Wholesalers perspectives on mango supply chain efficiency in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saurav Negi ◽  
Neeraj Anand

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors and most significant reasons leading to supply chain inefficiency with respect to high cost, high lead time and poor quality at wholesale stage of mango supply chain in India, and also to find out the measures which may be taken to improve supply chain efficiency. Design/methodology/approach The paper opted for an exploratory study using the quantitative and qualitative method of research. The study was conducted at Asia’s largest and world’s second largest fruits and vegetable wholesale market (Mandi) in Azadpur, Delhi. Factors have been identified using factor analysis and the measures to improve supply chain efficiency in fruits sector have been found out through semi-structured interviews with agri- and food-supply chain experts. Findings Based on the factor analysis, three factors were identified for high cost, namely, operational charges, labour and resources; four factors were identified for high lead time, namely, operational issues, labour, resources and infrastructure; and four factors were identified for poor quality, namely, operational issues, infrastructure, resources and poor ambience. It was also found that operational factor is the most significant factor leading to supply chain inefficiency. The study also highlighted the measures for improving supply chain efficiency based on the outcome of the interviews. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to the wholesale stage of fruit supply chain with the focus on Azadpur Mandi, Delhi, India, with specific reference to mango. Also, the measures have been identified for only the most significant reasons under each factor leading to supply chain inefficiency with respect to cost, time and quality. Originality/value There is a dearth of literature on improving the supply chain efficiency pertaining to the wholesale stage of fruits and vegetable sector in India. This paper tries to fulfil the gap and contributed to the literature on agriculture supply chain, which may be helpful for the researchers as well as the practitioners to improve food supply chain pertaining to developing countries.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-139
Author(s):  
Saurav Negi ◽  
Shantanu Trivedi

PurposeThis study explores the factors that impact the quality of fresh produce in the transportation phase of the supply chain and the mitigation framework for improving the quality to curb the losses.Design/methodology/approachThis study aimed for an exploratory analysis using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Using a questionnaire with responses from 172 transporters from the Uttar Pradesh region, India, primary data were gathered through a survey. Factors were identified using factor analysis and mitigation strategies were suggested for the factors through semi-structured interviews with six experts in transportation, agribusiness and food supply chain.FindingsFour factors that impact the quality were identified based on the factor analysis, namely operational issues, poor preservation, lack of ease of in-transit and poor infrastructure. The operational issue was found to be the main factor influencing the quality of fresh produce. The study also proposed the mitigation framework for the factors based on the interview results.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is confined to the fresh produce supply chain transportation process, particularly fruits with an emphasis on the Uttar Pradesh region, India.Originality/valueThere is a lack of literature on implying mitigation strategies for factors affecting fresh produce quality in the transport process in India. Thus, this study attempts to fulfill this gap and has added to the food supply chain literature that could help scholars and practitioners in improving the food supply chain in developing economies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1007-1024
Author(s):  
Zhenyu Zhang ◽  
Zhiying Tao

Purpose Previous researchers have studied push and pull contracts in the single product scenario, although in practice, supply chains often produce and sell multiple products. In a multiproduct scenario, the sales of a product will be influenced by its complements or substitutes, which requires consideration when the supply chain members negotiate contracts. This paper aims to fill this gap by studying push and pull contracts in a supply chain which distributes two products to a market and discusses how the degree of complementarity/substitutability between the two products affects the supplier’s decisions and supply chain efficiency. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses the model of a single-supplier, single-retailer supply chain which sells a product with a long lead time and another product with a short lead time simultaneously in a market. This research compares the production quantity and supply chain efficiency under a push contract with those under a pull contract. Findings First, when the two products are complements, the equilibrium production quantity of Product 2 is higher under a pull contract than that under a push contract. Second, a pull contract is found to be optimal for both the supplier’s profit and supply chain efficiency when the two products are complements, while if they are substitutes, then a push contract is the better choice in some situations. Originality/value The existing literature discusses push and pull contracts in the single product scenario. The current paper pays attention to the two-product scenario and investigates how the complementarity/substitutability degree between the two products affects the supplier’s decisions and supply chain efficiency.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Helmi Ali ◽  
Mohammad Iranmanesh ◽  
Kim Hua Tan ◽  
Suhaiza Zailani ◽  
Nor Asiah Omar

Purpose The current complex halal food supply chain (SC) has caused food scandals, which have illustrated the weakness of multiple food quality standards and certification and audits in ensuring food safety. Drawn on the resource-based view (RBV) theory, the purpose of this study is to explore the impacts of SC integration (SCI) on halal food SC integrity and, consequently, food quality. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data were collected from 275 halal-certified food companies in Malaysia and analysed using structural equation modelling – SmartPLS3.0. Findings The results confirmed that SCI, including internal, supplier and customer integrations, has significant effects on the dimensions of the halal food SC integrity which, in turn, lead to halal food safety and quality. Practical implications The importance of SCI in halal food SC is highlighted in this study. The impact of SCI is contexted in halal food SC integrity and food quality. Therefore, it provides a clear understanding to managers of SC applicability in the halal food industry. Originality/value Based on the RBV theory, this study contributes to the limited body of research of the relationships among SCI from the context of the halal industry with a specific focus on food supply chain integrity and food quality.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal Iddris

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of innovation capability construct measures in the context of supply chain and to objectively identify the key dimensions for stimulating focal firms’ innovativeness. Design/methodology/approach The scale items for this research were obtained from extant literature. The data were collected from homogenous sample of 117 Ghanaian middle level managers (respondents). Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the main dimensions of innovation capability. Based on the statistical analysis, four dimensions were obtained – idea management, idea implementation, collaboration and learning – and the convergent validity, discriminant validity, nomological validity and reliability tests indicate that the scales are valid and reliable Findings Four dimensions (factors) of innovation capability were identified from the exploratory factor analysis. These dimensions were labelled as idea management, idea implementation, collaboration and learning. The results indicate that the integration of the dimensions of innovation capability may stimulate a focal firm’s innovativeness. Research limitations/implications First, the measurement scale might not capture all the important dimensions of innovation capability. Second, the judgmental sampling used in this study means that the result cannot be generalised to the entire supply chain population, third, the sample was drawn from one geographical location using non-probability sampling technique. Practical implications The measures provide supply chain managers with a better approach of understanding the innovation capability in their supply chain. For instance, the measurement of supply chain’s innovation capability should help supply chain managers to determine the important innovation areas that need attention most and to permit them to respond to challenges posed by any kind of innovation capability dimension that needs to be enhanced. Originality/value The unique contribution of this paper is the development innovation capability measurement scale in the context of supply chain.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Priyadarshi ◽  
Srikanta Routroy ◽  
Girish Kant

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the post-harvest supply chain enablers (PHSCEs) for vertical integration to enhance rural employability, farmer profitability and rural produce marketability (i.e. market prospects) in the post-harvest supply chain (PHSC). The impact of vertical integration is also explored for various commercial produces. Design/methodology/approach A structural equation modeling (SEM) of PHSCEs for vertical integration was developed to enhance market prospects, rural employability and farmer profitability. The impact of business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer market prospects are explored in various dimensions for stakeholders such as farmers, manufacturers (processors), distributors and retailers. The fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (F-TOPSIS) was used to prioritize these PHSCEs to improve market prospects and rural employability. Findings The PHSCEs are clustered into three groups, namely, initiatives at the strategic frontier, initiatives at the tactical frontier and concerns for rural employability via vertical integration using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and SEM to prove the null hypothesis. With F-TOPSIS results, the availability of warehousing was found to be the most crucial enabler when observing the PHSCEs from the initiatives’ perspective. The technology adaptability and availability, institute for training and research and information infrastructure and information visibility were found to be the key PHSCEs when observed from PHSC stakeholders’ perspectives. Research limitations/implications The implementation of this study will improve the rural produce marketability, rural employability, B2B marketing (i.e. effective distribution) and subsequent value chains with the practice of vertical integration for fresh produce at the rural level. Practical implications The outcomes of this study have a key role in developing the rural regions and improving rural livelihoods via value addition. The awareness of commercial cultivation and value addition in rural areas needs to be improved. This will help farmers to earn better revenues with improved market prospects in comparison to the revenues obtained from the cultivation of staple/conventional crops. Originality/value In an era of cold chains and food processing, this study aims to disseminate awareness about value addition for commercial and fresh produces at the rural level. The implication of this study will improve rural produce marketability, rural employability and farmer profitability at the rural level with the level of vertical integration.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dindayal Agrawal ◽  
Jitender Madaan

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the barriers to the implementation of big data (BD) in the healthcare supply chain (HSC).Design/methodology/approachFirst, the barriers concerning BD adoption in the HSC were found by conducting a detailed literature survey and with the expert's opinion. Then the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to categorize the barriers. The obtained results are verified using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis gives the path diagram representing the interrelationship between latent variables and observed variables.FindingsThe segregation of 13 barriers into three categories, namely “data governance perspective,” “technological and expertise perspective,” and “organizational and social perspective,” is performed using EFA. Three hypotheses are tested, and all are accepted. It can be concluded that the “data governance perspective” is positively related to “technological and expertise perspective” and “organizational and social perspective” factors. Also, the “technological and expertise perspective” is positively related to “organizational and social perspective.”Research limitations/implicationsIn literature, very few studies have been performed on finding the barriers to BD adoption in the HSC. The systematic methodology and statistical verification applied in this study empowers the healthcare organizations and policymakers in further decision-making.Originality/valueThis paper is first of its kind to adopt an approach to classify barriers to BD implementation in the HSC into three distinct perspectives.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Rainero ◽  
Giuseppe Modarelli

PurposeIn the disruptive technologies era, the lack of convincing business cases on blockchain (BC) adoption about food supply chain, the existence of uncertainties and barriers to adoption due to knowledge scarcity on characteristics as well as the potentialities and risks involved in it, have triggered the need to investigate the first multinational BC adoption for food supply chain in Europe, to consider how it can guarantee knowledge for the consumption/purchase decision-making and the creation-mechanism of consciousness for sustainable behavioral choice.Design/methodology/approachThe authors provide a field exploratory analysis based on customers' perceptions and real knowledge about BC (as a knowledge-constructive tool) in the food and beverage sector. This connected with the need for an informed context, favoring sustainable conscious decision-making related to both the food chain and innovation acceptance. This analysis included the use of innovation acceptance as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategic orientation through a survey- and interview-based field analysis (80 respondents).FindingsThe findings of this study can be considered as antecedents of innovation acceptance in the sector. The analysis assesses consumers' scarce knowledge and perceptions on the BC system, the scarce usage level and the higher acquiring propensity for traceable foodstuffs generating bi-directional/dimensional value, considering that consumption habits could change through security and certainty antecedents and induced knowledge provided by external technological intervention.Originality/valueBy trying to match innovation and the knowledge-construction need as a vehicle for acceptance, the theoretical contribution would empower the literature on food traceability from the perspective of strategic BC application through a from-knowledge-to-knowledge strategy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Jose ◽  
PrasannaVenkatesan Shanmugam

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significant supply chain issues in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) food industry. The objectives are to identify the major themes and the dynamic evolution of SME food supply chain (FSC) issues, the current research trends, the different modelling approaches used in SME FSC, and the most addressed SME food sector. Design/methodology/approach In all, 3,733 published articles from 2002 to 2018 in the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database were collected, from which 1,091 articles were shortlisted for the review. The authors used bibliographic coupling combined with co-word analysis to identify the historical relations of the research themes that emerged during the periods 2002–2014 and 2002–2018. Findings This research identified five major research themes such as production and distribution in alternative food networks, relationship, safety and standards in the FSC, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impact of the farm food system, traceability and product quality in FSC and asymmetric price transmission in the FSC. Among the identified themes, GHG emission impact of the farm food system and traceability and product quality in the FSC have received increasing attention in recent years. The dairy sector is the most addressed sector (36 per cent), followed by fruits and vegetables (27 per cent), meat and poultry (18 per cent), seafood (10 per cent) and grains and oilseed (8 per cent). It is also identified that the dairy sector has received significant attention in the “GHG Emission impact of farm food system” theme. Similarly, meat and poultry sectors have received much attention in the “Traceability and product quality in the food supply chain” theme. Also, the authors identified that the empirical modelling approaches are the most commonly used solution methodology, followed by the conceptual/qualitative methods in the SME FSC. Originality/value This study maps and summarizes the existing knowledge base of supply chain issues in the SME food sector. The results of this review provide the major research areas, most commonly used approaches and food sectors addressed. This study also highlights the research gaps and potential future research direction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 1305-1320
Author(s):  
Philippos Karipidis ◽  
Polymeros Chrysochou ◽  
Ioanna Karypidou

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore how food-exporting firms assess the importance of relationship characteristics of the supply chain that impact their performance as well as how it relates to export performance indicators.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was administered across 83 food firms in Greece, assessing the importance of relationship characteristics of the supply chain by using the best–worst scaling technique.FindingsThe most important characteristics relate to the quality of the primary material and the procurement costs and producer prices; these are considered more important by export-oriented food firms compared to non–export-oriented food firms. Characteristics that relate to the relationship between members of the agri-food supply chain and the interorganizational business systems and governance mechanisms are also considered of average importance. Characteristics related to the adoption of differentiation strategies are considered least important.Practical implicationsProducers should emphasize the quality and prices of their product as well as establish collaborations with food firms. Food firms need to emphasize interorganizational business systems and governance mechanisms that reduce procurement costs, instead of trying to reduce producer prices. Public authorities should engage stakeholders of the agri-food supply chain in relationships that will enable food firms to deliver on their quality and price demands.Originality/valuePrimary production and collaborations of it with food firms have not been studied in regards to what extent they relate to food firms' export performance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 1272-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rishabh Rathore ◽  
Jitesh J. Thakkar ◽  
Jitendra Kumar Jha

Purpose The food supply chain is exposed to severe environmental and social issues with serious economic consequences. The identification and assessment of risk involved in the food supply chain can help to overcome these challenges. In response, the purpose of this paper is to develop a risk assessment framework for a typical food supply chain. Design/methodology/approach An integrated methodology of grey analytical hierarchy process and grey technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution is proposed for developing a comprehensive risk index. The opinion of the experts is used to illustrate an application of the proposed methodology for the risk assessment of the food supply chain in India. Findings Valuable insights and recommendations are drawn from the results, which are helpful to the practitioners working at strategic and tactical levels in the food supply chain for minimising the supply chain disruptions. Research limitations/implications The risk quantification for the case organisation is primarily based on inputs collected from the experts working for Indian food supply chain, and so the generalisation of the results is limited to the context of developing countries. However, the generalisability of the proposed risk quantification methodology and key insights developed in the food supply chain will assist practitioners in policy making. Practical implications The risk priorities established by this research would enable an implementation of systematic risk mitigation strategies and deployment of necessary resources for leveraging the efficiency of food supply chain. Originality/value Specifically, this research has delivered a risk quantification framework and strengthened the inquiry of risk management for the food supply chain.


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