Governance of local food systems: Current research and future directions. (1st March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kang, Hyewon; Roggio, April M.; Luna-Reyes, Luis F.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 338(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03-01
• Subjects: Local food systems -- Governance -- Supply chains -- Collaborative governance; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130626
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Social, economic, and environmental concerns have boosted interest in local food systems as well as alternative or transitional models of food production, distribution, and consumption. Recent studies suggest that more attention is needed to uncover aspects of the governance of these transitional models. In this systematic literature review, we attempt to close this gap by reviewing 55 papers from 2010 to 2020. Using frameworks borrowed from the public administration literature on collaborative governance, we explore the main elements of collaborative governance, including leadership, collaboration processes, starting conditions, and institutional designs. We then suggest opportunities for future research in the study of local food systems. The literature also accounts for key factors that facilitate or make collaboration difficult. Our findings indicate that the local food systems literature is rich in descriptions of actors and alternative institutional designs. However, far less research addresses leadership in local food supply chains and how we should measure outcomes. We conclude with suggestions for further research. Highlights: We explore governance of local food systems through a systematic literature review. Success of collaborations depends on dialogue and trust building in an iterative way. Institutional designs of local food systems are aligned with a consistent set of goals to value local food systems. Measures of these goals as outcomes are practically non-existent in our sample of papers. Our review suggests the need for additional research on the role of leadership in local food systems.