Connectivity is key: holistic sustainability assessment and reporting from the perspective of food manufacturers
ISSN: 0007-070X
Article publication date: 11 August 2021
Issue publication date: 30 September 2021
Abstract
Purpose
As members of the food supply chain, food manufacturers acquire power and hold responsibility for the sustainable transformation of our food systems. Sustainability assessment and reporting frameworks function as instruments to shape sustainable transformation processes. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the suitability for food manufacturing companies and their connectivity with the up- and downstream food supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
The first section of the study explores the need for holistic, company-based sustainability frameworks in the food manufacturing sector from the literature. The second part compares seven frameworks, in terms of content and supply chain connectivity.
Findings
Food sector specificity demands the inclusion of topics specific to food systems. Furthermore, none of the investigated frameworks fulfil both food sector specificity and full connectivity with the up- and downstream supply chain.
Research limitations/implications
As a limitation to this work, comparison of the frameworks at topic level instead of indicator level is considered. The findings call for more harmonised and integrated sustainability assessment throughout the food supply chain.
Practical implications
The framework a food manufacturer should apply depends on their motivation behind conducting the sustainability assessment and reporting. Evidence is provided from various perspectives and with regard to key issues such as content, certification and communication.
Originality/value
No comparison between sustainability frameworks has been made yet from the supply chain perspective of food manufacturers.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the German-Danish Interreg project “Positively Produced” (funded by the European Regional Development Fund) by initiating a first comparison of frameworks which was the basis for our further research.
Citation
Küchler, R. and Herzig, C. (2021), "Connectivity is key: holistic sustainability assessment and reporting from the perspective of food manufacturers", British Food Journal, Vol. 123 No. 9, pp. 3154-3171. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-03-2021-0317
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited