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Business Model Innovation Crucial for Food Supply Chain Recovery Post COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study conducted by researchers from Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU) has revealed that business model innovation (BMI) is a vital solution for recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and fostering organizational resilience in the food supply chain. The study analyzed 15 companies along the entire food supply chain, and the results show that several capabilities enable companies to innovate their business model and increase organizational resilience. These capabilities are categorized into four phases based on the processual representation of BMIs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the food supply chain worldwide, with business model innovation (BMI) emerging as a viable solution for recovery and organizational resilience.
  • The research identifies four phases of capabilities that enable companies to innovate their business model due to disruption, including adapting to new circumstances, redefining the business model, developing new products and services, and leveraging external resources.
  • The study contributes to the understanding of BMI in the food supply chain and provides empirical evidence on the potential for business recovery through BMI.
  • The capabilities identified in the study can be used by companies to increase their organizational resilience and adapt to future disruptions.
  • The research highlights the importance of BMI for the food industry, particularly in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistics:

  • 15 companies were involved in the multiple-case study approach used in the research.
  • Managers and decision-makers from these companies were interviewed, and their insights were enriched with additional material.
  • The study identified four phases of capabilities that enable companies to innovate their business model due to disruption.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in The International Journal of Logistics Management.
  • The study provides empirical evidence on the potential for business recovery through BMI in the food supply chain.

Sources:

  • Responding To the Covid-19 Pandemic - Catching Up In the Food Industry Through Business Model Innovation. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 2025;36(3):775-793.
  • NewsRx. New Findings in COVID-19 Described from Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU) (Responding To the Covid-19 Pandemic - Catching Up In the Food Industry Through Business Model Innovation). Food Weekly News. May 22, 2025; p 140.

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