The influence of trust for sustainable agri-food production: empirical evidence of a mariculturist supply chain in Southern Brazil
ISSN: 0007-070X
Article publication date: 30 October 2023
Issue publication date: 14 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this work is to study the relationships of trust in a local agri-food supply chain in Southern Brazil. In an unsustainable context, where the number of mariculturists is decreasing, the authors seek to identify what the factors are and how they contribute to this problem, as well as find solutions aimed at the sustainability of that chain.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors carried out qualitative research with 15 semi-structured interviews that took place in the year 2021. The thematic analysis of the results applied the IRAMUTEQ software and the assessment of the narratives was guided by prior thematic analysis.
Findings
The supply chain under investigation requires better organisation. Communication and interpersonal trust proved important in the relationship between producers and control bodies. The university, as a seed supplier, needs predictability and efficiency to convey inter-organisational trust. Informal relationships are interpersonal and extremely trust-based and inter-organisational trust increases the performance of establishments and promotes the development of innovative structures. Furthermore, in crisis periods interpersonal trust increases.
Practical implications
The results allow policymakers to plan better their actions and build more effective tactics in order to reach sustainable development. This work is also important for stakeholders and managers, as it guides improvements in management, governance and sustainability of agri-food supply chains.
Originality/value
An unprecedented research was done on the studied supply chain, knowing the relationships of trust among them, identifying peculiar partnerships and recognising some constructs and outcomes of trust.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of a special section “Promoting Sustainable Food Production: Challenges, Practices, Impacts, and Solutions”, guest edited by Wanglin Ma, Hung-Hao Chang, Victor Owusu, Puneet Vatsa and Hery Toiba.
The authors acknowledge the interviewees for being available to participate in this research.
The authors acknowledge the CFAGE and CETRAD for supporting this research.
The authors thank the editors and reviewers for contributing to the necessary improvements to the article.
The authors are grateful for the work of the proof-reader of this article, Mr Marcel Milcent.
Citation
Assis, M.T.Q.M., Lucas, M.R.D.P.V. and Rainho, M.M. (2023), "The influence of trust for sustainable agri-food production: empirical evidence of a mariculturist supply chain in Southern Brazil", British Food Journal, Vol. 125 No. 12, pp. 4268-4290. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-08-2022-0734
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited