MZ 501 Thesis Project Planning inventory donation – Evaluating potential for food retailers in Spain and India by Puneet Agarwal Thesis Advisor Dr. Laura R. Kopczak Date 15/02/2008
Motivation & Research Proposal Motivation: Hard for corporations to justify charitable expenditure in terms of bottom-line benefit Hard for corporations to justify charitable expenditure in terms of bottom-line benefit But, tax deduction can make donating excess inventory a win- win situation But, tax deduction can make donating excess inventory a win- win situation Proposed Research: Analyze benefits and hurdles in donating excess food items for retailers based in India and Spain Analyze benefits and hurdles in donating excess food items for retailers based in India and Spain Research the possibility of planning for donation as a regular activity instead of a spot event with the aim of improving donation efficiency Research the possibility of planning for donation as a regular activity instead of a spot event with the aim of improving donation efficiency
Simplified Raw Food Supply Chain Farms Main Distribution Center Retailers Hungry Man Food Bank
Approach Tax deduction data obtained for Spain and India from personnel. Tax deduction data obtained for Spain and India from personnel. With the help of Aid-matrix and others, contact and try to interview retailers and food banks. Response received from Food bank in Spain. With the help of Aid-matrix and others, contact and try to interview retailers and food banks. Response received from Food bank in Spain. Identify different stages in the food chain, main items donated, motivation for donation and items usually stocked-out. Identify different stages in the food chain, main items donated, motivation for donation and items usually stocked-out. Based on tax savings, analyze if donation of excess inventory is profitable after adjusting for transportation and transaction management costs. Based on tax savings, analyze if donation of excess inventory is profitable after adjusting for transportation and transaction management costs. Compare and contrast findings for Spain and India. Compare and contrast findings for Spain and India.
Progress thus far Obtained tax benefits for Spain and India. Obtained tax benefits for Spain and India. Identified major retailers practicing in-kind donation in Spain. Identified major retailers practicing in-kind donation in Spain. Obtained breakdown of most commonly donated food- items in Europe. Location of retailer plays a vital role in type of food item donated. For e.g. In Barcelona, fish is most commonly donated food item, whereas milk products are most popular when entire Europe is considered. (Source: European Federation of Food Banks) Obtained breakdown of most commonly donated food- items in Europe. Location of retailer plays a vital role in type of food item donated. For e.g. In Barcelona, fish is most commonly donated food item, whereas milk products are most popular when entire Europe is considered. (Source: European Federation of Food Banks) No information from retailers thus far. No information from retailers thus far.
Issues to be addressed Require contacts and interviews with food retailers and NGOs in India to obtain information. Require contacts and interviews with food retailers and NGOs in India to obtain information. Require more contacts and interviews with food retailers in Spain (Currently awaiting response from Carrefour and Caprabo). Require more contacts and interviews with food retailers in Spain (Currently awaiting response from Carrefour and Caprabo).