Critical evaluation of the impact of multi- stakeholders’ practices on food waste management in the Garki districts of Abuja, Nigeria– a qualitative study

Ogunbiyi, Victor Oyewumi

Abstract

This research focuses on the main causes of food waste and strategic approaches that can be applied in reducing food service sector waste in the context of the Garki district of Abuja, Nigeria. Food waste (FW) is a global concern which is intricately linked to food safety, food security, and food sustainability. This research applies key theoretical tenets from the perspective of stakeholder theory and practice approach to identify and understand key elements (meaning, competencies, and materiality) of multi-stakeholder practices in engaging with and mitigating food waste in the food service sector. This research study aims to critically evaluate the strategies adopted by multi-stakeholders who are engaged in the provision of food services to manage and address the growing challenges of food waste (FW) in an emerging economy such as Nigeria.
The empirical data were collected using qualitative methods including participant observation in multi-stakeholder focus groups and semi-structured interviews with 32 stakeholders in the food service sector, as well as secondary sources. The intention is to investigate the fundamental causes of waste created in food services, the consequences of food waste in food services, potential techniques for the reduction of food waste, and recommendations for food service sustainability through waste reduction.
The study’s findings demonstrate the significance of collaboration between core and supportive stakeholders of food services, viz. firms (owners, managers, and staff), suppliers, government agencies at both national and local level, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), research organisations, academics, customers, and local residents in the identification of the root causes of waste and its mitigation. In this thesis, the stakeholders and practises are studied. The theoretical contribution of this thesis lies in the distinct insights it provides from a single actor’s perspective to a multi-stakeholder view on FW mitigation, as the majority of the academic work previously carried out focuses on the role of an individual within an organisation to tackle the issue. The study’s practice contribution stems from the understanding that the work provides information both on best practices pertaining to FW management from the perspective of multiple stakeholders in the Garki province and the challenges embedded in internal management practices which arise as a result of external actors’ practices and influence. Overall, this study fills a significant gap by providing a framework which addresses multi-stakeholder interactions within the food service sector in Nigeria.

Citation

Ogunbiyi, V. O. Critical evaluation of the impact of multi- stakeholders’ practices on food waste management in the Garki districts of Abuja, Nigeria– a qualitative study. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4247304

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Mar 21, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 1, 2023
• Keywords: Business
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4247304
• Additional Information: Business School, The University of Hull
• Award Date: 2022-12