Traceability of Fruits and Vegetables Supply Chain towards Efficient Management: A Case Study from Sri Lanka

The necessity for food traceability has been increased over the years with the expansion of food supply chains globally over these years due to stringent of food safety regulations. Enhancing the access to quality food safely is one of the essential requirements of food supply chain traceability. Conversely, significant percentages of postharvest losses available especially in developing countries due to poor supply chain and logistics practices thereby threatening food security. Unless there is a possibility to trace the Supply chain, it is difficult to take remedial actions. When it comes to Sri Lanka, currently it is harder to have the traceability in most of the foods supply chains commonly on most of the elementary supply chains such as fruits and vegetables. This has led to postharvest losses since it is harder to identify when and where damages occur, who are accountable, harvested and transient times, supply demand mismatch too. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the feasibility of tracing of fruit and vegetable supply chain in Sri Lanka and contribute theoretically to facilitate authorities and decision makers for future traceability improvement. Availability of secondary information on fruits and vegetables traceability was examined referring to government agencies. Basic structure of supply chain was identified based on secondary data and a case study was conducted based on supply chains linked to Thambuththegama and Keppetipola Dedicated Economic Centers to gather primary data. To quantify the feasibility of tracing, a feasibility index was developed. Developed index was used to assess the feasibility towards improved traceability of selected chains where it can be applied for other food and non-food supply chains as well. The feasibility index can be used for other fruits and vegetables supply chains too to assess the feasibility prior to implementation of a traceability system. Furthermore, it can be used for non-food supply chains with some modifications. Analysis revealed that poor feasibility of wholesalers compared to farmers and retailers. Product identification technologies, awareness and willingness for traceability improvement were ranged low to fair for all the entity categories. Hence, enhancement of record-keeping and information sharing, adopting product identification and quality measurement technologies, and strengthening of legislation were identified as key improvements for enhanced fruits and vegetable traceability and efficient postharvest management of studied supply chains

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Coordinating food quality: How do quality standards influence contract arrangements? A study on Uruguayan food supply chains

Supply Chain Management An International Journal ◽

10.1108/scm-02-2020-0087 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 449-466

Author(s):

Annemarie Groot-Kormelinck ◽

Jacques Trienekens ◽

Jos Bijman

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Food Supply ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Quality Standards ◽

Public And Private ◽

Content Type ◽

Food Supply Chains ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose The aim of this paper is to study the influence of quality standards on contract arrangements in food supply chains. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative double case study was conducted on the dairy and citrus sectors in Uruguay. A transaction cost theoretical framework was used. All current public and private quality standards applied by processors were studied in relation to contract arrangements between processors and upstream producers as well as downstream buyers for each sector. Findings Quality standards complement contract arrangements for upstream transactions, leading to hierarchy-type contract arrangements. Quality standards substitute contract arrangements for downstream transactions, leading to market- or hybrid-type contract arrangements. Research limitations/implications Longitudinal studies that measure changes in contract arrangements over time are recommended. Practical implications Supply chain actors can reduce transaction costs by aligning quality standards with appropriate contract arrangements – further supported by public instruments. Originality/value Quality standards have differential influence on underlying transaction characteristics, and therefore on contract arrangements, depending on the location of the transaction in the supply chain.

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REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY-BASED COLD STORAGE: CASE STUDY IN INDONESIA

Jurnal Teknologi ◽

10.11113/jt.v78.8506 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 78 (5-3) ◽

Author(s):

Hiroki Kumashiro ◽

Mikhael Tjhi ◽

Gatot Yudoko ◽

Kiyoshi Dowaki

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Cold Storage ◽

Food Supply ◽

Geothermal Energy ◽

Requirements Analysis ◽

Food Supply Chains ◽

Viability Analysis

This article presents the results from a viability analysis of geothermal energy-based cold storage for food supply chains inIndonesia. In this study, it was assumed that middlemen used cold storage as part of the supply chain. Gatekeepers were chosen based on three criteria: place, people, and prospect; and the gatekeepers, thus chosen from different societal groups, were then interviewed to validate outsiders’ assumptions. Finally, results were categorized into four interest classifications: technical, economic, environmental, and social.

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Resilience and Digitalization in Short Food Supply Chains: A Case Study Approach

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13115913 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 5913

Author(s):

Rosario Michel-Villarreal ◽

Eliseo Luis Vilalta-Perdomo ◽

Maurizio Canavari ◽

Martin Hingley

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Food Supply ◽

Potential Role ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Major Barrier ◽

Food Supply Chains ◽

Short Food Supply Chains ◽

Resilience Capabilities

The interest in short food supply chains (SFSCs) has grown significantly in the last decade, notably in respect of their potential role to achieve more sustainable food chains. However, a major barrier to achieving sustainable supply chains is the uncertainty associated with supply chain activities. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the different resilience capabilities that SFSCs possess and the potential role of digital technologies as enablers of SFSCs’ resilience. Using a case study research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted in two SFSCs in Mexico. Collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings suggest that SFSCs possess the supply chain resilience (SC resilience) capabilities investigated here, namely flexibility, redundancy, collaboration, visibility and agility. A key finding is the importance of low-cost digital technologies (including freeware and social media) that can support flexibility, collaboration, visibility and agility. These findings raise important implications for SFSCs actors exploring opportunities to improve their collective resilience. This study expands the current literature by proposing a conceptual framework that summarizes a wide variety of strategies that support SC resilience capabilities in the context of SFSCs.

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Food Traceability: A Consumer-Centric Supply Chain Approach on Sustainable Tomato

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10030543 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 543

Author(s):

Foivos Anastasiadis ◽

Ioanna Apostolidou ◽

Anastasios Michailidis

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Food Supply ◽

Food Industry ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Consumer Involvement ◽

Food Supply Chains ◽

Traceability System ◽

Technological Advances ◽

High Level

Technological advances result in new traceability configurations that, however, cannot always secure transparency and food safety. Even in cases where a system guarantees transparency, the actual consumer involvement and a real consumer-based perspective cannot always be ensured. The importance of such consumer centricity is vital, since it is strongly associated with effective supply chains that properly fulfil their end-users’ needs and requests. Thus, the objective of this paper was to explore the level of consumer centricity in food supply chains under a traceability system. The methodological approach employed a framework of two studies validating subsequently a similar set of variables, using initially consumers data and then supply chain actors data. The supply chain of sustainable tomato was selected to design the studies. The level of agreement between datasets suggested the level of the supply chain consumer centricity. Findings showed health, trust, quality, nutrition, and safety-related values to be significant for the consumers towards accepting a traceability system. The supply chain actors also accepted a traceability system based on the fact that their customers’ needs rely on the exact same beliefs, indicating a high level of consumer centricity. The current work underlines the magnitude of consumer centricity in food supply chains and provides an easy and straightforward framework for its exploration. Key implications suggest the design of more effective supply chain and consumer-based strategies for the food industry. Policymakers could also adopt the concept of consumer centricity to further improve the food industry.

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Dynamic capabilities in the “new normal”: a study of organizational flexibility, integration and agility in the Peruvian coffee supply chain

Supply Chain Management An International Journal ◽

10.1108/scm-12-2020-0620 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Edgar Ramos ◽

Andrea S. Patrucco ◽

Melissa Chavez

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Food Supply ◽

Dynamic Capabilities ◽

Partial Least Square ◽

Least Square ◽

Supply Chain Performance ◽

Organizational Flexibility ◽

Content Type ◽

Food Supply Chains

Purpose Considering the unprecedented supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the agri-food sector, the possession of dynamic capabilities (DCs) – particularly, the need for higher agility – seems to be the key to survival in highly uncertain environments. This study aims to use the dynamic capability view (DCV) theory to analyze how three key supply chain capabilities – organizational flexibility, integration and agility – should be combined to obtain the desired supply chain performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors designed a conceptual model in which the relationships between these three key capabilities and supply chain performance were hypothesized. The model was first tested through partial least square regression using survey data collected from 98 members of the Peruvian coffee supply chain. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was conducted to uncover how DCs could be combined in successful supply chain configurations. Findings The authors show that organizational flexibility is a driver of higher agility in agri-food supply chains, together with external and internal supply chain integration, that have a direct impact on agility, which positively affects supply chain performance. Higher levels of supply chain agility are necessary but insufficient to guarantee high performance, as sufficiency is reached when both integration (internal and/or external) and agility are present. Originality/value This study represents a pioneering attempt to apply the DCV theory to agri-food supply chains – characterized by many sources of uncertainty. All the DCs are included within the same model and the joint use of PLS regression and fsQCA provides evidence about the relationships between DCs and how they can empower agri-food supply to obtain the desired performance.

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Alternative (Shorter) Food Supply Chains and Specialist Livestock Products in the Scottish–English Borders

Environment and Planning A Economy and Space ◽

10.1068/a3717 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 37 (5) ◽

pp. 823-844 ◽

Cited By ~ 143

Author(s):

Brian Ilbery ◽

Damian Maye

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Food Supply ◽

Food Chains ◽

Food Supply Chain ◽

Food Supply Chains ◽

Starting Point ◽

Hybrid Spaces ◽

Conceptual Distinction ◽

Livestock Products

In this paper findings are presented from survey work conducted with producers of specialist livestock products in the Scottish–English borders. Using supply-chain diagrams, the paper highlights how specialist livestock businesses operate individual or customised supply chains. The heterogeneity of surveyed producer initiatives throws into question both the simple conceptual distinction drawn between the labels ‘conventional’ and ‘alternative’ and also what is meant by a ‘short’ food supply chain. The starting point of the specialist food chain is clearly not the point of production but rather a series of upstream supply links—as is found in conventional food chains. Likewise, ‘alternative’ producers are regularly obliged, or choose, to ‘dip in and out’ of different conventional nodes downstream of the business, such as abattoirs, processors, and wholesalers. In practice, delimitations between ‘alternative’ and ‘conventional’ food supply chains are often blurred and are better characterised as ‘hybrid spaces’.

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Legal-economic barriers to price transfers in food supply chains

Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce ◽

10.19041/apstract/2012/1-2/3 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 6 (1-2) ◽

pp. 27-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Harry Bremmers ◽

Bernd Van der Meulen ◽

Zorica Sredojevi ◽

Jo Wijnands

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Food Supply ◽

Value Added ◽

Price Volatility ◽

Retail Sector ◽

The European Union ◽

Food Supply Chains ◽

Industry Policy ◽

The One

Recent price movements have put food supply chains under pressure. On the one side, upward price tendencies on commodity markets result in higher costs to processing firms. On the other side, these firms are confronted with a strong retail sector that is able to prevent compensation to protect consumers’ and own economic interests. Regulatory impediments of European law, especially with respect to foodstuffs, can adversely be utilized as barriers to protect the interest downstream the supply chain. The problem is that legal-economic instruments which can serve to smooth price volatility in supply markets can also opportunistically be used at the expense of the middlesection in food supply chains (i.e., mainly small and medium sized producers). The aim of this article is to identify the legal-economic mechanisms that effect price transfers in food supply chains in the European Union and define policy adjustments to improve pricing mechanisms, while safeguarding the interests of the processing industry. Policy alternatives to improve the smooth functioning of notably intermediate markets in food supply chains are the restructuring of competition law, improved processor information management and creating transparency of value added in the supply chain by means of labelling devices.

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Supply Chain Resilience: Unleashing the Power of Collaboration in Disaster Management

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su131910573 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (19) ◽

pp. 10573

Author(s):

Muhammad Umar ◽

Mark Wilson

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Natural Disasters ◽

Food Supply ◽

Supply Chain Collaboration ◽

Supply Chain Resilience ◽

Food Supply Chains ◽

Study Approach ◽

Multiple Case

This study builds on the extant literature of supply chain collaboration, specifically, vertical and horizontal collaboration, and examines how these capabilities influence the resilience of supply chains that experience regular natural disasters in rural communities, as their economic wellbeing relies heavily on the continuation of these supply chains. A multiple case study approach has been adopted to investigate the role of collaboration within food supply chains of two different South Asian regions. This context was selected because these regions are prone to regular natural disruptions, and these food supply chains also play a crucial role in the disaster relief process. The data revealed that effective communication, mutual dependence, information sharing, informal financial support, and trust are some of the components of supply chain collaboration that enhance the overall resilience of supply chains in natural disasters.

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Factors affecting the diffusion of traceability practices in an imported fresh produce supply chain in China

British Food Journal ◽

10.1108/bfj-03-2021-0227 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Ying Yi ◽

Phil Bremer ◽

Damien Mather ◽

Miranda Mirosa

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Diffusion Of Innovation ◽

Food Supply ◽

Fresh Produce ◽

Content Type ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Integrated Framework ◽

Food Supply Chains ◽

Food Recalls

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to facilitate the successful adoption of traceability technologies, such as blockchain, into food supply chains and facilitate the understanding of the barriers and enablers to their uptake by channel members' needs so that appropriate enabling strategy can be put in place.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, an integrated framework involving five components was used as the methodology: (1) diffusion of innovation theory, (2) the innovation concept, (3) the business structure-conduct-performance paradigm, (4) legitimacy and (5) trust was developed and assessed for validity through interviewing 21 channel members, including distributors, wholesalers, Internet retailers and traditional retailers associated with a global fresh produce company's supply chain in China.FindingsBarriers negatively framing channel members' attitudes and decisions included a perceived lack of need owing to fresh produce having a short shelf life and being of low value and risk. However, the importance of traceability and the need for effective food recalls were not always understood among channel members, and distributed trust innovations were also suppressed by their lack of compatibility with the Chinese hierarchical culture.Originality/valueTo date, channel members' perception of innovations in food supply chains has not been considered in light of the components proposed in the integrated framework. The adapted framework used in this study ensured a comprehensive assessment of channel members' attitude and motivations toward traceability practices.

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Social gains for artisanal agroindustrial producers induced by cooperation and collaboration in agri-food supply chain

Social Responsibility Journal ◽

10.1108/srj-09-2019-0323 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Renato Rocha dos Santos ◽

Patricia Guarnieri

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Social Responsibility ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Detailed Analysis ◽

Food Supply ◽

Social Indicators ◽

Collective Actions ◽

Content Type ◽

Food Supply Chains ◽

Positive Effects

Purpose This study aims to analyze which collective actions (cooperation, coordination and collaboration), present in the supply chain of artisanal products, generate positive effects in terms of social gains. Design/methodology/approach The authors conduct multiple case studies in the supply chain of seven artisanal agroindustries in the Distrito Federal, Brazil. The data were collected through interviews, documental analysis and direct observation. The data were analyzed using the content analysis technique proposed by Bardin (1977). With priori and a posteriori analytical categories, it was possible to conduct: a detailed analysis of the current situation of artisanal agroindustries regarding collective actions from the perspective of supplier/supplier and supplier/client and a detailed analysis for the possible effects of collective actions that impact the supply chain and the indicators of social sustainability of artisanal agroindustries. Findings The results indicate that cooperation and collaboration have contributed positively in the transactions of the products of the artisanal agroindustries, reflecting in social gains for the producing families. In this context, some collective actions can be highlighted as follows: the collective commercial spaces, the demonstration spaces of the artisan products in the clients’ environment, the prospecting of improvements from the final consumers, the face-to-face meetings with the suppliers, the product dissemination by the customer, the joint marketing actions and the rationalization of transportation logistics. Research limitations/implications The study used a qualitative approach and findings and discussion are inherently interpretative and cannot be generalized. Practical implications This study can contribute to researchers and practitioners interested in collective actions contributing to the incrementation of social responsibility in agri-food supply chains. Social implications Understanding how the collective actions support the inclusion of smallholding and artisanal producers in agri-food supply chains can help policymakers and managers to implement initiatives related to social responsibility, which can be measured using social indicators. This creates a social benefit through rural growth and economic development, generation of income and social productive inclusion of the artisanal producers in larger agri-food supply chains. Originality/value For the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper approaching collective actions as the main source of incrementation of social benefits, which can measure the incrementation of social responsibility in agri-food supply chains.

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