Understanding collaboration in short food supply chains: a focus on collaborative relationships, interaction mechanisms and relational benefits
Abstract The article provides an original conceptual framework to advance the knowledge of short food supply chains (SFSCs) collaboration by bridging supply chain management approaches with empirical evidence from the agri-food sector. Through an in-depth analysis of 14 initiatives across Europe, it...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Agricultural and Food Economics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-024-00344-4 |
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| _version_ | 1841559911483310080 |
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| author | S. Stoeva R. Van Gompel L. Van den Bossche E. Rogge P. Slavova M. Grivins I. Mileiko |
| author_facet | S. Stoeva R. Van Gompel L. Van den Bossche E. Rogge P. Slavova M. Grivins I. Mileiko |
| author_sort | S. Stoeva |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The article provides an original conceptual framework to advance the knowledge of short food supply chains (SFSCs) collaboration by bridging supply chain management approaches with empirical evidence from the agri-food sector. Through an in-depth analysis of 14 initiatives across Europe, it explores the multi-faceted nature of SFSCs collaboration, revealing a complex interplay between collaborative relationships, interaction mechanisms, and relational benefits. By identifying seven key interaction mechanisms—information sharing, decision synchronisation, goal congruence, incentive alignment, resource sharing, joint knowledge creation, and collaborative communication—the article shows how these mechanisms generate both tangible and intangible relational benefits, including fair pricing, reduced transaction costs, enhanced market knowledge, technological skills, and stronger community engagement. The findings demonstrate that SFSCs collaborations operate as dynamic ecosystems characterised by complex interdependencies among diverse actors. This diversity extends beyond traditional business-to-business (B2B) models to include business-to-consumer (B2C), consumer-to-business (C2B), and hybrid business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) relationships. These varied collaborative structures facilitate mutual learning, innovation, and value co-creation, crucial for the resilience and adaptability of local food systems. The presence of robust interaction mechanisms is essential for fostering effective partnerships and generating relational benefits, even if not all mechanisms are consistently present in every type of collaborative relationships. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bcf5802104c84b3e991b935f2db6b547 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2193-7532 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agricultural and Food Economics |
| spelling | doaj-art-bcf5802104c84b3e991b935f2db6b5472025-01-05T12:05:09ZengSpringerOpenAgricultural and Food Economics2193-75322024-12-0112113410.1186/s40100-024-00344-4Understanding collaboration in short food supply chains: a focus on collaborative relationships, interaction mechanisms and relational benefitsS. Stoeva0R. Van Gompel1L. Van den Bossche2E. Rogge3P. Slavova4M. Grivins5I. Mileiko6Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Bulgarian Academy of SciencesInstitute of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Social Science UnitInstitute of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Social Science UnitInstitute of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Social Science UnitDepartment of Sociology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”Baltic Studies CentreBaltic Studies CentreAbstract The article provides an original conceptual framework to advance the knowledge of short food supply chains (SFSCs) collaboration by bridging supply chain management approaches with empirical evidence from the agri-food sector. Through an in-depth analysis of 14 initiatives across Europe, it explores the multi-faceted nature of SFSCs collaboration, revealing a complex interplay between collaborative relationships, interaction mechanisms, and relational benefits. By identifying seven key interaction mechanisms—information sharing, decision synchronisation, goal congruence, incentive alignment, resource sharing, joint knowledge creation, and collaborative communication—the article shows how these mechanisms generate both tangible and intangible relational benefits, including fair pricing, reduced transaction costs, enhanced market knowledge, technological skills, and stronger community engagement. The findings demonstrate that SFSCs collaborations operate as dynamic ecosystems characterised by complex interdependencies among diverse actors. This diversity extends beyond traditional business-to-business (B2B) models to include business-to-consumer (B2C), consumer-to-business (C2B), and hybrid business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) relationships. These varied collaborative structures facilitate mutual learning, innovation, and value co-creation, crucial for the resilience and adaptability of local food systems. The presence of robust interaction mechanisms is essential for fostering effective partnerships and generating relational benefits, even if not all mechanisms are consistently present in every type of collaborative relationships.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-024-00344-4SFSCsSupply chain collaborationRelational benefitsInteraction mechanisms |
| spellingShingle | S. Stoeva R. Van Gompel L. Van den Bossche E. Rogge P. Slavova M. Grivins I. Mileiko Understanding collaboration in short food supply chains: a focus on collaborative relationships, interaction mechanisms and relational benefits Agricultural and Food Economics SFSCs Supply chain collaboration Relational benefits Interaction mechanisms |
| title | Understanding collaboration in short food supply chains: a focus on collaborative relationships, interaction mechanisms and relational benefits |
| title_full | Understanding collaboration in short food supply chains: a focus on collaborative relationships, interaction mechanisms and relational benefits |
| title_fullStr | Understanding collaboration in short food supply chains: a focus on collaborative relationships, interaction mechanisms and relational benefits |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding collaboration in short food supply chains: a focus on collaborative relationships, interaction mechanisms and relational benefits |
| title_short | Understanding collaboration in short food supply chains: a focus on collaborative relationships, interaction mechanisms and relational benefits |
| title_sort | understanding collaboration in short food supply chains a focus on collaborative relationships interaction mechanisms and relational benefits |
| topic | SFSCs Supply chain collaboration Relational benefits Interaction mechanisms |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-024-00344-4 |
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