Addressing Food Waste and Loss in Nigerian Food Supply Chain: Use of Lean Six Sigma and Double-Loop Learning

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore how Double Loop Learning (DLL) and Lean Six Sigma tool (i.e. DMAIC-Defined, Measure, Analysis, Improvement, and Control) can be used to reduce Food Waste and Loss (FWL) in the processing and distribution units of the Food Supply Chain (FSC) in the developing countries. This study is motivated base on the identified research problem of which about one-third of every food produce is wasted yearly, which equates to 1.3 billion tonnes of food throughout the entire food supply chain, with up to 50% of FWL occur at the pre-consumption stage of FSC in the developing countries. The economic values of FWL in Sub-Saharan Africa amount to $230 billion yearly. Therefore, the focus has been on how to reduce the magnitude of FWL at the pre-consumption stage of the FSC in the developing countries while promoting continuous improvement practices. Though technological, environmental, and Supply Chain Strategies (SCS) aimed at reducing FWL are effective in some parts of the world but the effectiveness of those strategies in some countries is hindered by poor supply chain activities. This research adopted a qualitative research method through the use of multiple case study strategies, with the aid of semi-structured interviews, observation, and documents to explore the perception, understanding, and experience of the FSC stakeholders on how DMAIC-DLL can be used to reduce FWL. The findings of this study show that with the DMAIC-DLL framework, the root causes of FWL at the pre-consumption stage were identified. The study found that some Lean tools, employee improvisation, learning practices are some of the strategies that could be used in reducing FWL. The findings suggest that experiential learning, collaborative learning, and on-job training are effective learning mechanisms that could be used to promote learning in the adoption of DMAIC-DLL in the FSC. Therefore, this research contributes towards the ongoing debate on how to reduce FWL as well as the wider debate learning mechanisms that support continuous improvement practices. Future research should explore how DMAIC-DLL can be extended to other settings other than the food industry.