Manoj Kumar Dora

Determinants and barriers to lean implementation in food-processing SMEs – a multiple case analysis

This study explored contextual or determining factors and their impacts on lean manufacturing in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in food-processing industries. In order to get an in-depth insight into the real situation at the work floor, this study adopted a multiple-case-study research approach. The inherent characteristics of food industries, such as mandatory quality assurance requirements, low shelf life of food products, and the extremely volatile demand and supply presented barriers to lean manufacturing adoption. In addition, the challenges of ‘change’ in an SME environment are distinct from those faced by large organizations. The small size of the plant, the traditional setup, and inflexible layout make it difficult to implement lean manufacturing in food-processing SMEs. The knowledge of contextual factors influencing lean manufacturing adoption in food processing SMEs will be a contribution to current knowledge. Many studies have explored lean constructs and tools, while far fewer have explored the crucial element of actually implementing these. The study will also help practitioners to anticipate potential obstacles and take proper measures to deal with them during lean implementation.

Applying Value Stream Mapping to reduce food losses and wastes in supply chains : a systematic review

The interest to reduce food losses and wastes has grown considerably in order to guarantee adequate food for the fast growing population. A systematic review was used to show the potential of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) not only to identify and reduce food losses and wastes, but also as a way to establish links with nutrient retention in supply chains. The review compiled literature from 24 studies that applied VSM in the agri-food industry. Primary production, processing, storage, food service and/or consumption were identified as susceptible hotspots for losses and wastes. Results further revealed discarding and nutrient loss, most especially at the processing level, as the main forms of loss/waste in food, which were adapted to four out of seven lean manufacturing wastes (i.e. defect, unnecessary inventory, overproduction and inappropriate processing). This paper presents the state of the art of applying lean manufacturing practices in the agri-food industry by identifying lead time as the most applicable performance indicator. VSM was also found to be compatible with other lean tools such as Just-In-Time and 5S which are continuous improvement strategies, as well as simulation modelling that enhances adoption. In order to ensure successful application of lean practices aimed at minimizing food or nutrient losses and wastes, multi-stakeholder collaboration along the entire food supply chain is indispensable.

Lean Six Sigma Implementation in a Food Processing SME: A Case Study

Lean manufacturing has been acknowledged as a methodology to eliminate waste, while Six Sigma has been regarded as a diagnostic tool to improve processes by eliminating variation. The important objective of both of the methodologies is to identify the most critical processes to generate savings for an organization. Lean Six Sigma integrates these two approaches into an effective hybrid method, which combines the variability elimination tools from Six Sigma with the waste elimination practices from lean manufacturing. This paper aims to study the application of Lean Six Sigma in a medium-sized confectionary. The results show that the company successfully applied the Lean Six Sigma methodology and saved a considerable sum of money by reducing overfilling of final product (ginger bread). This study proposes a Lean Six Sigma framework to reduce overfill and rework. The proposed framework integrates lean tools and Six Sigma Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control methodology to reduce overfill and rework to enhance the bottom-line results. The result of this study will help food small- and medium-sized enterprises to effectively apply Lean Six Sigma to reduce variability and consequent waste in their production process. Copyright

Performance perceptions among food supply chain members

– A good supply chain relationship quality (RQ) is a crucial precursor for any stable exchange relationship which ensures relationship continuity. Although empirical research suggests that strengthening RQ improves supply chain performance (SCP), most studies have focused on dyadic business relationships. To fully understand the relational behaviour of a firm embedded in a supply chain, we need to look beyond the dyad into triads. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how SCP is influenced by RQ in a triadic agribusiness supply chain. , – Evidence is drawn from a quantitative survey of 150 agribusiness firms in the maize supply chain in Uganda. Data were collected in triadic context from 50 direct supply chains each composing of a supplier, focal firm and customer. Multi-group structural equations modelling (SEM) was used to assess the differences in perception on the influence of RQ on SCP amongst the supply chain members. , – Results provides empirical support for the positive influence of RQ on SCP. SEM reveals differences in perception between the upstream and downstream and amongst the supply chains members. While focal firms considered conflict, coercive power, commitment and trust to be important; suppliers considered trust, dependency and non-coercive power; and customers considered trust, dependency and coercive power to be important RQ factors affecting SCP. , – For agribusiness managers to enhance business performance there is need to cultivate strong and mutual relationship with supply chain members. It is also important to know how to handle conflicts and use of power so as to realise the benefits of supply chain relationships. , – The paper is novel in that it assesses SCP in a triadic context in an agribusiness sector from a developing country context. The authors used novel approaches including analysis of a triad, and multiple groups SEM to assess perceptions of each supply chain member’s.

Barriers to effective circular supply chain management in a developing country context

Abstract Circular supply chain (CSC) emphasises surge in application of reuse, recycling, remanufacturing and thereby promotes transformation from linear to circular model of flow of products. Supply chains of manufacturing industries have become global over the years. Products manufactured in developing nations are being sent to developed nations for mass consumption. Developed nations have regulatory policies, technological knowhow and modern infrastructure to adopt CSC model. Their counterpart is trailing in these aspects. In literature, limited work has been performed on identifying challenges of implementing CSC in developing nations. Therefore, employing literature review and feedback received from experts, 16 important barriers were identified to CSC adoption in India. These barriers were analysed using integrated Interpretive Structural Modelling ? MICMAC approach. The findings will contribute in transforming supply chains thereby bringing economic prosperity, addressing global warming and generating employment opportunities. Finally, crucial policy measures and recommendations are proposed to assist managers and government bodies.

A global perspective of food market integration : a review

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the state of the art research on food market integration, classifies it and provides a comprehensive bibliography for researchers with interest in market integration. A thorough review of literature published between 1990 and 2014 on food market integration generated 65 articles for in-depth analysis. Findings show that the majority of research has concentrated relatively more on identifying the degree of linkages among the markets but not on its implications. The paper also identifies the following factors as very important in increasing/ decreasing the degree of market integration: physical infrastructure, market institutions, information, competition, market power, trade, social capital, public/ government intervention and export restrictions/ban. The paper further identifies several areas for future research.

Evaluating GM biofortified rice in areas with a high prevalence of folate deficiency

Folate biofortified rice is considered a novel strategy to reduce the burden of folate deficiency. This study quantifies the possible health benefits of introducing this GM crop in two regions at high risk of folate deficiency and neural-tube defects, namely Balrampur (India) and Shanxi (China). By measuring the number of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost, the results not only highlight the problematic situation in these regions, but also demonstrate the effectiveness of folate biofortification, which could save between 29-111 DALYs (Balrampur) and between 47-104 DALYs per 1,000 births (Shanxi). A sensitivity analysis underlines the impact of the parameters of the DALY framework.

Role of power in supply chain performance: evidence from agribusiness SMEs in Uganda

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of power on supply chain performance (SCP) in the context of small and medium sized agribusiness enterprises (SMEs). Contrary to most of previous studies, which collect and analyze data from one side of a relationship dyad using a focal firm approach, a matched triad approach was employed in data collection and analysis. Design/methodology/approach - Empirical data was collected from 150 agribusiness supply chain members from the maize supply chain in Uganda. Analysis was done using multi-group analysis and structural equations modeling. Findings - Results highlight the differences in the perception of power use and how it influences SCP. The differences in perception suggest the existence of power asymmetry amongst supply chain members. This work contributes to the ongoing debate concerning the use of triad as a unit of analysis as opposed to a firm or a dyad. Research limitations/implications - This study only focused on one commodity chain in one country, which can limit the broad application of the findings. Originality/value - The novelty of this work lies in fact that the authors assess perception of power amongst supply chain members in a triadic context, a perspective that has not been adequately tested in agribusiness supply chain management studies before.

The influence of value chain integration on performance: An empirical study of the malt barley value chain in Ethiopia

The study was funded by the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education (Nuffic) through the NICHE-ETH-019 project, a consortium project of four Ethiopian universities in collaboration with partner universities in the Netherlands and Belgium, to support the commercialization of Ethiopian agriculture. Moreover, the second author acknowledges the financial support of the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA, PD 116226), Supply chain and network performance and relationships in the agribusiness sector.

Information sharing and its integrative role: An empirical study of the malt barley value chain in Ethiopia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the volume and quality of information and communication channel use at various stages of the malt barley value chain (MBVC) in Ethiopia and to investigate how metrics of these variables influence the extent of integration of the chain. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on survey data collected from 320 farmers and 100 traders and interview responses compiled from 76 respondents. Descriptive statistics and ordered logistic regression were used for data analysis. Findings The descriptive statistics show a lower volume and poor quality of information is being shared at farmer-trader interface and that value chain integration (VCI) is weak at all studied interfaces. Results of ordered logistic regression show that information volume and quality positively influence VCI, whereas a positive relationship between channel use and VCI was found only at farm level interfaces. Evidences found suggested that inconsistent information systems, lack of information sharing plans, low level of members’ awareness about the value of information, and lack of trust to share information were factors that inhibited information sharing in the MBVC. Originality/value The study offers pioneering evidence of the relative role of information volume and quality and channel use as factors that influence the extent of integration of the value chain.