Title: Assessing significant factors for sustainable cold chain performance in Sri Lankan context

Authors: Keshala Wickrama Gunaratne; Pradeepa Jayaratne

Addresses: Department of Transport and Logistics Management, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka ' Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development, Sri Lanka

Abstract: Nearly one third of food produced globally is wasted during storage and transportation activities along the supply chain. While cold chains are becoming an imperative fragment in most developed countries, in developing countries there is huge loss incurred due to poor supply chain management practices. The main objective of this study is to identify the contributing factors to facilitate cold chain sustainability. The paper highlights inadequacies in existing literature in cold chain management area to maintain food quality. The research used data collected in five different industries in Sri Lanka. Significant factors were identified using analytical methods such as exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis and factor-based relationship model was derivate using structural equation modelling technique. The work is original in the way authors' integrated sustainability across the three key factors that identified along cold chain. The context can be used by researchers and practitioners to develop practical sustainable cold chain performance framework.

Keywords: sustainability; green logistics; perishables; cold chain; temperature controlled environment; food waste; carbon foot print; sustainable performance; cold chain performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISM.2020.107852

International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 2020 Vol.13 No.2/3, pp.277 - 301

Received: 09 Mar 2019
Accepted: 08 Aug 2019
Published online: 25 Jun 2020 *

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