Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mahsa Pishdar ¹
• Atefeh Habibi ²

¹ Assistant Professor, Faculty of Management and Accounting, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran

² Master's student in Industrial Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran

Abstract

To explain a framework for managing the risk of transportation in the food industry supply chain, the initial step involves identifying 12 risks that can potentially lead to transportation disruptions, based on the research background. Utilizing the Delphi method and gathering opinions from 15 academic and industrial experts across 3 stages, the risks were ultimately defined. Furthermore, expert opinions were sought to determine solutions to address the identified risks. The grey DEMATEL method was employed to investigate the interaction of risks. The findings revealed that weather problems, natural disasters, insufficient skilled labor/labor strikes, infrastructure capacity, and inflation and exchange rate changes are among the risks that exert a more significant influence on other risks than they are influenced by them. Subsequently, using the grey COPRAS method, the prioritization of solutions to mitigate the identified risks, based on expert opinions, was undertaken. The results indicated that the top-ranked solution is the definition of key performance indicators. Therefore, it is recommended to managers that, in order to establish a robust supply chain and proactively manage risks, they should identify stakeholders and critical processes. Afterward, an agreement on the financial flow in each situation should be obtained, and a value flow map drawn. This approach enables the implementation of preventive measures to reduce supply chain risk and facilitates the preparation of an emergency plan for unforeseen conditions, thereby enhancing resilience.
Introduction
Disruption in transportation stands as the pivotal factor undermining the efficiency of the supply chain. Any significant interruption can result in delays or business flow cessation, leading to consequential impacts (Ali et al., 2021). The transportation supply network is susceptible to various technical, economic, and environmental factors (Tan et al., 2023). Simultaneously, research indicates that factors such as a workforce lacking sufficient skills, suboptimal selection of service providers, traffic accidents, and the inability to predict the systemic impact of these risks play a crucial role in transportation, causing disruptions in the flow. In addition to these factors, it is noteworthy that supply chain management in the food industry introduces its own complexities. Unlike other industries, the quality of products in this type of supply chain consistently diminishes during product movement and this issue of perishability intensifying the need for transportation risk management (Hosseini-Motlagh et al., 2019; Choe et al., 2021). Given this context, emphasis should be placed on establishing distribution channels with lower costs and implementing change management to enhance efficiency. However, existing studies have predominantly focused solely on analyzing transportation disruption within companies' supply chains. Clearly, it is insufficient to only address disorders or the risks that may lead to their occurrence. A comprehensive examination of the cause-and-effect relationships among these risks facilitates a systematic understanding of the risk network. This approach enables the development of a more effective program to enhance the resilience of the transportation system. Even in the face of risks and disruptions, this ensures minimal damage, a swift return to normal operational levels in the supply chain, or the application of knowledge management to learn from experiences and prevent the recurrence of disruptions through appropriate implementation solutions. Consequently, the overall performance of the supply chain can be improved. In consideration of these elements, this study aims to address the following main questions:
- What are the risks associated with transportation in the food supply chain?
- What are the pertinent solutions, according to expert opinions, and what is their prioritization?
Methodology
In terms of its objective, the current study falls within the domain of applied research as it aims to discover practical solutions to address a real-world problem. Regarding information collection, the study is categorized as survey research, wherein data is gathered based on the opinions of 15 experts. Among these experts, 9 are drawn from the industrial community, each possessing over 10 years of experience in the commercial sector and raw material procurement within the food industry. The remaining 6 experts are affiliated with the academic community and have published numerous articles in the field. The study unfolds in several stages. Initially, a compilation of transportation risks causing disruptions in the food supply chain is accomplished through a literature review. Subsequently, the Delphi method is employed to screen and refine these disruptions. The cause-and-effect relationships among the identified disruptions are then scrutinized using the Grey DEMATEL method. Experts are engaged to contribute not only by assessing the risks but also by providing their insights into coping strategies based on their experience. Finally, the coping strategies are prioritized using the Grey COPRAS method.
Results and Discussion
According to the obtained results, it is evident that the climate problems risks of failure to choose logistics service providers that care about sustainability principles (C6) and frequent change of product delivery time (C9) exhibit the highest degree of interconnectedness with other risks. The weights of these risks have also been determined. Notably, the failure to choose logistics service providers committed to sustainability principles has secured the top rank with a weight of 0.1443. Following closely, the frequent change of product delivery time holds the second position with a weight of 0.1384, while natural disasters rank third with a weight of 0.1039. Turning to coping strategies, it is noteworthy that the solution of "Definition of Key Performance Indicators (KPI)" has claimed the top position. In today's business landscape dominated by Logistics 4.0 and Omnichannel, simplifying processes can create significant added value for any business, particularly in minimizing transfer time. Concurrently, many manufacturing companies are leveraging various logistics transportation modes as a critical factor for promptly responding to demands, thereby enhancing service reliability and minimizing travel time (Foroozesh et al., 2022). The adoption of modern technologies such as the Internet of Things facilitates real-time inventory monitoring, contributing to dynamic pricing policies. As product quality diminishes along the chain, electronic labels enable adjusting product prices based on features (Kumar & Agrawal, 2023).
Conclusion
Studies indicate that supply chain managers, particularly in food supply chains, have demonstrated significant commitments to sustainability goals, leading to the pursuit of a diverse array of performance improvement projects. This study identifies various risks and corresponding coping strategies. Outsourcing logistics activities to 3PL allows leveraging their expertise in supply chain management, thereby enhancing stability and efficiency. This approach can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint, increasing order fulfillment, and lowering energy consumption throughout the supply chain.
For future research endeavors, it is recommended to prioritize strategies related to realizing the circular economy within the logistics system of the food industry. Providing a roadmap for the sustainable development of logistics clusters can enhance supply chain performance, minimize waste, and boost the social credibility of the supply chain. Additionally, attention to the concept of greenwashing in sustainable logistics, particularly concerning the fulfillment of social responsibility, can prove beneficial in improving overall supply chain performance

Keywords

• Transportation Risk
• Food Supply Chain
• Gray DEMATEL Method
• Gray COPRAS Method
• Delphi method

Main Subjects

• supply chain management