The relationship of firm ownership structure and sustainability performance in agri-food chains: A systematic literature review
Sustainability challenges have led to a growing interest in agri-food sustainability performance and the role of ownership structures in it. Ownership has significant implications by defining how owners reflect their goals and ownership costs into firm objectives, decision time horizons, risk prefer...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772390924000556 |
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| author | Megi Gega Julia Höhler Jos Bijman Alfons G.J.M. Oude Lansink |
| author_facet | Megi Gega Julia Höhler Jos Bijman Alfons G.J.M. Oude Lansink |
| author_sort | Megi Gega |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Sustainability challenges have led to a growing interest in agri-food sustainability performance and the role of ownership structures in it. Ownership has significant implications by defining how owners reflect their goals and ownership costs into firm objectives, decision time horizons, risk preferences, and interactions with supply chain partners. Current literature shows conflicting results on the relationship and a lack of consistent definitions and measurements. Previous reviews have focused on one ownership structure, one sustainability pillar, have not addressed theory application or the context of the agri-food sector. This paper addresses this fragmented literature by providing a systematic assessment of conceptualisations and measures, theories used, linking empirical evidence and theoretical arguments to understand how ownership explains differences in sustainability performance. A systematically rigorous PRISMA methodology utilising thematic and narrative synthesis is applied. The synthesis reveals that ownership can positively affect one area of sustainability but negatively affect another. Theories explain how ownership shapes unique firm characteristics that, in turn influence sustainability performance. Firm goals, capital structure, governance system, and business strategy are significant explanatory factors for sustainability performance. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research to aid comparison between studies and generalisation of conclusions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5d244545aebb4e9b9b44d12cf08f14b3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2772-3909 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain |
| spelling | doaj-art-5d244545aebb4e9b9b44d12cf08f14b32025-08-20T02:52:30ZengElsevierCleaner Logistics and Supply Chain2772-39092024-12-011310019310.1016/j.clscn.2024.100193The relationship of firm ownership structure and sustainability performance in agri-food chains: A systematic literature reviewMegi Gega0Julia Höhler1Jos Bijman2Alfons G.J.M. Oude Lansink3Business Economics Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Hollandseweg 1, Building 201, Wageningen 6706 KN, the Netherlands; Business Management & Organisation Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, (WUR), Hollandseweg 1, Building 201, Wageningen 6706 KN, the Netherlands; Corresponding author at: PhD Candidate at Wageningen University & Research, Business Economics Group, Leeuwenborch, Building 201, Hollandseweg 1, Wageningen 6706 KN, The Netherlands.Business Economics Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Hollandseweg 1, Building 201, Wageningen 6706 KN, the NetherlandsBusiness Management & Organisation Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, (WUR), Hollandseweg 1, Building 201, Wageningen 6706 KN, the NetherlandsBusiness Economics Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Hollandseweg 1, Building 201, Wageningen 6706 KN, the NetherlandsSustainability challenges have led to a growing interest in agri-food sustainability performance and the role of ownership structures in it. Ownership has significant implications by defining how owners reflect their goals and ownership costs into firm objectives, decision time horizons, risk preferences, and interactions with supply chain partners. Current literature shows conflicting results on the relationship and a lack of consistent definitions and measurements. Previous reviews have focused on one ownership structure, one sustainability pillar, have not addressed theory application or the context of the agri-food sector. This paper addresses this fragmented literature by providing a systematic assessment of conceptualisations and measures, theories used, linking empirical evidence and theoretical arguments to understand how ownership explains differences in sustainability performance. A systematically rigorous PRISMA methodology utilising thematic and narrative synthesis is applied. The synthesis reveals that ownership can positively affect one area of sustainability but negatively affect another. Theories explain how ownership shapes unique firm characteristics that, in turn influence sustainability performance. Firm goals, capital structure, governance system, and business strategy are significant explanatory factors for sustainability performance. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research to aid comparison between studies and generalisation of conclusions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772390924000556Agri-foodSustainabilityOwnership structureFamily firmsIOFsCooperatives |
| spellingShingle | Megi Gega Julia Höhler Jos Bijman Alfons G.J.M. Oude Lansink The relationship of firm ownership structure and sustainability performance in agri-food chains: A systematic literature review Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain Agri-food Sustainability Ownership structure Family firms IOFs Cooperatives |
| title | The relationship of firm ownership structure and sustainability performance in agri-food chains: A systematic literature review |
| title_full | The relationship of firm ownership structure and sustainability performance in agri-food chains: A systematic literature review |
| title_fullStr | The relationship of firm ownership structure and sustainability performance in agri-food chains: A systematic literature review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The relationship of firm ownership structure and sustainability performance in agri-food chains: A systematic literature review |
| title_short | The relationship of firm ownership structure and sustainability performance in agri-food chains: A systematic literature review |
| title_sort | relationship of firm ownership structure and sustainability performance in agri food chains a systematic literature review |
| topic | Agri-food Sustainability Ownership structure Family firms IOFs Cooperatives |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772390924000556 |
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