Kristina Liljestrand

Capturing food logistics : a literature review and research agenda

How to feed the world is a vital question and likewise the importance of food logistics. This paper presents a literature review of the food aspects in logistics research. A total of 159 published papers were identified from 9 logistics and supply chain management journals, whereof 104 focused on food logistics. The papers were categorised into the type of logistics activities studied from the perspective of different food supply chain actors and actor constellations. The papers were also grouped according to which food product characteristics they had highlighted as impacting logistics activities. It was noticed that food products have unique characteristics and that food supply chain actors work in a specific context. Thus, this paper puts forward a comprehensive definition of food logistics: Food logistics analyses logistics activities within a food supply chain context by problematising food product characteristics and by examining the constellation of food supply chain actors.

Using a transport portfolio framework to reduce carbon footprint

Purpose: The purpose is to develop a transport portfolio framework (TPF) and explore its use as a decision support tool for shippers wanting to reduce their transport system in terms of reducing their carbon footprint. Design/methodology/approach: The TPF has been designed on the basis relevant theoretical frameworks in logistics and thereafter tested and further developed by the use of empirical data from a case study. Quantitative methods are used to find patterns in the shipment statistics for import flows obtained from a food retailer and carriers. Findings: The TPF highlights different avenues for decreasing the carbon footprint, by identifying the product flow characteristics that might affect modal split and load factor, and it is believed that these can help shippers’ intent on analysing the largest potential for improvement. This potential is estimated based on how the key variables, modal split and load factor, can be improved. Practical implications: Shippers can use the TPF as a decision support tool in their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint by: structuring complexity, managing data and finding effective solutions. Originality/value: The TPF provides an opportunity to match different approaches for improving the environmental performance with the potential for reducing carbon footprint in shippers’ transportation networks, by taking into account the complexity of logistics network.

Logistics solutions for reducing food waste

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to expand understandings of how logistics can reduce food waste in food supply chains (FSCs). Design/methodology/approach: Using a research framework that associates causes of food waste with logistics solutions, a multiple-case study was conducted in three Swedish FSCs of meat, fruit and vegetables, and ambient products, respectively, and involving industrial producers, wholesalers, and retailers. Data were collected during 19 semistructured interviews and four site visits, and logistics solutions were analysed according to logistics activities, actors involved and their stages in the FSC, and coordination mechanisms. Findings: A joint analysis of nine logistics solutions revealed that to efficiently reduce food waste in FSCs, solutions have been implemented at three stages of FSCs, as well as that those solutions differ in their integration of six logistics activities and four coordination mechanisms. The findings moreover indicate that the solutions are interlinked, thereby implying that coordination is necessary both within solutions as well as among them. Research limitations/implications: The chief limitation is that the potential of the identified logistics solutions is not quantified. Practical implications: The paper makes recommendations for reducing food waste in FSCs by developing new solutions and modifying existing ones. Social implications: The paper suggests ways to reduce significant environmental impacts of food waste. Originality/value: By building upon previous research explaining causes of food waste, this paper focusses on logistics solutions for reducing such waste.