The contribution of the new Institutional economics in order to avoid opportunistic behaviour in the Packaging supply chain. A business process oriented analysis of the forthcoming german ink ordinance to avoid food safety scares.

Abstract

Purpose – The thesis aims to explain how the theory of New Institutional Economics can be applied to inspire and develop our understanding of the dynamics surrounding the German paper based packaging supply chain (PPSC) behaviours and relationships in view of the future German Ink as well as Mineral Oil Ordinance and its expected European spill over. Design/Methodology – A meticulous survey of the literature is applied. The study underlying this thesis conducted a research design embedding the selection of participants and inducting them into the research processes by pre-tasking, drafting and executing expert interviews as well as obtaining feedback for respondent validation. The interviewees were representatives of the most central actors in the decision-making process. Seventeen senior managing directors or chairperson of industrial packaging associations on national and European level. The research involved five focus groups: systemic industrial associations (n=5), ancillary suppliers of fibre based packaging (n=2), independent or corporate packaging supplier (n=5), food packers or manufactures on international level (n=2) and industry-oriented consultants (n=3). Findings –The author posits that NIE theory provides valuable insights for relationship engineering within supply chains where social, legal and behavioural dynamics dominate. The findings and conclusions of this research foster valuable information and concrete recommendations for PPSC in Germany. The findings have significance for those who administrate as managers and contribute to the rare body of literature relating the law bill of the expected German Ink and Mineral Oil Ordinances in a business process context. Practical Implications – It is a serious and critical job and duty for managers to conclude and mitigate issues in time to come. The set of NIE theories purvey this demand by providing them with useful tools to respond. The recommendations are related to all decision makers and stakeholders to ensure the success of their business processes within the PPSC.