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PhD Advisor: Dr Rosario Michel-Villarreal
Organization: University of Leeds
Program: School of Earth and Environment
Author: Delina Fitzsimmons
Date: 28/11/2023
Introduction:
The European Union is witnessing a growing interest in Sustainable Food Supply Chains (SFSCs), yet persistent barriers hinder their efficiency, scalability, and consumer acceptance. This Ph.D. research addresses these challenges by investigating the factors constraining production, upscaling, communication, marketing, and consumer awareness within SFSCs in the European Union.
Objectives:
To identify and analyse the factors limiting production volumes within SFSCs.
To propose innovative strategies for overcoming production and upscaling barriers in SFSCs.
To investigate communication and marketing challenges faced by SFSCs, considering their limited resources.
To explore the impact of seasonality on the range and volume of produce within SFSCs and propose mitigation strategies.
To assess consumer perceptions, preferences, and barriers related to SFSC products and develop educational initiatives for improving awareness.
To evaluate the role of technology, including digital platforms and data analytics, in strengthening the efficiency and competitiveness of SFSCs.
Potential Research Questions:
What innovative strategies can be proposed to overcome the identified production and upscaling barriers within SFSCs?
How can these strategies be tailored to different scales of SFSCs, from small local initiatives to larger regional networks?
How can effective communication and marketing strategies be developed to enhance consumer awareness and acceptance of SFSC products?
How does seasonality affect the range and volume of produce within SFSCs in Europe?
What mitigation strategies can be proposed to address the challenges posed by seasonality and ensure a more consistent supply of products throughout the year?
What are the prevailing consumer perceptions and preferences related to Sustainable Food Supply Chain (SFSC) products in Europe?
What types of educational initiatives can be developed to improve consumer awareness of the benefits of SFSC products?
To what extent can digital platforms and data analytics contribute to strengthening the efficiency and competitiveness of SFSCs in Europe?
What are the key considerations and challenges associated with the integration of technology into SFSCs, and how can these be addressed?
Methodology:
Qualitative Data Collection: qualitative data collection methods will be conductied such as interviews, focus groups, and surveys to gather insights from stakeholders involved in sustainable food supply chains. This approach can help in understanding the perspectives, challenges, and opportunities from the individuals directly involved in the supply chains
Case Studies: To investigate the sustainability of food supply chains, a case study analysis will be employed. This method allows a detailed understanding of sustainable practices and challenges within specific supply chains. To identify areas for further research, a thorough review will be conducted of existing literature on sustainable food supply chains (SFSCs), agricultural supply chains, sustainable agriculture, and related topics.
Literature Review:
Select representative SFSCs in the European Union as case studies. Conduct on-site visits, interviews, and observations to gather in-depth insights into the challenges and successes of these supply chains.
Semi-Structured Interviews:
Conduct semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including farmers, producers, distributors, consumers, policymakers, and representatives from institutions supporting SFSCs.
Surveys:
Design and administer surveys to gather quantitative data on a larger scale, focusing on consumer perceptions, preferences, and potential barriers.
Focus Groups:
Organize focus group discussions involving participants from different sectors of SFSCs to explore diverse perspectives and identify common themes.
Narrative Analysis:
Apply narrative analysis to explore the stories and experiences shared by participants, revealing cultural and personal dimensions of their relationships with SFSCs.
Technology Assessment:
Evaluate the role of technology in strengthening SFSCs, including the impact of digital platforms, data analytics, and other technological solutions.
Expected Contributions:
This research is expected to contribute to the academic understanding of the challenges and opportunities within SFSCs in the European Union. Additionally, it aims to provide practical insights and recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and participants within SFSCs to enhance their efficiency, scalability, and sustainability.
Timeline:
Year 1: Literature review, case selection, and initial data collection.
Year 2: In-depth interviews, surveys, and focus groups.
Year 3: Data analysis, case studies, and technology assessment.
Year 4: Thesis writing, conclusions, and recommendations.
Conclusion:
This Ph.D. research proposes a comprehensive investigation into the barriers faced by SFSCs in the European Union and aims to contribute both theoretically and practically to the field. By employing a mixed-methods approach, it seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities within SFSCs, ultimately offering insights that can foster their viability and scalability.
Context and literature:
- Show awareness of current knowledge and debates
- Review current literature related to your intended project and make reference to key articles and texts to demonstrate understanding of the subject
- Demonstrate your own expertise gained from previous study or employment (resume is attached along with Statement of Intent)
- Explain where there is a gap in current understanding and how your original research can push knowledge forward.
Resilience is defined as the ability of enterprises to cope with changes and shocks out of their control and persist and generate a positive cash flow (FAO, 2013).
Significance of the Study:
The research aims to enhance the existing knowledge of the impact of climate change on food supply chains. By identifying potential threats, evaluating their impacts, identifying hazards, assessing impacts, and exploring policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers. The findings will assist them in taking necessary measures to increase the resilience and sustainability of food supply chains.
Expected Outcomes:
- A detailed analysis of the hazards and impacts of climate change on food supply chains.
- Insights into the adaptation strategies currently employed by different components of food supply chains.
- Recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders to enhance the resilience of food supply chains in the face of climate change.
References:
Aggestam, V., Fleiß, E. and Posch, A. 2017. Scaling-up short food supply chains? A survey study on the drivers behind the intention of food producers. Journal of rural studies. 51, pp.64–72.
FAO. (2013). SAFA sustainability assessment of food and agricultural system guidelines. Version 3.0. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/nr/sustainability_pathways/docs/SAFA_Guidelines_Final_122013.pdf.
Michel-Villarreal, R., Vilalta-Perdomo, E.L. and Hingley, M. 2020. Exploring producers’ motivations and challenges within a farmers’ market. British food journal (Croydon, England). 122(7), pp.2089–2103.
Vittersø, G., Torjusen, H., Laitala, K., Tocco, B., Biasini, B., Csillag, P., de Labarre, M.D., Lecoeur, J.-L., Maj, A., Majewski, E., Malak-Rawlikowska, A., Menozzi, D., Török, Á. and Wavresky, P. 2019. Short Food Supply Chains and their contributions to sustainability: Participants’ views and perceptions from 12 European cases. Sustainability. 11(17), p.4800.