Evaluating intensity of barriers to implementing collaborative practices in the agri-fresh produce industry: A graph theoretic and matrix approach

Abstract

In the fight against hunger and malnutrition, food and nutritional insecurity are major global issues. The agri-fresh produce sector has the potential to feed billions of people healthier meals and reduce malnutrition. However, achieving food and nutritional security is difficult due to the loss and waste of agri-fresh produce in their supply chain as a result of poor management and a lack of collaborative practises. A literature review and expert advice were used in the proposed research to identify collaborative practices implementation barriers in the agri-fresh produce industry in order to achieve food and nutritional security by reducing agri-fresh produce loss and waste. In addition, the graph theoretic and matrix approach (GTMA) was used to quantify the intensity of these barriers. The results showed that the primary barrier was technology and information-sharing, with a permanent value of 15,426,006, and the secondary barrier was assessment practices, with a permanent value of 642,734. The findings also demonstrated the range of intensity of barriers to implementing collaborative practices (IOB)CPI in the agri-fresh produce industry. The obtained (IOB)CPI values at the sub-system and system levels can be used by managers and policymakers to better understand the nature and impact of barriers to reducing agri-fresh produce loss and waste and achieving food and nutritional security.