Supply chain performance and satisfaction : investigating the perceptions of relationship quality in the Ugandan maize supply chain

This PhD research assessed the perception of supply chain relationship quality and how it influences supply chain performance and satisfaction. The study was conducted in a triadic agribusiness (maize) supply chain in Uganda. Maize is an important economic crop due to the fact that Uganda has a competitive advantage in the production segment of the maize supply chain. These strategic advantages means that improvements in maize marketing systems have the potential to increase household income and hence contribute to poverty reduction for the predominantly smallholder maize farmers. To succeed and remain competitive, maize supply chain members needs to improve on their collaborative behaviours through establishing and maintaining long-term relationships. Using a triad as a unit of theory and analysis, primary data was collected from 150 maize supply chain members i.e. supplier, focal firms, customers. We find that good relationship quality was perceived to positively influence performance. Improvements in supply chain performance was positively associated with economic satisfaction, but not with social satisfaction. Further, we found that relationship duration and firm size did not influence the perceptions performance and satisfaction. On power relations, use of coercive power was perceived to negatively influence performance, while the use of non-coercive power was perceived to positively influence performance. In each of the examined relationships, supply chain members differed in their perceptions of relationship quality. The observed differences in perceptions revealed the different mechanisms through which the supply chain manages its downstream and upstream segments. While the formal downstream was managed based on contracts and trust, the informal upstream was managed based on power-dependency and trust relationships. Basing on transaction cost economics, the balance theory and the structural-hole concept, this study illustrates how a supply chain is capable of managing its formal and informal segments to ensure success of the entire supply chain. We conclude that engaging in good supply chain relationships has potentials to improve the performance of individual supply chain members, as well as the performance of the entire supply chain. However, for it to succeed, these relationships have to be tailor-made to fit the respective supply chain partners’ perspectives, interests and characteristics

Performance perceptions among supply chain members: A triadic assessment of the influence of supply chain relationship quality on supply chain performance

Purpose: 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. This paper investigates how SCP is influenced by RQ in a triadic agribusiness supply chain.Design/methodology/approach: Evidence is drawn from a quantitative survey of 150 agribusiness firms in the maize supply chain in Uganda. Data was 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. Findings: 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 supply chain performance. Practical implications: 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. Originality/value: Our paper is novel in that it assesses SCP in a triadic context in an agribusiness sector from a developing country context. We used novel approaches including analysis of a triad, and multiple groups SEM to assess perceptions of each supply chain member’s

Editorial: Transformative food value chains for local development

Peer Reviewe

Iodine agronomic biofortification of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) is effective under farmer field conditions

Iodine (I) is an essential micronutrient, which plays a critical role in human metabolism. However, its concentration is known to be low in most soils, making it deficient in crops. With most I agronomic biofortification studies conducted under controlled environments, limited information currently exists on this approach of enriching I deficient crops under farmer field conditions. Two-year field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 to examine efficacy of cowpea and cabbage in the uptake of foliar applied potassium iodide (KI) and potassium iodate (KIO3), each with 0, 5, 10, and 15 kg I ha(-1) under farmer field conditions. Results indicate that KI was 34% more efficient than KIO3. Iodine concentration increased with application rate. In cabbage, the lowest I concentration (8.2 mg kg(-1)) was registered at 5 kg I ha(-1) with KIO3 while the highest was 109.1 mg kg(-1) at 15 kg I ha(-1) with KI. Cowpea registered the lowest I concentration of 531.5 mg kg(-1) at 5 kg I ha(-1) with KIO3 while the highest (5854.2 mg kg(-1)) was registered at 15 kg I ha(-1) with KI. Therefore, cowpea and cabbage can be effectively biofortified through foliar application of both KI and KIO3 under farmer field conditions

Stakeholders' perceptions of agronomic iodine biofortification : a SWOT-AHP analysis in Northern Uganda

Agronomic biofortification (i.e., the application of fertilizer to elevate micronutrient concentrations in staple crops) is a recent strategy recommended for controlling Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs). However, its success inevitably depends on stakeholders' appreciation and acceptance of it. By taking Northern Uganda as a case, this study aimed to capture and compare the perceptions of seven key stakeholder groups with respect to agronomic iodine biofortification. Therefore, we employed a SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats) analysis in combination with an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Findings show that stakeholders (n = 56) are generally positive about agronomic iodine biofortification in Uganda, as its strengths and opportunities outweighed weaknesses and threats. Cultural acceptance and effectiveness are considered the most important strengths while the high IDD prevalence rate and the availability of iodine deficient soils are key opportunities for further developing agronomic iodine biofortification. Environmental concerns about synthetic fertilizers as well as the time needed to supply iodine were considered crucial weaknesses. The limited use of fertilizer in Uganda was the main threat. While this study provides insight into important issues and priorities for iodine biofortification technology in Uganda, including differences in stakeholder views, the application of the SWOT-AHP method will guide future researchers and health planners conducting stakeholder analysis in similar domains

Insects as food: Illuminating the food neophobia and socio-cultural dynamics of insect consumption in Uganda

Entomophagy presents the most viable and sustainable meat alternative to feed the ever-increasing world population as insects are highly nutritious. However, the potential of edible insects’ consumption is constrained by consumers’ fear towards novel or unfamiliar foods (food neophobia), which tends to be higher for insects. This paper assessed the influence of food neophobia and socio-cultural factors on the consumption and consumers’ willingness to consume three edible insects in Uganda (the long-horned grasshoppers, the flying African termites and the wingless red termites). Data were collected from 310 edible insects’ consumers from two culturally different regions in Uganda. Results show that culture and familiarity with edible insects are important determinants of edible insects’ consumption. Consumers with high levels of food neophobia were less likely to consume edible insects that were unfamiliar to them. Much as the population exhibited high levels of food neophobia, neophobia was not a significant predictor of future edible insect consumption. In addition, personal characteristics like education and age influenced both the level of food neophobia and consumption of insects. Therefore, consumption of edible insect should be promoted, keeping in mind specific cultural contexts and familiarity of specific edible insects among potential consumers. Improving knowledge of consumers about edible insects and their nutritional benefits could also lower their levels of food neophobia and improve willingness to consume insects

Trust-supply chain performance relationships: unraveling the mediating role of transaction cost attributes in agribusiness SMEs

The mediation effect of transaction cost attributes on the trust-supply chain performance relationships has remained largely under-explored. Particularly, little is known about the mediating role of information sharing, uncertainty and transaction frequency on the trust-supply chain performance relationships in the agri-food sector. Based on the transaction cost theory, this study used logistic regression to investigate the mediating role of transaction cost attributes on the trust-supply chain performance relationships. Data were collected from 396 agribusiness small and medium-sized enterprises, i.e., farmers (n = 203) and traders (n = 193) in Northern Uganda. Analysis was performed using logistic regression in SPSS version 23 and Amos version 23. The results show that, while trust positively influences supply chain performance, information sharing is the only transaction cost attribute that mediates the relationship between trust and supply chain performance. Agribusiness managers, therefore, need to not only renew the effort of sharing accurate and timely information regarding the market's demand for specific volumes and quality of agricultural products and market trends and storage facilities but also utilize the information to become competitive and improve supply chain performance

Economic feasibility of iodine agronomic biofortification: a projective analysis with Ugandan vegetable farmers

Cost–benefit analysis of (iodine) biofortification at farm level is limited in the literature. This study aimed to analyze the economic feasibility of applying iodine-rich fertilizers (agronomic biofortification) to cabbage and cowpea in Northern Uganda. Data on costs and revenues were obtained from a survey of 100 farmers, and benefits that would accrue from using iodine fertilizers were elicited using consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for the iodine-biofortified vegetables. The cost–benefit analysis demonstrated iodine agronomic biofortification as a highly profitable effort, generating average benefit–cost ratios (BCRs) of 3.13 and 5.69 for cabbage and cowpea production, respectively, higher than the conventional production practice. However, the projective analysis showed substantive variations of economic gains from iodine biofortification among farmers, possibly due to differences in farming practices and managerial capabilities. For instance, only 74% of cabbage farmers would produce at a BCR above 1 if they were to apply iodine fertilizer. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis to estimate the effect of subsidizing the cost of iodine fertilizer showed that a higher proportion of farmers would benefit from iodine biofortification. Therefore, as biofortification is considered a health policy intervention targeting the poor and vulnerable, farmers could be supported through fertilizer subsidies to lower the production cost of iodine-biofortified foods and to avoid passing on the price burden to vulnerable consumers

Evidence of artemisinin-resistant malaria in Africa

From Balikagala B., Fukuda N., Ikeda M., et al, Evidence of artemisinin-resistant malaria in Africa, 385(13), 1163-1171. Copyright © 2021 Massachusetts Medical Society. Reprinted with permission. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2101746.BACKGROUND In the six Southeast Asian countries that make up the Greater Mekong Subregion, Plasmodium falciparum has developed resistance to derivatives of artemisinin, the main component of first-line treatments for malaria. Clinical resistance to artemisinin monotherapy in other global regions, including Africa, would be problematic. METHODS In this longitudinal study conducted in Northern Uganda, we treated patients who had P. falciparum infection with intravenous artesunate (a water-soluble artemisinin derivative) and estimated the parasite clearance half-life. We evaluated ex vivo susceptibility of the parasite using a ring-stage survival assay and genotyped resistancerelated genes. RESULTS From 2017 through 2019, a total of 14 of 240 patients who received intravenous artesunate had evidence of in vivo artemisinin resistance (parasite clearance halflife, >5 hours). Of these 14 patients, 13 were infected with P. falciparum parasites with mutations in the A675V or C469Y allele in the kelch13 gene. Such mutations were associated with prolonged parasite clearance half-lives (geometric mean, 3.95 hours for A675V and 3.30 hours for C469Y, vs. 1.78 hours for wild-type allele; P<0.001 and P = 0.05, respectively). The ring-stage survival assay showed a higher frequency of parasite survival among organisms with the A675V allele than among those with the wild-type allele. The prevalence of parasites with kelch13 mutations increased significantly, from 3.9% in 2015 to 19.8% in 2019, due primarily to the increased frequency of the A675V and C469Y alleles (P<0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms flanking the A675V mutation in Uganda were substantially different from those in Southeast Asia. CONCLUSIONS The independent emergence and local spread of clinically artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum has been identified in Africa. The two kelch13 mutations may be markers for detection of these resistant parasites

The relationship between market information and entrepreneurial orientation: the case of smallholder honey producers in Northern Uganda

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of market information on entrepreneurial orientations of smallholder honey producers. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study design with sample of 250 honey producers was used. Structural equations modeling was used to analyze the hypothesized relationships. Findings Results show that product quality, trader preferences and consumer preferences are the main market information needs that influence entrepreneurial orientation of honey producers. Further, the attributes of market information quality, i.e., information credibility, timeliness, accuracy and usability positively influence entrepreneurial orientation. Practical implications Results of this study calls for prioritization of better access to regular, reliable and usable market information for honey producers in development programs and policies so as to enhance farmer entrepreneurial orientations and product development. Social implications Smallholder honey producers are more likely to efficiently deliver innovative products if development interventions across the public and non-public sector divide become responsive to their marketing information needs as well the quality of market information provided. Originality/value The study uses original data from honey producers to demonstrate the role that marketing information needs as well as market information quality play in catalyzing smallholder farmer entrepreneurial orientation