The management of food distribution networks is receiving more and more attention, both in practice and in the scientific literature. In this paper, we review quantitative operations management approaches to food distribution management, and relate this to challenges faced by the industry. Here, our main focus is on three aspects: food quality, food safety, and sustainability. We discuss the literature on three decision levels: strategic network design, tactical network planning, and operational transportation planning. For each of these, we survey the research contributions, discuss the state of the art, and identify challenges for future research.

https://mediatum.ub.tum.de/doc/1165266/file.pdf

Quality, safety and sustainability in food distribution : A review of quantitative operations management approaches and challenges

The new conceptual framework for food supply chain assessment

Purpose




While it is commonly recognised that Big Data have an immense potential to generate value for business organisations, appropriating value from Big Data and, in particular, Big Data-enabled analytics is still an open issue for many organisations. The purpose of this paper is to develop a maturity model to support organisations in the realisation of the value created by Big Data.




Design/methodology/approach




The maturity model is developed following a qualitative approach based on literature analysis and semi-structured interviews with domain experts. The completeness and usefulness of the model is evaluated qualitatively by practitioners, whereas the applicability of the model is evaluated by Big Data maturity assessments in three real-world organisations.




Findings




The proposed maturity model is considered exhaustive by domain experts and has helped the three assessed organisations to develop a more critical understanding of the next steps to take.




Originality/value




The maturity model integrates existing industry-developed maturity models into one single coherent Big Data maturity model. The proposed model answers the call for research on Big Data to abstract from technical issues to focus on the business implications of Big Data initiatives.

How organisations leverage Big Data: a maturity model

A production planning model to reduce risk and improve operations management

https://backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/files/6441320/SaltiniAkkerman2012_PostPrint.pdf

Testing improvements in the chocolate traceability system: Impact on product recalls and production efficiency

The food industry is under pressure of managing food safety 'from farm to fork'. Food traceability has become an essential task for the food industry in supplying food products with adequate quality and safety assurance. However, it could be a daunting task if the effort on traceability systems is separated from profitable strategies of managing supply chain operations, as traceability will add extra costs for producers and for the food sector as a whole. This paper aims to develop an effective strategy for the integration of traceability initiatives with supply chain operations and create competitive advantages. Two industrial cases are presented to illustrate the proposed applications. It provides the insight into the value of food traceability and its relationship with supply chain management and helps food organisations choose an appropriate traceability solution.

Lulu Li

Papers

Adding value of food traceability to the business: a supply chain management approach