Effective sourcing strategies for perishable product supply chains

Purpose– A suitable leadership approach and multiple dimensions of performance (operational and social dimensions contributing to financial performance – the effectiveness of international agri-food supply chain coordination) are important because of significant linkages between them. However, there has been no such empirical research to explore the linkages in five selected New Zealand-UK international agri-food supply chains (dairy, meat, vegetables and fruits). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to address this knowledge gap.Design/methodology/approach– Before applying covariance-based structural equation modelling (a path analysis) on the data collected from 112 chain coordinators (CCs) (chief executive officers, managing directors and head of departments) of the selected agri-food supply chains, a comprehensive process of exploratory factor analysis, reliability and validity tests is used to develop the constructs.Findings– The findings suggest that CCs’ participative leadership approach is highly significantly (β=0.60;p=0.00) associated with the effectiveness of international agri-food supply chain coordination. Directive leadership does not have a significant relationship and its interaction effect with participative leadership resulted in a significant negative relationship with the effectiveness of agri-food supply chain coordination. Moreover, social (satisfaction with and trust in supply chain partners) and operational (service and product quality) dimensions are the major determinants of financial performance (profit, sales and market share) withβ=0.44 (p=0.00) andβ=0.44 (p=0.05), respectively. These variables jointly explain 70 per cent of the variance in financial performance, and leadership explains 36 per cent of the variance in coordination effectiveness.Practical implications– In order to understand the multiple dimensions of performance and their linkages, the study enhances the understanding of CCs and contributes to determine the best practices for modern agri-food supply chains.Originality/value– This study is the first step in developing and confirming complicated linkages with the specific characteristics of selected international agri-food supply chains. As a result, the empirical evidence also clarifies the earlier ambiguous results on the topic raised from other industries or countries.

The role of sustainability in the function of a company and more specifically a food company is pivotal for its financial performance. The environmental issues as well as the potential economic gains from the implementation of its principles ask for the use of multiple instruments that have been developed to green supply chains. Moreover, social issues also arise and involve the food companies social responsibility, as this can be realized through the supply of fresh products that meet consumption security standards. On this basis, the strategic design of these companies’ supply chains can assists them towards meeting their sustainability objectives as it may lead to the selection of transportation modes, location of entry points and distribution centers, and flows between the nodes of the networks under cost, environmental and social impact minimization criteria. Under this context the purpose of this manuscript is to develop and employ a multi-objective (namely cost, social-time and emission minimization) mixed integer linear programming decision-making model for the network design of sustainable supply chains of perishable food products. The specific model was implemented in the case of a fruits importer in the North-Eastern European region considering its geographical settings. To synopsize and according to our findings the suggested model is an easy to use decision-making tool that leads to a whole set of possible solutions incorporating trade-offs between three aspects of sustainability.

This chapter aims to identify some current and emerging research issues in international and maritime supply chains involving the physical distribution of raw materials, semi-manufactures and finished goods. Within supply chains, physical distribution incorporates transport systems, logistics systems, specialist techniques and educational issues. The discussion introduces each in turn. Physical components of transport systems underpin physical movements within supply chains as each mode of transport incorporates a way, terminals, and units of carriage and motive power, generating research challenges with financial, environmental and regulatory dimensions. Within logistics systems, "total logistics cost" considerations pose challenges concerning networks and value chains. Physical distribution research invites specialist techniques, spanning novel mathematical modelling, qualitative analysis, sensory stimulation, systems dynamics, multi-criteria decision making and forecasting. Ongoing re-definition of the competencies and educational requirements for international supply chains managers will require ongoing research. The complexities of supply chain contexts will challenge the most able researchers.

Huang, Y., 2020. International trade development and supply chain optimization of marine resources. In: Al-Tarawneh, O. and Megahed, A. (eds.), Recent Developments of Port, Marine, and Ocean Engineering. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 110, pp. 183–187. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.This paper attempts to study the international trade development and the supply chains optimization of marine resources. To this end, it first describes the characteristics of the supply chain and the structure of China's marine resources supply chain, and then analyzes the current status of China's marine resources production and international trade. Finally, the realistic dilemma of international trade and supply chain management of China's marine resources industry were summarized, and optimization solutions were given. The study found that the supply chain has three characteristics of network structure, consumers-drive, and value-added chain, and the current industrial supply chain is not conducive to industrial development; China's marine resource output has increased year by year, of which the output of marine aquaculture has increased year by year, while that of marine fishing output showed a downward trend; China's exporting countries and regions of marine resource are mainly Japan, the United States, ASEAN, the European Union, Taiwan Province, South Korea, and Hong Kong, and the importing ones are mainly Russia, the United States, Peru, ASEAN, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Canada; there are certain problems in the development of international trade and optimization of the industrial chain, which can be optimized by building a new type of marine resource industrial supply chain and strengthening government support. The research findings play a significant role in promoting the development of China's international trade and optimization of the industrial chain for the marine resources.

Blood service operations are a key component of the healthcare system all over the world and yet the modeling and analysis of such systems from a supply chain network optimization perspective has been lacking due to their associated unique challenges. In this paper, we develop a network optimization model for the complex supply chain of human blood, which is a life-saving, perishable product. In particular, we consider a regionalized blood banking system consisting of collection sites, testing and processing facilities, storage facilities, distribution centers, as well as points of demand, which, typically, include hospitals. Our multicriteria system-optimization approach on generalized networks with arc multipliers captures many of the critical issues associated with blood supply chains such as the determination of the optimal allocations, and the induced supply-side risk, as well as the induced cost of discarding the waste, while satisfying the uncertain demands as closely as possible. The framework that we present is also applicable, with appropriate modifications, to the optimization of other supply chains of perishable products.

Prices at different levels of the supply chain are linked through long-run relationships and tend to differ by the marketing costs. However, several aspects intervene in making price dynamics along the supply chain quite complicated and erratic. In particular, several issues on how marketing margins evolve over time and across commodities, as well as how prices are transmitted along the supply chain are still debated. The implications for the understanding of the economy, the management of the firms, and the regulations of the markets are important and pushed scholars to dedicate particular attention to these topics. In particular, how prices evolve in the supply chain of perishable products is an intriguing challenge that has stimulated a hot debate. We review the literature on price analyses, marketing margins, and vertical price transmission with particular emphasis on perishable products (fruits and vegetables) in order to conclude on the open issues worth further investigation.

Nowadays, the design of supply chain networks should be based on environmental issues as well as the needs of customers since the main driver of a supply chain network is customers. Continuous innovation of products requires understanding the features that are most important to customers, and product pricing should be carried out in a way that includes the satisfaction of both customers and manufacturers. This study uses the Kano model to classify product features into different categories. The design of the green supply chain network based on the Kano model has not been investigated in the literature so far. This study examines a green supply chain network including multiple manufacturers, product types, distributors, and carriers that is designed based on Kano’s conceptual model of multiple needs. In the proposed mathematical model of this paper, customer demand is a function of the selling price of the product, transportation pollution is minimized, and a solution based on the Cooperative Game Theory approach is used to solve the mathematical model using the GAMS software. One of the advantages of the proposed mathematical model in this research compared to other supply chain models is that the design needs of the supply chain network based on the Kano model (“must-be”, “one-dimensional”, “attractive” and “indifferent”) can be determined based on customer satisfaction. In addition, the price of the product can be determined according to the satisfaction of both customers and the manufacturers.

A tabu search based algorithm for the optimal design of multi-objective multi-product supply chain networks

In recent decades, changes in people’s lifestyles and occupations have led to new food consumption patterns around the world, with a notable growth in the demand for ready meals and meat products. Accordingly, the food industry has tried to transform the global food culture by promoting its more profitable products to become able to set a higher price for meat. Considering the short lifetime of products in perishable food supply chains, inventory decisions are considered crucial. In addition, the demand for perishable food products is greatly affected by their freshness. In this paper, we develop a multi-objective mixed-integer non-linear programming model for a four-level sustainable supply chain (SC) of a perishable product with price-dependent demand and deterioration rates. The SC consists of suppliers, a production center (PC), distribution centers (DCs), and retailers. We aim to ascertain the optimal pricing policy and cycle length to maximize profit, achieve specific social objectives, and minimize the total cost and adverse environmental impacts. The proposed model determines the deterioration rate of each product according to its expiration date, the optimal location of supply-side facilities, and the flow rate between the facilities based on the selected mode of delivery. The products are delivered to the retailers by a mechanized transportation system either directly from the PC or indirectly through the DCs. Finally, an actual case study is provided to demonstrate the applicability of the model and our theoretical results under real-world conditions. We solve the case study by a preemptive fuzzy goal programming method and perform several sensitivity analyses on the results. By performing simultaneous sensitivity analyses on the demand and expiration dates, the optimal values of the problem’s parameters are determined. The optimal values help decision-makers make optimal decisions regarding the selling price of products and replenishment times. The model is applicable to supply chains of any perishable items with expiration dates.

Through incorporating option mechanism, quantity flexible strategy and quick respond strategy into perishable products' supply chain, this paper establishes the gamble models of retailer's initial order, option purchase and manufacturer production under two production and ordering modes. If manufacturer and retailer share products demand information, manufacturer can decide first period's proper production through retailer's initial order and option purchase in order to make his own profit and the whole supply chain optimization. Comparing with two flexible production modes without option mechanism, retailer may get higher expected profit and reduce his managing risk in the condition of the whole supply chain's optimal expected profit without changed; comparing with two period production modes having option mechanism and only one ordering opportunity, retailer will purchase less option and may get higher expected profit and manufacturer may also get higher expected profit.

The design of robust value-creating supply chain networks: A critical review

Social Media Networks (SMNs) are collaborative tools used in an increasing rate in many business and industrial environments. These are often used in parallel with dedicated Collaborative Technologies (CTs) which are specifically designed to handle dedicated tasks. Within this research project the specific area of supply chain management is the focus of investigation. Two case studies where CTs are already extensively employed have been conducted to evaluate the scope of SMN usage and to confirm the particular benefits provided and to identify limitations. The overall purpose being to provide guidelines on joint CT/SMN deployment in developing supply chains. The application of SMNs to supply chain operations is fundamental to addressing the emerging need for increased P2P (peer-to-peer) type communication. This type of communication is between individuals and is typified by increased relationship type interaction. This is in contrast to traditional B2B (business-to-business) communication which is typically conducted on a transactional basis especially where it is confined by the characteristics of dedicated CTs. SMNs can be applied in supply chain networks to deal with unexpected circumstances or problem solving, capture market demands and customer feedback, and in general provide a medium to react to unplanned events. Crucially, they provide a platform where the issues can be addressed on a P2P basis in the absence of confrontational, transactional type interactions. The case studies reported in this paper concern EU based companies, one being a major national aluminium profile extruder, the second being a bottling plant for a global soft drinks manufacturer. In both cases the application of CTs to their supply chains is well established. However whilst both companies could readily identify the strengths of their CT systems (information and data sharing, data storage and retrieval) they could also identify limitations. These limitations included the lack of real time interaction at a P2P level and, interestingly, the lack of a common language used between different CT systems in B2B communication. Overall, the comments of the case study companies was that the SMN provided valuable adjuncts to existing CT systems, but that the SMNs were not integrated with the CT systems. There was a strongly perceived need for a better understanding of the contrasting and complementary capabilities of CTs and SMNs so that in future fully integrated systems could be implemented. Future work in this area will focus on the development of guidelines and procedures for achieving such complementarity in international collaborative supply chains.

ABSTRACTAssessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indicators in supply chains (SCs) is key to sustainability and operational performance, yet their integration into SC decision‐making remains limited. Supply chain network design (SCND) plays a critical role in this gap. This study empirically examines ESG adoption across centralized, decentralized, and distributed SCNDs, addressing the lack of comparative analysis in this area. Based on a survey of 733 SC professionals, this study statistically analyzes differences in the adoption of 21 ESG indicators across SCNDs. Results reveal that distributed SCNDs exhibit the highest adoption levels of ESG indicators, outperforming centralized SCNDs across all indicators and exceeding decentralized SCNDs, particularly in governance‐related indicators. This study contributes to the limited empirical research on the relationship between SCNDs and ESG adoption, offering actionable insights for decision‐makers to align SC structures with sustainability goals.

Order variability in perishable product supply chains

Factors Associated with Production Input Difference of a Manufacturing Plant in Sri Lanka: A Case Study