Modeling critical success factors of traceability for food logistics system

Abstract

Economic growth of a nation depends upon its capability to ensure the security of safe and quality food to its citizens. Despite having the vital role of food security in the growth, emerging economies are facing a number of challenges in their food logistics system. One of the most attention-seeking challenges is the management of security and safety of food commodities in food logistics. The prime concern is to monitor food quality throughout its supply chain and track the physical movement till it reaches end-consumers. This requires implementation of an effective and efficient traceability system. The successful implementation of traceability system requires consideration of multiple stakeholders’ perspectives. On the basis of critical success factor (CSF) theory and multiple stakeholders’ view on ensuring the security of quality food, this study proposes a comprehensive framework for implementation of traceability-based food logistics system. It attempts to identify and classify various CSFs necessary for the implementation of traceability system using a questionnaire-based survey followed by exploratory factor analysis. Further, an analysis of inter-relationships among the statistically significant CSFs is performed using total interpretive structural modeling, which considers multiple stakeholders’ views. The study helps in developing a comprehensive understanding of directional inter-relationships among CSFs and provides significant insights related to ways to improve consumer satisfaction through safe and quality food in food logistics.