The Impact of Downstream Network Subgroups on Collaboration and Performance: A Survey of Buyer-Supplier Relationships in the Dutch Flower Sector

In this paper, we aim to identify those network subgroups that enhance the collaborative governance in a focal buyer-supplier relationship. We argue, that partners in a focal buyer-supplier relationship can be seen as embedded in a broader network of business relationships with network subgroups, (e.g. other buyers, buyers customers), which provide information that can support the collaborative governance, assessed by flexibility, joint planning and joint problem solving, by lowering the level of information asymmetry between the partners. Empirical evidence was gathered through a mailed questionnaire returned by 175 Dutch suppliers of potted plants and flowers. Our results show the importance of the information provided by the network subgroups to manage the focal buyer-supplier relationships and ultimately the impact on performance. Interestingly, although five network subgroups were mentioned in the questionnaire, suppliers only obtained reliable information for their focal relationship from the downstream subgroups of other buyers (i.e. merchant-distributors) and buyer's customers (i.e. supermarkets and flower shops). In order to avoid redundancy, managers in seeking information in their business network should not consider the network as a whole, but rather the downstream subgroups.Industrial Organization,

Kansen en belemmeringen in duurzame ketenvorming; Primair bedrijf in ketens?

In agricultural chains in the Netherlands, there are many initiatives to produce more sustainably. However, the growth of these chains is proceeding more slowly than is socially desirable. On the basis of nine case studies of niche products, this study attempts to provide an insight into where the obstacles to the growth of such chains lie. In addition, we examine the role of the chain parties and others (for example, the government) in removing these obstacles. In de Nederlandse landbouw zijn diverse initiatieven om in ketenverband duur& zamer te produceren. Echter, de groei van deze ketens is minder snel dan maatschappelijk gewenst is. Dit onderzoek wil op basis van negen cases van ni& cheproducten inzichtelijk maken waar de groeibelemmeringen in deze ketens zitten. Ook wordt ingegaan op de rol van de ketenpartijen en anderen (bijvoor& beeld de overheid) bij het oplossen van deze belemmeringen.Chains Dutch Agriculture, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management,

ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: USING LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT TO STRUCTURE SUPPLY CHAINS

In recent years increasing attention has been given to environmental supply chain management (ESCM). One of the supporting instruments of ESCM is life cycle assessment (LCA). The idea of integrating LCA into supply chains is gaining more support among research institutes and companies. However, we conclude that there are no guidelines for this integration. In this paper we argue that inline with a differentiation between environmental care chain strategies and environmental chain performances, a differentiation between types of LCAs should be made; i.e., between compliance-, process- and market-oriented LCAs. To execute these different types of LCAs, the chain structure should be attuned to meet the specific requirements of these types. By discussing case studies, we show that the integration of the different types of LCAs in a chain bring about different chain structures

ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: USING LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT TO STRUCTURE SUPPLY CHAINS

In recent years increasing attention has been given to environmental supply chain management (ESCM). One of the supporting instruments of ESCM is life cycle assessment (LCA). The idea of integrating LCA into supply chains is gaining more support among research institutes and companies. However, we conclude that there are no guidelines for this integration. In this paper we argue that inline with a differentiation between environmental care chain strategies and environmental chain performances, a differentiation between types of LCAs should be made; i.e., between compliance-, process- and market-oriented LCAs. To execute these different types of LCAs, the chain structure should be attuned to meet the specific requirements of these types. By discussing case studies, we show that the integration of the different types of LCAs in a chain bring about different chain structures.Environmental Economics and Policy, Industrial Organization,

Kansen en belemmeringen in duurzame ketenvorming; Primair bedrijf in ketens?

In agricultural chains in the Netherlands, there are many initiatives to produce more sustainably. However, the growth of these chains is proceeding more slowly than is socially desirable. On the basis of nine case studies of niche products, this study attempts to provide an insight into where the obstacles to the growth of such chains lie. In addition, we examine the role of the chain parties and others (for example, the government) in removing these obstacles. In de Nederlandse landbouw zijn diverse initiatieven om in ketenverband duur& zamer te produceren. Echter, de groei van deze ketens is minder snel dan maatschappelijk gewenst is. Dit onderzoek wil op basis van negen cases van ni& cheproducten inzichtelijk maken waar de groeibelemmeringen in deze ketens zitten. Ook wordt ingegaan op de rol van de ketenpartijen en anderen (bijvoor& beeld de overheid) bij het oplossen van deze belemmeringen

The Impact of Downstream Network Subgroups on Collaboration and Performance: A Survey of Buyer-Supplier Relationships in the Dutch Flower Sector

In this paper, we aim to identify those network subgroups that enhance the collaborative governance in a focal buyer-supplier relationship. We argue, that partners in a focal buyer-supplier relationship can be seen as embedded in a broader network of business relationships with network subgroups, (e.g. other buyers, buyers customers), which provide information that can support the collaborative governance, assessed by flexibility, joint planning and joint problem solving, by lowering the level of information asymmetry between the partners. Empirical evidence was gathered through a mailed questionnaire returned by 175 Dutch suppliers of potted plants and flowers. Our results show the importance of the information provided by the network subgroups to manage the focal buyer-supplier relationships and ultimately the impact on performance. Interestingly, although five network subgroups were mentioned in the questionnaire, suppliers only obtained reliable information for their focal relationship from the downstream subgroups of other buyers (i.e. merchant-distributors) and buyer's customers (i.e. supermarkets and flower shops). In order to avoid redundancy, managers in seeking information in their business network should not consider the network as a whole, but rather the downstream subgroups