Social sustainability in the food value chain: what is and how to adopt an integrative approach?

Abstract

Despite sustainability is a trending topic in the literature, the analysis of the social dimension in the food industry is almost neglected due to its complexity and the lack of an integrative approach. This research intends to advance on its conceptualization by incorporating multiple insights from stakeholders at various levels of the food value chain. It also aims at analyzing current challenges and problems, its scope and key actors to improve social sustainability initiatives throughout the food value chain. Through a qualitative-exploratory approach by in-depth interviews with high-level authorities, this research explores its scope and implications for the food industry. Findings suggest that sustainability in the food value chain cannot be achieved without considering the social dimension. Social sustainability should include not only human and labor rights but also living conditions, quality of life, food safety, cultural nuances, vulnerable groups and final customers through international agreed instruments. Social sustainability will only be possible with the commitment of all actors and good traceability systems from the seed’s recollection to final distribution. Actually, the Sustainable Developments Goals can become a good starting point to involve local, national and international government levels on a joint effort with other actors beyond the industry, always considering the specificities of the region under analysis.

Conceptualization of the Norwegian feed system of farmed Atlantic salmon

“…The FSA divides socio-economic drivers into five categories, market, policies, and technology, social organizations and individual factors (Van Berkum et al, 2018). Toussaint et al (2022) state that social sustainability, in terms of human and labor rights, living conditions and life quality, among other things, are essential to achieve a sustainable food system. Thus, socio-economic drivers can influence, and at the same time be influenced by, the food system as a whole or specific value chains.…”

Challenges on blue food provision

“…Achieving social sustainability requires the commitment of all stakeholders and robust traceability systems. The UN's SDGs serve as a starting point to involve local, national, and international government levels, in a joint effort with various actors, always considering the specificities of each region (Toussaint et al, 2022). Fishing and aquaculture are essential economic activities, providing a source of livelihood for millions of people worldwide.…”

How do food supply chain performance measures contribute to sustainable corporate performance during disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic emergency?

“…The concept of the SC is quite complex; especially, the food SC is more complicated because it involves many actors along the food value chain (Toussaint et al. , 2022) and requires more conditions than others because of its perishability (Kumar et al.…”

“…The concept of the SC is quite complex; especially, the food SC is more complicated because it involves many actors along the food value chain (Toussaint et al, 2022) and requires more conditions than others because of its perishability (Kumar et al, 2022). SC involves all processes and activities of the agents involved in the SC, from the primary production stage to the consumption stage and its vulnerability to fluctuations (Davis et al, 2021).…”