STUDY OF PERISHABLE FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS

Abstract

Food is a basic need of every human being and is necessary for human survival. Food security, food safety, farmer distress, food waste, and the environmental effects of food supply chains (FSCs) have all received the limelight at global podiums as the world's population continues to rise and food production is near its limit. Sustainability in the food supply chain has attracted the attention of scholars, professionals, and planners worldwide. Perishability has significant consequences for sustainability of FSCs. The challenges for sustainability are amplified owing to the greater need for refrigeration, more food waste and decay, a greater need for packing, and ultimately a greater environmental effect due to perishability. The features of food products, such as their sensitivity to the environment, perishability, and unpredictability in terms of production, quality, and cost, have a significant impact on managing the perishable food supply chains (PFSC). A complex challenge of balancing food quality, waste creation, sustainability, and economic factors is presented due to perishability. The research in the thesis is driven by the thought that analysing the challenges and risks in PFSC, is particularly significant from the perspective of a developing country. The research focussing on sustainability in PFSC is still not sufficient. Theoretical work is required to particularly identify the barriers, challenges, and risks to sustainability in PFSC. The majority of FSC studies use a broad supply chain approach, with the food sector functioning only as a case study. There is a need for PFSC-specific theoretical development that distinguishes PFSC from generic supply chains. There scarcity of research exploring the influence of perishability and other food qualities on supply chain decisions, such as SC network design, supplier selection and order allocation, and so on. The thesis thus provides insights about how perishability and sustainability may influence PFSC decision-making. Furthermore, current technologies like industry 4.0 (I4.0) might assist in alleviating the challenges related to FSC sustainability. As a result, it was seen as critical to investigate I4.0 applications for FSC sustainability in developing countries. The research in the thesis thus aims to achieve five research objectives (i)- Identification of issues and challenges for sustainability in PFSC from Indian perspective. (ii)- Modelling of challenges for sustainability in perishable supply chains from Indian perspective. (iii)- Study of strategies for managing risks in perishable food supply chains: lessons from COVID-19. (iv)- Development of Mathematical models to optimise supply chains while perishability related parameters such as shelf life, product deterioration, etc. (v)- Exploring the application of new and advanced technologies like industry 4.0 in perishable supply chain.