AN ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE BULLWHIP EFFECT IN THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN

This study, exploratory and descriptive in nature, aims to identify the relevant variables related to the bullwhip effect in the supply chain of the food industry. In the exploratory phase, to collect data in-depth interviews were made with owners and directors of eight supermarket companies in order to learn more about managing the food supply chain. In the descriptive phase, through semi-structured questionnaires, data were collected from a sample of 136 supermarket consumers, 13 wholesalers and 10 manufacturers. Data processed by content analysis (Bardin, 1977), descriptive statistics and nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test, showed: a) price as the main exogenous variable and cause of the bullwhip effect, b) continuous replacement of products as an endogenous variable and amplifier of the bullwhip effect. With these results, it can be concluded that there is no evidence that the bullwhip effect is a variable managed by members of the supply chain in the food industry. Finally, this study contributes by showing empirically, an alternative to the usual theoretical mathematical models and simulations for the analysis of the bullwhip effect.