Can inter-firm networks alleviate supply chain risks within global food supply chains?

The food supply chain is truly a global supply chain wherein finished products and raw materials are transported across continents to fulfil requirements of consumers. The networks of supply encompass different languages, cultural systems, regulations etc. The entire farmer to end user cycle spans multiple risks and uncertainties which can manifest themselves in form of financial losses to human fatalities. In the past there have been instances of product recalls and food contamination which have had serious consequences as witnessed by the China milk scare, the Sudan1 dye in Worcester sauce and the Tomato salsa recall amongst others. This paper presents a literature study of the issues surrounding these complex and multi-tiered supply chain structures. It also presents a secondary analysis of the literature pertaining to supply chain risks in the food sector. Inter-firm aspects specifically in terms of relationships, trust and governance are analysed and a conceptual model for mitigating risk is derived.