Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/18620
Appears in Collections:Marketing and Retail Journal Articles
Peer Review Status: Refereed
Title: Firm size and sustainable performance in food supply chains: Insights from Greek SMEs
Author(s): Bourlakis, Michael
Maglaras, George
Aktas, Emel
Gallear, David
Fotopoulos, Christos
Contact Email: george.maglaras@stir.ac.uk
Keywords: Sustainable performance measurement
Food supply chain
Micro
Small and medium-sized enterprises
Firm size
Greece
Issue Date: Jun-2014
Date Deposited: 18-Feb-2014
Citation: Bourlakis M, Maglaras G, Aktas E, Gallear D & Fotopoulos C (2014) Firm size and sustainable performance in food supply chains: Insights from Greek SMEs. International Journal of Production Economics, 152, pp. 112-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2013.12.029
Abstract: This paper analyses sustainable performance differences within the Greek food supply chain and provides numerous statistical comparisons of its key members (growers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers) with respect to firm size. In an attempt to fill a gap in the relevant literature, we examined micro, small and medium-sized firms against a set of sustainable performance measures and we employed survey research using a sample of 997 firms operating in the Greek food supply chain. Key informants evaluated their firms based on sustainable performance measures (consumption, flexibility, responsiveness, product quality and total supply chain performance). The results were analysed using ANOVA. The findings identify the Greek food supply chain members who over-perform or underperform in relation to size. These include small growers, wholesalers, retailers, medium-sized manufacturers and wholesalers, micro manufacturers and retailers. Specific reasons are provided for these sustainability performance differentials including the role of locality as well as the asset and resource intensity of some operations (e.g. manufacturing). Another key finding relates to small firms which are the top performers in terms of sustainability performance measures especially in the areas of flexibility and responsiveness. Members of this chain also underperform in the product conservation time measure, irrespective of size, and we highlight the urgent need for this to be addressed. Findings of this paper will prove useful for food SMEs and policymakers planning to introduce specific sustainability incentives related to firm size and to the food chain.
DOI Link: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2013.12.029
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