Examination of Short Supply Chains Based on Circular Economy and Sustainability Aspects

Konrád Kiss, Csaba Ruszkai and Katalin Takács-György
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Konrád Kiss: Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Szent István University, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
Csaba Ruszkai: Innoregio Knowledge Centre, Eszterházy Károly University, H-3300 Eger, Hungary

Resources, 2019, vol. 8, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: The sustainability of global food chains and intense agricultural production has become questionable. At the same time, the consumers’ interest in short supply chains (SSCs) and direct sales from producers has increased. SSCs are connected to sustainability by researchers. Their (supposed) positive sustainability attributes are based mostly on extensive production methods and short transport distances. However, from other points of view, the economic and environmental sustainability of the short chains is questionable. Our research aims to cast light on the SSCs’ role in circular economy and sustainability. By deep literature review and content analysis, we determine the sustainability aspects of short (local) chains and their effects related to economy and environment. Short supply chains are connected most widely to circularity and sustainability by the subjects of environmental burden (transport, production method, emission), health, food quality, consumers’ behavior, producer-consumer relationships, and local economy. According to our experience, these factors cannot be generalised across all kinds of short chains. Their circular economic and sustainability features are dependent on their spatial location, type, and individual attitudes of the involved consumers and producers.

Keywords: short supply chains; local food; food waste; environmental burden; consumer behavior; producers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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