| 1. |
- Bosona, Techane, et al.
(författare)
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Animal handling during supply for marketing and operations at an abattoir in developing country: The case of Gudar market and Ambo abattoir, Ethiopia
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Service Science and Management. - : Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.. - 1940-9893 .- 1940-9907. ; 5, s. 59-68
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the agricultural sector, it is important to appropriately develop livestock resources in of developing countries in order to reduce poverty. The aim of this study was to investigate the animal handling and welfare issues during transport for marketing with special focus on cattle flow to and from Gudar livestock market and activity chain of Ambo abattoir in Ethiopia. Information and data on main feeder markets to Gudar regional market; the main stakeholders in this animal supply chain; number of animals flow to and from Gudar market; the distance and time duration the animals transported; animal handling and welfare concerns during transport and at market site; and activities in Ambo abattoir chain were gathered, interpreted and discussed. The study indicated that the flow of cattle to and from Gudar market was by walk- ing which took up to 4 days or by vehicles which took up to 3 h. There were no appropriate vehicle and loading facili- ties and animal handling conditions were poor. From total number of animals supplied to Gudar market about 7.6% died, 6.9% injured and 2.8% was stolen during transport. During transport from Gudar to final destination by walking, about 16% died and 10.7% was injured. The effect of animal number (p = 0.0498) was slightly significant than the effect of travel distance (p = 0.3487) on the occurrence of incidences such as animal death and injuries, at significance level of 0.05. Lameness and injury to bone, muscle, swelling of leg and sickness were widely observed during transportation by walking. Poor market infrastructures; lack of regional abattoir facilities; difficulties in getting timely market information; and lack of well-organized networks between stakeholders were also identified as existing problems compromising the animal welfare and economic benefits. Therefore, further research works concerning animal welfare during animal flow in the supply chain; and impact of abattoir activities on environment and human and animal health should be conducted. Such studies important to improve the economic benefits gained from livestock resources with positive contribution towards efforts of insuring food security and sustainable development
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| 2. |
- Bosona, Techane, et al.
(författare)
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Assessing the Sustainability of Food Retail Business: The Case of Konsum Värmland, Sweden
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Service Science and Management. - : Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.. - 1940-9893 .- 1940-9907. ; 5, s. 373-385
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is public concern that the impacts of food retail business activities need to be recognized and addressed properly. The main objective of this study was to assess the sustainable business management of a cooperative food retail business in Sweden, known as Konsum Värmland (KV). The necessary data and information on history and status of KV, and its practical activities concerning the implementation of sustainable development principles as well as the motivation and challenges encountered during the implementation were gathered via reviewing different documents, research papers and press releases; interviewing decision makers and other personnel in KV and other researchers who have investi- gated KV. The implementation of sustainability initiatives was analyzed in depth mainly based on triple bottom line sustainability theory. The findings indicate that KV has incorporated the sustainability issues into its mission and values. It practically has been implementing sustainability programs in environmental, social and economic dimensions. It pro- vides environmentally friendly and quality food products using its main brands names for local products. The major drives for KV to implement sustainability initiatives are leadership and employees' commitment, organizational core values, and members' and consumers' awareness. On the other hand, the major challenges to such sustainability initia- tives are high price of greener products, high logistics cost and emission due to long winter time, the seasonality of local product, and high cost of large scale investment.
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| 3. |
- Bosona, Techane, et al.
(författare)
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Box-Scheme Based Delivery System of Locally Produced Organic Food: Evaluation of Logistics Performance
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Service Science and Management. - : Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.. - 1940-9893 .- 1940-9907. ; 4, s. 357-367
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The local food systems such as fruit and vegetable box-schemes are gaining new profitable niche markets as the demand for local food is increasing. This paper presents the study made on box-scheme based local food supply system in Sweden, the Roslagslådan network, in which three distributors of locally produced organic food (LPOF) were the main actors. The objective of the study was to investigate the Roslagslådan LPOF supply network and evaluate its logistics performance. The study was based on literature review, interview, field measurement and route simulation and optimisation (in terms of route distance and driving time) analysis. The geographic information system (GIS) software was used to map the locations of the distributing companies and their delivery points (customer locations) while Route LogiX software was used for the simulation and optimisation analyses of routes for collection and distribution of LPOF, mainly vegetables and herb-based products. From the quantified information, the three companies distributed, on average about 134 boxes of LPOF to about 116 delivery points, once in two weeks period mainly during August-October. The distribution via Roslagslådan network was supplemented with other means of selling: on farm sale, open market sales and selling via supermarket. The route optimisation analysis resulted in significant savings in route distance and delivery time. The savings in distance were up to 76%, 23% and 32% for Company-1, Company-2 and Company-3 respectively while the corresponding savings in delivery time were up to 75%, 10% and 16%. This reduction in distance and time led to positive improvement toward the environmental and economical issues enhancing the sustainability of local food systems
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| 4. |
- Bosona, Techane
(författare)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Organic Wheat Cracker Value Chains with and without Nettle Powder as a Natural Additive: A Case of Sweden
- 2024
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Ingår i: Sustainability. - 2071-1050. ; 16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Due to the growing global population and consequent increased demand for food, the global production of cereal crops has increased. Wheat is one of the most important food crops in the world, as its products, e.g., bread and crackers, have served as important sources of nutrition for many years. However, the environmental impacts of wheat-derived food products are not frequently explored. This study presents an environmental impact assessment of organic wheat crackers within the context of Swedish winter wheat production using both primary and literature-based data. A cradle-to-consumer gate life cycle analysis (LCA) approach using the functional unit (FU) of 1 kg of crackers was applied while considering two cracker value chains: (i) without additives and (ii) using nettle powder as a natural additive. Four environmental impact categories-cumulative energy demand (CED), climate change impact (GWP), acidification, and eutrophication-were explored, with a particular focus on CED and GWP. The analysis results indicated that the total CED values were about 13 MJ/FU and 14 MJ/FU for crackers without and with the additive, respectively. Similarly, the total GWP values were 379 g CO2 eq/FU and 464 g CO2 eq/FU, respectively. The post-harvest processing and handling stage was an environmental hot spot in both cases. The introduction of the nettle additive has increased the quantified values of all four of the investigated impact categories. These insights will enable food processors and policy makers to communicate the environmental impacts and make informed decisions to improve the sustainability of wheat crackers. This paper contributes to a database of the environmental impacts of wheat products, specifically LCA data of organic wheat crackers and the LCA method for further LCA studies of snacks and other wheat products with plant-based functional additives.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Bosona, Techane, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluating Logistics Performances of Agricultural Prunings for Energy Production: A Logistics Audit Analysis Approach
- 2018
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Ingår i: Logistics. - : MDPI AG. - 2305-6290. ; 2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The utilization of agricultural prunings as renewable energy sources requires effective and efficient logistics systems. The objective of this paper was to map out logistics activities along the agricultural pruning-to-energy (PtE) value chains. It describes the logistics performances based on the existing and potential pruning biomass supply chains focusing on prunings from fruit tree, vineyards, olive groove, and up-rooted tree branches. A logistics audit analysis approach has been used for detailed assessment of logistics performances. The analysis was based mainly on primary data gathered using a structured data survey format targeting the existing and potential PtE initiatives in Spain, Germany, Denmark, France, and Poland. The analysis considered the major stages of the chain, such as pruning, harvesting, processing (e.g., baling and chipping), storage, transport, and the linkage between the different stages. The paper identified the constraints along the logistics chain and recommended appropriate interventions to promote the marketing of agricultural pruning focusing on the supply of quality bales and chips for renewable energy production, and to increase the sustainability of renewable energy generation from PtE initiatives. The study has indicated that there are economic, social, and environmental benefits of PtE initiatives, as well as opportunities to increase the implementation and sustainability of the system.
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| 7. |
- Bosona, Techane, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of a Smart System for the Optimization of Logistics Performance of a Pruning Biomass Value Chain
- 2018
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Ingår i: Applied Sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-3417. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The paper presents a report on the performance evaluation of a newly developed smart logistics system (SLS). Field tests were conducted in Spain, Germany, and Sweden. The evaluation focused on the performance of a smart box tool (used to capture information during biomass transport) and a web-based information platform (used to monitor the flow of agricultural pruning from farms to end users and associated information flow). The tests were performed following a product usability testing approach, considering both qualitative and quantitative parameters. The detailed performance evaluation included the following: systematic analysis of 41 recordable parameters (stored in a spreadsheet database), analysis of feedback and problems encountered during the tests, and overall quality analysis applying the product quality model adapted from ISO/IEC FDIS 9126-1 standard. The data recording and storage and the capability to support product traceability and supply chain management were found to be very satisfactory, while assembly of smart box components (mainly the associated cables), data transferring intervals, and manageability could be improved. From the data retrieved during test activities, in more than 95% of the parameters within 41 columns, the expected values were displayed correctly. Some errors were observed, which might have been caused mainly by barriers that could hinder proper data recording and transfer from the smart box to the central database. These problems can be counteracted and the performance of the SLS can be improved so that it can be upgraded to be a marketable tool that can promote sustainable biomass-to-energy value chains.
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| 8. |
- Bosona, Techane, et al.
(författare)
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Food traceability as an integral part of logistics management in food and agricultural supply chain
- 2013
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Ingår i: Food Control. - : Elsevier BV. - 0956-7135 .- 1873-7129. ; 33, s. 32-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The contemporary food supply chain (FSC) should adequately provide information that consumers and other concerned bodies need to know such as variety of the food attributes, country of origin, animal welfare, and genetic engineering related issues. For this, effective food traceability system (FTS) is important. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive literature review on food traceability issues. About 74 studies, mainly focusing on food traceability issues and published during 2000–2013, were reviewed. Based on the review results, the definition, driving forces, barriers in developing and implementing FTSs, benefits, traceability technologies, improvements, and performances of FTSs have been identified and discussed. Considering FTS as an integral part of logistics management, new conceptual definition of FTS has been provided. This review has pointed out that the issue of developing effective and full chain FTS is quite complex in nature as it requires a deeper understanding of real processes from different perspectives such as economic, legal, technological, and social issues. Therefore, future researches (recommended here) on traceability should focus on: integration of traceability activities with food logistics activities; technological aspects of FTSs; the linkage between traceability system and food production units; standardization of data capturing and information exchange; awareness creation strategies; continuity of information flow and effective communication of traceability information to consumers and other stakeholders; the linkage between different drivers of FTS; improvement strategies of FTS; and development of performance evaluation frameworks for FTSs.
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| 9. |
- Bosona, Techane, et al.
(författare)
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GIS-Based Analysis of Integrated Food Distribution Network in Local Food Supply Chain
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Business and Management. - : Canadian Center of Science and Education. - 1833-3850 .- 1833-8119. ; 8, s. 13-34
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Local food producers need to integrate within networks of suppliers, distributor, customers and communityrepresentatives in order to increase their competitiveness. The main objective of this study was to evaluate theperformance of an integrated food distribution network (IFDN) in Sweden. Location and route analyses wereconducted using data of 11 producers, 149 customers and one distribution centre (DC). Geographic InformationSystem (GIS) tools and location analysis techniques were utilized. Route analyses were done considering onenon-integrated distribution system (scenario1) and three different integrated distributions systems (scenarios 2, 3and 4). The results of location analysis indicated that the existing DC is located at best position. When comparedto Scenario1, best improvements were gained in scenario3 i.e. up to 64% in number of routes, 53% in number ofvisits, 74% in transport distance and 63% in transport time. As a consequence, the emissions emanated fromvehicles were reduced. The analyses gave insights into main implications of IFDN such as implication forlogistics efficiency; implication for food and service quality; and implication for environmental sustainability oflocal food supply chain.
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| 10. |
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