Integrating in a complex networked local fresh fish supply system

Abstract

The contemporary food market is experiencing an increased popularity of quality locally produced foods. These types of foods are produced and distributed in a different manner than foods subject to large-scale modernistic forms of production. The research question is posed as how to integrate this particular form of networked food production. The paper discusses what differentiates this form of food production focusing in its logistics and relationship features; features of interdependencies, information technology, traceability, complexity and local foods networks as complex ecosystems are applied to evoke these logistics and relationship particularities. This implies expand the supply chain view to accommodate for ecosystems thinking on local foods. The study provides accordingly, based on a single case study, a detailed description of the local foods network of a small Norwegian fresh seafood retailer and wholesaler. Based on this empirical evidence, a conceptual model that describes how food supply may be considered as an ecosystem. This model, which basically is a set of systemically interrelated propositions, represents basis for further investigation to better empirically ground the views presented in this paper on how to integrate in this form of local foods supply understood as complex systems encompassing ecosystems thinking. Keywords: Local foods network, Logistics, Integration, Interdependencies, Complexity, Ecosystems, Fresh seafood