Lean thinking in the UK red meat industry: A systems and contingency approach

Food Value Chain Analysis (FVCA) based on the lean paradigm is being applied to eight value chains in the UK red meat industry. This paper is based on the forth chain involving a value added pork for a major retailer. Systems theory is used to evaluate FVCA based on four sub-systems-goals and values, logistics, human resources and management structure. The results show a positive potential logistics benefits along the chain, but identified two key implementation issues; inter-company alignment of other sub-systems and chain organisational stability through time.