Sustainable Management of Challenges in the Agri-Food Supply Chain: the Case of Upcountry Vegetable Farmers in Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka

The aim of writing this research article is to determine the influence of supply chain challenges on MSMEs performance, Supply chain integration on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) performance, Management commitment to MSMEs performance, Supply chain integration on Supply chain performance. This research method is a quantitative survey, research data was obtained by distributing online questionnaires via social media. 700 questionnaires were distributed to MSMEs owners and of the 700 questionnaires distributed, 350 respondents or 50% responded as determined by the simple random sampling method. This research adopted a quantitative method with data analysis using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Partial Least Square (PLS) with SmertPLS software data processing tools. The questionnaire was designed using a Likert scale of 1 to 7. The stages of data analysis were validity, reliability and hypothesis testing. or significance. The results of data analysis show that supply chain challenges have a positive and significant influence on MSMEs performance, Supply chain integration has a positive and significant influence on MSMEs performance, Management commitment has a positive and significant influence on MSMEs performance, Supply chain integration has a positive influence and significant to supply chain performance. The novelty of this research is the creation of a relationship model of supply chain integration, management commitment, supply chain performance, supply chain challenges and MSMEs performance. The implication of this research is to encourage improvements in MSMEs performance, MSMEs managers must encourage improvements or implement challenges in the supply chain. Supply chain integration and management commitment. Supply chain management is not just about managing the flow of goods, but also a holistic business strategy that can create a competitive advantage. With a deep understanding of supply chain components, challenges and strategies, companies can ensure smooth operations and meet customer expectations in a dynamic and global business environment. Implementing best practices in supply chain management is the key to building a strong foundation for business success in an era of ever-growing globalization.

Supply Chain Management for Sustainable Food Networks provides an up-to-date and interdisciplinary framework for designing and operating sustainable supply chains for agri-food products. Focus is given to decision-making procedures and methodologies enabling policy-makers, managers and practitioners to design and manage effectively sustainable agrifood supply chain networks. Authored by high profile researchers with global expertise in designing and operating sustainable supply chains in the agri-food industry, this book: Features the entire hierarchical decision-making process for managing sustainable agrifood supply chains. Covers knowledge-based farming, management of agricultural wastes, sustainability, green supply chain network design, safety, security and traceability, IT in agrifood supply chains, carbon footprint management, quality management, risk management and policy- making. Explores green supply chain management, sustainable knowledge-based farming, corporate social responsibility, environmental management and emerging trends in agri-food retail supply chain operations. Examines sustainable practices that are unique for agriculture as well as practices that already have been implemented in other industrial sectors such as green logistics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Supply Chain Management for Sustainable Food Networks provides a useful resource for researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, regulators and C-level executives that deal with strategic decision-making. Post-graduate students in the field of agriculture sciences, engineering, operations management, logistics and supply chain management will also benefit from this book.

Maintaining an effective risk management procedure can counterbalance a critical effect on supply chains. The Agri-food supply chain has characteristics that are unique and complex if compared with a conventional supply chain. Sustainability risk management in the supply chain is the key to a competitive organisation in the long term. The aim of this paper is to review current research on sustainable risk management in the Agri-food industry chain. These reviews were arranged in steps systematically, ranging from searching related to review of supply chain sustainability risk management (SCSRM), reviewing the general framework of SCSRM and the framework of Agri-food SCSRM. Selection of literature review papers in the period 2010-2019, and obtained 30 papers. Risk aspects were analysed using a multi-dimensional approach (economic, social, environmental, technical, and institutional) that influences the sustainability of the Agri-food industry. The results show that there are few studies focusing on risk management to achieve a sustainable supply chain system. Some studies only focus on Triple Bottom Line elements (economic, social, and environmental). Sometimes, these studies do not consider risks from other elements such as technical and institutional aspects that can be influence the sustainability of the Agri-food industry. Technical aspects such as the reliability of technological systems and institutional aspects as policymakers support sustainability in a business process. The contribution of this paper is to provide an initial theoretical framework to guide researchers in analysing risk through a multi-dimensional approach to sustainability.

"Professor Boateng has done industry, government, and academia a huge favor by producing a truly comprehensive reference guide book filled with most of the terms associated with most aspects of supply chain management. Both local and global C-Suite executives, policy makers, academics and the like will immensely benefit from this handy compilation." -Dr Mohan Kaul. Executive Chairman, Commonwealth Investment Corporation, London. "A must have for supply chain management academics and practitioners. This revised edition offers the most comprehensive vocabularies associated with supply chain management to date." -I.M. Ambe, Professor of Supply Chain Management and Head of SCM Group, UNISA "The need to improve supply chain management understanding is increasingly becoming strategically important to business and society. Today, it is still relatively opinion rich and nomenclature poor. Without doubt, the 2nd edition of Professor Boateng's compendium has come at the right time to help correct the anomaly." -Dr Patricia Makhesha, Managing Director, Platreef Project, Ivanplats. Professor Douglas BOATENG (MSc, EngD, FCILT, FOE, FIPlantE, FCMI, FIC, Finst. D FIOM FCIPS, FloD, CDir), Africa's first ever appointed Professor Extraordinaire for supply and value chain management (SBL UNISAJ, is an International Professional certified Chartered Director and an adjunct academic. Independently recognised as one of the vertical specific global strategic thinkers on procurement, governance, logistics, and industrial engineering in the context of supply and value chain management, he continues to play leading academic and industrial roles in supply chain strategy development and implementation, both in Africa, and around the world. He holds, amongst other qualifications, an Institute of Directors Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction, and a Doctor of Engineering (Warwick). He is also an elected FELLOW of Institute of Directors-UK & South Africa; Society of Operations Engineers- UK; Institution of Plant Engineers- UK; Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport-UK & South Africa; Chartered Management Institute - UK; Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply- UK; Institute of Business Consulting -UK; and the Institute of Operations Management- UK. Recognised for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of local and international aspects of supply chain management he was bestowed with a Platinum Life Time Global Achievers Award (2016) and a Life Time Achievers Award (2013) by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, and its various local industry associations. In 2016, Professor Boateng was honoured by CEO Titans Building Nations with a Life time Achievers Award for exceptional work done in the area of industrial engineering, procurement, and supply chain management in a developing world context. He has also been publicly acknowledged by leading institutions, including the Commonwealth Business Council, for his ongoing contribution to the rapidly emerging concept of strategic sourcing and its inextricable link to Africa's long-term industrialisation and socio-economic development. He has been an elected member of the UK's Institute of Directors for over 20 years, and continues to assist organisations and CEOs with board level, directional, and governance matters. In addition, Professor Boateng has been publicly acknowledged by leading institutions, including the Commonwealth Business Council, for his ongoing contribution to international procurement, supply chain development and governance, and its link to emerging world long term socio-economic development.

"This is a must for all practitioners, scholars and researchers on strategic sourcing. It succinctly provides invaluable information which is logically supported by the facts. It should be the resource for all current and aspiring supply chain professionals keen to learn more about the strategic connection between sourcing, company and industrial competitiveness, service delivery quality and national and regional development." -Intaher Ambe, Professor of Supply Chain Management: School of Management Sciences, UNISA "This Executive Insights into Strategic Sourcing is an essential and thought provoking resource for all directors, new and experienced, of government, public and private sector organisations. Not only does Professor Boateng provide insightful reflections on the role of strategic sourcing in national development, he also concisely blends research, real world data and best practices and experiences that help decision makers initiate sourcing practices for maximum long -term company and societal benefit." - Lebogang Letsoalo, Vice President, Supply Chain Management: Sasol Base Chemicals Professor Douglas BOATENG (MSc, EngD, FCILT, FSOE, FIPlantE, FCMI, FIC, FInst. D FIOM FCIPS, FloD, CDir), Africa's first ever appointed Professor Extraordinaire for supply and value chain management (SBL UNISA), is an International Professional certified Chartered Director and an adjunct academic. Independently recognised as one of the vertical specific global strategic thinkers on procurement, governance, logistics, and industrial engineering in the context of supply and value chain management, he continues to play leading academic and industrial roles in supply chain strategy development and implementation, both in Africa, and around the world. He holds, amongst other qualifications, an Institute of Directors Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction, and a Doctor of Engineering (Warwick). He is also an elected FELLOW of Institute of Directors-UK & South Africa; Society of Operations Engineers-UK; Institution of Plant Engineers- UK; Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport-UK & South Africa; Chartered Management Institute- UK; Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply- UK; Institute of Business Consulting -UK; and the Institute of Operations Management-UK. Recognised for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of local and international aspects of supply chain management he was bestowed with a Platinum Life Time Global Achievers Award (2016) and a Life Time Achievers Award (2013) by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, and its various local industry associations. In 2016, Professor Boateng was honoured by CEO Titans Building Nations with a Life time Achievers Award for exceptional work done in the area of industrial engineering, procurement, and supply chain management in a developing world context. He has also been publicly acknowledged by leading institutions, including the Commonwealth Business Council, for his ongoing contribution to the rapidly emerging concept of strategic sourcing and its inextricable link to Africa's long-term industrialisation and socio-economic development. He has been an elected member of the UK's Institute of Directors for over 20 years, and continues to assist organisations and CEOs with board level, directional, and governance matters. In addition, Professor Boateng has been publicly acknowledged by leading institutions, including the Commonwealth Business Council, for his ongoing contribution to international procurement, supply chain development and governance, and its link to emerging world long-term socioeconomic development.

Chapter 2 - Emerging issues and challenges in agri-food supply chain

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to provide a review of state-of-the-art literature on information sharing in the context of African perishable agri-food supply chains (AFSCs). In doing so, the authors hope to stimulate further research and advance both theory and practice on African perishable AFSCs, which is a relevant, but under-investigated context.Design/methodology/approachThe authors’ systematic literature review covers a period of 21 years (2000–2021). After providing the bibliometric and methodological insights related to this sample of literature, the authors provide a detailed analysis and discussion of the key aspects of information sharing in African perishable AFSCs, based on a review framework grounded in the information sharing literature.FindingsThe authors’ review revealed that information sharing in African AFSCs is still in its nascent stage. Findings are based on four themes of (1) why share information (mainly to gain market access), (2) what information is shared (price and market information) (3) how it is shared (still traditional communication, with limited adoption of digital technologies?) and (4) antecedents, drivers and barriers (technology adoption and socio-economic background of Africans).Research limitations/implicationsThis paper outlines a research agenda for advancing the theory on information sharing in AFSCs. Furthermore, the review highlights the importance of context, supply chain structure, relationships, product characteristics and culture in studying AFSCs.Originality/valueA review on information sharing in African perishable AFSCs does not appear to exist in operations and supply chain management (O&SCM) and agribusiness journals.

PurposeResilience in agri-food supply chains (AFSCs) is an area of significant importance due to growing supply chain volatility. While the majority of research exploring supply chain resilience has originated from a supply chain management perspective, many other disciplines (such as environmental systems science and the social sciences) have also explored the topic. As complex social, economic and environmental constructs, the priority of resilience in AFSCs goes far beyond the company specific focus of supply chain management works and would conceivably benefit from including more diverse academic disciplines. However, this is hindered by inconsistencies in terminology and the conceptual components of resilience across different disciplines. The purpose of this study is to use a systematic literature review to identify which multidisciplinary aspects of resilience are applicable to AFSCs and to generate a novel AFSC resilience framework.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a structured and multidisciplinary review of 137 articles in the resilience literature followed by critical analysis and synthesis of findings to generate new knowledge in the form of a novel AFSC resilience framework.FindingsFindings indicate that the complexity of AFSCs and subsequent exposure to almost constant external interference means that disruptions cannot be seen as a one-off event; thus, resilience must concern the ability to not only maintain core function but also adapt to changing conditions.Practical implicationsA number of resilience elements can be used to enhance resilience, but their selection and implementation must be carefully matched to relevant phases of disruption and assessed on their broader supply chain impacts. In particular, the focus must be on overall impact on the ability of the supply chain as a whole to provide food security rather than to boost individual company performance.Originality/valueThe research novelty lies in the utilisation of wider understandings of resilience from various research fields to propose a rigorous and food-specific resilience framework with end consumer food security as its main focus.

PurposeThis paper identifies, evaluates and structures research that focuses on “collaboration” (C), “trust” (T) and “performance” (P) in the agri-food supply chain (AFSC) and reveals its intellectual foundation. It aims to synthesize research published over a period of 18 years (from 2003 to the beginning of 2020) and provide a platform for practitioners and researchers in their efforts to identify the existing state of work, gaps in current research and future directions in the area of collaboration–trust–performance (CTP) in the AFSC.Design/methodology/approachPrior to carrying out a bibliometric analysis (BA), literature search was performed, identifying 69 related papers focused on CTP in the AFSC. The content of the papers was further analysed in a systematic literature review (SLR) with regard to the subject area, theoretical lenses, research methodology, supply chain (SC) category and other relevant categories.FindingsCTP in the AFSC are based on a relationship marketing and operations management fundament but show specific particularities. AFSCM is a multi-dimensional design task, and collaboration is considered a necessity, whereas trust significantly affects the AFSC effectiveness. The paper also develops a conceptual CTP model, which shows the interrelations between all identified construct variables, where the authors were able to see also bi-directional relations. Furthermore, the paper presents viable future research opportunities, e.g. focus on organic food chains or multi-actor analysis.Research limitations/implicationsResults of the conducted BA refer to the CTP discussion within a preselected number of peer-reviewed academic articles, which are provided by the WoS CC (Web of Science Core Collection) database.Practical implicationsCTP measurements within the AFSC context are a relevant subject with increasing academic interest in the area of agricultural economics as well as operations and supply chain management (SCM). Therefore, further studies are necessary to develop the related theory and ascertain the practical implications of collaboration, trust and performance among members in the consistently complex AFSC.Originality/valueCTP have been recognized as important factors for designing a sustainable SCM strategy, particularly in the case of the AFSC. However, although previous studies have addressed the AFSC, there is insufficient knowledge regarding all three pillars (CTP) and how they enable successful AFSCM. The originality of this paper lies in systematically mapping the intellectual base of CTP research and providing path forward for research in AFSCM.

Purpose The food supply chain has faced many challenges due to its complex and complicated nature. Blockchain technology is one of the mechanisms used to improve agri-food supply chain processes by evolving organization capabilities. A study is being conducted to scrutinize the adoption of blockchain technology in the agri-food supply chain through the lens of the operational capability approach. It further makes an attempt to identify the capabilities of blockchain to improve supply chain processes.Design/methodology/approach The qualitative research method with semi-structured interviews was used to gather information from experts and professionals in the food supply chain and blockchain technology. The authors have adopted a systematic approach of coding using open, axial and selective methods to depict and identify the themes that represent the blockchain-enabled agri-food supply chain. The data were collected from 32 interviews of selected participants.Findings The result shows five critical areas where blockchain can come up to enhance the agri-food supply chain performance by providing traceability, transparency, information security, transactions, and trust and quality. Further, the study reveals that blockchain will provide safety, lower the cost of transactions and can create trust among users to communicate within the whole supply chain without the intervention of a third party. This study demonstrated that the capabilities need to be considered when introducing technology into the practice.Research limitations/implications The study implies thought-provoking implications for bridging the theory-practice gap by examining the empirical data to demonstrate how the operational capabilities of blockchain technology further strengthen the agri-food supply chain. Additionally, this study provides some suggestions for utilizing the results and proposes a framework to understand more about blockchain use cases in the agri-food supply chain as well as extend the application of blockchain using an operational capability approach for future academic researchers in this area.Practical implicationsThis study presented some more important managerial implications which reveal that the majority of organisations were in the initial stages of adoption process of blockchain technology. Further, the positive influence of managers and IT experts can help the information technology companies (IT) and stakeholders for developing and promoting blockchain solutions in the agri-food supply chain. The important implication of blockchain enabled agri-food supply chain is to maintain information security and incresae supply chain performance. Originality/value The study shows the operational capabilities of agri-food supply chain using blockchain technology. Blockchain can contribute in enhancing the agri-food supply chain to increase traceability and transparency and helps to reduce the risk of disruptions.

Agri-food supply chains refers to the connections that exist across the agri-food stakeholders from farm to fork related processes. In this environment, operations like planning and control are critical to enhance agri-food supply chains performance and decisions, which are considered complex mainly because the presence of a high variety of information and variables that are required to be managed simultaneously. Hence, the use of a combination of methods, methodologies and multidisciplinary approaches are one of the key trends in research to handle these complexities. The purpose of this is to benefit the agri-food sector by identifying sustainable solutions that will enhance social opportunities, as well as livelihoods, local and national economies. From this, impacts are expected in terms of providing stakeholders with validated scenarios to improve agri-food supply chain resilience, establish agri-food decision-making guidelines to enhance agriculture quality delivery and strengthen agri-food stakeholders position in local and global supply chains. However, since the interdependencies between agri-food stakeholders are related to several agri-food activities, resources and systems, the establishment of collaborative business models across the agri-food supply chain has turned more important than ever, specially to support global agri-food supply chains, food safety and traceability in response to the sustainable global challenges. Therefore, aligned with the H2020 RUC-APS research project, this research focuses in addressing key decision-making challenges in agri-food supply chain environments by connecting key operations management methodologies to collaborative research approaches in the regions of Europe, Asia and South America. The objective is to identify the operations management situations where decisions are made difficult by uncertainty in the agri-food domain, within the study and implementation of Operations Management based approaches in agri-food supply chains.

In recent times, sustainability of supply chains becomes the most interested subject by customers, firms, government bodies, academia, and suppliers as the environmental resources reveal as the most valuable and limited asset for human beings. One of the most important elements determining the performance of sustainable agri-food supply chain business is supplier’s commitment. A mainly inspiring feature in this domain is the wide range of factors influencing supplier selection decision-making process in Triple Bottom Line context must be analyzed. However, it is not easy to completely integrate and measure majority of these factors in a simple optimization model. Therefore, this paper starts with a comprehensive review of literature about supplier selection for sustainable supply chains (SSCs) development. Afterwards, a new two-steps hybrid solution method is suggested. In initial step, a set of criteria for supplier selection process is analyzed built on Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP). The result of the first step is fed in to the second step of the analysis to design a model with multiple objectives for selection process of supplier using fuzzy VIKOR. All three dimensions of sustainability; specifically, factors such as weather, water and soil footprint, energy and material consumption, employment, social services and finally financial performance of supply chain are considered concurrently. The suggested approach generates a comprehensive model to help supply chain managers in supplier selection process. Numerical analysis is completed via exploiting data from a Turkish agri-food company case for validating effectiveness, also and success of the proposed solution. Final analytical results of the analysis provide valuable business policy oriented, operational and practical insights on the influence of economic, environmental, and social sustainability for enhanced supplier relationship management module in sustainable supply chain structure. Moreover, by tracking environmental impact indicators such as, emission and pollution rates, footprint rates, against social and cost indicators it would be possible to perform tradeoff analysis for giving more sustainable decisions on new supply chain investments.

PurposeThis paper aims to systematically review the literature on quality management in agri-food supply chains (SCs) and propose an integrated conceptual framework.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review that analyses 93 papers in peer-reviewed academic journals published from 1996 to November 2021 is conducted. A conceptual model is advanced.FindingsBased on a hierarchy of capabilities perspective, the authors develop an integrated conceptual framework in which SC quality (SCQ) management practices promote three levels of SC dynamic capabilities, which in turn lead to agri-food SCQ performance.Originality/valueThe authors propose a hierarchy of capabilities perspective of quality management in agri-food SCs and develop a conceptual framework. Furthermore, a number of propositions based on dynamic capabilities and the review findings are provided. Four future research directions are presented.

This study aims to analyze the changes in the agrifood supply chain (AFSC) configurations in Latin America (LATAM) imposed by the markets as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper analyzes the results of mobility trends, production rates, logistics performance, and the strategies developed by managers and decision makers of the organizations of the agro-industrial sector for supply chain configurations during the early stages of the pandemic in a food-exporting region that contributes 14% of the world’s production of agricultural and fishery products. Through a literature review of reports and scientific articles on the behavior of the pandemic published by international organizations, research centers, and researchers around the AFSC in LATAM, the impacts on logistical disruptions, configuration strategies, and disruptive technologies applied in Latin American agrifood supply chains during the lockdown are identified. As a result of this reconfiguration of the AFSC, the development of short supply chains and the digitalization of supply based on electronic commerce were the most used strategies during COVID-19 in LATAM. The results of this study show that Mexico, Chile, and Brazil maintained a prominent position as leaders in the different logistics indicators for the AFSC by developing strategies that include short supply chains and the digitalization of supplies based on electronic commerce. Finally, this study also highlights the imminent need to address new research and theories on the reconfiguration of the AFSC, which allows expanding analytical capabilities in organizations to face future risks and challenges that will enable the reconfiguration of the supply chain in the face of catastrophic scenarios such as COVID-19.

PurposeThe importance of the agri-food supply chain in both food production and distribution has made the issue of its development a critical concern. Based on configuration theory and congruence theory, this research investigates the complex impact of supply chain concentration on financial growth in agri-food supply chains.Design/methodology/approachThe cluster analysis and response surface methodology are employed to analyse the data collected from 207 Chinese agri-food companies from 2010 to 2022.FindingsThe results indicate that different combination patterns of supply chain concentration can lead to different levels of financial growth. We discover that congruent supplier and customer concentration is beneficial for companies’ financial growth. This impact is more pronounced when the company is in the agricultural production stage of agri-food supply chains. Post-hoc analysis indicates that there exists an inverted U-shaped relationship between the overall levels of supply chain concentration and financial growth.Practical implicationsOur research uncovers the complex interplay between supply chain base and financial outcomes, thereby revealing significant ramifications for agri-food supply chain managers to optimise their strategies for exceptional financial growth.Originality/valueThis study proposes a combined approach of cluster analysis and response surface analysis for analysing configuration issues in supply chain management.