Agri-food risks and mitigations: a case study of the Brazilian mango

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the main sources of risk and how different members in an international supply chain manage risk, considering contingency effects. A case study was conducted in an international mango supply chain, using multiple-unit embeddedness. Interviews were conducted with the staff of companies that represent four nodes in the mango export supply chain from Brazil to the USA. All interviews were also recorded and transcribed literally in NVivo software, and a coding system was developed based on the literature. The main results indicate that the exchange rate and dependence on a single transport mode are the main sources of risk for the mango supply chain. There are also differences in SCRM concerning the mitigation strategies adopted by the different members. Exporters and importers have better developed mitigation strategies compared to those of logistics operators and suppliers. The main mitigation strategy observed is collaboration.

Keywords:

• Risk management
• disruption
• mitigation
• agri-food
• contingency

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 A GenSet refers to a piece of equipment whose function is to convert the so-called heat capacity into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susana Carla Farias Pereira

Susana C. F. Pereira is an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at Fundação Getulio Vargas, São Paulo, Brazil (FGV-EAESP). She is currently working as Director of FGV Innovation Research Center, Director of OM Division of the Annual Meeting of the National Graduate Association (EnANPAD). She worked as Head of Operations Management Department at FGV and Scientific Coordinator of International Logistics and Operations Management Symposium. Her main research interests are in supply chain innovation, sustainable supply chains, supply chain risk management and resilience. Her research in these fields has been published in top-tier journals such as IJOPM, SCMIJ and IJPR.

Marcia Regina Santiago Scarpin

Marcia R. S. Scarpin got her Ph.D. in 2016 at Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV). Her dissertation was recognized as outstanding and received awards at the 27th Annual Production and Operations Management Society Conference (POMS), and Emerald/EFMD Outstanding Doctoral Research Awards. Dr. Scarpin is professor in operational management and supply chain management, and she was visiting scholar at Indiana University. Today she works as a researcher for the FGV Innovation Research Center and Center for Excellence in Logistics and Supply Chain. Her main research interests are in agro-food supply chain management, risk and mitigations in SCM, buyer-supplier relationship, and operational capabilities.

Josué Ferreira Neto

Josué Ferreira Neto got his Master's degree in Business Administration at Getúlio Vargas Foundation (EAESP/SP) in 2012. He graduated in Agricultural Engineering from State University of Campinas (UNICAMP/SP) in 2006. During his professional life, he has worked in product development for the agriculture industry. Nowadays, he is a Contracts and Procurement Analyst at the Brazilian National Government, São Paulo, Brazil.