Knowledge sharing in organic food supply chains

Abstract

Despite growing public interest in organic foods, they still represent only a niche market. Identified hindrances to the growth of this market have shifted the research focus to the supply chains as a whole and the information or knowledge flow along them. This study examined knowledge sharing along two Finnish organic food supply chains from farmers at the one end to consumers at the other. The findings revealed that only a small portion of the knowledge needed by the actors along the chain was shared. The unshared knowledge and its partly embedded nature suggest a need for more interaction and open communication among the actors in order to change current practice and the culture within the chain. Horizontal collaboration among actors specialized in organic production might improve knowledge sharing with consumers and help to develop the currently scattered and controversial knowledge base on the potential added value of organic products. The paper emphasises the importance of a whole chain approach and gives suggestions for further research.