Adapting supply chain management for local foods logistics

Abstract

Supply chain management is adapted to the particularities of local foods production characterised by short chains and intensive horizontal and vertical networking in an integrated context. A case study of chain of local foods logistics to a common retailer in Norway empirically grounds what constitutes "supply chain management of local foods". Findings based on analysis applying contingency theory indicate that local foods chains not only are short in structure. They are differentiated grounded in a developed local reputation. They also resemble in structure as well as operations more service supply chains than modernistic supply chains due of heightened reciprocal interdependencies demanding quality networking. The exchange economy is therefore vital in managing local foods logistics. Keywords: Local foods logistics; Supply chain management; Contingency theory; Interdependencies; Exchange economy