Packaging design model from a supply chain approach

TLDR

The paper proposes an integrated management model for packaging design that addresses a gap in measurement systems for evaluating packaging decisions' impact on supply chain operations. The model, derived from research on packaging and logistics, structures packaging design around four pillars: defining design requirements, establishing an organizational structure, applying best practices, and implementing a control system. The model offers a quantitative tool enabling companies to balance logistics cost savings against packaging differentiation.

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to present an integrated management model for packaging design. Design/methodology/approach This model is the result of research of the concepts of packaging, logistics and “packaging logistics”. With this approach in mind, the design and development of packaging are structured on four basic corner‐stones, i.e. the definition and understanding of design requirements (logistics, marketing and environmental aspects), the definition of an appropriate organizational structure, the application of “best practices”, and, finally, establishing a control system. Findings It was found that the management model developed provides companies with a useful quantitative tool to find the “trade‐off” between the logistics costs reduction and the differentiation capacity linked to packaging. Originality/value The model proposed is designed to fill a gap in the measurement systems for making an evaluation of the detailed impact on the overall operation of the supply chain in certain packaging design decisions.