The still ongoing processes of consolidation and globalization affect the organizational diversity of the food system in very complex and somehow contradictory ways. The few transnational companies (TNCs) in whose hands the most part of food processing and distribution activities is...

The paper analyses the current differentiation strategies in the market for fresh produce. First a short review of the literature on channel structure and product differentiation is presented, in order to identify, on a theoretical grounding the incentives for differentiation strategies. Second,...

This study aims to understand local food and explore the barriers to development for small innovative food businesses. Research was conducted through depth interviews and a survey in North‐West England. Results indicate that small business success can be subjective and performance dependent on...

Purpose This conceptual paper details the evolution of purchasing research and describes the increasing integration of purchasing with other strategic functions to identify key trends in purchasing practices together with their implications for purchasing research. Design/methodology/approach...

Purpose In reference to the offshore-wind industry, this study aims to show that innovative purchasing and supply management practices can increase both firm- and industry-level performance. This paper also includes a description of the offshore-wind supply chain, which remains understudied in...

In this paper, the focus is on relationship management and its implications for Small‐Medium Enterprise suppliers (SMEs). Specific insights are provided into retailer‐supplier relationships in the UK fresh produce (fruit and vegetable) market. This sector faces a process of concentration in...

Purpose – The principal rationale for this study is to investigate the implications of the introduction of radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging on suppliers. Emphasis concerns the impact it is likely to have on suppliers to the UK grocery retail market. Design/methodology/approach –...