Integration and Sustainable Management of the Production Chain (module IV)

Status quo: 30 October, 2008
Co-ordinated by Jacques Trienekens, Wageningen University, The Netherlands

Objectives
Objective of Module IV is to identify and develop tools for integration and efficient sustainable management of a diversified European production and distribution system. Module IV will deliver now approaches, system designs and supportive tools focusing on integrated quality management and logistics and sustainable network optimization, supported by advanced inter-enterprise information systems and connective governance structures. Furthermore, it will pay attention to the connection of process and product innovations with market demands.

Main results obtained so far
The inventory of European pork chains has delivered pork sector descriptions of 7 countries (Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Greece, China, South Africa) and in-depth analysis of 2 specific chains per country, one on the (generic) fresh meat chain and one on a country specific chain (such as Jamon Iberico for Spain). All reports are put on the Q-Porkchains web-site, analysis is ongoing.
State of the art analysis of quality management systems, information systems and governance forms in the European pork sector has been conducted and included in 3 reports. These reports are based on extensive literature study and in-depth analysis of the above-metioned sector and case studies.
A state of the art report on different types of innovations (product, process, organization, marketing) in European pork chains has been produced. It is also based on analysis of the above-mentioned sector and case study. Furthermore, a study has been finalized on critical success factors for innovations, based on extensive literature search and the state of the art analysis.
A state of the art report on logistics and distribution systems in the European pork sector has been delivered. It is based on the analysis of the above-mentioned sector reports and case studies, in-depth study of the North-Western European pork sector and extensive literature search on logistics robustness of pork chains. Furthermore, a literature analysis and a state of the art analysis of environmental profiles in the European pork sector have been delivered.