Food supply chain waste reduction for a circular economy in the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study of New Zealand consumers

PurposeFood waste (FW) reduction, of which household wastage comprises a large fraction, has an important role in promoting the circular economy (CE). This study investigates how certain consumer traits impact household FW, particularly in the face of external shocks.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a qualitative and longitudinal study, spanning three periods in New Zealand. A preliminary model is constructed from the outcomes of a survey with 178 participants. Then, the authors carried out 29 semi-structured interviews to refine the preliminary model and adapt it to the analysis of household waste behavior.FindingsDifferent segments of consumers have distinct response patterns in successive lockdowns, and these patterns impact household FW reduction and food supply chain (FSC) management. The key findings include (1) for government, quick responses to quash unhelpful rumors help to reduce public concerns around FSC interruption;(2) for retailers, the pandemic has hastened the growth of online shopping;being able to expand the distribution channel in a short time is a critical issue;and (3) for consumers, the experience of lockdown has different impacts on different groups of consumers. This variation of experience may either enhance or exacerbate FW in households.Originality/valueThis paper complements the existing literature on the FSC and contributes to household FW and CE literature by providing a framework that integrates external impacts, consumer segmentation to reflect on waste management, and the possible applications of the proposed framework.

REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST TWO YEARS FROM AN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT ACADEMIC IN NEW ZEALAND

Olsen reflects on the past two years from an operations management academic in New Zealand. In Feb 2020, she attended the Utah Winter Operations Conference followed by seminar visits to Michigan and Toronto Ontario Canada. It was clear the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning, but the world was still basically business as usual. However, on Mar 25, 2020, New Zealand went into its first major lockdown and switched its COVID-19 strategy from "flatten the curve" to elimination. Borders were closed to all but New Zealand citizens and residents, and those returning had to spend two weeks in managed isolation and quarantine. As operations and supply chain management academics, she suggests the need to be ready to capitalize on this trend to make sure their ideas are widely taught, and continue to publish thought leadership for the business community.