Title: Supply chain management in food processing sector: experience from India

Authors: Khushdeep Dharni; Ramandeep Kumar Sharma

Addresses: School of Business Studies, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India ' ING Vysya Bank Ltd, Sector 8-C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh, India

Abstract: Food processing is an important link between agriculture sector and the consumers. Importance of logistics and supply chain management is increasing at the global level especially in food processing. Present study is an attempt to explore the status of supply chain management in food processing industry of Punjab. Fifty food processing units were included in the study. Survey queries focused on a range of issues such as recognition of supply chain management as a separate functional area, use of information technology applications, and use of cold chain facilities. An attempt was also made to explore supply chain management practices adopted by food processing units. Results indicate that logistics and supply chain management is still in its infancy in food processing sector. There is considerable scope improving supply chain management practices especially in context of information quality, and postponement.

Keywords: supply chain management; SCM practices; food processing; logistics regression; India; information technology; cold chain facilities; information quality; postponement; food supply chains.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2015.069080

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2015 Vol.21 No.1, pp.115 - 132

Received: 15 Oct 2013
Accepted: 04 Jan 2014
Published online: 09 May 2015 *

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