Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) are gaining attention for their potential economic, environmental, and social benefits. However, they remain hindered by their small scale and lack of efficiency. This study explores the digital readiness of SFSC suppliers and assesses the potential impact thereof on the SFSC’s ability to scale up and gain efficiency. Through an embedded case study design, the study findings highlight a lack of digital readiness of SFSC actors. Their focus on personal relationships and internal processes is found to be incongruent with digitalization as an enabler of SFSC performance.
DOCUMENT
From the article: "Abstract Maintenance processes of Dutch housing associations are often still organized in a traditional manner. Contracts are based on lowest price instead of ‘best quality for lowest price’ considering users’ demands. Dutch housing associations acknowledge the need to improve their maintenance processes in order to lower maintenance cost, but are not sure how. In this research, this problem is addressed by investigating different supply chain partnering principles and the role of information management. The main question is “How can the organisation of maintenance processes of Dutch housing associations, in different supply chain partnering principles and the related information management, be improved?” The answer is sought through case study research."
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Expectations are high for digital technologies to address sustainability related challenges. While research into such applications and the twin transformation is growing rapidly, insights in the actual daily practices of digital sustainability within organizations is lacking. This is problematic as the contributions of digital tools to sustainability goals gain shape in organizational practices. To bridge this gap, we develop a theoretical perspective on digital sustainability practices based on practice theory, with an emphasis on the concept of sociomateriality. We argue that connecting meanings related to sustainability with digital technologies is essential to establish beneficial practices. Next, we contend that the meaning of sustainability is contextspecific, which calls for a local meaning making process. Based on our theoretical exploration we develop an empirical research agenda.
MULTIFILE
The DPP4CD project, “Digital Product Passport(s) for Circular Denim: From Pilot to Practice,” focuses on delivering pilot and scalable Digital Product Passports (DPPs) in the circular denim industry. This aligns with the upcoming European Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), making DPPs mandatory for textiles from 2027. A DPP for circular denim should clearly detail material composition, production methods, repair records, and recycling options to meet EU rules like ESPR, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). It combines dynamic lifecycle data into a standard, interoperable system that boosts traceability, cuts SME admin burdens, and supports sustainable, circular practices. Led by Saxion and HvA, the multidisciplinary project is based on a real-world Dutch use case with MUD Jeans, a leader in circular denim. The project combines circular economy principles with existing digital technologies, working with partners such as tex.tracer, Tejidos Royo, bAwear, Denim Deal, MODINT, EuFSI and, GS1 Netherlands. Instead of developing new tools, the project applies scalable technologies (augmented DPP extension) and methods e.g. blockchain, life cycle assessments, and traceability standards to denim supply chains. The project defines legal, environmental, technical, and user requirements for DPPs in circular denim and designs a modular, data-driven, and ESPR-compliant system that integrates offline and online components while ensuring interoperability, affordability, reliability, accountability, and scalability. It develops a data framework for material tracking, supported by interoperable digital solutions to improve data-sharing and transparency. A pilot DPP with MUD Jeans will cover the full lifecycle from production to recycling, enabling scalable DPP. The project aims to address societal challenges related to circularity, ensure scalable and implementable solutions, and create a digital platform where knowledge can be developed, shared, and utilised. By combining circular practices with digital technologies, DPP4CD will help textile businesses transition towards sustainable, transparent, and future-proof supply chains.
Welk probleem wordt er met dit onderzoeksproject geadresseerd en hoe vormt het project de verbinding tussen regionale, nationale en Europese onderzoekszwaartepunten. Hoe kunnen we de gewenste transitie naar een circulaire economie (CE) voor bedrijven versnellen? Welke aanpak is daarvoor nodig? Hoe kunnen innovaties in de bedrijfsvoering en automatisering daarbij ondersteunen? Hoe kan de transitie naar een CE hand in hand gaan met meervoudige waardecreatie in waardeketens en ecosysteemontwikkeling? Hoe realiseren we impact? Dat zijn onze kernvragen! PBL-onderzoek laat zien, dat we de gestelde Klimaatdoelen/CE-transitie niet realiseren zonder drastische maatregelen . Tegelijkertijd heeft het PBL suggesties gedaan om de CE-transitie te versnellen alsook aanbevelingen voor meer dwingende instrumenten. Dat past ook bij op handen zijnde Europese wetgeving die bedrijven verantwoordelijk stelt voor schade die wordt aangebracht aan mens of milieu . De CE-transitie is aldus een maatschappelijke transitie met veel uitdagingen, maar ook met grote kansen voor nieuwe bedrijvigheid, banen, innovatie en exportpotentieel. Doel van ons onderzoeksproject is dat (mkb)bedrijven CE-maatregelen implementeren en deze monitoren. Zo ontstaat een iteratieve cyclus met meten, leren, implementeren en monitoren die de basis vormt voor CE-transities. Deze aanpak leidt tot opbouw van gevalideerde CE-kennis die de basis vormt voor nieuwe/complexe circulariteitsvraagstukken. Opgedane kennis wordt gebruikt voor benchmarks en holistic decision making. Het Klimaatakkoord, energieopgaven, circulair ondernemen en digitalisering, vragen om nieuwe verdienmodellen en andere supply chains. De EC spreekt in dit kader van een dubbele transitie met opgaven waaraan de Europese industrie zal moeten bijdragen; verduurzaming/circulariteit en digitalisering. Deze transities vergen ondernemerslef, investeringen, samenwerking en veerkracht van het mkb om relevant te blijven in (Europese)voortbrengingsketens en mondiale ecosystemen. Circulaire ketens zijn nodig om veerkrachtig en competitief te blijven.
