Managing Sustainability in Perishable Food Supply Chains : A Case of Mango From Farm-to-Table
This research explores the significant role of India in the global food production sector, with a specific focus on perishable goods. It examines how this sector contributes to rural income and overall economic growth, while also addressing issues like post-harvest losses and inefficiencies in the perishable sector. The study highlights the necessity of a sustainable and efficient perishable sector for the progression of the Indian economy. By utilizing insights from resource-based view theory, stakeholders theory and systems theory, the research delves into the challenges and opportunities present in India's perishable food supply chain, emphasizing the crucial role of farmers in ensuring quality and effectiveness in India. Additionally, the study explores the broader context of Indian agriculture, with a specific focus on the perishable and horticulture sectors, their economic importance, and challenges such as post-harvest losses and the impacts of climate change. The research advocates for a strategic collaborative approach involving governments, businesses and communities to secure the sustainability and resilience of the perishable food supply chain in light of current and future challenges. The existing literature on the perishable food supply chain is evaluated to find the research gaps. This evaluation is conducted through a bibliometric analysis, shedding light on areas that have been neglected or inadequately explored in prior research. The identified gaps serve as the foundation for the research objectives of the study, aiming to fill these voids with fresh insights and discoveries. To establish the groundwork for the investigation, this research also initiates an in-depth discourse on each hypothesis, ensuring that the research design presented is both transparent and logical. The ultimate objective is to enhance comprehension of the perishable foodsupply chain, paving the way for future studies to build upon this foundational work. Then the research seeks to elucidate the research methods utilized to meticulously validate the researchmodel, employing stringent techniques and measures to guarantee the integrity and dependability of the findings. This framework aims to encapsulate the entire research process succinctly, from its fundamental objectives to the eventual implications of its findings, guiding readers through the investigative journey undertaken in the study. To achieve these objectives, a research model is presented that examines the interrelationships between quality, efficiency, sustainability and technological capabilities within the perishable food supply chain. The research methodology employed in this study combines both quantitative and qualitative techniques. It encompasses a detailed description of the sampling procedure and data collection methods, including the utilization of probability sampling techniques and surveys. Furthermore, the statistical tools and techniques employed in the study is Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The study formulates a comprehensive model that takes into account quality, efficiency and sustainability within the perishable food supply chain, with a specific focus on the moderating impact of technological capabilities. It identifiespositive connections between quality and sustainability, efficiency and sustainability, as well as the combined influence of quality and efficiency on sustainability. Technological capabilities are revealed to bolster these connections, underscoring the significance of circularity in the supply chain to minimize waste and align with sustainability objectives. The research concludes by providing insights on the challenges and prospective pathways towards more sustainable, efficient, and quality-driven practices in the perishable sector, particularly in light of technological advancements and the global trend towards circularity.