A Framework Development and Assessment for Cold Supply Chain Performance System: A Case of Vaccines

PurposeThis study focuses on identifying potential challengers affecting cold chain performance in the pharmaceutical industry. Considering the history of humanity, every pandemic experienced could only be controlled with the vaccine found. While the world is fighting the unforgettable epidemic called COVID-19, scientists are also working to find the therapeutic vaccine. The vaccines studied have different temperature storage and transport properties. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is necessary to know and analyse every step of the cold supply chain to provide the most appropriate and safe cooling level. In addition, it is important to understand the relationship between all the facilities, equipment, tools and materials needed to avoid mistakes along the chain.Design/methodology/approachHence, this study focuses on identifying potential challengers affecting sustainable cold supply chain performance in the pharmaceutical industry and proposing a conceptual framework that involves these main challengers. In this study, firstly, different main and sub-factors are defined from the literature, and fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory method is applied to analyse the causal link between these factors for an effective application.FindingsResults showed that packaging, transportation and shipping, storage specifications and handling practices, inventory management, technical issues and delivery delay are the most affected factors during the sustainable cold supply chain performance in the pharmaceutical industry. This study offers both managerial implications and a roadmap that are designed with a holistic view to guide manufacturer, logistics parties and even policymakers.Originality/valueSome of the studies related to the pharmaceutical industry are monitoring and controlling the temperature in the cold supply chain steps; the other part is the studies where the chain steps are examined with a focus on production or transportation. While these issues are the focus, the requirements and conditions of each stage of the supply chain must be studied for a safe, effective and sustainable cold chain beyond the current global pandemic crisis. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that highlights identifying the potential challengers that affect cold supply chain performance for the pharmaceutical industry both theoretically and empirically, solving the causal relationships among these challengers and designing a holistic framework.

Protecting COVID-19 Vaccine Transportation and Storage from Analog Cybersecurity Threats

BackgroundThe main elements of effective vaccine cold chain management at the immunization service delivery point are well-trained vaccine cold chain handlers, vaccine storage equipment, and appropriate vaccine management procedures. Vaccine cold chain handlers must have enough expertise to provide the correct vaccine at the right time, maintain vaccine potency, and minimize vaccination failures. The study assessed knowledge of vaccine cold chain handlers on vaccine cold chain management, adherence to the WHO vaccine storage codes and vaccine cold chain management practice at primary health facilities in Dalocha district of Silt'e zone.MethodInstitutional-based cross-sectional study was done at twenty-eight primary health facilities. One hundred forty primary health workers were drawn from four health centers and twenty-four health posts operating in Dalocha woreda of Silt'e zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. A self-administered questionnaires and on-spot observation checklists were adapted from the WHO and WHO-UNICEF-effective vaccine management assessment tools to collect data from cold chain unit of the primary healthcare facilities. Data were entered to EPI data version 3.1; exported and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the level of knowledge, adherence to WHO cold chain management guideline and vaccine handling practice. The relationship that the knowledge of primary healthcare workers, primary healthcare workers training status, primary healthcare facilities' adherence to WHO vaccine storage codes, and length of work experience of primary health care workers have with the vaccine management practice were also exploredResultAbove Half (54%) of the respondents have satisfactory knowledge of vaccine cold chain management. One hundred (71.4%) vaccine cold chain handlers did point correctly to the recommended range of temperature (2°C -8°C) for vaccine storage. Around two-thirds (63.6%) of them were aware of the twice-daily temperature recordings. Nearly half, (46.2%) of primary healthcare facilities have experienced poor adherence to the WHO storage practice codes. Around three-fifths of the observed primary healthcare facilities have registered undesirable vaccine management practices. The primary healthcare workers who received training on vaccine cold chain management (χ2 = 0.058, p=0.015), served at primary health care facilities for more five years (χ2 =18.545, p≤0.001), shown good adherence to WHO vaccine storage code (χ2 =18.545, p≤0.001), have sufficient knowledge on vaccine cold chain management (χ2=4.210, p≤0.031) were all significantly associated with desirable vaccine cold chain management practice.ConclusionThere is a gap in vaccine cold chain handlers’ knowledge about vaccine cold chain management and less than desirable adherence to WHO vaccine storage codes at primary healthcare facilities in Dalocha district. The majority of the observed primary health facilities have registered poor vaccine management practices. Everyone who has a stake in the cold chain management of vaccines should do their share, individually and collectively, to guarantee that everyone reaps the benefits of an effective cold chain.

Background: Vaccine potency can be lost when exposed to non-recommended temperatures. Hence for the proper running of the universal immunization programme (UIP) factors like vaccine cold chain and vaccine management wants great focus and attention skills and knowledge of the vaccine cold chain handlers so for good implementation of UIP vaccine cold chain handlers are important.Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study. Study duration was carried out from October 2017 to March 2018. All the 16 cold chain handlers of district Etawah were interviewed.Results: All 16 (100.0%) were male and 1 (6.3%), 2 (12.5%), 8 (50.0%) and 5 (31.3%) of the respondents were high schools, intermediate, graduate, and post-graduate respectively. It had been observed that the hundred percent of the cold chain handlers with the knowledge of vaccine cold chain. It has been observed from the study that 15 (93.7%) cold chain handlers had knowledge of temperature range for vaccine storage.Conclusions: Quality of immunization program depends upon cold chain management at peripheral health institutions. In our study, we have found that most of the vaccine handlers were reported to have appropriate knowledge regarding the cold chain.

Objective: Maintenance of the vaccine cold chain is integral to administering potent vaccines thereby protecting individuals and communities against vaccine preventable diseases. Previous studies have highlighted threats to vaccine cold chain integrity. The aim of this study was to assess vaccine cold chain integrity and to identify local factors affecting vaccine cold chain integrity in Hunter general practices, where approximately 85% of vaccines are administered. Design: A quasi experimental research design was used to conduct a site audit of general practice vaccine storage facilities in both urban and rural areas of the Hunter region of New South Wales. Practice staff who handled vaccines completed a practices and knowledge questionnaire during the audit visit. Setting: General Practice. Subjects: This study was an area‑wide survey of all Hunter general practice immunisation service provider sites (n=256) where an audit was conducted of all vaccine refrigerators in use at the time of the audit, and one questionnaire per site was completed with respect to the cold chain management of all vaccine consignments delivered within the previous three months (n=924). Main Outcome Measures: Main outcome measures were adherence to acceptable vaccine cold chain management practices as identified by National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines and maintenance of vaccine refrigerator temperatures within the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended range of 2°C and 8°C. Results: A key finding from this study was the positive influence of general practice nurses on general practices achieving vaccine cold chain integrity as defined by WHO. Ninety‑eight percent (98%) of general practices where a general practice nurse was employed maintained vaccine cold chain integrity whereas only 42% of general practices where no general practice nurse was employed (95% CI: 10, 58) achieved the same result.Two types of vaccine refrigerators were identified in Hunter general practices; these were non‑bar type and bar‑type. Of 150 non‑bar type refrigerators in Hunter general practices 97% operated within the safe temperature range for the storage of vaccines, while only 58% of the bar‑type fridges maintained acceptable temperatures for vaccine storage (95% CI: 8 ‑ 69). Conclusions: Study findings highlighted the value of employing general practice nurses in general practice in relation to maintaining vaccine cold chain integrity, and encouraging such nurses to become authorised immunisers so they can participate in ongoing immunisation education. The study findings supported the argument to outlaw bar‑type refrigerators for storing vaccines as these posed an unacceptable threat to vaccine cold chain integrity.

Warehouses play a significant role in cold chains as they do for regular supply chains. Although their goals are the same for both cold chains and regular supply chains, the operations of cold warehouses are more sophisticated since the cost of operation is considerably higher due to energy consumption and obsolesce of products in substandard conditions. Recently, there has been an enormous interest in the cold food supply chain to reduce food waste occurring along the chain. Hence, efficient management of cold warehouses becomes an important issue in this direction. Design and operation requirements in a cold warehouse may be different from a traditional non-cold warehouse. In this paper, we aim to provide an overview of cold chain operations, mostly by focusing on cold warehouse operations. We provide some statistics from a cold chain, design, and technology requirements for cold warehouses as well as warehouse operations shaped according to that warehouse features. It is observed that there are quite different design parameters in cold storage.KeywordsWarehouse operationsCold supply chainCold warehouseTechnologies for cold chain

Organized retailing (OZR) is one of the most promising industries in India. The OZR sector of India is now among the top five fastest growing markets of the world. High population, globalization, and the increasing income of middle class etc. are a number of factors that make Indian market more challenging and competitive. In today’s globalized world, effective supply chain performance (SCP) is highly important to ensure the productivity in the whole supply chain (SC). In t his paper, we investigated the factors that affect cold supply chain performance (CSCP) of organized farm products retailing (OFPR), develop and validated a model. This edresearch will be helpful to formulate better strategies for this sector to a greater extent; this model will also be useful and applicable for other developing Asian countries because of enormous similarities in their market tendencies.products

This study analyzes the publication trend, most active contributors, most influential publications and trending research topics on the current context of carbon footprint and supply chains. The study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 809 documents retrieved from Scopus, published between 2019 and 2023, to identify trends, contributors, top publications, and trending topics. With the help of Harzing’s Publish or Perish and VOSviewer, the study employed performance analysis and keyword co-occurrence analysis. The study reveals an upward trajectory in the number of publications in this research domain. Additionally, the study identifies several themes through keyword co-occurrence analysis, including ‘the application of regulatory mechanisms and game theory in carbon emission reductions,’ ‘strategies and mechanisms for enhancing low-carbon initiatives within supply chains,’ ‘the development and optimization of sustainable supply chain systems to reduce carbon emissions,’ ‘the use of simulation and optimization models for CO2 emission reduction in supply chain and logistics operations,’ ‘financial legislation and mechanisms for improving carbon emission reductions,’ ‘the impact of logistics and supply chain operations on carbon emissions and climate change,’ and ‘the carbon footprint in supply chains and cold chain logistics operations.’ This review emphasizes the need of adopting low-carbon technologies to enhance sustainable practices within supply chains. The study highlights the role of advanced technologies in efforts linked to carbon reduction. The study also advocates for a multifaceted policy approach, including encouraging innovation, and implementing financial mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions, especially in logistics and supply chain operations.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the complex interrelationships among the key constructs, supply chain orientation (SCO), supply chain integration (SCI) and supply chain performance (SCP) in Indian manufacturing industries. These relationships have been studied using the relational view (RV) and the knowledge-based view (KBV) theoretical perspectives. Design/methodology/approach The conceptual model was derived from the existing body of knowledge in the supply chain domain. The study is based on a sample size of 122 data collected via face-to-face meetings with the Indian manufacturers using well-established scales. The covariance-based structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings In Indian manufacturing and supply chains, SCO has a positive relationship with SCI and SCP. Moreover, the direct impact of SCO on SCP diminishes when SCI is used as a mediating variable. This study also observes positive impact of: i) SCO on SCP, ii) SCI on SCP and iii) discovery of mediating role of SCI on SCP under the theoretical lenses of RV and KBV. Research limitations/implications Cross-sectional survey of manufacturing firms of one country (using one response per firm) calls for validation covering other parts of the world and demands a longitudinal survey. This research will trigger more scholarly, practice and policy debate among researchers studying Indian and emerging economies context. Practical implications The notion of a holistic view of the SC with a focus on improving the customer value can enhance strategic partnerships among the SC partners (i.e. SCI) and overall SCP. Firms should make efforts to include SCI in SC designs to successfully transform SCO into SCP. Originality/value The originality of the research lies in studying the complex interrelationships among key concepts of SC in a unique Indian manufacturing context. The Indian supply chains operate in a set of unique characteristics, which have been detailed out in this paper. This paper not only establishes the mediating role of SCI for overall SCP in emerging economies but also enhances the scholarly knowledge in the SC domain. Most studies report SCO as a single-order construct, measured by scales comprising of only few items. The second-order SCO measures in this study bring credibility to the findings. Additionally, it contributes to both academicians and practitioners alike in the context of an integrated SC in emerging economies.

Impact of supply chain digitalization on supply chain resilience and performance: A multi-mediation model

Traceability technologies have great potential to improve sustainable performance in cold food supply chains by reducing food loss. In existing approaches, traceability technologies are selected either intuitively or through a random approach, that neither considers the trade-off between multiple cost–benefit technology criteria nor systematically translates user requirements for traceability systems into the selection process. This paper presents a hybrid approach combining the fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) with integer linear programming to select the optimum traceability technologies for improving sustainable performance in cold food supply chains. The proposed methodology is applied in four case studies utilising data collected from literature and expert interviews. The proposed approach can assist decision-makers, e.g., food business operators and technology companies, to identify what combination of technologies best suits a given food supply chain scenario and reduces food loss at minimum cost.

Purpose Existing supply chain (SC) performance models are not able to cope with the potential of intensive SC digitalisation and establish a relationship between decisions and decision criteria. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated knowledge-based system (KBS) that creates a link between decisions and decision criteria (attributes) and evaluates the overall SC performance. Design/methodology/approach The proposed KBS is grounded on the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP), which establishes a relationship between short-term and long-term decisions and SC performance criteria (short-term and long-term) for accurate and integrated Overall SC performance evaluation. Findings The proposed KBS evaluates the overall SC performance, establishes a relationship between decisions (long-term and short-term) and decision criteria of SC functions and provides decision makers with a view of the impact of their short-term or long-term decisions on overall SC performance. The proposed system was implemented in a case company where the authors were able to develop a SC performance monitoring dashboard for the company’s top managers and operational managers. Practical implications The proposed KBS assists organisations and decision makers in evaluating their overall SC performance and helps in identifying underperforming SC functions and their associated criteria. It may also be considered as a tool for benchmarking SC performance against competitors. It can efficiently point to improvement directions and help decision makers improve overall SC performance. Originality/value The proposed KBS provides a holistic and integrated approach, establishes a relationship between decisions and decision criteria and evaluates overall SC performance, which is one of the main limitations in existing supply chain performance measurement systems.

Measuring the influence of digital twins on the sustainability of manufacturing supply chain: A mediating role of supply chain resilience and performance

This study aims at investigating the roles of supply chain integration and innovation on supply chain performance through a mediation mechanism of supply chain. This study develops a theoretical framework based on resource-based view and dynamic capability theory. Based on a quantitative study of 214 Saudi hospitals, an empirical analysis was made using a structural equation modelling with AMOS. Results revealed that supply chain integration and innovation positively affect supply chain resilience and performance. In addition, supply chain resilience has a positive and significant relationship with supply chain performance. Most significantly, the relationships of supply chain integration and of innovation to supply chain performance were found to be partially mediated by supply chain resilience. These results showed that integration and innovation have direct effects to improve supply chain performance and indirect ones when hospitals make efforts in developing their resilience. This study is important for top managers of Saudi hospitals to integrate their supply chains and innovate them to improve their resilience and performance.

The key objective of this research study is to delve into the factors affecting supply chain resilience to enhance supply chain performance through the mediation of supply chain resilience. A quantitative method of research was applied to perform this particular research. Data collection was performed using the questionnaire technique. As it was impossible to collect data from every member of the targeted population, a sample of data was calculated using G*power software and a sample size of 129 respondents. It was concluded that supply chain artificial intelligence, adaptive capability, and collaboration positively and significantly influence supply chain resilience and performance. At the same time, supply chain resilience also positively impacts supply chain performance. Thus, adopting resilience and other dynamic capacities can enhance organizational and supply chain performance. This research study provides insight to the manufacturing firms' practitioners and managers for improving their resilience level in the supply chain. This specific research study plays a significant role in literature by highlighting the concept of supply chain resilience and the supply chain performance of organizations.