Improving food supply chain resilience: a case study of chicken tikka masala

Abstract

Food supply chain resilience can improve food security in the face of environmental disruptions such as climate change, extreme weather, and disease outbreaks. However, there are many definitions of resilience, and there is still a need to understand its components, barriers and enablers, in order to clarify how businesses and governmental regulators can maintain and enhance resilience. This study seeks to understand how resilience is perceived and operationalised by food chain actors. Resilience strategies in a specific supply chain are investigated, focusing on chicken tikka masala manufactured by a small and medium enterprise (SME). A theoretical framework, based on robustness, recovery, and reorientation, is presented and applied to analyse resilience strategies. The research employs an embedded case study approach comprising surveys, interviews, and a workshop with supply chain actors across three tiers. Thematic analysis reveals that actors prioritise robustness and recovery strategies. However, reorientation strategies, such as long-term adaptability and early warning systems, receive less focus due to perceived investment and capacity constraints, while visibility and collaboration are curtailed in SMEs with limited influence with larger actors. The study highlights key barriers such as fragmented information flows, limited government policy alignment, and challenges of digital technology adoption. Recommendations include the need for policy consultation frameworks that improve policymakers’ understanding of food supply chains and actors’ decision-making processes, and for a strategic vision for the food system that fosters resilience to long-term environmental change.