Alignment between chain quality management and chain governance in EU pork supply chains: A Transaction-Cost-Economics perspective

Although inter-firm coordination of quality management is increasingly important for meeting end-customer demand in agri-food chains, few researchers focus on the relation between inter-firm quality management systems (QMS) and inter-firm governance structures (GS). However, failure to align QMSs and GSs may lead to inefficiencies in quality management because of high transaction-costs. In addition, misalignment is likely to reduce the quality of end-customer products. This paper addresses this gap in research by empirically examining the relation between QMSs and GSs in pork meat supply chains. Transaction-Cost-Economic theory is used to develop propositions about the relation between three aspects of QMSs − ownership, vertical scope and scale of adoption − and the use of different types of GSs in pork meat supply chains. To validate the propositions, seven cases are examined from four different countries. The results show that the different aspects of QMSs largely relate to specific GSs used in chains in the manner predicted by the propositions. This supports the view that alignment between QMSs and GSs is important for the efficient coordination of quality management in (pork meat) supply chains.     

Food safety in global supply chains: A literature review

This paper aimed to revisit the literature on food safety in global supply chains and analyze the evolution and contemporary challenges in this research field. It conducted a systematic literature review in two steps based on a selection of 178 articles. It analyzed safety in food supply chains using the Six T's Framework to evaluate food safety management. In the supply chain literature, traceability was the most studied element of the original framework. The research identified studies that have incorporated the topics of “tactics” and “targets” in their analysis of safety in supply chains. This article presented an expanded framework, a tool for categorizing research, and areas for advancement in the identification of quality indicators in global food chains for the current research agenda. The paper contributed theoretically to the discussion of safety elements in food supply chains and incorporated new elements into the originally conceived framework. Thus, it helped to delineate the research field and opened up an agenda for future research.     

Exergy analysis: A tool to study the sustainability of food supply chains

This paper explores the potential of using exergy analysis to study and compare the environmental impact of food supply chains. The method identifies the links where exergy destruction takes place and shows where improvements are possible to minimize this destruction. The supply chains of three products were investigated: pork mincemeat, novel protein food (NPF) made from dry peas and pea soup. Exergy content and requirements of the various streams, products and processes were calculated for the three chains. As exergy is expressed in one unit, the Joule, the inputs and outputs of each chain are easily comparable. The contributions of the links to the total exergy loss are different in each chain. In the NPF chain, greatest input is required in the processing link whereas for the pork chain, primary processing and transportation require the highest inputs. The NPF chain is only slightly more efficient (1.2 times) than the pork meat chain. Such analyses are also useful in the design and redesign of supply chains.     

猪肉冷链流通温度监测与货架期决策系统研究进展

猪肉是我国最重要的肉类消费品种,但其质量安全现状不容乐观。系统监控猪肉冷链流通的温度变化、质量损失和风险概率之间的关系,是完善冷链质量安全全程监控的核心内容。本文针对猪肉在冷链流通过程中的温度监控系统、货架期预测方法、货架期决策系统以及集成的质量安全管理体系的原理和应用进行阐述,为今后深入研究猪肉冷链流通全程质量安全监控及其信息化管理提供参考。     

3种流通模式下生猪肉中单增李斯特菌的暴露评估

本研究通过对3 种生猪肉流通模式进行简化,根据生猪肉中单增李斯特菌初始污染水平抽检数据及调研环境参数,评估对比了3 种流通模式下单增李斯特菌在生猪肉中的最终暴露量。结果显示：基于全程非冷链的热鲜猪肉最终阳性检出率约为42.12%,超过风险阈值概率约为21.05%;基于部分冷链的冷鲜猪肉最终阳性检出率约为12.07%,超过风险阈值概率约为1.61%;基于全程冷链的冷鲜猪肉最终阳性检出率约为6.50%,超过风险阈值概率约为0%。相关性分析表明,初始污染水平与最终暴露量Pearson相关系数均为0.70以上,影响最大。因此,冷鲜猪肉较热鲜猪肉更有利于避免食源性疾病的发生,基于全程冷链的冷鲜猪肉应被积极推广。同时在生猪肉供应链中,更应注重源头控制,严格设置并控制各流通环节的环境条件。     

面向服装大规模定制的供应链管理

实现服装大规模定制,需要跨越供应链上的不同节点企业,研究服装大规模定制的供应链管理。从供应链驱动模式、对信息技术的依赖等不同方面对服装大规模生产和服装大规模定制生产下的供应链进行了比较,并在此基础上提出了2种不同生产模式下的服装供应链模型。分析了面向服装大规模定制的供应链管理的特点;设计并介绍了面向服装大规模定制的供应链管理信息系统结构;研究了针对服装大规模定制的先进的供应链管理方法。     

The 2008 Irish Dioxin Crisis:Prevention is better than Crisis Management

In Ireland, in 2008, pig feed manufactured from recycled human food became contaminated with dioxin and this led to a global recall of all Irish pork products produced from 1st September to 6th December 2008. This case study illustrates several points a) the food chain is only as secure as its weakest link, b) due to the complexity of the modern food chain, once pork is processed, precise traceability to a particular farm of origin is impossible, c) even with a single food agency, overseeing the policing of the food chain, things can go wrong, d) it demonstrated the benefits of having credible consumer protection agencies to undertake scientific risk assessment and communicate with the public, e) if risk management decisions are taken quickly, and communicated in an open and transparent manner to the public, adverse human health effects can be avoided and consumer confidence can maintained, f) in the EU the legal limit for dioxins in pork fat is 1 picogram per gram (10-12 ) and attempting to communicate the risks associated with this level of contamination plus the concepts of bioaccumulation and body burden and the need for continued exposure to result in adverse health effects is extremely challenging, g) there was a major economic impact and damage to the country’s reputation as a food exporter and finally h) it illustrates that prevention is better that crisis management. Other countries can learn lessons from this incident that may prevent similar occurrences in their jurisdictions.     

The seafood supply chain from a fraudulent perspective

Food fraud is an intentional act for economic gain. It poses a risk to food integrity, the economy, public health and consumers’ ethics. Seafood is one commodity which has endured extensive fraudulent activity owing to its increasing consumer demand, resource limitations, high value and complex supply chains. It is essential that these fraudulent opportunities are revealed, the risk is evaluated and countermeasures for mitigation are assigned. This can be achieved through mapping of the seafood supply chains and identifying the vulnerability analysis critical control points (VACCP), which can be exposed, infiltrated and exploited for fraudulent activity. This research systematically maps the seafood supply chain for three key commodities: finfish, shellfish and crustaceans in the United Kingdom. Each chain is comprised of multiple stakeholders across numerous countries producing a diverse range of products distributed globally. For each supply chain the prospect of fraud, with reference to species substitution, fishery substitution, illegal, unreported and unregulated substitution, species adulteration, chain of custody abuse, catch method fraud, undeclared product extension, modern day slavery and animal welfare, has been identified and evaluated. This mapping of the fraudulent opportunities within the supply chains provides a foundation to rank known and emerging risks and to develop a proactive mitigation plan which assigns control measures and responsibility where vulnerabilities exist. Further intelligence gathering and management of VACCPs of the seafood supply chains may deter currently unknown or unexposed fraudulent opportunities.     

模糊可拓层次分析法对猪肉供应链质量安全评价应用

根据猪肉供应链质量安全因素的复杂性和模糊性,基于影响猪肉供应链质量安全因素的关键性指标和模糊可拓层析分析法构建猪肉供应链质量安全保障能力的评价体系和数学模型,采用质量安全特征值定量描述供应链质量安全保障能力等级。根据专家的经验运用层次分析法和可拓理论定量分析评价层级结构权重和构建基于专家效度物元模型的评价指标的隶属函数。采取"自下而上"方式逐一计算出各子系统的隶属度值形成猪肉供应链质量安全保障能力的特征值。以某畜牧公司的猪肉供应链为实例进行评价,结果表明,其质量安全能力处于良好状态与实际相符合,该模型能够客观地反映猪肉供应链的质量安全保障能力的状况,对猪肉供应链的质量安全监控具有重要的参考价值。     

4种常见果蔬保鲜运输超声波加湿的生命周期模拟研究

通过生命周期评估显示:与传统供应链相比,超声波加湿可将部分水果和蔬菜的环境影响(包括气候变化影响)降低23%,当加湿器应用于果蔬供应链,且总固有损失>24%时,加湿器的加入能使损失减少20%以上,说明超声波加湿技术能使果蔬供应链管理更具可持续性。     

基于MAS的制浆造纸企业供需链预测系统

着重研究了供需链预测系统的构造.引入MAS(multi-agent system)技术,设计了包括供应商、制造企业、分销商和最终客户的预测体系结构,定义了几种Agent对象,分别用于信息收集、数据预处理、预测、系统集成与评价,并开发了软件原型系统与几种信息交换格式,为制浆造纸企业供需链管理中的计划制定、提高业务系统的敏捷性和降低成本提供良好的支持.     

基于RFID/EPC物联网的猪肉跟踪追溯系统开发

首先介绍了无线射频识别技术(RFID)、物联网和电子产品代码系统(EPC)。在确定猪肉供应链各环节溯源信息的基础上,以RFID电子标签为数据载体,结合EPC编码体系对猪肉进行唯一标识,实现数据的自动采集,同时也增强了个体标示的精度和准确性。设计了RFID/EPC物联网架构下猪肉跟踪追溯系统,实现了猪肉生产全程网络化管理。     

Organizational unlearning: A risky food safety strategy?

Strategically unlearning specific knowledge, behaviors, and practices facilitates product and process innovation, business model evolution, and new market opportunities and is essential to meet emergent supply chain and customer requirements. Indeed, addressing societal concerns such as climate change and net zero means elements of contemporary practice in food supply chains need to be unlearned to ensure new practices are adopted. However, unlearning is a risky process if crucial knowledge is lost, for example, if knowledge is situated in the supply base not the organization itself, or there is insufficient organizational food safety knowledge generation, curation, and management when new practices/processes are designed and implemented. An exploratory, critical review of management and food safety academic and gray literature is undertaken that aims to consider the cycle of unlearning, learning, and relearning in food organizations and supply chains with particular emphasis on organizational innovation, inertia, and the impact on food safety management systems and food safety performance. Findings demonstrate it is critical with food safety practices, such as duration date coding or refrigeration practices, that organizations “unlearn” in a way that does not increase organizational, food safety, or public health risk. This paper contributes to extant literature by highlighting the organizational vulnerabilities that can arise when strategically unlearning to promote sustainability in a food supply context. Mitigating such organizational, food safety, and public health risk means organizations must simultaneously drive unlearning, learning, and relearning as a dynamic integrated knowledge acquisition and management approach. The research implications are of value to academics, business managers, and wider industry.     

Pathways to increase consumer trust in meat as a safe and wholesome food

This paper focuses on the effect of information about meat safety and wholesomeness on consumer trust based on several studies with data collected in Belgium. The research is grounded in the observation that despite the abundant rise of information through labelling, traceability systems and quality assurance schemes, the effect on consumer trust in meat as a safe and wholesome product is only limited. The overload and complexity of information on food products results in misunderstanding and misinterpretation. Functional traceability attributes such as organisational efficiency and chain monitoring are considered to be highly important but not as a basis for market segmentation. However, process traceability attributes such as origin and production method are of interest for particular market segments as a response to meat quality concerns. Quality assurance schemes and associated labels have a poor impact on consumers' perception. It is argued that the high interest of retailers in such schemes is driven by procurement management efficiency rather than safety or overall quality. Future research could concentrate on the distribution of costs and benefits associated with meat quality initiatives among the chain participants.     

食品供应链中的肉品安全管理——从农场饲养到屠宰环节

我国肉制品质量与安全问题日益突出,如何在供应链的各个环节,采取措施保障肉品安全管理体系,具有现实的意义。构建肉类食品的原料安全生产系统、全面质量管理系统、溯源管理系统等安全保障措施是构成肉类食品安全保障体系的重点。并且本文从提高中国肉类加工食品的市场竞争力出发,针对目前中国肉类加工食品尚未形成完善的供应链管理模式这一现状,提出了在新型的肉类供应链安全管理模型,旨在推进我国肉类工业健康稳步发展。     

基于供应链的企业库存成因及优化控制研究

基于企业全面库存管理思想,对库存成本、库存控制、库存系统优化等管理经验与前人研究成果进行分析,借鉴先进企业的库存管理理念和方法,以大型制造企业为核心研究对象,在集供应商、制造商、经销商为一体的供应链作为研究框架的基础上,运用供应链系统理论作为研究方法,分析了库存管理现状、影响因素及产生原因,从优化生产管理、整合企业内部供应链和跨企业供应链的角度提出库存控制的相应对策,以实现全面的库存优化,提高经营效益.     

供应链与消费市场关系的仿真分析

为了更直观地了解供应链生产模式与消费市场之间的相互关系,借助Anylogic仿真软件,从供应链原材料供应入手,建立供应链模型,并基于系统动力学建立市场模型,以连续性库存检查策略为例进行仿真与优化实验,对仿真结果进行了分析。结果表明,该模型能够可视化地研究供应链的动态变化过程,简单、高效地找出产品最优生产方式,为企业生产提供决策支持。     

基于供应链的企业库存成因及优化控制研究

基于企业伞面库存管理思想,对库存成本、库存控制、库存系统优化等管理经验与前人研究成果进行分析,借鉴先进企业的库存管理理念和方法,以大型制造企业为核心研究对象,在集供应商、制造商、经销商为一体的供应链作为研究框架的基础上,运用供应链系统理论作为研究方法,分析了库存管理现状、影响因素及产生原因,从优化生产管理、整合企业内部供应链和跨企业供应链的角度提出库存控制的相应对策,以实现全面的库存优化,提高经营效益。     

European citizen and consumer attitudes and preferences regarding beef and pork

This paper presents the combined mid-term findings of the consumer research components of two EU Sixth Framework Programme integrated projects concerning meat, ProSafeBeef and Q-PorkChains. The consumer pillar of ProSafeBeef carried out eight focus group discussions in May 2008, in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Q-PorkChains conducted a large-scale, web-based, consumer survey in January 2008 in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece and Poland. The first project provides a set of qualitative data from a small cohort of focus groups and the second a set of quantitative data from a larger consumer sample. This paper draws together the main findings of both projects and provides a comprehensive overview of European citizens’ and consumers’ attitudes towards and preferences regarding beef and pork. In general, consumers consider meat to be a healthy and important component of the diet. Consumers support the development of technologies that can improve the health attributes of meat products and guarantee eating quality, but they have a negative view of what they see to be excessive manipulation and lack of naturalness in the production and processing of beef products. In the Q-PorkChains study consumer and citizen segments are identified and profiled. Consumer segments were built upon the frequency and variety of pork consumption. The citizen segments were built upon their attitudes towards pig production systems. Overall, the relationship between individuals’ views as citizens and their behaviour as consumers was found to be quite weak and did not appear to greatly or systematically influence meat-buying habits. Future studies in both projects will concentrate on consumers’ acceptance of innovative meat product concepts and products, with the aim of boosting consumer trust and invigorating the European beef and pork industries.     

食用农产品供应链风险识别及其安全监督管理研究进展

如何识别食用农产品供应链中的潜在风险,确定关键控制点,以有效减少或阻止其安全问题的发生,是我国食用农产品安全监督管理必须应予以解决的难题。本文从食用农产品供应链管理的角度,提出通过食用农产品安全中的问题事件,经由因果路径分析,在研判其供应链薄弱环节的基础上,确定安全风险控制的关键点;进而建立由“监管方-被监管方-消费者”共同构建的食用农产品安全质量监督体系,辅之以先进的技术保障手段,将食用农产品安全防患于未然。