Local Chain Research Articles

Quantifying the local economic supply chain impacts of renewable energy investment in Kenya

Improved electricity access in developing countries can offer an array of economic and environmental benefits. In Kenya, much attention has been devoted to the array of end-user benefits from electrification; however, there are also potential supply-side benefits from building and operating electricity generating units (EGU). This study focuses on the latter by examining supply chain impacts of recent renewable energy construction projects in Kenya tracked by the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Power Africa program and construction projected in Kenya's Least Cost Power Development Plan (LCPDP). By combining construction cost estimates with information on expenditure shares across economic sectors combined with data on wages and jobs, this study provides an assessment of the direct and indirect wage and job benefits of past and future EGU construction and operations. On-grid electrification projects tracked by Power Africa have increased domestic spending in Kenya by $1.3 billion and increased direct and indirect wages by $344 million over the ten years from 2012 to 2021. This impact could expand to $18.9 billion in domestic spending and $5 billion in nominal wages from 2022 to 2040 if the Kenyan government's LCPDP projected capacity and operations goals are met. The direct jobs required to support new LCPDP power sector construction out to 2040 could be 177,000 jobs in an average year, or 3.5 times higher than the average over the past ten years (2012−2021). Meanwhile, direct and indirect jobs supporting new power plant operations and maintenance would be 46,000 jobs in an average year, or 7 times the average over the past ten years. These findings suggest the high potential of renewable energy projects for supporting employment in Kenya, and thus the importance of creating an enabling environment that allows these projects to succeed.

The aggregate effects of global and local supply chain disruptions: 2020–2022

We study the aggregate effects of supply-chain disruptions in the post-pandemic period in a heterogeneous-firm, general equilibrium model with input-output linkages and a rich set of supply chain frictions: uncertain shipping delays, fixed order costs, and storage costs. Firms optimally hold inventories that depend on the source of supply, domestic or imported. Increases in shipping times are contractionary, raise prices, and increase stockouts, particularly for goods intensive in delayed inputs. These effects are larger when inventories are already at low levels. We fit the model to the U.S. and global economies from 2020 to 2022 and estimate large aggregate effects of supply disruptions. Our model predicts that the boost in output from reducing delays will be smaller than the contraction from the waning effects of stimulus.

Enhanced Dielectric Properties of All-Cellulose Composite Film via Modulating Hydroxymethyl Conformation and Hydrogen Bonding Network.

Cellulose-based dielectrics with attractive dielectric performance are promising candidates to develop eco-friendly electrostatic energy storage devices. Herein, all-cellulose composite films with superior dielectric constant were fabricated by manipulating the dissolution temperature of native cellulose, where we revealed the relationship among the hierarchical microstructure of the crystalline structure, the hydrogen bonding network, the relaxation behavior at a molecular level, and the dielectric performance of the cellulose film. The coexistence of cellulose I and cellulose II led to a weakened hydrogen bonding network and unstable C6 conformations. The increased mobility of cellulose chains in the cellulose I-amorphous interphase enhanced the dielectric relaxation strength of side groups and localized main chains. As a result, the as-prepared all-cellulose composite films exhibited a fascinating dielectric constant of as high as 13.9 at 1000 Hz. This work proposed here provides a significant step toward fundamentally understanding the dielectric relaxation of cellulose, thus developing high-performance and eco-friendly cellulose-based film capacitors.

TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE LIFE CYCLES OF MAKING IN SMALL SCALE FABRICATION SPACES

AbstractSmall scale fabrication spaces have shown their potential to support our local supply chains during the collapse of many global supply chain networks at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In anticipation of these spaces becoming more significant in local supply chains, it is increasingly important to reduce their environmental impacts. This work investigates the life cycle of small scale fabrication spaces by interviewing 18 participants from these spaces in the United States. Key insights from the interviews include the following: a) material selection, robust inventory management, and user support for material disposal are factors influencing optimal flow of materials and equipment through a fabrication space; b) lack of information from manufacturers and suppliers is a critical obstacle to achieve optimal use of materials and equipment, and informed decision making related to environmental sustainability and ethical labor practices; c) there are opportunities to take advantage of where financial and sustainability goals align; d) individual motivators for fabrication influences sustainable behaviors; and e) effective education about material and equipment use helps fabrication space users with more sustainable decision making.

Design and Development of a Novel 3-D Printed External Fixation Device for Fracture Stabilization

BackgroundAn external fixator is an orthopaedic device used to stabilize long bone fractures after high energy trauma. These devices are external to the body and fixed to metal pins going into non-injured areas of bone. They serve a mechanical function to maintain length, prevent bending, and resist torque forces about the fracture area. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a design and prototyping process creating a low-cost entirely 3-D printed external fixator for fracture stabilization of extremity fractures. The secondary objective of this manuscript is to facilitate future advancements, modifications, and innovations in this area of 3-D printing in medicine.MethodsThis manuscript describes the computer aided design process using desktop fused deposition modeling to create a 3-D printed external fixator system designed for fracture stabilization. The device was created using the orthopaedic goals for fracture stabilization with external fixation. However, special modifications and considerations had to be accounted for given the limitations of desktop fused deposition modeling and 3-D printing with plastic polymers.ResultsThe presented device accomplishes the goals of creating a construct that can be attached to 5.0 mm metal pins, allows for modularity in placement orientations, and facilitates adjustable lengths for fracture care. Furthermore, the device provides length stability, prevention of bending, and resists torque forces. The device can be printed on a desktop 3-D printer using standard low-cost polylactic acid filament. The print time is less than two days and can be completed on one print bed platform.ConclusionsThe presented device is a potential alternative for fracture stabilization. The concept of a desktop 3-D printed external fixator design and method of production allows for numerous diverse applications. This includes assisting areas with remote or limited access to advanced medical care and large-scale natural disasters or global conflicts where large volumes of fractures exceed the local medical supply chain capabilities. The presented device creates a foundation for future devices and innovations in this fracture care space. Further research is needed on mechanical testing and clinical outcomes with this design and initiative in fracture care before clinical application.

Just Transition or Just Transitioning? Potentials and Limitations of Urban Growers’ Adaptations to the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused drastic short-term shocks to global and local food supply chains. Research thus far has examined increased consumer demands, yet there is a lack of research on the impacts, adaptations, and perceptions of local growers and farmers. In this paper, we analyze 59 interviews conducted with urban growers across the DC metropolitan region to understand how local urban and suburban growers responded and adapted during 2020–2021. We use the “just transition” framework, which currently lacks empirical applications to the food system, to explore how transformations in a regional food system could further social sustainability and equity in the larger food system. We find that the growers faced a multitude of challenges in diversifying and scaling up their distribution system, as they implemented changes mostly independently without much institutional support or coordination. Growing commercially, for donation, or personal consumption resulted in different sets of challenges and adaptations. Our study demonstrates the need for more critical, empirically-driven assessments of the “just transition” theory, specifically its implementation mechanisms and processes, as the growers’ variant adaptation strategies underscore both the potential and limitations of ensuring the equitable transformation of a regional food system through grassroots efforts.

A VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OF AGROFORESTRY PRODUCTS IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN REGION OF BANGLADESH

This study explores the market linkages in a typical agroforestry value chain in Bangladesh, particularly the participation of the micro and subsistence level farming and household-community units in this chain. The study area is Dumuria Upazila which is a 30 square km land area in the outskirt of Khulna which is the third largest city of Bangladesh located in the south-western region of Bangladesh. Agro-products produced in the Dumuria Upazila and then sold in the areas including Dumuria Bazar and Gollamari Bazar which are peri-urban locations of Khulna city. The particular objectives of this study were to identify different value chains of agroforestry products, the relationship of various intermediaries within it, and to explore the impact of agroforestry practices on the socioeconomic condition of the local population. The assessment was performed by using multistage sampling of 80 households using a semi-structured questionnaire, and 30 intermediaries were included on convenience basis for tracing the structure of market linkage and existing problems, in the marketing of agro-products in the study area. Explored network structures of the value chain have revealed that both the marketing of agroforestry crops and timber, include the intermediaries that have contributed to different forms of value-addition to the original product and produced higher gains for the participants in the value chain. Value chain participants in the point of origin of the products, farmers and households, reported being discriminated in terms of price taking while end-market intermediaries were found to absorb major shares of the total gain originated in the value chain. The farmers were neutral in terms of satisfaction in case of purchase by the government, while the intermediaries were dissatisfied with the same. Findings of this study contributes in generating understanding the process of value creation, power structure, and gain sharing in the localized natural resources-based value chains.

Organic Toddler Food – an Analysis of the Perception of Users

Objective: Understanding the factors influencing the rising levels of organic toddler food consumption, such as motivation, is essential to maximizing the market's potential for organic toddler food. Theoretical framework: Perception and attitude of organic toddler food customers with reference to the perceived benefits. This study involves the investigation of perception and attitude towards organic toddler food of the customer in the context of India and the analogy worldwide. Method: Purposive sampling procedure has been used to collect data. With a sample size of 384. Researcher has used the following tools: Correlation Multiple regression Chi-square test Results and conclusion: Age and gender of respondents and users perception are associated with each other. The users perception and perceived risk are related. The perceived benefits have a greater impact on user’s perception towards organic food than the perceived benefits. Implications of the research: majority of people know about the term organic, its understanding and usage and their health benefits. Now the responsibility lies on the shoulder of the marketers to use the best source of information cropped by this study and by the mediums such as through internet, print media and through specialized organic stores to influence the perception of customers. Originality/value: Educated retailers can easily persuade the customers by upgrading the knowledge and convincing about the associated benefits of organic food. Marketer should expand their distribution channel using National or local retail chain store and provide more variety in organic products as per the consumer demand.

Bilateral localized primary parotid gland amyloidosis: A rare entity with literature review.

Amyloidosis of the salivary glands is a rare occurrence. Due to non-specific clinical presentation, the diagnosis can be overlooked. Here we present a case of a localized bilateral parotid glands AL kappa-light chain amyloid deposition without systemic involvement, as well as a literature review. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of a right parotid lesion was performed with rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). Slides showed characteristic amyloid staining with Congo red and typical Apple-green birefringence under polarized light microscopy. Amyloid in the head and neck can be misinterpreted as other materials such as colloid, keratin, necrosis, hyaline degeneration especially when the condition is not suspected.

How Public Procurement Mechanisms Can Be Used as a Tool for Developing Pro-Poor Food Value Chains: From Entry Points to Interventions

Smallholder farmers from developing countries are among the most vulnerable populations facing high food insecurity. Participation in agri-food value chains can offer a valuable pathway out of poverty for millions of poor households in these regions due to their trans-sectorial ability to create empowerment, inclusion, and economic value. Current urbanization rates and the advent of a growing middle class in developing countries make local value chains linked to regional and domestic markets increasingly valuable for smallholder farmers. Under this context, governments and institutions are key actors in influencing pro-poor value chains upgrading trajectories, and public procurement is a way by which these actors can direct participants. This study addresses an important knowledge gap in the possible practical approaches to designing and implementing such schemes. Informed by a literature review, a contextual appraisal of the major advantages and disadvantages of public procurement for the pro-poor development of value chains was conducted. A framework of analysis and intervention is then proposed and discussed. Based on the critical and contextualized analysis of the evidence, we address strategies for public food procurement, challenges, mitigation measures, supporting interventions, and considerations for planning. Overall, our analysis suggests that several existing initiatives still lack tangible results, partly due to gaps in the implementation of laws and regulations. We also highlight that, if implemented as a stand-alone intervention, it is likely that public procurement will not be effective. Additionally, we make an argument on the importance of engaging with the private sector in the process of devising an exit strategy as part that supports long-term sustainability.

Farmer–buyer relationships and sustainable agricultural practices in the food supply chain: The case of vegetables in Chile

AbstractThis study investigates how the relationship between farmers and buyers affects the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) in the vegetable sector in Chile. Specifically, we focus on the dyadic relationships between farmers and different types of buyers, including besides lead firms, intermediaries, and wholesalers, which have received little attention in the scientific literature. Our analysis focuses on formal and informal contracts as governance forms between farmers and buyers, and explores the correlation between contract provisions (e.g., quality, quantity, and the provision of services), relationship attributes (i.e., satisfaction, trust, and opportunism) and adoption of SAPs. We gathered survey data from 352 vegetable farmers in Chile and employed analysis of variance and logit modeling for our analysis. Our findings indicate that small‐scale farmers primarily engage with intermediaries using informal contracts, while medium‐scale farmers trade with wholesalers through spot markets, and large‐scale farmers with lead firms using formal contracts. We also found that farmers who traded through informal contracts, mainly with intermediaries, reported greater satisfaction in the farmer‐buyer relationship than farmers trading through formal contracts. However, farmers engaging in informal contracts were less likely to adopt SAPs than farmers trading through formal contracts. Our results suggest that the governance form (contracts or spot market) adopted for the relationship between farmers and buyers influences the adoption of SAPs, while the impact of relationship attributes on SAP adoption is less clear. A deeper understanding of buyers and their relationship with farmers is essential to enhance policies encouraging SAP adoption in regional and local fresh food supply chains. [EconLit Citations: Q13, Q15, Q56].

Small but powerful—local value chains and sustainability‐oriented approaches in the agri‐food sector

AbstractRegional and local value creation is seen as one solution for reducing the environmental impact of the agri‐food system. The point of reference for this research is the powerless position of small actors in agri‐food chains. This paper gives insights into the motivation of small‐scale producers in developed countries to exit national and export markets and to opt for a sustainability orientation. Specifically, we explore how the powerlessness of small actors in global value chains may fuel the formation of regional and local value chains. Through a regional case study, we map the dairy value system and identify three different value chain structures in the Northern German dairy industry. Then, we illustrate how some small (organic) raw milk producers have changed their position in the value chain and bargaining strength by following different upgrading strategies. Their increase in bargaining power comes with efficiency losses and increased risk. Implications for small‐scale producers and society are discussed and brought together in a framework that demonstrates the drivers and challenges for sustainability‐oriented small‐scale agricultural producers to achieve a stable and competitive position within the market.

The Application of Green Accounting Hotel Management: Are Local and International Chains Different?

The purpose of the study is to identify whether there is any different point of local and international chain hotel management in Bali in terms of environmental awareness, responsibility, involvement, accounting reporting, as well as audit. There are 45 questionnaires’ item to obtain primary data while documentation method was also applied in order to get the secondary one. The study revealed that in Bali there is no difference of environmental awareness between the local and international one. However, differences are found in the points of environmental responsibility, involvement in protecting it, its accounting reporting as well as its audit. It is further suggested that their similarities and differences for hotel chain management both local and international ones can be applicable for business of hospitality in Indonesia.

The Application of Green Accounting Hotel Management: Are Local and International Chains Different?

The Application of Green Accounting Hotel Management: Are Local and International Chains Different?

ОСОБЕННОСТИ СТАНОВЛЕНИЯ ПРОДОВОЛЬСТВЕННОГО РЕТЕЙЛА В УСЛОВИЯХ РАЗВИТИЯ ЭКОНОМИКИ СФЕРЫ УСЛУГ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ РОССИИ

The article examines the peculiarities of the development of food retail in the territories of the Russian Federation. The specifics of the formation of the economy of the service sector are studied. The relevance of the scientific work is justified by the need to provide the population of the country’s regions with equal trading services in terms of service. This is aimed at improving the quality of life in conditions of instability. The research methodology assumed the calculation according to the algorithm proposed by the author. It is designed at identifying groups of territories according to the level of development of food retail. The criteria were the indicators of providing the population with retail space and the turnover of online food trade. We divided the groups into «Advanced», «Developed», «Developing» and «Potential». Grouping allows evaluating the factor of perception of modern digital services in trade by local buyers. Its accounting is necessary for building a strategy for the development of a food retailer at the local level. The data obtained can be useful for adjusting the development program of local retail chains selling food offered by local producers. The results of the development of programs contribute to the modification of the service in retail, as well as changes in the market infrastructure.

Ammonia from solid fuels: A cost-effective route to energy security with negative CO2 emissions

This study investigates a potential solution to the global challenge of secure, affordable, and low-carbon energy supply: ammonia production from local coal and biomass resources with CO2 capture for negative emissions. Two innovative configurations; an E-gas gasifier with membrane-assisted water-gas shift and an air-blown MHI gasifier design, are compared with an oxygen-blown GE gasifier benchmark. Under the baseline cost assumptions of 2.5 €/GJ for coal, 6.1 €/GJ for biomass, and a CO2 tax of 100 €/ton, the GE configuration reached a levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) of 391.5 €/ton, while the E-gas and MHI concepts showed 59.0 (−15.1%) and 18.6 (4.8%) €/ton lower and higher costs, respectively. Subsequent benchmarking against alternative ammonia supply pathways showed that the energy security offered by the E-gas configuration comes at a premium of around 40% over ammonia imported at cost from natural gas exporting regions, which will be cheaper than liquified natural gas if the CO2 price exceeds 60.9 €/ton. Since prices of imported energy are generally well above the cost of production, the carbon-negative energy security offered by the proposed plants can be economically attractive to importers with rising CO2 taxes. Thus, policy support for establishing local ammonia value chains can be recommended.

Advanced in Every Dimension

Abstract Digital technologies known collectively as Industry 4.0 are transforming manufacturing and are increasing the effectiveness of our workforce, as well as encouraging domestic and local production. This, in turn, expands the local supply chain, providing greater economic prosperity for the nation and local regions. To get the full benefit of these transforming changes, our workforce must be fully trained to leverage all of these advanced technologies.

Alternative Food Networks and Short Food Supply Chains: A Systematic Literature Review Based on a Case Study Approach

Alternative food networks (AFNs) are commonly defined by attributes of local production and short supply chains, which integrate dimensions of spatial and social proximity. This new form of food chain is emerging as a response to the crisis in conventional agribusiness. This article presents a systematic review of the academic literature on the alternative food network and short supply chain in order to understand the main elements and topics explored in the empirical studies conducted from 2014 to 2021. This review only considers research using a single or multiple case study approaches. The Scopus and Web of Science databases were used for the literature search. The identification and eligibility processes were performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta Analysis (PRISMA) method. Six core topics were identified: motivation of actors; collaborative governance; social relations and trust; sustainability; boundary negotiation; and resilience. Most of the studies were developed in European countries. The results show that motivation to join the AFN and sustainability are the more explored topics, followed by the study of the different models of governance that characterize the AFN. In addition, the connection between different actors emerges, in a transversal manner, as an important pillar of AFNs. AFN features may change depending on social-economical, cultural, and geographical factors. There is therefore a need to explore other forms of AFNs; future research should conduct cross-analysis on AFNs in different countries and socio-economic contexts.

Innovate and Stockpile: Respiratory Protection for Essential Workers in a Catastrophic Pandemic.

Innovate and Stockpile: Respiratory Protection for Essential Workers in a Catastrophic Pandemic.

Decarbonising our food systems: contextualising digitalisation for net zero

The food system is undergoing a digital transformation that connects local and global supply chains to address economic, environmental, and societal drivers. Digitalisation enables firms to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs), address climate change and the wider negative externalities of food production such as biodiversity loss, and diffuse pollution. Digitalising at the business and supply chain level through public–private mechanisms for data exchange affords the opportunity for greater collaboration, visualising, and measuring activities and their socio-environmental impact, demonstrating compliance with regulatory and market requirements and providing opportunity to capture current practice and future opportunities for process and product improvement. Herein we consider digitalisation as a tool to drive innovation and transition to a decarbonised food system. We consider that deep decarbonisation of the food system can only occur when trusted emissions data are exchanged across supply chains. This requires fusion of standardised emissions measurements within a supply chain data sharing framework. This framework, likely operating as a corporate entity, would provide the foci for measurement standards, data exchange, trusted, and certified data and as a multi-stakeholder body, including regulators, that would build trust and collaboration across supply chains. This approach provides a methodology for accurate and trusted emissions data to inform consumer choice and industrial response of individual firms within a supply chain.