Exploring Coordination Mechanisms and Product Characteristics for Food Waste Reduction Principles: A Case Study in Physical Distribution

Abstract: Title: Exploring Coordination Mechanisms and Product Characteristics for Food Waste Reduction Principles: A Case Study in Physical Distribution Author: Zacharias Samuelsson Thesis supervisor: Eva Berg, Faculty of Engineering at Lund University Thesis Purpose: Identify food waste causes in a global distribution network and develop an improvement proposal for minimizing food waste. Method: This study develops a food waste mitigation framework based on a literature review and assess it through a case at a company. The framework combines and explores relationships in coordination mechanisms, product characteristics and food waste reduction strategies. Focus of the study is the wholesale part of a food supply chain and it aims to provide direction for food waste mitigation initiatives in the in the distribution interface between supplier and retailer. Conclusion: The findings categorize two main types of product loss occurring in the distribution stage, these are losses from overstock stemming from produce running old and losses from compliance stemming from goods being unsellable due to policy, damages or regulatory reasons. These types are correlated to a number of both organizational and interorganizational causes. By mapping of the study companies logistics activities and placement in the developed framework the study indicate that product loss mitigation require multiple initiatives at a time, but may be dealt with by picking appropriate focus areas. Four focus areas for reducing food waste at the study company could be identified, these are transparency and traceability, improved quality of deliveries, adapting to disruptions and increased alignment. These four areas differ in the food waste causes they aim to deal with, what coordination mechanisms they utilise and what type of products that are occurring within them. With the taxonomy of food waste causes presented in this study value can be derived by highlighting the challenges of food waste reduction and prioritizing solutions based on weighted importance and applicability. Keywords: Food Waste, Food Waste Mitigation, Food Supply Chain, Food Retailing, Food Waste Mitigation in Distribution