The identification of key success factors in sustainable cold chain management: Insights from the Indian food industry

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Supply chain sustainability has emerged as an indispensable research agenda for governments, industriesand non-governmental organizations. Due to the country's status as a developing nation, cold supply chain management in India is still in its infancy.Today, due to health consciousness and a greater focus on sustainability, customers are demandingfresh, toxic free, highly eco-friendly food products. However, sustainable cold chains have not yet received sufficientattention throughout the world. Therefore, this paper seeks to address cold chain sustainability issues. After an extensive review of the literature and after discussions with cold chain practitioners, we have formulated ten sustainable cold chain constructs. We have then taken this proposed framework and validated it with an empirical study of the Indian food industry. This study includes several alarming findings. Specifically in India: i) environmental issues and social responsibility are not as important as other supplier selection criteria; ii)social responsibility ranks 18 th among 19 food supplier selection criteria; iii) low carbon emissionsareviewed as a less important value added trait in comparison with other traits (this means that in India buyers focus more on individual and immediate benefits rather than longer lasting advantages); iv) life cycle analyses, renewable energy sources and passive cold chains are the least often implemented cold chain practices; v) the government usually encouragescompanies to adopt and implement sustainability in their operations, but in actual practice, training programs that provide guidance in terms of sustainability are less rigorous in comparison to the actual requirements; but on the bright side; vi) business sustainability builds trust between companies and all of their stakeholders and thus contributes to strong chain relationships.

Parametric review of food supply chain performance implications under different aspects

“…Govindan (2018) provided a framework covering drivers, barriers and innovation for sustainability adoption within FSC. Singh and Shabani et al (2016) explored various success factors behind implementation of sustainability within Indian food chains. Mangla et al (2018) used methodologies namely ISM and fuzzy-based decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) to identify key enablers of sustainability in agriculture product–based food SC of India.…”

An empirical study of cold chain issues and performance: Applying structural equation modeling

“…Cold chain (CC) is a term in a specific supply chain where temperature control is ensured for the activities and processes involving perishable products (Singh & Shabani, 2016). As per a study by Kitinoja (2013), an integrated cold consists of primary activities, which include packing and cooling fresh food products; freezing; cold storage; distribution under temperature-controlled conditions; and marketing.…”

“…A cold chain is a special type of supply chain meant for products that are temperature-sensitive. Cold chain (CC) is a term used to describe a specific supply chain where temperature control is ensured for the activities and processes involving perishable products (Shabani et al, 2016). Today, the cold chain has certainly become an integral part of the SC domain.…”

“…On‐farm loss reduction can lead to significant impacts on food security and a further reduction in wastage or losses at the other food supply chain stakeholder will result in a supply boost and price reduction (Dongyu, 2018). In their study on sustainable cold chain, Singh and Shabani (2016) highlighted that sustainability issues like environmental issues and social responsibility have not been given enough importance; more emphasis has been given to individual and immediate benefits; life cycle investigations, environmentally friendly power sources and aloof virus chains are frequently the most uncarried out cool chain rehearses; training programs are not as rigorous as per the actual requirements. Implementing practices such as green product design, and green logistics can enhance the financial performance of cold chain as well as its sustainability (Taghikhah et al, 2019).…”

Revolutionizing Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Competency Framework with Reference Process Model and Reference Architecture

“…Packing products information and data [14,15] integrating cold chain process and information [16,17] creating a collaborative environment [18,19] adopting disruptive technology and sustainable packing [20][21][22][23]. However, significant obstacles remain in the industry's current adoption of RPM and RA.…”