The role of Quality Driven Sustainability (QDS) in export food supply chains: the case of food Industry in Jordan

Abstract

The thesis is concerned with creating adaptive Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) in the Export Food Supply Chain (EFSC) in Jordan. Supply Chain Management (SCM) is an urgent problem in the Middle East. Supply chains are global, and their disruptions cause food shortages and insecurity of food supplies. Wars in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, plus pandemics such as COVID-19, financial crises and stagflation, threaten world export food supplies everywhere. The main purpose of this research is to analyse the state of the EFSC in the export food industry in Jordan, using the concept of Quality-Driven Sustainability (QDS) and, as a result, develop a new Decision Framework for Sustainable Supply Chain Quality Management (SSCQM). The essence of SCM can be understood through three perspectives of Supply Chain Networks (SCN), Total QualityManagement (TQM) and Sustainability (SUST). They have been extensively researched individually, but integration is rarely considered. The researcher shows that the underlying factors are closely related and integrates them into the concept of QDS. Within QDS, SCN is the platform for sharing and transmitting information relating to TQM and SUST. This research is an empirical qualitative study undertaken in Jordan. First, a systematic literature review was conducted, evidencing research gaps and providing the initial conceptual framework. Second, a pilot Case was carried out to refine the initial framework. Third, the empirical work was based on Case Studies of four Triads showing network relationships between the supplier, Manufacturer, andcustomer. The Triad approach simplifies the complexity, and treating the Manufacturer as the focal actor reveals the essence of SCM. In total, 32 semi-structured interviews were supported by observations, tours and documents to individually explore each Case and examine the proposed framework for each Case at the exploratory stage. Fourth, the four Cases were cross-analysed to provide an empirical explanation and match findings to the proposed framework across all Cases at the explanatory stage. The evidence of data collected was triangulated, and further findings were elaborated with a literature review and validated using NVivo. Moreover, this research has developed a new conceptual framework validated through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritise the importance of the critical factors (key Themes ) based on five expert opinions. This derived continuousdevelopment toward the new Decision Framework for the conceptual framework of SSCQM incorporated with QDS in EFSCs.This research has contributed to the theoretical, methodological, and practical knowledge pertaining to the three integrated perspectives. The theoretical contributions are related to the new framework that shows how to adapt and be sustainable in the face of disruptions by balancing social, economic and environmental issues in an Adaptive Sustainable SCM Performance (ASSCMP) in EFSCs in Jordan. The practical and managerial outcomes are achieving sustainable supply chain performance through QDS by formulating a practical framework (SSCQM). This provided managers and policymakers with the knowledge and practices for the focal actors in Triads along their EFSCs and similar industries in developing countries. A methodological contribution is substantial in that a Case is an appropriate approach combined with AHP theory, providing an analytical generalisation of EFSC.

Date of Award	Nov 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bedfordshire