactions – An institutional layering approach

Due to ‘dark sides’ of global value chain integration, a growing body of literature engages with regional value chains (RVC) as alternative strategy for inclusive regional development. To date, we know little about the conditions and actors under which RVCs evolve. Research dominantly highlights the role of regional lead firms, such as supermarket chains in food RVC, and state interventions. However, the role of other stakeholders such as public organisations and civil society at the local remains unclear. Therefore, the embeddedness of RVCs in multiple institutional layers and their exposure to institutional change needs consideration to understand how they evolve. The analysis of an emerging horticulture RVC in Namibia allows disentangling the interactions of state-driven market protection, firm-driven standardisation, and civil-society-driven collective action by analysing the processes of institutional layering underlying value chain governance. This study asks (1) how public, private and civil society governance forms hamper or foster the expansion of RVCs, and (2) how the layering of various institutions can create synergies rather than frictions. The case study helps to develop a grounded understanding of multi-layered governance, which is a crucial step to understand how RVCs can contribute to inclusive economic development in peripheral, rural areas.

Smart farming technologies adoption: Which factors play a role in the digital transition?

Smart Farming Technologies (SFT) are smart devices part of a cyber-physical system able to improve farm management. Compared to other digital technologies' functionalities, SFT generate a multitude of data that once combined can be used not only on-farm but across the entire supply chain. Although recent studies highlighted how the lack of users’ resources and competences might hinder the diffusion of digital agriculture technologies overall, few studies so far focused specifically on SFT. Moreover, the extant literature interprets the adoption decision mostly as “one-off binary” process, and limited attention is given to individual aspects of users and farms. Therefore, this study investigates the adoption of SFT analyzing various aspects of its complex nature; on the one hand, the analysis considers the multi-step nature of the adoption decision process: first, intention formation and then, actual adoption decision. On the other hand, the SFT adoption process is interpreted as being determined by several typologies of determinants beyond the most studied ones, with a particular focus on the role that organizational conditions and the supply chain governance structure play in influencing farmers' adoption of SFT.An empirical analysis is run on a sample of 474 responses, collected through an on-line survey. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and a Zero-Inflated Poisson Regression (ZIP) were used to investigate respectively the intention to use and the actual adoption of SFT. Results show that farmers' intention to use mainly relies on technologies' performance expectancy, technologies' complexity and social influence exerted on farmers, while organizational supporting conditions do not play a significant effect. Nonetheless, when the actual adoption decision is observed, the likelihood that non-adopters intend to adopt SFT in their farms increases when formal integration along the supply chain is high and with the dimension of the farm (in terms of both land size and sales). When the adopters are analyzed instead, the decision to adopt is positively affected only by the individual intention to use and by farmers' specialization in the arable sector.Findings reveal what factors need to be considered to guarantee a fairer and more inclusive agricultural digitalization, such as the role of social influence exerted by some figures around farmers and the still weak facilitating organizational conditions.

Supply Chain Governance of Agricultural Products under Big Data Platform Based on Blockchain Technology

The present work serves to improve the stable cooperation relationship among subjects of supply chain such as enterprises, farmers, intermediary organizations, and retailers and enhance the governance and optimization of agricultural product supply chain, thus strengthening the competitiveness of China’s agricultural industry. The supply chain governance of agricultural products is taken as the research object. Initially, the stabilities of two supply chain organization modes, “company and farmer” and “company, intermediary organization and farmer,” are analyzed by static game analysis. Then, based on the above analysis and the characteristics of blockchain institutional technology, a detailed analyzation is made on the mechanism of supply chain of agricultural products governance based on blockchain technology. Finally, the functional framework of agricultural supply chain governance is designed based on the basic framework of blockchain technology, and analyzation is made on the trust mechanism and contract mechanism of agricultural supply chain governance based on blockchain technology. The research results show that problems such as information and cognitive constraints in agricultural supply chain governance cannot be completely solved only through the evolution of blockchain organizational structure and the supply of governance mechanism, and speculative behavior will still appear. Optimizing the governance of supply chain of agricultural products based on blockchain technology can realize the transformation of its governance scenario. Meanwhile, the blockchain technologies such as deintermediation, demistrust, and intelligent contract play an important role in the process of agricultural supply chain governance, which can make it change in many aspects such as organization mode, application operation, and governance mechanism. The rapid development of new generation information technologies such as blockchain, the Internet of Things, and computer technology makes it possible to comprehensively digitize economic activities such as production and transaction in the supply chain of agricultural products. The present work combines the technical logic of blockchain digital governance with the institutional logic of agricultural product supply chain governance and tries to solve the instability problems caused by imperfect organization, lack of trust, and incomplete contract in agricultural product supply chain governance with the characteristics of blockchain such as deintermediation, demistrust, and intelligent contract.