Search results

Recent geopolitical and economic tensions have caused instabilities in food supply chains (FSCs), affecting their performance and integration. These challenges have significantly impacted the sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes of companies operating in global networks. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding effective strategies for enhancing S&OP processes in response to these supply chain challenges in different sectors. To address this gap, the purpose of this study is to develop and test an integrated maturity model that assists companies in this sector in assessing and improving their execution of S&OP processes in global supply chains.

Through a case study conducted in a multinational food company operating in a global supply chain in Europe, the results shed light on the role of S&OP maturity assessment in guiding focal companies into internal and supply chain decisions.

Findings suggest that the developed model has the potential to enhance the integration among actors in the FSC. Findings provide insights for developing supply chain solutions that align with the functions of the food industry and supply chain dynamism. The study offers actionable insights that address some limitations of the existing empirical literature, which has provided limited support for the role of S&OP activities in facilitating effective integration in FSCs.

The study highlights qualitative benefits associated with S&OP implementation, enabling food industries to establish more realistic expectations regarding the outcomes of S&OP initiatives.

This study enhances the understanding of S&OP maturity phenomena in FSCs and provides practical insights for companies to manage the volatile conditions in this sector’s supply chains.

The paper makes a theoretical contribution by developing and testing an integrated model designed explicitly for FSCs, providing valuable guidance for decision-makers.