Food Logistics Research Articles

Development and assessment of blockchain‐IoT‐based traceability system for frozen aquatic product

AbstractThis study puts forward a novel frozen aquatic product traceability system (BIOT‐TS) that based on blockchain and Internet of things (IoT) technology, which can alleviate the drawbacks of current tracing management during cold chain logistic, such as the weak security performance, inefficient centralized data management as well as the easy‐tampered traceability information. The proposed system possesses the advantages of decentralization, safety, reliability, and tamper‐proofing when it compares with traditional tracking technology. It is particularly suitable for multi‐stages tracking management of cold chain logistics from aquaculture, production, logistics, and circulation to sales. In terms of such blockchain‐IoT‐based technology, the system is deployed and evaluated with the case of frozen turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) that is circulated and sold under the background of e‐commerce cold chain logistics. It can significantly improve the quality and safety of the frozen aquatic product by using smart contracts, consensus strategy, and data on‐chain verification technology. The overall involved participants can share more reliable tracing information after adopting this tracing system. Furthermore, the performance of this hybrid tracing technology has been evaluated by the operations of on‐chain process and tracing queries through the real experiments, and has testified to be effective. Therefore, the application of this system is beneficial for the improvement of the aquatic food logistics industry and ensures credit in its ecosystem.Practical ApplicationsThe blockchain‐IoT‐based frozen aquatic product traceability management is one of the most promising technologies that possess the advantages of tamper‐proof, transparent, and irrefutable transactions combined with distributed monitoring and tracking functionalities. Through the decentralized data management, smart contract, and mechanism of consensus, the traceability information is partitioned and encrypted storage, which can be used for government supervision and consumers' retroactive queries. This novel frozen aquatic food product tracing technology can fundamentally improve the reliability of quality tracing applications and make the closely related tracing management more transparent, secure, and efficient.

Crowdsourcing in Sustainable Retail—A Theoretical Framework of Success Criteria

Current research about crowdsourcing covers industries like food systems or logistics, leaving out the possible impact of crowdsourcing on sustainable retail. The debate about the sustainable impact of different industries is ongoing, especially discussing the adaption to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations critically. This paper examines the influence of crowdsourcing on the sustainable aspects of retailing by applying a theoretical derivation as well as an empirical observation. After theoretically discussing the linkage between crowdfunding as a crowdsourcing category and sustainable retail utilizing a literature review, a theoretical framework employing the grounded theory approach is constructed. A total of 24 crowdfunding campaigns aiming at the market introduction of new products or services, each worth over 5 million USD funding volume and run on international crowdfunding platforms, have been taken into consideration. The outcome of the analysis is a theoretical framework presenting three different categories, in which successful crowdfunding campaigns impacting sustainable retail excel: sustainable economic behavior, sustainable community management and sustainable market adaptation. The derived model contributes to the theoretical discussion about the impact of crowdfunding and assists practitioners in reflecting about their approach and goal setting prior to and while crowdfunding.

How Green Consumption Value Affects Green Consumer Behaviour: The Mediating Role of Consumer Attitudes Towards Sustainable Food Logistics Practices

The aim of the study is to identify the green consumption values and production patterns and understand how they impact consumer behaviour and purchase intention of green consumers, in particular, the environment-conscious youth in the city of Bangalore. The focus of the study is on the pre-purchase sustainable logistics of food products and how they impact behaviour and attitudes of green consumers. The theory of planned behaviour and social cognitive theory form the theoretical base for the current research. An online survey was conducted among 284 participants in and around the scope area. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used to test the hypotheses. The results showed that green consumption values and consumer attitudes towards sustainable food logistics either directly or indirectly influence green purchase intention and environmentally conscious behaviour towards food products. The main contribution of this study is the identification of new multidimensional constructs which can be used to measure green consumer attitude in terms of sustainable food logistics practices in the Indian context. These findings will empower managers and future researchers to understand how sustainable food logistics practices can create green consumer attitudes. They will also assist food production companies to identify possible opportunities, developments and other benefits they can derive from following sustainable food logistics practices.

Food Logistics 4.0: Opportunities and Challenges

Food Logistics 4.0 is a term derived from Industry 4.0 focusing on all the aspects of food logistics management based on cyber-physical systems. It states that real-time information and the interconnectivity of things, supplemented with novel technologies will revolutionise and improve the way food logistics is carried out. It has tremendous potential in terms of bringing transparency, swift delivery of food at reduced cost, flexibility, and capability to deliver the right quality product at the right place and at the right time. This paper discusses the vital technologies within Food Logistics 4.0 and the opportunities and challenges in this regard. It focuses primarily on food logistics, including resource planning, warehouse management, transportation management, predictive maintenance, and data security. Internet of Things, Blockchain, Robotics and Automation and artificial intelligence are some of the technologies discussed.

Fresh Food Logistics Risk Assessment Based on Bayesian Network

Fresh Food Logistics Risk Assessment Based on Bayesian Network

The emergence of biological invasions on food chains: a DPSIR analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate the emergence of a biological invasion and to explain the potential economic and social consequences on food chains. Straddling between ecology, social sciences, resource management and economics, invasion science is aimed at detecting, understanding and mitigating the impact of biological invasions on receiving ecosystems, including food ecosystems.Design/methodology/approachAfter a theoretical investigation about the main notions relevant for the invasion science, the authors practically review the kind of impacts deriving from biological invasions, mainly under economic, human health, ecosystem and biodiversity criteria.FindingsThe authors apply the DPSIR (Driving forces–pressure-state-impact-response) framework, originally developed in the context of European Environment Agency in this different context in order to assess the social, economic and environmental impacts of Invasive Alien Species (IAS). Responding to this emerging phenomenon, the European Union issues the EU regulation 1143/2014 which is the first strong act on invasive alien species.Originality/valueImplications – Food chains are complex systems that have multiple interdependencies both endogenously and exogenously, such as food production, food transportation, food logistics, food distribution, and so forth. However, it is rarely conceived the impact of invasion systems on the dynamics of food chains, although food sustainability is in turn impacted by how effectively and efficiently the various interdependencies have been designed or are working.

Renewable, Sustainable and Natural Materials on Food Packaging: Primary Data for Robotically Detect Packaging Shape in Logistics

In the past decades, plastic packaging was a key material to preserve, protect, store, and transport food products. It was shown in food logistics from the manufacturers to consumers. The cost of making plastics is cheap. It was determined by the energy input that used to process them. Ingredients used to create plastics are very inexpensive. Furthermore, food packaging is a container. If it made from plastic material, it was also durable and last long over the shelf life of foods. Due to the sustainability concerns, using plastic packaging will cause the environment issues. Recovering the environment will help the earth to remain supporting life. This research aims to summarise the findings of smart packaging using different types of materials consisted of renewable, sustainable, and natural materials. A state-of-the-art food packaging geometry is explained. The data trends of intelligent food packaging were found to associate with sustainable development goals

Study of Logistics Classification of Forest Food in Heilongjiang

From the point of view of logistics characteristics, this paper selects 27 representative forest foods for logistics characteristics analysis, determines five evaluation indicators of transportation and storage as the main aspects, quantifies the indicators combined with relevant research, and then uses fuzzy C-means clustering method to cluster forest foods, according to the clustering results. Combined with the development requirements of relevant logistics industry, the forest food in Heilongjiang is divided into 4 categories. It will lay a foundation for further research on the coordinated development of forest food logistics industry.

Youth and Adult Agrifood System Employment in Developing Regions: Rural (Peri-urban to Hinterland) vs. Urban

Using a unique dataset covering 178,794 households with 460,654 individuals spanning Africa, Asia, and Latin America, we explore employment of youths across rural zones (peri-urban, intermediate, hinterland) and urban areas. Using full-time equivalents (FTEs), we compare own-farming versus farm-wage labour, and nonfarm wage- and self-employment. Nonfarm includes: (a) agrifood system (AFS) jobs post-farmgate, in food processing, wholesale, logistics, retail, and food service; (b) non-AFS. Key findings are noted in order by Africa, Asia, and Latin America (whose youth employment rates are 61%, 39%, and 48%). (1) AFS shares in FTEs of employed rural youths are substantial (21%, 21%, and 23%). Wage employment share of AFS is lower in Africa (25%) versus Asia and Latin America (75%). (2) Own-farming in FTEs of employed rural youths are higher in Africa (51%, 19%, and 12%). The share for adults in Africa is 36%. Regressions show youths’ being in school does not reduce employment in own-farming (they are compatible), but reduces nonfarm labour. (3) Farm-wage employment shares in FTEs are small (4%, 13%, and 16%). (4) Regressions show that rural youths’ being in a peri-urban area sharply increases AFS and non-AFS employment compared with hinterland youths who depend more on own-farming.

Food Logistics and Packaging Art Design Based on Improved Wilson Model

Food Logistics and Packaging Art Design Based on Improved Wilson Model

Food logistics of dairy products in the food market of Uzbekistan

The dairy market is the most important area of agriculture not only in Uzbekistan, but throughout the world. There is constant competition in this area, which creates requirements for the quality of this product. The main task of producers is to provide the population with quality dairy products at an affordable price. An important role is played by transportation, transportation of dairy products, since export and import play a special role. This article analyzes the development of the dairy industry at present in the Republic. The production segments by the number of output are considered. Proposals have been made to improve the development of the dairy industry in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Economic analysis of the effect of flood disaster on food security of arable farming households in Southern Guinea Savanna Zone, Nigeria

The study assessed the economic analysis of the effect of flood disaster on food security of arable farming households in southern guinea savanna zone, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 farmers who experienced and didn’t experience flooding in Kwara and Niger States from whom data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, food security index and logistics regression model. This revealed that majority of the farming household heads in the study area were predominantly young people, who were still in their active age and had at least secondary education. Also, the food security result shows that majority of the farming households who experienced flood were not food secure. The regression result shows that the coefficients which were significant were years of schooling, household size, off farm income, household expenditure and flooding. The adaptation practices adopted against flooding by households includes seasonal migration, diversification of livelihood, terracing and early harvesting. The study recommends that climatic information especially the seasonal rainfall prediction annual reports be made available early enough to farmers in the flood plain areas to reduce the effect of food insecurity.
 Keywords: Flood, Food Security, Logistic Regression and Mitigate

Measurement of Logistic Performance of Imported Frozen Meat in Perum Bulog

Perum BULOG received a mission to import frozen meat by the government in accordance with Presidential Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 48 of 2016. As a company engaged in food logistics, Perum BULOG is expected to be able to carry out imported frozen meat logistics activities to meet domestic needs. Logistics activities of imported frozen meat in Perum BULOG are divided into three stages, starting from the assignment mechanism, import mechanism, and sales mechanism. This causes the realization of frozen meat has not been achieved in accordance with the assignment. This study aims to measure the logistics performance of the imported frozen meat logistics activities carried out by the State Logistics Agency. The analytical method used the Logistic Scorecard Model, by identifying business strategies to obtain KPIs, and compiling logistical performance measurements. The results obtained by the logistics performance score of 2.691. This means that logistical performance for imported frozen meats run by Perum BULOG is at level 2, so Perum BULOG's logistics performance is poor. The improvement recommendation is by making a map of the frozen meat commodity business and making a direct shipping distribution strategy. Keywords: activities of logistics, logistics performance measurement, logistic scorecard, perum bulog, frozen meat

Context-oriented ontology in food safety management

Actuality of the usage of the food safety knowledge-based technologies is shown. The food safety stakeholders and information objects are presented. The set of ontologies and context areas which are described decision –making tasks and processes are shown. The basic ontology is presented as a means of conceptual representation of the field of food safety. The usage of decision-making is considered. Modern food processing technologies, food safety requirements, food safety requirements (agricultural production, food processing, food logistics, food sales, food storage) etc. are characterized by the need for complex and rational solutions. It is necessary to consider different aspects of decision-making in food safety, which can be based not only on the knowledge of a particular subject area. The use of information and knowledge is a key task in any problem area related to the production and dissemination of knowledge, especially new types of unique (and valuable) content that are useful and accessible. The paper aim is to conceptually present an ontological system based on the use of context and ontologies and aimed at supporting decision making in the food safety management system. Food safety knowledge, which used in decision-making processes, is considered as the context knowledge and the knowledge that describes the content. The paper presents food safety stakeholders and provides information objects. The information and knowledge includes various aspects such as knowledge and information on the production and processing industry; and the food safety aspects. For this purpose, an interconnected set of ontologies is used, which is a multilevel associative structure: meta-ontology; basic ontology; context ontology; set of domain ontologies; realization ontology; user presentation and interaction ontology; model of inference machine. Implementation of food safety processes and integration of the components of decision-making is based on the presentation of the multi-level system of management and decision-making in it through a model of a context. The context framework takes into account different context domains, such as: purpose/result, actor, process/action, object, environment, facility, tools, presentation, location, and time. The ontology implementation builds an inter connected system of preparation and choice of solutions, both for the given problem and for interaction with other complexes of problems and tasks, allows to make decisions taking into account the consequences of their implementation.

A new logistics model for increasing economic sustainability of perishable food supply chains through intermodal transportation

ABSTRACT As urgency in limiting greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions has increased, greening freight and perishable food logistics activities has become an issue of interest. Intermodal rail-road transportation allows for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. However, one of the reasons this mode is traditionally not employed to move perishable food is because it is considered to be economically unsustainable. This paper aims to present a new transportation model for perishable food (named ‘traveling stock’), which removes the barriers to the implementation of the intermodal transportation of perishable food. Moreover, based on a methodology for quantifying the economic sustainability of the new logistics model, this paper outlines the assessment through a case study. The work finds that the level to which consumers appreciate product variety influences the extent of economic sustainability for the intermodal transportation of perishable products.

Optimization of Green Fresh Food Logistics with Heterogeneous Fleet Vehicle Route Problem by Improved Genetic Algorithm

In order to reduce the distribution cost of fresh food logistics and achieve the goal of green distribution at the same time, the Green Fresh Food Logistics with Heterogeneous Fleet Vehicle Route Problem (GFLHF-VRP) model is established. Based on the particularity of the model, an improved genetic algorithm called Genetic Algorithm with Adaptive Simulated Annealing Mutation (GAASAM) is proposed in which the mutation operation is upgraded to a simulated annealing mutation operation and its parameters are adjusted by the adaptive operation. The experimental results show that the proposed GAASAM can effectively solve the vehicle routing problem of the proposed model, achieve better performance than the genetic algorithm, and avoid falling into a local optimal trap. The distribution routes obtained by GAASAM are with lower total distribution cost, and achieve the goal of green distribution in which energy, fuel consumption and carbon emissions are reduced at the same time. On the other hand, the proposed GFLHF-VRP and GAASAM can provide a reliable distribution route plan for fresh food logistics enterprises with multiple types of distribution vehicles in real life, which can further reduce the distribution cost and achieve a greener and more environment-friendly distribution solution. The results of this study also provide a managerial method for fresh food logistics enterprises to effectively arrange the distribution work with more social responsibility.

Model-driven decision support to facilitate efficient fresh food deliveries

Summary The delivery of fresh food is challenged by various uncertainties present in daily logistics operations. To facilitate successful operations, this work reviews the recent work on model-driven decision support systems to identify research gaps and derive implications. Introduced systems in literature mainly employ simulation or optimization methods and focus on the consideration of industry specifics such as short shelf lives and the importance of efficient temperature control. Therefore, food quality models are often integrated to enable one to monitor quality throughout supply chain operations and adjust planning procedure respectively. To strengthen research, future work focusing on a stronger consideration of customer-related factors and holistic approaches considering various interdependencies present in fresh food logistics operations are required.

Regional Food Hubs For Distribution of Regional Food Logistics (Case Study on the Establishment of a Food Distribution Center in Banten Province, Indonesia)

Agriculture has a strategic role in sustaining the economy of a region, especially in improving food security and production of agricultural products. Food Hubs plays the role of building a food system that is capable of aggregating, distributing and connecting farmers with consumers directly. This requires the role and management of effective distribution methods by integrating the roles of farmers and consumers in a distribution center. The Distribution Center (DC) is managed by a Regional-Owned Enterprise (BUMD) that assists farmers in producing, selling and distributing food. Distribution Centers are able to overcome the problem of stock scarcity, price disparity, and price fluctuations in goods - especially staples. The Food hubs are supported by the determination of the number of warehouses, warehouse locations, and warehousing standards for the management of food staple inventory warehouses. Besides determining the level of inventory of safe food staples (buffer stock) is based on the main parameters: lead time and demand requirements. Food Hubs Operations embody the role of farmers, traders, in supporting the activities of distribution centers managed by Regional owned enterprises. Food hubs interactions involve institutions that play a role in sustaining these activities.

Are Battery-Electric Trucks for 24-Hour Delivery the Future of City Logistics?—A German Case Study

Especially in urban areas, a large proportion of air pollution can be attributed to road traffic. Thus, in many countries, bans are being discussed on diesel vehicles in inner cities. These diesel bans pose a severe threat to logistics service providers (LSPs) that are active in city logistics, since their fleets are based on diesel-powered vehicles. One solution for LSPs is to introduce battery-electric heavy-duty trucks (HDTs). However, this is rarely done at present, due to high investment costs of such trucks. In order to compensate these high investments, high mileages are required in order to benefit from such vehicles’ low operating costs. Implementing 24-hour delivery would increase the daily mileage of HDTs. Because of noise emission regulations, 24-hour delivery could only be performed using battery-electric HDTs. In this study, we explore whether using battery-electric HDTs for 24-hour delivery is economical for LSPs. We use data from a German LSP in food logistics, develop a system dynamics model, and integrate a total cost of ownership calculation along with an LSP and a retail store discrete choice model to determine whether 24-hour delivery with battery-electric HDTs is profitable for the LSP, and how it might be accepted and diffused among stores. We find that 24-hour delivery using battery-electric HDTs is immediately profitable. This is due to the almost 50% increase in the daily trip potential of battery-electric HDTs in comparison to diesel HDTs, which leads to a lower required total number of HDTs in the fleet. Lower transportation costs, increased delivery quality, and decreased risk lead to rapid adoption of 24-hour delivery among stores, while lower total costs of ownership (TCO) accelerate the adoption by the LSP. Diffusion through the fleet and stores takes only slightly longer than one HDT lifetime. Consequently, 24-hour delivery with battery-electric HDTs is a promising solution for innovative and sustainable city logistics.

Smart Sensing, Communication, and Control in Perishable Food Supply Chain

Transportation and distribution (T8D) of fresh food products is a substantial and increasing part of the economic activities throughout the world. Unfortunately, fresh food T8D not only suffers from significant spoilage and waste, but also from dismal efficiency due to tight transit timing constraints between the availability of harvested food until its delivery to the retailer. Fresh food is also easily contaminated, and together with deteriorated fresh food is responsible for much of food-borne illnesses. The logistics operations are undergoing rapid transformation on multiple fronts, including infusion of information technology in the logistics operations, automation in the physical product handling, standardization of labeling, addressing and packaging, and shared logistics operations under 3rd party logistics (3PL) and related models. In this article, we discuss how these developments can be exploited to turn fresh food logistics into an intelligent cyberphysical system driven by online monitoring and associated operational control to enhance food freshness and safety, reduce food waste, and increase T8D efficiency. Some of the issues discussed in this context are fresh food quality deterioration processes, food quality/contamination sensing technologies, communication technologies for transmitting sensed data through the challenging fresh food media, intelligent management of the T8D pipeline, and various other operational issues. The purpose of this article is to stimulate further research in this important emerging area that lies at the intersection of computing and logistics.