New Solutions for Old Problems: Exploring Business Model Innovation in Food Sharing Platforms

Food insecurity and food waste are among the main contemporary global challenges facing us. Although problematic for societies over a long period, their greater prominence in the post-pandemic scenario makes the need to find appropriate solutions, at both supply and consumption levels, increasingly urgent. Thus, while not new, there has been a recent surge of interest in these phenomena due to the global crisis of the last decades, policy shifts in international governance, and a greater awareness of the long-term effects of technological and environmental trends. In this scenario, the emergence of food sharing platforms (FSPs) becomes an innovative solution in bringing about the efficient redistribution of surplus food, promising not only to mitigate food waste but also support those needing access to food resources. Despite their strategic importance, the ways these organizations innovate their business model (BM) has found scant attention in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to reveal the patterns and pathways of business model innovation (BMI) in FSP, shedding light on the main operational dynamics and innovation strategies applied by these platforms. To this end, the paper conducts a multiple case study analysis of six distinct FSPs, through semi-structured interviews and extensive online research. The findings contribute to advancing the field of research into BMI and FSPs, filling the gap in studies on the topic. Moreover, from a managerial perspective, the research provides practitioners with knowledge about the best BMI practices in their industry, revealing different strategies to strengthen the role of FSPs in fostering sustainable consumption practices and in promoting social welfare.