Supply Chain Of Perishable Products Research Articles

Dynamic ordering and pricing for a perishable goods supply chain

The paper studies the combined problem of pricing and ordering for a perishable product supply chain with one supplier and one retailer in a finite horizon. The lifetime of the product is two periods and demand in each period is random and price-sensitive. In each period, the supplier determines first a wholesale price and then the retailer decides an order quantity and retail prices. We show that the optimal pricing strategy for the non-fresh product depends only on its inventory, and the optimal pricing strategy and the optimal order quantity for the fresh product depend only on the wholesale price and they have a constant relation. Moreover, the game between the retailer and the supplier for finite horizon is equivalent to a one period game with only one order. Thus, the optimal policies are identical at each period. For the additive and multiplicative demands, we further obtain equations to compute the optimal strategies. All of above results are extended into the infinite horizon case and longer lifetime products. Finally, a numerical analysis is given.

MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS AND STATISTICAL MONITORING OF APPLE FRUIT DEVELOPMENT ON THE TREE

In management of food production and processing, multivariate data analysis and process monitoring enhance the efficiency to maintain nutritional product quality and diminish the loss due to the decaying along the supply chain of perishable agrofood products. The limitation of traditional univariate methods in process monitoring is overcome by multivariate techniques, since the latter uses the correlation among the various variables in developing the monitoring statistics and hence, enables the visualization and interpretation of the 'big picture' about the process status. Multivariate statistical process monitoring (SPM) techniques are based on statistical methods such as principal components analysis (PCA). In this paper, PCA based multivariate techniques are applied to SPM in the site-specific monitoring of apples using nondestructively recorded apple spectra recorded during fruit development on tree. The fruit quality changes in time are used as normal reference for the fruit development and new growing samples are monitored in order to detect any anomaly in their growth conditions.

Evaluating alternative supply chain structures for perishable products

PurposeThis paper sets out to investigate the impact of various supply chain advancements within a perishable goods environment.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses discrete event simulation to evaluate diverse adjustments within the distribution framework of a food manufacturer and their major customers. Analysed aspects include level of safety inventory held, inventory issuing, replenishment and through‐put policies and increased demand transparency due to collaboration between manufacturer and various retailers. The importance and the impact of these factors are investigated using a wide variety of performance measures.FindingsSeveral promising practice designs are generated and recommended for implementation to improve the experienced shortcomings. Engaging in collaborative replenishment is emphasized in particular even in cases of limited scope. The analysis further reveals the importance of advanced inventory dispatch policies.Research limitations/implicationsThe research focused on the delivery framework of a particular manufacturer and the chosen products. Hence, research findings may differ and need to be modified before drawing conclusions for different products, companies or industries.Originality/valueEvaluating the impact of various stages of collaboration within a perishable product supply chain environment has not been addressed much within prior SCM research. The analysis tackles a variety of issues that specifically arise within a perishable goods framework and aims to support practitioners by identifying possible pitfalls and areas of improvement.

The supply chains of perishable products in northern Europe

Looks at the concept of supply chain management, discussing the theory and its relevance to perishables distribution and marketing. Shows how supply chain management (SCM) moves on from neoclassical theories of the firm to a new paradigm for business where competition pits channel against channel, and where supply chain partners combine skills and resources which none of the participants would be able to achieve independently. Argues that a growing recognition of the competitive advantage that can be gained through improving co‐ordination in the supply chain is the starting point for SCM initiatives that are evolving in the fresh produce sector. Observes that the fruit and vegetable supply chain has traditionally been fragmented but the last decade has seen rapid structural change. Briefly analyses the results of a qualitative survey of several northern European markets, in context, to highlight the differing degrees of pipeline integration within each system.