Stages Of Supply Chain Research Articles

Exploring Risk Factors of Recall-Associated Foodborne Disease Outbreaks in the United States, 2009-2019.

Earlier identification and removal of contaminated food products is crucial in reducing economic burdens of foodborne outbreaks. Recalls are a safety measure that is deployed to prevent foodborne illnesses. However, few studies have examined temporal trends in recalls or compared risk factors between non-recall and recall outbreaks in the United States, due to disparate and often incomplete surveillance records in publicly reported data. We demonstrated the usability of the electronic Foodborne Outbreak Reporting System (eFORS) and National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) for describing temporal trends and outbreak risk factors of food recalls in 1998–2019. We examined monthly trends between surveillance systems by using segmented time-series analyses. We compared the risk factors (e.g., multistate outbreak, contamination supply chain stage, pathogen etiology, and food products) of recalls and non-recalls by using logistic regression models. Out of 22,972 outbreaks, 305 (1.3%) resulted in recalls and 9378 (41%) had missing recall information. However, outbreaks with missing recall information decreased at an accelerating rate of ~25%/month in 2004–2009 and at a decelerating rate of ~13%/month after the transition from eFORS to NORS in 2009–2019. Irrespective of the contaminant etiology, multistate outbreaks according to the residence of ill persons had odds 11.00–13.50 times (7.00, 21.60) that of single-state outbreaks resulting in a recall (p < 0.001) when controlling for all risk factors. Electronic reporting has improved the availability of food recall data, yet retrospective investigations of historical records are needed. The investigation of recalls enhances public health professionals’ understanding of their annual financial burden and improves outbreak prediction analytics to reduce the likelihood and severity of recalls.

Lacto-fermented polypeptides integrated with edible coatings for mango (Mangifera indica L.) bio-preservation

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most important tropical fruits due to its pleasant taste and high nutrient content including vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Post-harvest fungal diseases, mainly anthracnose, stem-end rot, and aspergillus rot are among the major problems in mango provision throughout all the supply chain stages. Fungal diseases create large economic losses and present a health risk for consumers due to the production of mycotoxins (aflatoxin and patulin). In the last two decades, chemical methods for fungal control have been prevalent because of their low cost and simple practicing features. However, recent consumer trends and regulations have limited the use of chemicals in fruits at the post-harvest stage. Bio-preservation is a promising alternative technique applied to control the post-harvest fungi with high safety for the consumer and environment. Antifungal polypeptides are made by different living beings including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Polypeptides including small peptides produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have a higher potential to employ as food bio-preservatives due to their promising antifungal ability with generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status. Lacto-fermented polypeptides inhibit a broad range of fungal growth, and thus enhance the quality and extend the shelf life through reducing biotic stress, respiration, and ethylene biosynthesis of post-harvested fruits. Recently, polypeptides, mainly bioactive peptides, and bacteriocins received great attention for their potential bio-preservation activity against pathogenic fungi in fruits. Moreover, the development of edible coating enhanced the stability of the bioactive polypeptides and expanded their applications for fruit preservation. This article reviews the fungi associated with main mango diseases, major causal organisms, antifungal activity of LABs’ polypeptides on mango, and their antifungal performances to control the postharvest mango spoilage. Besides, this review highlights the potential applications of Lacto-fermented polypeptides-enriched edible coating to control the pathogenic fungi of mango.

Comparing supply chains of platinum group metal catalysts in internal combustion engine and fuel cell vehicles: A supply risk perspective

Platinum group metals (PGMs) are important catalytic materials for producing emission after-treatment devices in internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) and fuel cells in fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). There are high resource and technical barriers along the supply chain of PGM catalysts, for which assessing the associated supply risks is essential to understand the potential challenges. This study maps the supply chains of PGM catalysts used in ICEVs and FCVs for the period of 2010–2020, and compares the associated supply risks. The results show that significant supply risks can be identified in both the upstream and downstream stages of PGM catalyst supply chains for ICEV and FCV uses. Specifically, the ICEV-related PGM catalyst supply chain maintained high levels of supply risks with slight decline over the assessed period. With recycling considered, supply risks in the refining stage can be reduced by over 30%. Supply risks embodied in the FCV-related PGM catalyst supply chain were relatively higher, with significant fluctuations during the period 2015–2020. Relevant suggestions are propounded aiming to mitigate supply risks of PGM catalysts used in ICEVs and FCVs.

Attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs) through supply chain practices and business strategies: A systematic review with bibliometric and network analyses

AbstractSustainable development goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2015, are gaining importance in all the industrial sectors. The attainment of SDGs will lead to simultaneous betterment of human lives, environment and economic prosperity. Therefore, the adoption and implementation of SDGs in the supply chain (SC) activities is the need of the hour. In this regard, there is a need to analyse the extant SC literature focussing on SDGs. This study reviews the articles on SDGs in SC published in last 6 years (2015–2021). A total of 144 articles are shortlisted for the analysis. Bibliometric and network analyses are performed to create an intellectual map of the field and to visualise the network among authors and keywords, respectively. Various emerging research themes are identified using bibliometric coupling analysis. The content analysis of the articles has been performed by considering different activities and stages of SC. Articles are also mapped on various dimensions of SDGs. The strategies associated with adopting sustainable practices in SC to achieve SDGs have also been elucidated. Finally, future research propositions have been presented which can help in achieving SDGs in the SC.

Growth and survival of aerobic and Gram-negative bacteria on fresh spinach in a Chinese supply chain from harvest through distribution and refrigerated storage

Spinach is a highly perishable product that degrades over time, including due to bacteria contaminating the product prior to packaging, yet the dynamics of bacterial spoilage and factors that affect it are not well understood. Notably, while China is the top producer of spinach globally, there is limited available microbiological data in the literature for spinach supply chains in China. The overall goal of this foundational study was to establish a baseline understanding of bacterial population dynamics on spinach from harvest to 10 days postprocessing for a Chinese supply chain that includes distribution via traditional grocery (a local physical store) and eCommerce (an online store). To this end, organic spinach samples were collected at different stages in a Chinese supply chain by following the same 3 lots, starting at point-of-harvest through processing and distribution via a local grocery store and eCommerce. After distribution, the same 3 lots were stored at 4 °C with microbiological testing performed on multiple days up to day 10 postprocessing, simulating storage at the point-of-consumer. Results showed aerobic plate counts and total Gram-negative counts did not significantly differ across stages in the supply chain from harvest through processing. However, packaged spinach from the same processing facility and lots, exhibited different patterns in bacterial levels across 0 to 10 days postprocessing, depending on whether it was distributed via the local grocery store or eCommerce. Evaluation of bacterial populations performed on a subset of the packaged spinach samples indicated Gram-negative bacteria, in particular Pseudomonas, were predominant across all days of testing (days 0, 3, and 10 postprocessing), with populations differing at the genus level by day. Overall, this study improves our understanding of the dynamics of bacterial populations on spinach and provides baseline data needed for future studies.

Price transmission in milk supply chain in Ukraine

Purpose. The purpose of the study, which results are submitted in the article, is to analyze the vertical price transmission along the milk supply chain in Ukraine and identify whether this price transmission is symmetric or asymmetric in terms of direction, magnitude, speed. &#x0D; Methodology / approach. To achieve the purpose of the study, we used the following research methods: logical operations (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction) – to determine the structure of the milk supply chain, to make conclusions about main findings; the correlation analysis – to identify the tightness of links between farm’, processors’ and retailers’ prices; the trend modelling – to build the functions of the trend of prices of different levels of the milk supply chain; the regression modelling – to construct the regression functions of prices of downstream sectors of the milk supply chain; graphic – for visual presentation of main tendencies, pricing and price dynamics in the milk supply chain. The research was performed on the basis of the statistical data of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine for 2013–2020.&#x0D; Results. This paper presents the empirical evidence of asymmetric price transmission along the milk supply chain in Ukraine. The results of modelling proved asymmetric magnitudes of price growth at the organizational and technological stages of the milk supply chain: in the case of the farm prices of raw milk increase the processors’ and retailers’ prices grow up by a much bigger magnitude. There is no leg in price transmission in the milk supply chain, the price shocks at the farm level instantly pass to processors’ and retailers’ prices. The evidence of asymmetry of price transmission testifies the weaknesses of the market positions of farmers and consumers in the milk supply chain in Ukraine, points out the threats for the food security and sustainable development of all agents of this chain. &#x0D; Originality / scientific novelty. For the first time, the quantitative assessments of the magnitude and speed of the price changes in the process of price transmission in the milk supply chain in Ukraine were obtained. The asymmetry of the magnitudes of the vertical price transmission in the milk supply chain in Ukraine was identified. The hostage position of farmers in the case of price shocks was further proved.&#x0D; Practical value / implications. This paper provides a better understanding of arrangements of market forces in the milk supply chain, the consequences of price chocks in the upstream sector of the milk supply chain. The practical value is the methodological and empirical support for the development of regulative measures to improve the milk supply chain’s functioning and sustain food security. Assessment and analysis of the mechanism of price transmission reveals the weak parts of the food supply chain, contributing to the scientific foundation of elaborating the necessary policy actions for harmonization of relations between producers of different stages of the milk chain.

Exploring the green waste management problem in food supply chains: A circular economy context

Food waste management is a growing environmental and economic issue for a developing country like India. This exploratory paper aims to prioritize key practices as “criteria” for food supply chains that lead to food waste reduction to ensure green waste management. Twenty-five criteria from the existing literature and expert inputs were assessed to resolve food waste reduction issues in food supply chains, especially in the agricultural sectors. The study identifies and ranks the intensities of each of the listed criteria. In the study, the Best-Worst Method, a multi-criteria decision-making approach, is applied. According to the findings, waste prevention at the earlier stages of food supply chains is given more priority compared to food waste minimization and treatment at the later stages. Hence, the study concludes “skill and training” as the highest ranked criteria, followed by “protection and infrastructure.” Further, the study infers that understanding the individual intensities of criteria within a food supply chain can affect waste generation at each level, having a significant impact on waste reduction. The data in this research was evaluated in the Indian context.

Review: Suspended Sediments and their interaction in Water Supply Chain Network

There have been several problems caused by sediments which have never been addressed before now in the water supply chain and have therefore been overlooked as not having sizable consequences; however, they actually do and these problems over a period have demanded the attention of sediment in urban water cycle to be given due scrutiny to understand the connection between sediments and the derivative problems in the water supply chain. This review article examines the problems associated with sediments along the water supply chain from the drainage basin, water bodies, treatment plants, water distribution system and end consumers. More so, this review article proposes policies that can be adopted to reduce the influx of sediment in the various stages of the water supply chain.

Packaging 4.0: The threshold of an intelligent approach.

The fourth industrial revolution (I4.0) intends to digitalize the product life cycle using smart technologies interconnected with web-based platforms. I4.0 elements can be employed to enable packaging 4.0 with improved productivity and efficiency. However, the applicability of I4.0 in packaging science has not been fully investigated due to the understanding gap regarding the I4.0 elements in packaging science. In addition, the evolution of market and customers' demands results in complexity, which requires a business model with a high level of precision. As packaging stays with goods from manufacturing to the consumer stage, the digitalization of the product life cycle using packaging can be realized. Herein, the implications of I4.0 on packaging science are discussed to identify the potential benefits of packaging 4.0 in various sectors, for example, manufacturing, materials, supply chain, retail, and postconsumer. In this study, packaging 4.0 is defined based on a framework comprised of packaging manufacturing, packaging and products, packaging and consumer, and packaging and sustainability (ecologically, economically, and socially). In addition, a decentralized model is introduced to realize a self-controlling concept using decentralized decision-making centers. In this context, packaging 4.0 can be enabled using the combination of horizontal integration of enterprises, vertical integration of enterprises, and end-to-end engineering. Smart devices, for example, sensors, indicators, actuators, and wearable smart devices, interconnected to the internet of things and the cloud is an efficient way to realize a decentralized paradigm. The implementation of an intelligent platform in the packaging 4.0 context enables decentralized data collection in the supply chain, in-store, and postpurchasing stages, which in turn realizes consistent life-cycle monitoring.

Studying the effect of oxygen availability and matrix structure on population density and inter-strain interactions of Listeria monocytogenes in different dairy model systems

Due to the ubiquitous character of Listeria monocytogenes multiple strains of the pathogen may end up co-existing in/on the same final products and could potentially cause infection during consumption. Such multiple strain contamination may occur in different stages of the food supply chain. The present study evaluated the effect of oxygen availability and matrix structure on inter-strain interactions of L. monocytogenes that may occur at high population levels in/on different dairy model systems. L. monocytogenes strains C5 and ScottA (4b), 6179 (1/2a) and PL25 (1/2b) were selected as resistant to different antibiotics (enabling selective enumeration of each strain in co-culture) and inoculated (2.0–3.0 log CFU/mL, g or cm2) in Ricotta and Camembert broth (1 dairy product: 2 ¼ Ringer solution) and in/on dairy-based structured media (dairy broth supplemented with 0.6 and 1.4% agar), in single and two-strain cultures (1:1 strain ratio). Bacterial growth was assessed during storage at 7 °C, under aerobic, hypoxic and anoxic conditions. Every experimental treatment was tested with three biological replicates and two technical repeats (n = 3 × 2). The simultaneously presence of different strains of the pathogen in/on the same substrate did not affect neither the duration of the lag phase nor the growth rate of the co-cultured strains. The observed inter-strain interactions were related with the final population reached/decrease during storage and occurred after the “critical” population density of ca. 6.0 log CFU/mL, g or cm2. The phenomenon was more pronounced in/on Ricotta than in/on Camembert-based substrates, indicating that the composition and the available nutrients of the substrate may affect the interactions that expressed as difference in the final population level between singly and co-cultured strains. Under aerobic and hypoxic conditions, most of the observed interactions were more pronounced in dairy-based broths and were mitigated with the addition of agar. The elimination of oxygen resulted in a prolonged lag time, which lasted at least 5 days and no observed interactions by the end of storage, due to low microbial counts. Investigating inter-strain interactions during growth in/on different substrates, which may have undergone temperature abuse during their transport along the supply chain or during storage in household refrigerators, could assist in explaining the mismatch between clinical and food samples during outbreak investigations.

Recent advances in nanomaterial‐assisted electrochemical sensors for food safety analysis

AbstractFood safety as a public health issue has aroused worldwide concern. Food safety risks caused by the existence of food safety hazards in food may occur in all stages of the food supply chain. Thus, great emphasis is placed on sensitive, selective, and convenient analytical methods of various food safety hazards in food. At present, nanomaterials are at the forefront of various electrochemical sensing applications. Given their unique physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, nanomaterials are considered perfect candidates for the design of electrode surface to construct electrochemical sensors with excellent analytical performance. With the assistance of nanomaterials, electrochemical sensors are a potential alternative to conventional methods of food safety analysis. This review focuses on current research achievements of nanomaterial‐assisted electrochemical sensors for food safety analysis reported in recent 5 years. It highlights the different detection mechanisms for analytes, flexible sensing strategies based on nanomaterials, and portable miniaturized electrochemical devices. Finally, the challenges and limitations in the design of electrochemical sensors for food safety analysis are also discussed.

Social sustainability tools and indicators for the food supply chain: A systematic literature review

Sustainable production and consumption of food systems cannot be achieved without considering the entirety of the supply chain and the actors involved at each stage along the way. This requires more in-depth analyses of social dimensions often neglected in favor of the environmental and economic ones. Yet, inattention to the social dimension of sustainability in food supply chains has yielded a lack of agreement regarding what to consider and how to measure it. This review identifies the current state of art of how social sustainability aspects are measured through various tools and indicators, following the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) protocol. The selection criteria resulted in 101 papers and gray literature documents published from 2000 to 2021. Thirty-four social sustainability tools are analyzed based on five food supply chain stages, namely production, processing, wholesale, retail, and consumer and four stakeholders as adapted from the most recent Social Life Cycle Assessment guidelines, namely farmers, workers, consumers, and society. Production and processing-related assessment tools are mostly publicly funded, while wholesale, retail, and consumer tools are often privately funded. Moreover, the availability of assessment tools decreases along the supply chain. Production has the highest number of tools (17) and quantitative indicators, targeting mostly farmers through job conditions and quality of life indicators. Processing stage tools (5) target mostly workers, through quantitative indicators related to fair job conditions. The wholesaler stage tools (4) and indicators are the least connected, while the retail stage (2) is the most inclusive in terms of qualitative social sustainability indicators. The consumer stage tools (2) also has a low number of social indicators and interactions, despite being the stage that influences the supply chain the most. It is clear that food supply chain stakeholders can benefit from the implementation of social sustainability aspects, although these benefits become inconsistent if not respected in each stage. A need for an unceasing thread of respected social sustainability should permeate the whole supply chain, as environmental certification currently does, becoming the priority for policy makers in the sector to focus their attention on the emerged hotspots for intervention from this research.

Measuring self-reported food loss in primary production: Survey-based insights from Central and Eastern Europe

Food loss and waste occur along the whole food supply chain and need to be addressed by dedicated strategies. Among all the stages of the food supply chain, food loss in primary production has been the least studied to date. In order to address this gap, this paper focuses on on-farm food loss, using Lithuania as a case study. The research comprises eleven crop products and five livestock products prevailing in Lithuanian agricultural production. A survey-based method is utilized to collect primary data from farmers. The final data set consists of 408 completely answered questionnaires. The survey-based data are merged with those from the Farm Accountancy Data Network in order to devise an effective framework for estimating self-reported on-farm food loss. The results show that there exists substantial variation in on-farm food loss rates ranging from less than 1% for milk to slightly more than 20% for beets. Environmental factors and those related to consumer and buyer requirements are the main reasons for losses of crop products, while diseases appear as the main causes of death for animals. The food loss and waste reduction measures are derived based on the results of the survey.

Data-driven optimal dynamic pricing strategy for reducing perishable food waste at retailers

Approximately forty per cent of fresh products are wasted in low and middle-income countries before reaching consumers. Perishable foods have only a certain shelf-life and they need to be sold for consumption before a specific date. When a product is priced incorrectly, it is often disposed of directly or redistributed. Redistribution of surplus food also has an economic impact on food prices. Therefore, setting an optimal pricing strategy is crucial to reduce inventory and surplus food in an environment with volatile demands. In this context, big data analytics can help managers forecast customer behaviour and determine pricing strategies throughout the retail industry. This study focuses on food waste at the retailer stage of food supply chain (FSC). We present a dynamic pricing model that uses real-time Internet of Things (IoT) sensor data as a novel contribution to decide pricing at different stages of a sales season for retailers. The food waste problem at the retail stage of a FSC is investigated in a pilot project for bulk apple sales to address the research question. This study proposes a four-stage data-driven optimal dynamic pricing strategy for bulk produce to reduce food waste for retailers in low and middle-income countries. A multi-stage dynamic programming method is used to decide on a pricing strategy for bulk produce, with real-time IoT sensor data being retrieved to analyse and determine the length of freshness scores. The effect of the sale price, replenishment amount, discount rate, and freshness score on profit and food waste are evaluated. All these analyses assist managers in taking the best possible actions and remedies. Appropriate interventions boost sales, increase profits by reducing waste and determining competitive sales price, while improving customer loyalty and satisfaction by striking the right balance between food quality and price. Our results show the huge potential of using hyperspectral imaging sensors in the FSC of a retailer. The model is demonstrated empirically to test its practicability.

Designing a closed-loop supply chain for reusable packaging materials: A risk-averse two-stage stochastic programming model using CVaR

Reusable packaging material (RPM) provide a circular and sustainable way of transporting parts/products safely along the various stages of supply chain. In the present work, we study a multi-echelon closed-loop supply chain network design problem for wooden RPMs. Initially, a mixed-integer programming model under deterministic setting is proposed to determine the optimal configuration of the manufacturing facilities and distribution centers of RPMs. Further, a risk-averse two-stage stochastic programming model is developed to incorporate the uncertainties associated with the demand, initial inventory and level of reusability of the RPMs. The developed model utilizes conditional-value-at-risk (CVaR) as risk measure since it provides more robust solutions compared to a risk-neutral approach in presence of uncertainty. The applicability of the model is explained using a real-life example of the prevalent supply chain of wooden pallets in several automobile manufacturers and their suppliers in India. The results suggest trade-off among various cost components such as fixed cost of opening facilities and capacity installation, manufacturing, acquisition, refurbishing, and environmental cost. Several managerial insights are drawn by carrying out sensitivity analysis of deterministic model and running the stochastic model with different values of CVaR parameters. Finally, we present numerical results to discuss how incorporating a risk measure affects the computational performance and solution of the CVaR model.

Plate Waste Forecasting Using the Monte Carlo Method for Effective Decision Making in Latvian Schools.

Food waste is a global problem, which becomes apparent at various stages of the food supply chain. The present research study focuses on the optimization of food consumption in schools and effective food management through data-driven decision making within the trends: zero food waste and digital transformation. The paper presents a plate waste forecasting system based on mathematical modeling and simulation using the Monte Carlo method, which showed an RMSE equal to ±3% and a MAPE of 10.15%. The solution based on the simulator provides a possibility to better understand the relationship between the parameters investigated through data visualization and apply this knowledge to train managers to make decisions that are more effective. The developed system has multi-disciplinary application: forecasting, education and decision making targeted to reduce food waste and improve public health and food management in schools.

Food Waste Perception of Workplace Canteen Users—A Case Study

Background: Food waste occurs in all stages of the food supply chain, namely in the food service sector. Understanding how much and why food is wasted and whether consumers are aware of it is essential to design effective interventions in this setting. This case study aims to compare the food waste perception by consumers and measure plate waste in a Portuguese workplace canteen in order to recognize if trained consumers can estimate his/her food waste. Methods: Data were collected from 160 users randomly selected attending a workplace canteen during one month. Plate waste was evaluated by the weighing method. Visual estimation was performed by each participant to evaluate food waste perception at the end of the meal. Consumers were also asked about reasons for wasting food. Results: Plate waste was 8.4% for soup, 9.0% for the main course, and 4.0% for dessert. These values follow the same trend of waste perceived by consumers for soup (R = 0.722; p ˂ 0.001), main course (R = 0.674; p ˂ 0.001), and dessert (R = 0.639; p ˂ 0.001), showing a high relation between self-assessment and measured plate waste. Excessive portions (46.1%), dislike of meal flavor (18.6%), cooking method (8.8%), and texture (3.9%) were identified as the main causes for plate waste. Conclusions: Canteen users showed an accurate perception of their plate waste for all meal components. Excessive portions were identified by consumers as the main reason for plate waste.

Vulnerable vegetables and efficient fishers: A study of primary production food losses and waste in Ireland

From 2022, the European Union Waste Framework Directive (WFD) requires member states to report annual food waste from each food supply chain stage. Comprehensive food losses and waste (FLW) data can be challenging to obtain for the primary production stage, i.e., farming and fishing. However, this information is vital in developing FLW mitigation actions appropriate to each country.This study describes the nature and extent of FLW from primary production in Ireland, using methods approved for WFD reporting. Causes of FLW and FLW as a proportion of total production were determined through interviews with Irish primary production stakeholders and using national FLW data where available. The FLW was presented for each primary production sector - animal husbandry, horticulture, tillage, aquaculture, and fisheries.The total annual FLW from Irish primary production was 189,508 tonnes. The main FLW sources were vegetable production (122,398 tonnes), meat production (41,726 tonnes), and tillage (12,502 tonnes). The activities associated with high FLW did not reflect the quantity of food from those activities, e.g., dairy generated the greatest quantity of animal husbandry produce (89%) but only 7% of animal husbandry FLW. The main causes of FLW in Irish primary production were pests, disease, injuries, and production stress (37%), followed by un-harvestable or un-saleable produce, 24% and 21%, respectively.The majority of FLW described in this study (63%) is considered food loss, meaning mitigation efforts should focus on this rather than food waste. These results also clearly indicate priority areas for mitigation action, e.g., horticulture. This research suggests mitigation actions that improve long-term farm sustainability, e.g., improve soil health, reduce FLW and contribute to food production potential in fisheries and aquaculture.

Market power and food loss at the producer-retailer interface of fruit and vegetable supply chains in Germany

Food loss and waste are associated with an unnecessary consumption of natural resources and avoidable greenhouse gas emissions. The United Nations have thus set the reduction of food loss and waste on the political agenda by means of the Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3. The German Federal Government committed itself to this goal by implementing the National Strategy for Food Waste Reduction in 2019. However, this policy approach relies heavily on voluntary action by involved actors and neglects the possible role of power imbalances along the food supply chain. While current research on food loss and waste in industrialised countries predominantly focuses on the consumer level, this study puts emphasis on the under-researched early stages of the food supply chain from the field to retailers’ warehouses. Based on 22 expert interviews with producers, producer organisations and retailers, this article identifies major inter-stage drivers of food loss in the supply chains for fresh fruit and vegetables in Germany. Its main novelty is to demonstrate how market power imbalances and risk shifting between powerful and subordinate actors can reinforce the tendency of food loss on the part of producers further up the supply chain. Results indicate that prevalent institutional settings, such as contractual terms and conditions, trading practices, ordering processes, product specifications, and communication privilege retailers and encourage food loss. The mechanisms in which these imbalances manifest, go beyond the European Commission’s current legislation on Unfair Trading Practices. This study suggests a research agenda that might help to formulate adjusted policy instruments for re-structuring the German fruit and vegetable markets so that less food is wasted.

Circular dairy supply chain management through Internet of Things-enabled technologies.

Internet of Things-enabled technologies help to collect data and make it understandable, especially in supply chain processes, thus minimizing the problems that may arise in supply chains. It is extremely important to support this process with Internet of Things-enabled technologies, especially in supply chains that are vulnerable to disruptions such as the dairy supply chain. Moreover, dairy supply chains are the type of supply chains where the most waste is generated; evaluating this waste is very beneficial to the circular economy. Therefore, monitoring data in dairy supply chains and using Internet of Things-enabled technologies prevent losses; it is critical to have Internet of Things-enabled circular dairy supply chains in operation. The aim of this study is to determine the success factors of Internet of Things-enabled circular dairy supply chains based on the various stages of these chains; we hope to match each dairy supply chain stage with a success factor of Internet of Things-enabled technology and determine a ranking for these factors. Hence, six success factors of Internet of Things-enabled circular supply chains are weighted for each stage of the chain; Internet of Things-enabled digital technologies are then matched with each stage of the chain, and the success factor is determined. The ranking of factors can then be drawn up through the integration of Step Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and Technique for Order Preference Similar to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The outcome of this study will provide managers and policy makers with insights into Internet of Things-enabled circular dairy supply chains.