Expert opinion input review – digital ecosystem development
| A review of extant literature, operational data and cross-case analysis of industrial interviews suggest that the global COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes to the UK food provision and sector operations The synthesis of primary evidence explores existing themes and practices concerning digital platform operation while extending this outlook to broader issues and a more extensive understanding of the wider ecosystem. The expert opinion input will serve to expand upon current knowledge and findings relating to the UK/developed economies in the areas mentioned below Since digital ecosystems integrate several dimensions and stakeholders other than suppliers/partners, food providers (i.e. platform organisations) and consumers, the synthesis of evidence will further extend attention to more institutional, technological and regulatory development in digital ecosystems The experts’ interview protocol is divided into four sections focusing on different but related themes, namely, A. Digital food platform evolution B. Supply chain resilience C. Food sector regulation D. Food supply chain restructuring and transformation | |
| A. Digital food platform evolution Digital e-commerce platforms provide new opportunities for mediating supply and demand, which is particularly important during supply network disruption. Initial case results suggest the following key factors in their development: | |
| • Process and resource flexibility (supplier base and resource provisioning) • Disruption-driven process change • Food waste reduction | • Firm-level adaptability and responsiveness • Supply-demand mediation (product offerings, bidirectional data flow and consumer experience) |
| 1. To what extent would you agree with the importance of the above factors? Please elaborate and reference any other key factors you may think relevant 2. Analysis suggests several positive and negative consequences of digital platform implementation in e-commerce food supply chains. Please elaborate on these and/or other key sector challenges: 1) Food safety/regulation 2) Food availability and access 3) Food waste | |
| B. Supply chain resilience 3. Which aspects of digital platform implementation relating to supply chain resilience would you expect to be of most benefit and/or detriment for effective and efficient operation during times of disruption (e.g. service times, inventory and food waste reduction)? 4. What technological and/or management process innovations could better support supply chain agility and responsiveness of digital platforms amidst supply chain shocks? | |
| C. Food sector regulation 5. How may current regulations and policy support/hinder digital platform food operations? 6. What are the opportunities for collaboration between food supply chain actors, the UK food regulators and policymakers to accelerate development and leverage sustainable food provision? | |
| D. Food supply chain restructuring and transformation 7. How would you describe the investments and assets needed for the operation and performance of digital platforms in the future? 8. What are the provisional and/or long-term transformations triggered by external disruptions (i.e. COVID-19)? How might these be leveraged for future sustainable operations? | |
| A review of extant literature, operational data and cross-case analysis of industrial interviews suggest that the global COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes to the UK food provision and sector operations | |
| • Process and resource flexibility (supplier base and resource provisioning) | • Firm-level adaptability and responsiveness |
| 1. To what extent would you agree with the importance of the above factors? Please elaborate and reference any other key factors you may think relevant | |