On the road to carbon reduction in a food supply network: a complex adaptive systems perspective

Abstract

perspective AbstractPurpose: In acknowledging the reality of climate change, large firms have set internal and external (supplier oriented) targets to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study explores the complex processes behind the evolution and diffusion of carbon reduction strategies in supply networks.Design/methodology/approach: The research uses complex adaptive systems (CAS) as a theoretical framework and presents a single case study of a focal buying firm and its supply network in the food sector. A longitudinal and multilevel analysis is used to discuss the dynamics between the focal firm, the supply network and external environment. Findings:Rather than being a linear and controlled process of adoption-implementationoutcomes, the transition to reduce carbon in a supply network is much more dynamic, emerging as a result of a number of factors at the individual, organizational, supply network and environmental levels. Research limitations/implications:The research considers the emergence of a carbon reduction strategy in the food sector, driven by a dominant buying firm. Future research should seek to investigate the diffusion of environmental strategies more broadly and in other contexts. Practical implications:Findings from the research reveal the limits of the control that a buying firm can exert over behaviours in its network and show the positive influence of consortia initiatives on transitioning to sustainability in supply networks.Originality: CAS is a fairly novel theoretical lens for researching environmental supply network dynamics. The paper offers fresh multilevel insights into the emergent and systemic nature of the diffusion of environmental practices in supply networks.

Strategies for complex supply networks: findings from the offshore wind power industry

“…Hearnshaw and Wilson, 2013;Pathak et al, 2007). Recent studies have attempted to use CAS to analyse specific types of SNs, such as regionals SNs (Statsenko et al, 2018) and sustainable SNs in the food industry (Touboulic et al, 2018). Pathak et al (2007) distinguish between complexity and complicatedness, identifying that where complicated systems may be intricate, complex systems involve nonlinear dynamic interactions amongst individual parts.…”

Re‐imagining supply chain challenges through critical engaged research

“…This expanded model of knowledge production based on the complementarity of Mode 1 and Mode 2 knowledge presents significant opportunities for theorization within the field of SCM. An example of Mode 2 knowledge complementing Mode 1 knowledge is Touboulic, Matthews, and Marques (2018) study of the emergence of a carbon reduction strategy within a food supply network in the UK over a five‐year period. The research was able to capture both the emergent and the deliberate aspects of the strategy and contributes toward the theorization of supply networks as Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) (Choi, Dooley, & Rungtusanatham, 2001; Nair et al, 2016).…”

“…The research was able to capture both the emergent and the deliberate aspects of the strategy and contributes toward the theorization of supply networks as Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) (Choi, Dooley, & Rungtusanatham, 2001; Nair et al, 2016). In particular, by helping to resolve the misunderstandings between the focal company and their suppliers about their different understandings of sustainability, the research was able to further elaborate the CAS concept of “schema” within a SC context (Touboulic et al, 2018). Through this research, engaged scholarship was able to contribute toward the general theory of CAS.…”

“…Critical engaged research offers real possibilities for all parties to co‐produce alternative approaches to address the “grand challenges.” This will facilitate the capturing of experiences but also of the multilevel nature of SC phenomena. This in turn provides the opportunity in our theorization efforts of zooming in and out and focusing on certain actors, levels or issues (see e.g., Touboulic et al, 2018). Through this process of contextualization, we can make the boundary conditions of our theories more explicit and our research efforts more inclusive.…”

Knowledge Diffusion in a Global Supply Network: A Network of Practice View

“…These results echo those of other studies. Fear of coopetition is a well‐established barrier to supplier–supplier collaboration (Pathak et al, ), with suppliers often being suspicious when a buying firm requests them to collaborate with competing suppliers (Choi & Wu, ; Touboulic et al, ). However, our research adds new insights into why suppliers resist collaboration.…”