Using Theory of Constraints Thinking Processes to Provide Solutions for Rejection Problems in Cold Chain Logistics

Abstract

Turkey is an important logistics transport center between Asia, The Middle East and Europe. If this position is evaluated correctly, it will be a big contribution to the economy of the country by increasing the market share. In order to provide and sustain logistic quality in an increasingly competitive environment, it should be ensured that logistic services are performed more effectively and efficiently via analyzing faults/problems in detail and eliminating root causes of these. In logistics sector, especially in the case of cold chain logistics involving the transport of perishable products such as food, medicine, chemicals, etc., the rejects/ fines constitute on a large-scale rate. Companies, in the case of deliveries that are outside the expectations of the companies or contrary to their contracts, they either return the goods or take delivery by punishing. In this study, the causes of these logistics/delivery factors, effecting negatively the country’s economy were researched, and suggested important solutions by analyzed with the Theory of Constraints - Thinking Processes approach. These proposals for the characteristic solutions for cold chain logistics, if applied in the institutions and companies concerned with the logistic sector in the whole country, it is expected that will obtain the savings of the costs coming from penalty/reject applications in the country’s economy, and beyond this it is expected that will get the additional earnings from the increased market share by increasing the customer satisfaction.

A conceptual framework model for an effective cold food chain management in sustainability environment

“…Staff (C8): A well-trained and qualified staff regarding the understanding of system requirements and hygiene requirements for successful cold chain process is essential. Lack of technical ability of the staff and negligence (Brzozowska et al , 2016), personnel hygiene requirements (Ali et al , 2018) and lack of trained staff involved in cold chain management (Onursal et al , 2018) are the sub-criteria.…”

“…Packaging (C1): Packaging has the ability to protect biological damage and contamination which will meet the requirements of the perishable products. Material selection (Verghese et al , 2015; Brzozowska et al , 2016; Ali et al , 2018), inadequate packaging (Mercier et al , 2017; Yildirim et al , 2018; Rodrigue and Notteboom, 2014), inappropriate packaging (Onursal et al , 2018) and dirty packaging are the sub-criteria of the packaging (Raut et al , 2019).…”

“…Failures in refrigeration systems (C3): Refrigeration systems, including a needful facility, means and materials, are capable of maintaining appropriate temperature range and relative humidity conditions along the processing, storage and transportation. Inefficient and improper pre-cooling (Pelletier et al , 2011; Nunes et al , 2014; Mercier et al , 2017), mis-grading of data loggers and timing failures in refrigerated equipment (Onursal et al , 2018; Raut et al , 2019) are the sub-criteria.…”

“…Handling issues and inventory rotation (C4): It refers to short-distance movement from a transportation vehicle to DC or DC to transportation vehicle and to right placement of products in shelves and vehicles. This feature consist of three sub-criteria: inappropriate handling practices (Mercier et al , 2017), misplacement of different types of good in refrigerated warehouses/vehicles (Onursal et al , 2018) and poor inventory rotation (Raut et al , 2019). The shelf-life is defined as “the time during which a perishable food remains safe, comply with label declaration of nutritional data and retain desired sensory, chemical, physical and microbiological characteristics when stored under the recommended conditions” (IFST, 1993).…”