Green Logistics (GL) for Environmental Sustainability: A Review in Search of Strategies for Thailand’s GL Management

There is an increasing interest among both researchers and environmental management practitioners, in the topics of environmental sustainability, and logistics operations, as well as strategies which combine these two concepts as current logistics operations have many negative impacts on the environment. This article offers a systematic literature review of publications in the area of Green Logistics (GL), the significance of GL, and strategies adopted for the best performance of GL management in various countries for environmental sustainability, between the years 2010 and 2022. The study is presented by organization into the sections of introduction, green logistics and its importance for environmental sustainability, strategies for the development of green logistics in Thailand, and a conclusion. Some of the strategies obtained from the literature search for the development of green logistics in Thailand are management of transportation, storage, packaging, and loading and unloading; development of green warehousing; evaluation of logistics operation systems, publicity, promotion, and training; the use of integrated information technology to increase awareness of green logistics, and reverse logistics; and collaboration of organizational and stakeholder pressure. The article is expected to be beneficial to logistics services providers as well as the general public, in developing and implementing green logistics strategies to achieve a sustainable environment for the overall well-being of mankind on a global scale, socially, economically, and environmentally

Navigating Out of the Crisis: A Trade-led Recovery-A Practical Guide for Policymakers in Asia and the Pacific

The current economic and financial crisis is an unprecedented challenge for policymakers of the Asia-Pacific region. While the region's policymakers have gained considerable experience in responding to national or regional financial crises, they have less expertise in addressing a crisis that originated in the financial sector and then reverberated throughout the real economy. Governments in the region may benefit from considering other countries' experiences in how to react to sharp reductions in trade, employment and production. In addition, as this crisis has spread globally, the solution will have to be based on a global and coordinated response to limit long-term harm, in particular to the most vulnerable economies. This guide outlines short-, medium-, and long-term trade-related policy tools at the international, regional and national level which Asia-Pacific countries may want to consider both mitigate the impact of the economic crisis and to invest in more resilient economies for the future. This book has 7 chapters (1) National Coordination for a Trade-led Recovery, (2) Maintaining the Supremacy of the Multilateral Trading System, (3) Addressing Trade Financing and Trade Development Constraints, (4) Diversifying Products and Markets for Exports, (5) Enhancing South-South Trade and Cooperation, (6) Promoting Asia-Pacific Businesses for Long-Term Competitiveness, and (7) Looking beyond the Crisis: Positioning the Asia-Pacific Region for the Futureeconomic, financial crisis, Asia-Pacific, WTO, international trade, competitiveness, South-South Trade, export, Diversifying products, Multilateral Trading System, Trade-led recovery

Exploring green and logistics service quality of Thai logistics service providers

The emergence of environmental or green issues in global supply chains has made it an essential practice to measure the performance of organisations of not only from their financial and management perspectives but also their environmental performance, particularly logistics service providers (LSPs) as service providers. There has been little work done during last two decades linking the three topics of green service quality (GSQ), logistics service quality (LSQ), and the Thai government’s logistics performance index (TLPI) for the logistics sector. The objective of this thesis was to investigate issues pertaining to GSQ and LSQ, and their impact on the TLPI for logistics providers in Thailand.Based on an extensive literature review, three research questions were proposed for this thesis to address gaps in the body of knowledge. GSQ is a new area of theory development and few research studies have focussed on the on the integration of both green and logistics service quality. The study used a rigorous three-phase methodological framework originally developed for the marketing discipline for item and scale development and applied more recently to logistics research.A mixed method approach used semi-structured interviews in Phase One, in conjunction with the literature, to generate and develop variables of GSQ and LSQ. These variables were tested in a Phase Two empirical study of Thai LSPs and their customers using a questionnaire survey. Finally, in Phase Three structured interviews were conducted to verify and validate the overall results.The findings indicate that LSQ has a positive and significant effect on TLPI, and that effect is more pronounced when GSQ measures are included. Such measures indirectly affect TLPI through LSQ. The findings also propose a final set of twenty-eight GSQ and LSQ variables of importance to LSP performance as perceived by Thai LSPs and their customers, and are related generally to green safety, regulations and collaboration; time and services; order service quality; and order procedures competencies. In light of this study, Thai LSPs should consider introducing GSQ as part of their business and the Thai government might include GSQ measures as part of its TLPI

Modeling the Distribution of Organic Coffee Supply Chain from Junín Region, Peru

This research uses Supply Chain (SC) data gathered during the distribution and transportation activities of organic coffee. The purpose of this research is to analyze different ways in which crop-chain solutions are adopted in the region of Junn, Peru. The disintegration of the SC is revealed, as each cooperative member works uncoordinatedly on his own leading to different results standards with high costs and low returns. The study focused on different entities from farmers to the port of Callao of an organic coffee supply chain where disintegration is constant. The paper describes a misaligned supply chain including poorly collaboration. All problems found will be an opportunity to develop a distribution model in the organic coffee supply chain of Junn region

Knowledge is Power? A market orientation approach to the global value chain analysis of aquaculture: Two cases linking Southeast Asia and the EU

This thesis adds the market orientation approach to a global value chain analysis of four farmed seafood value chains from two Asian countries to the EU. The overall aim of the research is to critically evaluate whether, and to what extent, access to market information is the key to unlocking the potential of developing countries to create greater value: whether knowledge is power. The objectives of the thesis are therefore to explore the process of generating market information in seafood value chains from Asia to the EU; understand under what conditions market information is, is not or is only partially disseminated; and, evaluate the role of market information in responses by chain agents that create value. In order to achieve these objectives, fieldwork was conducted along the length of shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) from Bangladesh, and shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from Thailand to the EU. The EU is the world’s largest single market for imported fish and fishery products. France, Germany and the UK were selected for fieldwork as they are primary importers of the species from the selected countries. The research found that although increased knowledge is necessary, it is not a sufficient condition for increased value creation. Instead, the research advances existing understanding of seafood value chains by revealing that successful integration of developing country producers into global markets is partly dependent on governance and industry development in the exporting country. Weaknesses in these structures and relationships undermine supplier power by reducing access to market information, lessening incentives for sharing information, and restricting response capabilities. A number of methods for overcoming these constraints were found in the chains examined, focusing on direct links between market and value chain agents. Importantly, the research found that integration is also dependent on the willingness of those with a market presence in importing countries to share knowledge and power. Critically, the research has led to the conclusion that the possession of market information is one way for value chain agents, particularly those downstream, to guard knowledge and power for themselves. A better understanding of seafood markets and an improved analysis of aquaculture value chains from Asian countries to the EU revealed through the research will facilitate public and private responses that focus on the competitive advantage of the whole chain as a means to more sustainable development. This may well promote new chain configurations that place a premium on stronger and more collaborative linkages, increasing coordination between weak and strong suppliers and contribute to private sector development assistance. Only when knowledge is shared and suppliers gain power, will the market orientation of seafood value chains be improved, if not optimised

Rice Price Policy in Thailand

Formulating and implementing agricultural policies are important for the development of the agricultural sector and the rural population. The process of policy making is a political bargain between politicians and citizens. The outcome of this process, the policies, cannot be expected to be Pareto efficient resource allocations since altruistic behaviour is not very likely. All participants in the process have their own agenda. Thailand is the world’s largest rice exporter and one of the most efficient producers. Rice policies in Thailand have always been rather sensible due to the export orientation of the agricultural sector. Interventions in the rice market were first introduced after the Second World War, when export taxes were implemented. Influenced by the development on the world rice market and the domestic economy, rice policies have been altered during the decades. In the 1980s Thailand abolished the export taxes and rice policies were liberalized. In the beginning of the 21st century the Thai government introduced a new rice price policy that has been in use on and off since the introduction. The policy functions as a mortgage program in favour of the producers. When the Samak government reintroduced the price policy for the crops in 2008, the pledging price was the highest ever. This had a negative effect on the domestic rice market and also consequences for the rice trade. Due to the high prices, export orders went down as the importers decided to wait for rice from cheaper producer countries. Millers had problems joining the mortgage program due to lack of credit and high requirements. The policy has undermined the market forces and therefore also negatively affected the integration of the rice market. If the policy is sustained with high pledging prices, there is a risk of large negative effects in the long run since farmers’ incentives to reduce costs and become more effective might be harmed. The rationale behind the program was most likely not economic but rather political. The peculiar political situation in Thailand might have triggered the new government to launch the program in order to receive support from farmers even though a negative impact on the domestic rice market and the rice trade was very likely

Sustainable Agricultural Management Practices and Enterprise Development for Coping with Global Climate Change

This book chapter provides an insight into the synthesis of climate change vulnerabilities across various regions of the globe, recent trends, issues and prospects of climate smart agribusiness, the skill, efficiency and sustainable management practices of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the globe in the context of climate change, addressing the needs of emerging markets, industries and regional trades through a transformation with development in the areas of technology, value chains, management of environmental and social risk in the supply chains, compliance of food quality and safety regulations, market linkages of smallholders, corporate social responsibility and institutional development. There is a growing concern on food safety regulation and certification as part of sustainable management practices that firms and industries should cope. Sustainable management practices in business prove to be more profitable as they tend to adapt and grow with the changing markets, providing a competitive advantage over other firms. This chapter also focused on the challenges in sustainable business practices as well as suggested a number of development options, institutional and policy issues

Towards sustainable agriculture in the developing world: Theoretical perspectives and empirical insights

This dissertation is based on the journal article format with a collection of four separate papers, three of which have been published. The objective of this dissertation is to offer perspectives to contextualize sustainable agriculture in relation to two societal contexts beyond farm and watershed: (1) the developing country context, and (2) the fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) sector (with special reference to the agri-food standard called `Good Agricultural Practices\u27 (GAP) and Thailand). Papers in this dissertation thus aim to identify the social and ecological factors that help to define sustainable agriculture along these broader contexts

Critical determinants of service quality for the port of cape town users

This research study was motivated by the daily observed operational experiences from the perspective of the researcher’s logistics business. Poor levels of operational service quality were observed in the Port of Cape Town during the 2017/2018 “wind season” which occurs from September to March, where the port lost more than 1200-man hours due to wind delays. The poor levels of operational service quality are further compounded by the effects of the wind delays and its impact on congestion at the port which results in financial loss to importers and exporters and their intermodal service providers. Nearly ninety six percent (96%) of exports from South Africa are by sea, therefore South Africa’s trade with the rest of the world is by sea. Thus, ports are important economic contributors and play an important role for both inbound and outbound logistics. Service quality failures affect business-to-business players in the logistics chain. Port users suffer financial and reputational damage when containers, which are shipped via the port, are delayed due to service quality failures. The purpose of this treatise was to determine what the critical determinants of service quality for the Port of Cape Town users are. To achieve this a conceptual research model was developed, where six variables were identified that have an influence on service quality. The six variables identified are Communication, Competence, Access, Reliability, Understanding/Knowing Customer and Tangibles. A literature review was then conducted to determine what the difference between B2C and B2B operational service quality is. This was done by investigating both the similarities and differences between B2C and B2B and providing a review of service quality and customer satisfaction. Similarly, a literature review was also conducted to investigate the contrasts between international and local port service quality. This was achieved by investigating the importance of ports and an overview of the South African port network. An overview of the Port of Cape Town was then provided where inefficiencies in the Port of Cape Town are discussed. Service quality in selected international ports are then discussed before the chapter was concluded by providing a review of service quality at the port of Cape Town’s two closest international competitors. The methodological approach to the study was quantitative research using a survey strategy to test the conceptual model. Analysis was performed through descriptive and inferential statics. Based on the analysis, the study could conclude by making important managerial recommendations that the management of the Port of Cape Town could implement to improve the level of Operational Service Quality at the port. Some of the recommendations are, that the ports staff should be trained in the importance of proactive communication. Port staff should receive regular training with respect to their operational functions. The port should provide a platform which will allow port users to raise concerns or provide compliments related to container operations or port staff interactions. Before communicating start up times after port stoppages, the port needs to take in to consideration the necessary time required to get staff back to their operational posts and other start-up operations when advising the port reopening time to port users. Port management should implement a better maintenance programme for the container handling equipment as it was the respondent’s perception that the handling equipment used in the port is not always in good working condition