Den svenska dagligvaruhandeln kännetecknas av en hög koncentrationsnivå. Fem aktörer – ICA Sverige AB, Coop Sverige AB, Axfood AB, Lidl KB och City Gross AB – har tillsammans en marknadsandel som uppgår till ungefär 98 procent, varav ICAs andel utgör cirka 50 procent. Denna dominans av ett fåtal aktörer inom dagligvaruhandeln blir väldigt tydligt när man befinner sig utanför storstadsområden. I flera kommuner finns exempelvis bara två av de fem största dagligvaruaktörerna etablerade.

Denna rapport har haft till syfte att beskriva andra alternativ till de traditionella etablerade aktörerna och undersöka vilka fördelar och nackdelar de har. Rapporten har fokuserat på alternativa distributionskanaler (ADK) som kan beskrivas som ett nätverk av producenter, konsumenter och andra aktörer som utgör alternativ till de traditionella distributionskanalerna (TDK) för livsmedel. ADK innebär ett mer direkt och skräddarsytt sätt att få maten från jord till bord, vilken skiljer från TDK. Rapporten har initialt definierat och beskrivit begreppet ADK, tittat på olika aktörer och vilka former dessa distributionskanaler tar sig på den svenska livsmedelsmarknaden. Fokus har även varit att undersöka hur dessa aktörer konkurrerar både utifrån ett producent- och konsumentperspektiv.

Förutom att producenter och konsumenter kan hitta nya vägar att nå varandra så är det även viktigt ur ett samhälleligt försörjnings- och beredskapsperspektiv att öka kunskapen om vilka alternativ som finns till den traditionella livsmedelsförsörjningen. Dagens globala och sammankopplade livsmedelssystem är sårbara för extern påverkan, vilket på senare tid har blivit tydligt via Covid-19 pandemin och Ukraina-kriget. För att uppnå den resiliens och självförsörjningsgrad som flera regioner eftersträvar, kan ett komplement till de traditionella distributionskanalerna för livsmedel vara just alternativa former av livsmedelsdistribution.

Inom ramen för denna rapport har det genomförts en genomgång av tillgänglig litteratur inom området samt en studie med intervjuer och enkäter som datainsamlingsverktyg. Den valda geografiska kontexten för fallstudien är Småland och Jönköpings län i Sverige. Genom litteraturstudien framkom det bland annat att den historiska utvecklingen i Sverige har bidragit till att öka andelen och utbudet av ekologiska produkter, koppling till hållbarhet och tekniska innovation inom ADK. Litteraturstudien gav även en bra grund för att utveckla och definiera begrepp relaterade till ADK:er och utveckla en ny typologi för att beskriva dessa ADK:er. Den framtagna typologin av ADK:er är baserat på vilken typ av aktör som är involverade samt hur interaktionen med de centrala aktörerna och konsumenterna sker. Typologin användes sedan för att analysera den data som samlades in.

ADK:er har fördelar över TDK när det gäller att erbjuda lokala varor och tillhandahålla god kvalitet på maten (färskhet). Dessutom bidrar ADK:er till ökade interaktionen mellan livsmedelsproducenten och konsumenter, bättre kontakt med naturen, och att sälja/köpa den historia som följer med produkten. Dock sker majoriteten av konsumenternas köp fortfarande via TDK på grund av kostnad, utbud och bekvämlighet.

De största utmaningarna för ADK:er har under perioden 2018–2023 varit logistik (infrastruktur), energipriser, brist på marknadsföringskanaler och (extrem)väder. Yttre omständligheter som pandemin har påverkat ADK:erna, både positivt och negativt. Konjunkturläget med inflation, i följd av bland annat pandemin och kriget i Ukraina, hade inte gett någon observerbar och betydande påverkan på ADK:erna när rapporten genomfördes. Detta behöver därför undersökas ytterligare och under en längre period, då andra studier, såsom ”Matkronan” visat på en stor påverkan på livsmedelsproducenternas inkomster.

Denna rapport har specifikt undersökt förmågan hos ADK:er att kunna konkurrera med TDK:er för livsmedelsförsörjning i Jönköpingsregionen. Resultaten visar att ADK:er inte konkurrerar på ett avgörande sätt med de etablerade dagligvarukedjorna utan ska mer ses som ett nischat produkt- och försäljningsalternativ för både producenter och konsumenter. Denna rapport ger inte tillräckliga underlag för att kunna dra konkreta slutsatser kring hur förekomsten av ADK påverkar svenska konsumenter men även Sverige på ett mer generellt sätt (exempelvis tillgänglighet till livsmedel). De positiva effekterna är bland annat ökat utbud och efterfrågan på lokala produkter och hemleveranser. 

Given the pressure on the earth resources, transition to circular economy is the aspirational objective for most businesses. Most studies focus on the benefit of the circular economy. In this study we play the devil’s advocate and try to understand the dark side of this crusade. The objective behind this is to understand the negative externalities and to address them.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate whether a combined Lean Six Sigma (L6S) philosophy can help to improve agility on supply chain and companies. Individual organizations cannot get agility, until they invest in their supply chain’s agility. Agile Supply Chain is recognized as very difficult to achieve in practice, and use of Lean Six Sigma Philosophy can be one option to get it.

Design/methodology/approach: The research follows the cases study methodology. A theory background is used with the objective of know how the executives and academics see the concept of agility in supply chain (sc) and companies. Furthermore, multiple-case study has been performed, by means of qualitative methods of data collection, such as observations, document analysis and face-to-face interviews with different specialist. Pattern matching is used to compare the empirical result with the predictive one from literature.

Findings: This research demonstrate positively that L6S can help to improve to agility on supply chain and companies. The seven companies included in the study have integrated some tools and methods from both philosophies and all have aligned L6S with good results in agility concept. Also, shows that using L6S philosophy production speed will increase and responsiveness and flexibility will improve combined with a more robust process. It has been indicated that agility implies increased variation, where a Six Sigma approach is useful controlling and monitoring such variations. 

Originality/value: The research point out that a combined Lean Six Sigma philosophy develop the Agile Supply Chain and companies. Lean and Agility philosophies are closely related, and the Lean philosophy may be one stage into the development of agility. Although at the same time, they differ in many respects.

Reshoring manufacturing is a strategic decision because of its cost, implications, and complexity. Existing models have largely focused on cost aspects in reshoring decisions and are considered limited in assisting practitioners in the reshoring decision-making process. Variables like cost and quality have been the most important, whereas environment and sustainability seem not a priority, arguing for the myopic nature of these decisions. Therefore, this study employs system dynamics (SD) to expand practitioners’ mental models for the reshoring decision-making process. To do so, first, variables and heuristics are retrieved from the literature. Next, an industry expert is interviewed to have a practitioner’s input. Finally, a descriptive SD model is built by connecting variables and heuristics. The findings indicate that the behavior of the variables in reshoring decisions is dynamic over time. Furthermore, the variables are inter-linked, resulting in non-linear, multi-caused reshoring decisions. The presented SD model allows incorporating the variables that are sometimes difficult to quantify and provides a holistic view of the variables, their relationships, complexities, and the dynamics involved in the reshoring decision-making process. This study contributes to reshoring literature by using SD perspective in the reshoring decision-making process and proposing an SD model for reshoring decision-making. This study assists practitioners in expanding their mental models regarding the reshoring decision-making process. It is further argued that the proposed SD model may work as a generic steppingstone to further develop company-specific feedback-oriented models to support in their reshoring decision-making processes and to support future research on the topic.

The traditional food supply chains are vulnerable to external shocks, and this has been observable during the pandemic. Alternative food networks (AFNs) is seen as a potentially viable alternative to traditional food supply chains. AFNs encompass practices related to local food supply, involve few actors and promote sustainability. The purpose of this research is to identify strategies for sustainable AFNs, that enable growth and resilience during uncertain times. To achieve the purpose, the SCORE (Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities, Responses, Effectiveness) method is investigated. The main findings include an up-to-date overview of the strengths, challenges, opportunities, responses and effectiveness of AFNs in uncertain environments.

There has been an increasing consumer demand for local and organic food as they are considered to be more sustainable, ecological, and healthier. The 'conventional' long food distribution system is not sufficient to fulfill the current needs. Consequently, short distribution systems for local and organic food have been gaining popularity, which is not only sustainable but also contributes to food security and satisfies local consumer demand. One such short distribution systems are Alternative Food Networks (AFNs). The AFNs have emerged as a promising provisioning system for local and organic food that promotes economical, environmental, and social sustainability and respect for farming tradition. However, the AFNs are facing challenges in increasing the distribution of local and organic food in the long term. The purpose of the paper is to make a review of the existing short food distribution systems for local and organic food and also to propose a research agenda. In order to achieve this, a literature review is conducted and different food distribution channels within AFNs are studied. The challenges for each food distribution channel are identified and then compared to 'conventional' distribution systems. The main finding of the study is a framework of the main challenges of short food distribution channels within AFNs. The practical implication is generic criteria to consider while designing a short food distribution system that closely connects consumers and farmers of local and organic food. The policy implication is to create favorable conditions to encourage short food distribution systems in the long term.

Purpose: Modern supply chains are at risk as a result of increasing disturbance. The use of Lean and Six Sigma’'s values, methods and tools can be one option to analyze, prevent and mitigate risks. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a combined Lean Six Sigma philosophy can support the awareness and management of supply-chain risk.

Design/methodology/approach: The methodology followed in the study is based on a literature review and multiple case study, performed by means of qualitative methods of data collection, such as observations on-site, face-to-face interviews and document analysis. Case selection includes the results of research conducted in seven large Swedish companies.

Findings: It has been indicated that Lean and Six Sigma values, methods and tools can be very effective in companies’ efforts to control the supply-chain risks and that they improve the companies’ ability to handle variability and risk management. Lean Six Sigma supports a risk-management culture in the focal companies, but they must involve customers and companies in the supply chain if they wish to create a risk-management culture in the entire supply chain. In order to do this, they can use the Six Sigma training structure, but they need to include more risk tools and methods developed for the supply chain management. It has also been indicated in the literature that if more people involve in 6S projects, the financial results will be better, and the innovation of processes will increase.

Research limitations/implications: These include suggestions for how the companies can use the Six sigma training structure to collaborate in the supply chain.

Practical implications: This study gives practical suggestions for how the companies in supply chain can collaborate and use the Six Sigma training structure for creating a more holistic view of supply chain, which also decrease risks in supply chain.

Originality/value: This study indicates that Lean Six Sigma supports risk awareness and management in the focal companies of the supply chains, which improves companies’ ability to handle variability and risk management. It has also been demonstrated that the companies should use the Six Sigma framework, especially training, as a foundation, and they should create common projects for better collaboration in the supply chain, which will decrease the risks in the entire supply chain.

The purpose of the case study is to investigate whether a combined Lean Six Sigma philosophy can help to improve collaboration to get more integrated supply chains. The method used was Literature review, multiple case study, face-to-face interviews and observations on-site in seven large swedish companies. It has been indicated that by implementing Lean Six Sigma Philosophy companies could improve business environment and improve collaboration to get integrated supply chains. The paper provides guidance to organizations regarding the applicability and properties of quality philosophies and concepts in logistics.

The edible oil is considered one of the stars products in the cuban national market, as a result of its discharge it demands for the population and for the industries that use it as matter it prevails in its productive process [1]. Since the year 2005 the Supply Chain of Edible Oil has come carrying out investigations with the objective of elevating the levels of service to its final client. Following this purpose is made in this year an association between the Laboratory of Logistics and Management of the Production (LOGESPRO) and the Enterprise of the Oils ECASOL, coordinating entity of the Chain. In the beginnings of the work with ECASOL the emphasis is made in the availability studies of edible oil, and after to the application of the Value Network Model, later is making wider the field of action of the investigations to develop between LOGESPRO and ECASOL. The objective of the present case consists on analyzing the evolutionary development that has suffered the Supply Chain of Edible Oil in CUC with ECASOL like coordinating entity of the same one starting from the achieved association.

El aceite comestible es considerado uno de los productos estrellas en el mercado nacional cubano, debido a su alta demanda en la población y las industrias que lo emplean como materia prima en su proceso productivo [1]. En la Cadena de Suministro de Aceite Comestible se vienen realizando investigaciones desde el año 2005 con el objetivo de elevar los niveles de servicio a su cliente final. Siguiendo este propósito se crea en el propio año una alianza entre el Laboratorio de Logística y Gestión de la Producción (LOGESPRO) y la Empresa Comercializadora de Aceites ECASOL, entidad coordinadora de la Cadena. En los inicios del trabajo con ECASOL se hace énfasis en los estudios de disponibilidad de aceite comestible, pasando posteriormente a la aplicación del Modelo de Redes de Valor y así sucesivamente a un campo de acción cada vez más amplio en el marco de las investigaciones entre LOGESPRO y ECASOL. El objetivo del presente caso consiste en analizar el desarrollo evolutivo que ha sufrido la Cadena de Suministro de Aceite Comestible Comercializado en CUC con ECASOL como ente coordinador de la misma a partir de la alianza lograda.