The role of manufacturers in food innovations in Sweden
Beckeman, Märit LU ; Bourlakis, Michael and Olsson, Annika LU
(2013)
In British Food Journal
115(7).
p.953-974
- Abstract
- Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how food manufacturers in Sweden define and view innovations, how they view their role and those of other actors and the interaction/collaboration regarding innovations in the food supply/value chain.
Design/methodology/approach – After an exploratory pre-study with 12 participants, a full study of Swedish manufacturers comprised of representatives from 12 food companies was initiated. In total, 21 interviews were carried out. The majority of the respondents had food industry experience. They initially answered structured questions and thereafter open-ended ones.
Findings – Few, if any, innovations in the Swedish food sector are considered... (More) - Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how food manufacturers in Sweden define and view innovations, how they view their role and those of other actors and the interaction/collaboration regarding innovations in the food supply/value chain.
Design/methodology/approach – After an exploratory pre-study with 12 participants, a full study of Swedish manufacturers comprised of representatives from 12 food companies was initiated. In total, 21 interviews were carried out. The majority of the respondents had food industry experience. They initially answered structured questions and thereafter open-ended ones.
Findings – Few, if any, innovations in the Swedish food sector are considered radical. Many are “invisible” to meet demands for lower cost, shorter orders and sustainability. The food manufacturers seem to develop products in house for consumers and not by working with them or others inside or outside the supply chain; they do not adopt an “open” innovation mindset. There is lack of trust in the chain and limited exchange of information. Some manufacturers pursue horizontal collaboration with other manufacturers abroad.
Research limitations/implications – Innovations and strategies are a competitive edge for a company, so the respondents may not have been completely open.
Practical implications – Manufacturers and the whole supply chain would benefit from an “open innovation” mindset to organise and work differently and build trust.
Originality/value – There is no other published study on innovations and food manufacturers in Sweden. The food sector should embark on collaboration and coopetion and initiate discussions on what can be done to become more innovative. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/3955003
- author
- Beckeman, Märit
LU
; Bourlakis, Michael
and Olsson, Annika
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2013
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Retailers, Food manufacturers, Sweden, Innovation, Food industry, Packaging suppliers, Open innovation, Coopetition, Packaging Logistics
- in
- British Food Journal
- volume
- 115
- issue
- 7
- pages
- 953 - 974
- publisher
- Emerald Group Publishing Limited
- external identifiers
-
- wos:000321478800003
- scopus:84879734481
- ISSN
- 0007-070X
- DOI
- 10.1108/BFJ-09-2010-0164
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- a9bc8b35-32be-45b6-92d7-993f13a65043 (old id 3955003)
- alternative location
- http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=0007-070X&volume=115&issue=7&articleid=17091586&show=html
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 14:20:36
- date last changed
- 2022-03-29 20:24:08
@article{a9bc8b35-32be-45b6-92d7-993f13a65043,
abstract = {{Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how food manufacturers in Sweden define and view innovations, how they view their role and those of other actors and the interaction/collaboration regarding innovations in the food supply/value chain. <br/><br>
<br/><br>
Design/methodology/approach – After an exploratory pre-study with 12 participants, a full study of Swedish manufacturers comprised of representatives from 12 food companies was initiated. In total, 21 interviews were carried out. The majority of the respondents had food industry experience. They initially answered structured questions and thereafter open-ended ones. <br/><br>
<br/><br>
Findings – Few, if any, innovations in the Swedish food sector are considered radical. Many are “invisible” to meet demands for lower cost, shorter orders and sustainability. The food manufacturers seem to develop products in house for consumers and not by working with them or others inside or outside the supply chain; they do not adopt an “open” innovation mindset. There is lack of trust in the chain and limited exchange of information. Some manufacturers pursue horizontal collaboration with other manufacturers abroad. <br/><br>
<br/><br>
Research limitations/implications – Innovations and strategies are a competitive edge for a company, so the respondents may not have been completely open. <br/><br>
<br/><br>
Practical implications – Manufacturers and the whole supply chain would benefit from an “open innovation” mindset to organise and work differently and build trust. <br/><br>
<br/><br>
Originality/value – There is no other published study on innovations and food manufacturers in Sweden. The food sector should embark on collaboration and coopetion and initiate discussions on what can be done to become more innovative.}},
author = {{Beckeman, Märit and Bourlakis, Michael and Olsson, Annika}},
issn = {{0007-070X}},
keywords = {{Retailers; Food manufacturers; Sweden; Innovation; Food industry; Packaging suppliers; Open innovation; Coopetition; Packaging Logistics}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{7}},
pages = {{953--974}},
publisher = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
series = {{British Food Journal}},
title = {{The role of manufacturers in food innovations in Sweden}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-09-2010-0164}},
doi = {{10.1108/BFJ-09-2010-0164}},
volume = {{115}},
year = {{2013}},
}