Packaging design for competitiveness. Contextualizing the search and adoption of changes from a sustainable supply chain perspective

Jesus García-Arca; A. Trinidad González-Portela Garrido; J. Carlos Prado-Prado; Iván González-Boubeta

doi:10.4995/ijpme.2022.16659

Authors

Jesus García-Arca Universidade de Vigo
A. Trinidad González-Portela Garrido Universidade de Vigo
J. Carlos Prado-Prado Universidade de Vigo
Iván González-Boubeta Universidade de Vigo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4995/ijpme.2022.16659

Keywords:

Packaging, Logistics, Sustainability, Supply Chain

Abstract

The “Sustainable Packaging Logistics” (SPL) approach seeks sustainable integration of the combined “packaging-product-supply chain” system orientated to increase competitiveness. However, characterizing which changes make it possible to guide such design in each company and supply chain is an aspect that has not been covered in the literature from different supply chain perspectives. The main goal of this paper is to identify and justify the main actions for improvement in SPL, combined with a proposal of methodology for contextualizing, selecting and implementing each of these potential actions, applying the “Action Research” approach. Likewise, this paper illustrates the interest of this methodology with its adoption in four different companies and supply chains. This paper opens up new avenues of applied research in packaging design, generating knowledge that contributes to sustainable and competitive improvement.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Jesus García-Arca, Universidade de Vigo

Grupo de Ingeniería de Organización (GIO)

A. Trinidad González-Portela Garrido, Universidade de Vigo

Grupo de Ingeniería de Organización (GIO)

J. Carlos Prado-Prado, Universidade de Vigo

Grupo de Ingeniería de Organización (GIO)

Iván González-Boubeta, Universidade de Vigo

Grupo de Ingeniería de Organización (GIO)

References

Accorsi, R., Cascini, A., Cholette, S., Manzini, R., & Mora, C. (2014). Economic and environmental assessment of reusable plastic containers: A food catering supply chain case study. International Journal of Production Economics, 152, 88-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2013.12.014

Accorsi, R., Baruffaldi, G., Manzini, R., & Pini, C. (2019). Environmental Impacts of Reusable Transport Items: A Case Study of Pallet Pooling in a Retailer Supply Chain. Sustainability, 11, 3147. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11113147

Accorsi, R., Baruffaldi, G., & Manzini, R. (2020). A closed-loop packaging network design model to foster infinitely reusable and recyclable containers in food industry. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 24, 48-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2020.06.014

Albrecht, S., Brandstetter, P., Beck, T., Fullana-i-Palmer, P., Grönman, K., Baitz, M., & Fischer, M. (2013). An extended life cycle analysis of packaging systems for fruit and vegetable transport in Europe. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 18(8), 1549-1567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-013-0590-4

Azzi, A., Battini, D., Persona, A. & Sgarbossa, F. (2012). Packaging design: general framework and research agenda. Packaging Technology and Science, 25(8), 435-456. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.993

Bertoluci, G., Leroy, Y., & Olsson, A. (2014). Exploring the environmental impacts of olive Packaging solutions for the European food market. Journal of Cleaner Production, 64, 234-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.09.029

Bortolini, M., Galizia, F.G., Mora, C., Bottia, L., & Rosano, M. (2018). Bi-objective de-sign of fresh food supply chain networks with reusable and disposable packaging containers. Journal of Cleaner Production, 184, 375-388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.02.231

Coelho, P.M., Corona, B., ten Klooster, R., & Worrell, E. (2020). Sustainability of reusable packaging-Current situation and trends. Resources, Conservation & Recycling: X, 6, 100037. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcrx.2020.100037

Coughlan, P., Draaijer, D., Godsell, J. & Boer, H. (2016). Operations and supply chain management: The role of academics and practitioners in the development of research and practice. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 36, 1673-1695. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-11-2015-0721

De Koeijer, B., Wever, R. & Henseler, J. (2017a). Realizing product-packaging combinations in circular systems: shaping the research agenda. Packaging Technology and Science, 30(8), 443-460. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2219

De Koeijer, B., De Lange, J. & Wever, R. (2017b). Desired, Perceived, and Achieved Sustainability: Trade-Offs in Strategic and Operational Packaging Development. Sustainability, 9, 1923. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9101923

Faccio M., Gamberi, M., Pilati, P., & Bortolini, F. (2015). Packaging strategy definition for sales kits within an assembly system. International Journal of Production Research, 53,(11), 3288-3305. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2014.975862

Gamez Albán, H.M., Soto Cardona, O.C., Mejía Argueta, C., & Tullio Sarmiento, A. (2015). A cost-efficient method to optimize package size in emerging markets. European Journal of Operational Research, 241(3), 917-926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2014.09.020

García-Arca, J. & Prado-Prado, J.C. (2008): Packaging design model from a supply chain approach". Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 13(5), 375-380). https://doi.org/10.1108/13598540810894960

García-Arca, J., Prado-Prado, J.C. & González-Portela Garrido, A.T. (2014a). Packaging logistics: promoting sustainable efficiency in supply chains. International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, 44(4), 325-346. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-05-2013-0112

García-Arca, J., González-Portela, A. T., & Prado-Prado, J. C. (2014b). Packaging as source of efficient and sustainable advantages in supply chain management. An analysis of briks. International Journal of Production Management and Engineering, 2(1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.4995/ijpme.2014.1860

García-Arca, J., González-Portela Garrido, A.T. & Prado-Prado, J.C. (2017). Sustainable Packaging Logistics. The link between Sustainability and Competitiveness in Supply Chains. Sustainability, 9(7), 1098. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071098

García-Arca, J., Trinidad González-Portela, A. & Carlos Prado-Prado, J. (2019). Organizational best practices in packaging design. An analysis in perfumery and cleaning products. Dirección y Organización, 68, 5-19. https://doi.org/10.37610/dyo.v0i69.547

García-Arca, J., Comesaña-Benavides, J.A., González-Portela Garrido, A.T. & Prado-Prado, J.C. (2020). Rethinking the Box for Sustainable Logistics. Sustainability, 12, 1870. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051870

Garcia-Arca, J., Comesaña-Benavides, J.A., Gonzalez-Portela Garrido, A.T. & Prado-Prado, J. C. (2021a). Methodology for selecting packaging alternatives: an "action research" application in the industrial sector. Central European Journal of Operations Research, 29, 1427-1446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10100-020-00724-3

Garcia-Arca, J., Gonzalez-Portela Garrido, A.T., Prado-Prado, J.C. & González-Romero, I. (2021b). Estructurando el diseño de envases y embalajes para mejorar la sostenibilidad. Evidencias empíricas en el sector de menaje. Dirección y Organización, 7, 60-79. https://doi.org/10.37610/dyo.v0i73.593

Gelici-Zeko, M.M., Lutters, D., Klooster, T.R., & Weijzen, P. L. G. (2012). Studying the influence of packaging design on consumer perceptions (of dairy products) using categorizing and perceptual mapping. Packaging Technology and Science, 26(4), 215-228. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.1977

Grönman, K., Soukka, R., Järvi-Kääriäinen, T., Katajajuuri, J. M., Kuisma, M., Koivupuro, H. K., Ollila, M., Pitkänen, M., Miettinen, O. Silvenius, F., Thun, R., Wessman, H. & Linnanen, L. (2013). Framework for sustainable food packaging design. Packaging Technology and Science, 26(4), 187-200. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.1971

Hellström, D. & Saghir, M. (2007). Packaging and logistics interactions in retail supply chains. Packaging Technology and Science, 20, 197-216. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.754

Hellström, D. & Nilsson, F. (2011): Logistics-driven packaging innovation: A case study at IKEA. International Jounal of Retailing and Distribution Management, 39, 638-657. https://doi.org/10.1108/09590551111159323

Hellström, D.,& Olsson, A (2017). Managing packaging design for sustainable development. Wiley, London. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119151036

Krishna, A., Cian, L., & Aydınoğlu, N. Z. (2017). Sensory aspects of package design. Journal of Retailing, 93(1), 43-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2016.12.002

Kye, D., Lee, J. & Lee, K. (2013). The perceived impact of packaging logistics on the efficiency of freight transportation (EOT). International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistic Management, 43(8), 707-720. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-08-2011-0143

Levi, M., Cortesi, S., Vezzoli, C., & Salvia, G. (2011). A comparative life cycle assess-ment of disposable and reusable packaging for the distribution of Italian fruit and vegetables. Packaging Technology and Science, 24(7), 387-400. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.946

Licciardello, F. (2017). Packaging, blessing in disguise. Review on its diverse contribution to food sustainability. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 65, 32-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2017.05.003

Lindh, H., Williams, H., Olsson, A., & Wikström, F. (2016). Elucidating the Indirect Contributions of Packaging to Sustainable Development: A Terminology of Packaging Functions and Features. Packaging Technology and Science, 29, 225-246. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2197

Lu, S., Yang, L., Liu, W., & Jia, L. (2020). User preference for electronic commerce overpackaging solutions: Implications for cleaner production. Journal of Cleaner Production, 258, 120936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120936

McDonald, C.M. (2016). Integrating packaging and supply chain decisions: Selection of economic handling unit quantities. International Journal of Production Economics, 180, 208-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2016.08.003

Molina-Besch, K. & Pålsson, H. (2020). A simplified environmental evaluation tool for food packaging to support decisionmaking in packaging development. Packaging Technology and Science, 33(4-5), 141-157. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2484

Mumani, A., & Stone, R. (2018). State of the art of user packaging interaction (UPI). Packaging Technology and Science, 31(6), 401-419. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2363

Näslund, D., Kale, R. & Paulraj, A. (2010). Action research in supply chain management-a framework for relevant and rigorous research. Journal of Business Logistics, 31, 331-355. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2158-1592.2010.tb00155.x

Nilsson, F., & Christopher, M. (2018). Rethinking logistics management - towards a strategic mind-set for logistics effectiveness and innovation. Emergence: Complexity and Organization, 20(2), 1-24.

Olander-Roese, M., & Nilsson, F. (2009). Competitive Advantage Through Packaging Design? Propositions for Supply Chain Effectiveness and Efficiency. In DS 58-1: Proceedings of ICED 09, the 17th International Conference on Engineering Design, Vol. 1, Design Processes, Palo Alto, CA, USA, 24.-27.08.

Pålsson, H., Finnsgård, C., & Wänström, C. (2013). Selection of packaging systems in supply chains from a sustainability perspective: the case of Volvo. Packaging Technology and Science, 26(5), 289-310. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.1979

Pålsson. H., & Hellström, D. (2016). Packaging logistics in supply chain practice - current state, trade-offs and improvement potential. International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications, 19(5), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2015.1115472

Pålsson, H., Pettersson, F., & Winslott Hiselius, L. (2017). Energy consumption in e-commerce versus conventional trade channels - Insights into packaging, the last mile, unsold products and product returns. Journal of Cleaner Production, 16, 765-778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.242

Pålsson, H., & Sandberg, E. (2020). Paradoxes in supply chains: a conceptual framework for packed products. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 31(3), 423-442. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-12-2019-0338

Pålsson, H., & Sandberg, E. (2021). Packaging paradoxes in food supply chains: exploring characteristics, underlying reasons and management strategies. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 52(11), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-09-2019-0270

Prado-Prado, J.C., García-Arca, J., Fernández-González, A.J., Mosteiro-Añón, M. (2020). Increasing Competitiveness through the Implementation of Lean Management in Healthcare. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 17, 4981. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17144981

Regattieri A., Santarelli G., Gamberi M., & Mora, C. (2014). A new paradigm for packaging design in web-based commerce. International Journal of Engineering Business Management, 6, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.5772/58825

Regattieri A., Santarelli G., & Piana F. (2019). Packaging Logistics. In: Zijm H., Klumpp M., Regattieri A., Heragu S. (eds) Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Lecture Notes in Logistics (pp. 273-303). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92447-2_13

Rundh, B. (2016). The role of packaging within marketing and value creation", British Food Journal, 118(10), 2491-2511. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-10-2015-0390

Saghir, M. (2002). Packaging Logistics Evaluation in the Swedish Retail Supply Chain, Lund University, Lund.

Seuring, S., & Gold, S. (2012). Conducting content-analysis based literature reviews in supply chain management. Supply Chain Management: an International Journal, 17(5), 544-555. https://doi.org/10.1108/13598541211258609

Sohrabpour, V., Hellström, D., & Jahre, M. (2012). Packaging in developing countries: identifying supply chain needs. Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 2(2), 183- 205. https://doi.org/10.1108/20426741211260750

Sohrabpour, V., Oghazi, P., & Olsson, A. (2016). An Improved Supplier Driven Packaging Design and Development Method for Supply Chain Efficiency. Packaging Technology and Science, 29, 161-173. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2194

Sternberg, H.S., & Denizel, M. (2021). Toward the physical internet-Logistics service modularity and design implications. Journal of Business Logistics, 42(1), 144-166. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbl.12261

Svanes, E., Vold, M., Møller, H., Pettersen, M.K., Larsen, H., & Hanssen, O.J. (2010). Sustainable packaging design: a holistic methodology for packaging design. Packaging Technology and Science, 23(3), 161-175. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.887

Verghese, K. & Lewis, H. (2007). Environmental innovation in industrial packaging: a supply chain approach. International Journal of Production Research, 45(18-19), 4381-440. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207540701450211

Vernuccio, M., Cozzolino, A., & Michelin, I.L. (2010). An exploratory study of marketing, logistics, and ethics in packaging innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management, 13, 333-354. https://doi.org/10.1108/14601061011060157

Wever, R. (2011). Design for volume optimization of packaging for durable goods. Packaging Technology and Science, 24(4), 211-222. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.927

Wever, R. & Vogtländer, J. (2013). Eco-efficient Value Creation: An Alternative Perspective on Packaging and Sustainability. Packaging Technology and Science, 26(4), 229-248. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.1978

Wikström. F., Verghese, K., Auras, R., Olsson, A., Williams, H., Wever, R., Grönman, K., Pettersen, M. K., Møller, H., & Soukka, R. (2019). Packaging Strategies That Save Food: A Research Agenda for 2030. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 23(3), 532-540. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12769

Zhao, C., Johnsson, M., & He, M. (2017). Data mining with clustering algorithms to reduce packaging costs: A case study. Packaging Technology and Science, 30(5), 173-193. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2286