College of Business Administration, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
Salalah College of Applied Sciences, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Salalah, Oman.
PLoS One. 2021 Apr 13;16(4):e0249046. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249046. eCollection 2021.
The Cold Supply Chain (CSC) is an integral part of the supply chain of perishable products. The aim of this research is to examine the inhibitors that have a major impact on the performance of CSC operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study provides a synthesis and suggests a hierarchical model among CSC inhibitors and their respective relevance. The hierarchical synthesis of twelve (12) primary CSC inhibitors is achieved through a comprehensive literature review and consultation with academics and CSC professionals. This study used semi-structured interviews, a fuzzy interpretive structural modeling (FISM) and a Fuzzy-MICMAC (FMICMAC) analysis to explore and establish the relationship between and among identified inhibitors. FISM is used to examine the interaction between inhibitors, while FMICMAC analysis is used to examine the nature of inhibitors on the basis of their dependence and driving power. The results of the FISM and FMICMAC analysis show the inter-relationships and relative dominance of identified inhibitors. The results show that some inhibitors are of high strategic importance due to their high driving power and low dependence. These inhibitors seek more management attention in order to improve their effectiveness. The result of a hierarchical model helps to understand the influence of a particular inhibitor on others. 'Higher capital and operating costs' occupy the highest level in the FISM model. The 'fragmented cold supply chains', 'lack of skilled labor', 'inadequate information system infrastructure' and 'lack of commitment by top level management' had strong driving power but weak dependence, which characterizes them as independent inhibitors. Management should be extra careful when dealing with these inhibitors as they influence the effects of other variables at the top of the FISM hierarchy in the overall management of the cold supply chain. The study also suggests a number of recommendations for addressing these inhibitors in cold supply chains operating in the UAE. With due attention and care for these inhibitors, the operation of the cold supply chains is likely to be even more successful.
冷链（CSC）是易腐产品供应链的一个组成部分。本研究的目的是检验对阿联酋（UAE）冷链运营绩效有重大影响的抑制因素。本研究通过综合文献回顾以及与学者和冷链专业人士的协商，提供了一种综合和建议的冷链抑制剂层次模型及其相关性。通过综合文献回顾以及与学者和冷链专业人士的协商，对十二（12）种主要冷链抑制剂进行了层次综合。本研究使用半结构化访谈、模糊解释结构建模（FISM）和模糊-MICMAC（FMICMAC）分析来探索和建立所确定抑制剂之间的关系。FISM 用于检验抑制剂之间的相互作用，而 FMICMAC 分析则用于根据抑制剂的依赖性和驱动力来检验抑制剂的性质。FISM 和 FMICMAC 分析的结果显示了所确定抑制剂之间的相互关系和相对优势。结果表明，由于驱动力高、依赖性低，一些抑制剂具有较高的战略重要性。这些抑制剂需要更多的管理关注，以提高其效率。层次模型的结果有助于了解特定抑制剂对其他抑制剂的影响。“较高的资本和运营成本”在 FISM 模型中占据最高层次。“冷链供应链碎片化”、“缺乏熟练劳动力”、“信息系统基础设施不足”和“高层管理缺乏承诺”具有较强的驱动力和较弱的依赖性，这使其成为独立的抑制剂。在处理这些抑制剂时，管理层应格外小心，因为它们会影响 FISM 层次结构顶部其他变量的影响，从而影响冷链的整体管理。本研究还就阿联酋冷链运营中解决这些抑制剂的问题提出了若干建议。如果对这些抑制剂给予应有的重视和关注，冷链的运营可能会更加成功。
