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Sufficiency Business Strategies in the Food Industry—The Case of Oatly

Author

Listed:
  • Nancy Bocken

    (The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE), Lund University, PO Box 196, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Lisa Smeke Morales

    (The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE), Lund University, PO Box 196, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Matthias Lehner

    (The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE), Lund University, PO Box 196, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

Food is an essential part of our daily lives, but simultaneously, it is a major contributor to environmental issues. The growing world population and changing diets are expected to further exacerbate the negative impact of food production and consumption. This article explores how sufficiency business strategies, focused on moderating consumption levels, can be implemented in the food industry to curb demand and thereby overall resource consumption. First, a literature and practice review are conducted to create a conceptual framework for sufficiency business strategies in the food industry. Second, a case study approach is taken to explore the application of sufficiency strategies at Oatly, a company offering plant-based alternatives to dairy. Semi-structured interviews and review of the company’s sustainability reports are used as key data sources for the case study. This study contributes to research and practice with a novel framework for business sufficiency strategies in the food industry. Although sufficiency implies consumption moderation, it is suggested that when a company substitutes the consumption of a less sustainable option, growth could be desirable. Future research can expand on viable sufficiency strategies for the private sector, but also strategies to engage different stakeholders, such as government, society, and academia, to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable food system.

Suggested Citation

  • Nancy Bocken & Lisa Smeke Morales & Matthias Lehner, 2020. "Sufficiency Business Strategies in the Food Industry—The Case of Oatly," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:824-:d:311994
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Leopizzi, Rossella & Palmi, Pamela & Di Cagno, Pierluca, 2023. "Sustainability reporting and electric utilities: A bibliometric analysis," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
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    4. Froese, Tobias & Richter, Markus & Hofmann, Florian & Lüdeke-Freund, Florian, 2023. "Degrowth-oriented organisational value creation: A systematic literature review of case studies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    5. Doroteja Vidmar & Marjeta Marolt & Andreja Pucihar, 2021. "Information Technology for Business Sustainability: A Literature Review with Automated Content Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-24, January.
    6. Natália Rohenkohl do Canto & Klaus G. Grunert & Marcia Dutra De Barcellos, 2021. "Circular Food Behaviors: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-27, February.

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