Simulation Model for a Sustainable Food Supply Chain in a Developing Country: A Case Study of the Banana Supply Chain in Malawi

Evance Hlekwayo Moyo (), Stephen Carstens and Jackie Walters
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Evance Hlekwayo Moyo: Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management, School of Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
Stephen Carstens: Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management, School of Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
Jackie Walters: Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management, School of Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa

Logistics, 2024, vol. 8, issue 3, 1-23

Abstract: Background : Sustainability in food supply chains is desired for production, logistics, and waste management. However, food supply chains (SCs) have complex systems that differ from other SCs. Managing such complexities is challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to their heightened constraints, such as limited resources and inadequate awareness. Despite the challenges, there is fragmented research, understanding, and approaches to assist SMEs. SC designs need to be adapted so that SMEs can navigate the challenges and avert high wastage. The main objective of this research was to identify the practices influencing sustainable SC designs in a developing country and create a simulation model to illustrate the potential benefits and challenges of promoting sustainability in the banana SC in Malawi. Methods : Mixed-methods research was utilised, employing a literature review, participant interviews, observations, and survey data collected from 353 participants from three districts in Malawi to gain insight into the banana SC problem, establish objectives, and develop a simulation model complemented by design science research. Results : The research identified awareness, collaboration, efficiency, governance, knowledge sharing, and resilience as sustainability practices in the case study banana SC, thus forming a sustainability model. Simulation results showed improvements in key performance indicators like shelf-life, lead-time, quality, throughput, and waste through SC operation reorganisation. Conclusions : Sustainable models must be tailored to the specific challenges inherent in developing food supply chains in developing nations. The development of the models has significant managerial implications, notably enhancing strategic planning, operational efficiency, risk management, alignment of sustainability goals, performance monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and resource optimisation.

Keywords: cold chains; design science research; developing countries; discrete event simulation; food supply chain; sustainability practices; sustainable supply chain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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