IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i13p6085-d1693613.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Enabling Smart Cold Chain Logistics Through Standardization and Digital Transformation: A Structural Model for Reducing Food Loss in Thailand’s Agri-Food Sector

Author

Listed:
  • Thammasak Kuaites

    (Faculty of Business Administration, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok 10240, Thailand)

  • Sompon Thungwha

    (Faculty of Business Administration, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok 10240, Thailand)

Abstract

Addressing the challenges of Industry 4.0 in Thailand’s agri-food logistics (AFL), this study develops a structural logistics management model grounded in the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework, Resource-Based View (RBV), and Dynamic Capabilities (DC) theory. The model integrates four key constructs: standardization, operations management, smart technology, and wastage management targeting cold chain logistics (CCL) systems. Using a mixed-methods design, the study combines in-depth expert interviews with a quantitative survey of 300 logistics firms certified under the Q Cold Chain standard. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis confirms the robustness of the model (CMIN/DF = 1.151; GFI = 0.928; RMSEA = 0.022), supporting all five hypotheses. The findings show that standardization significantly enhances both operational performance and the adoption of digital technology, while waste reduction acts as a key mediator linking organizational processes to technological transformation. By highlighting institutional certification as a policy instrument, this research addresses existing gaps in logistics innovation literature. The results inform both theory and practice, supporting Thailand’s strategic transition toward sustainable, digitally enabled agri-logistics ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Thammasak Kuaites & Sompon Thungwha, 2025. "Enabling Smart Cold Chain Logistics Through Standardization and Digital Transformation: A Structural Model for Reducing Food Loss in Thailand’s Agri-Food Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-23, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:6085-:d:1693613
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/6085/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/6085/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dmitry Ivanov & Alexander Tsipoulanidis & Jörn Schönberger, 2021. "Global Supply Chain and Operations Management," Springer Texts in Business and Economics, Springer, edition 3, number 978-3-030-72331-6, December.
    2. Armstrong, J. Scott & Overton, Terry S., 1977. "Estimating Nonresponse Bias in Mail Surveys," MPRA Paper 81694, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. David J. Teece & Gary Pisano & Amy Shuen, 1997. "Dynamic capabilities and strategic management," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(7), pages 509-533, August.
    4. Sina Davoudi & Peter Stasinopoulos & Nirajan Shiwakoti, 2024. "Two Decades of Advancements in Cold Supply Chain Logistics for Reducing Food Waste: A Review with Focus on the Meat Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-67, August.
    5. Luo, Na & Olsen, Tava & Liu, Yanping & Zhang, Abraham, 2022. "Reducing food loss and waste in supply chain operations," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    6. Baohua Zhang & Jihad Mohammad, 2024. "Sustainability of Perishable Food Cold Chain Logistics: A Systematic Literature Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(3), pages 21582440241, September.
    7. Birger Wernerfelt, 1984. "A resource‐based view of the firm," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(2), pages 171-180, April.
    8. Mariame Ababou & Sara Chelh & Mariam Elhiri, 2023. "A Bibliometric Analysis of the Literature on Food Industry Supply Chain Resilience: Investigating Key Contributors and Global Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-19, May.
    9. Li Bin & Muhammad Shahzad & Hira Khan & Muhammad Mehran Bashir & Arif Ullah & Muhammad Siddique, 2023. "Sustainable Smart Agriculture Farming for Cotton Crop: A Fuzzy Logic Rule Based Methodology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-18, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Judith Cavazos-Arroyo & Rogelio Puente-Diaz, 2019. "The Influence of Marketing Capability in Mexican Social Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Michael Sheppard, 2020. "The relationship between discretionary slack and growth in small firms," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 195-219, March.
    3. Mandler, Timo & Sezen, Burcu & Chen, Jieke & Özsomer, Ayşegül, 2021. "Performance consequences of marketing standardization/adaptation: A systematic literature review and future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 416-435.
    4. Maree Storer & Paul Hyland, 2011. "Utilizing Industry-led Innovation Capacity to Enhance Supply Chain Performance : An Empirical Study," Modern Applied Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 5(6), pages 1-55, December.
    5. Chatterjee, Sheshadri & Chaudhuri, Ranjan & Kumar, Ajay & Gupta, Shivam & Sengupta, Pooja, 2023. "Rethinking of firm innovation capability: Examining the moderating role of leadership ability on a new business model," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    6. Ying Guo, 2023. "External Knowledge Acquisition and Green Innovation in Chinese Firms: Unveiling the Impact of Green Dynamic Capabilities," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, July.
    7. Asseraf, Yoel & Gnizy, Itzhak, 2022. "Translating strategy into action: The importance of an agile mindset and agile slack in international business," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(6).
    8. Jan Lampe & Priscilla Sarai Kraft & Andreas Bausch, 2020. "Mapping the Field of Research on Entrepreneurial Organizations (1937–2016): A Bibliometric Analysis and Research Agenda," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(4), pages 784-816, July.
    9. Muhammad Shahid Siddique & Md. Lazim Bin Mohd Zin & Saiful Azizi bin Ismail, 2025. "Advancing Sustainable Digital Transformations Through HRIS Effectiveness: Examining the Role of Information Quality, Executives’ Innovativeness, and Staff IT Capabilities via IS Ambidexterity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-29, June.
    10. Kwangsoo Kim & Eun-Hwa Seo & Choo Yeon Kim, 2025. "The Relationships Between Environmental Dynamism, Absorptive Capacity, Organizational Ambidexterity, and Innovation Performance from the Dynamic Capabilities Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-28, January.
    11. Zhao, Nanyang & Hong, Jiangtao & Lau, Kwok Hung, 2023. "Impact of supply chain digitalization on supply chain resilience and performance: A multi-mediation model," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    12. Iyer, Karthik N.S. & Srivastava, Prashant & Srinivasan, Mahesh, 2019. "Performance implications of lean in supply chains: Exploring the role of learning orientation and relational resources," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 94-104.
    13. Holger Raúl Barriga Medina & Ruben Guevara & Ronald Enrique Campoverde & Milton Ismael Paredes-Aguirre, 2022. "Eco-Innovation and Firm Performance: Evidence from South America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-14, August.
    14. Jafari, Hamid & Eslami, Mohammad H. & Paulraj, Antony, 2022. "Postponement and logistics flexibility in retailing: The moderating role of logistics integration and demand uncertainty," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    15. Bindu Singh & M.K. Rao, 2016. "Examining the Effects of Intellectual Capital on Dynamic Capabilities in Emerging Economy Context: Knowledge Management Processes as a Mediator," Emerging Economy Studies, International Management Institute, vol. 2(1), pages 110-128, May.
    16. Behl, Abhishek & Jayawardena, Nirma & Nigam, Achint & Pereira, Vijay & Shankar, Amit & Jebarajakirthy, Charles, 2023. "Investigating the revised international marketing strategies during COVID-19 based on resources and capabilities of the firms: A mixed method approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    17. Lucía Muñoz-Pascual & Jesús Galende & Carla Curado, 2021. "Contributions to Sustainability in SMEs: Human Resources, Sustainable Product Innovation Performance and the Mediating Role of Employee Creativity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, February.
    18. García-Lillo, Francisco & Seva-Larrosa, Pedro & Sánchez-García, Eduardo, 2024. "On the basis of research on ‘green’ in the disciplines of management and business," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    19. Safal Batra & Sunil Sharma & Mukund R. Dixit & Neharika Vohra, 2015. "Strategic Orientations and Innovation in Resource-constrained SMEs of an Emerging Economy," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 24(1), pages 17-36, March.
    20. Lei–Yu Wu & Chun–Ju Wang & Cheng–Ping Chen & Lee–Yun Pan, 2008. "Internal Resources, External Network, and Competitiveness during the Growth Stage: A Study of Taiwanese High–Tech Ventures1," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 32(3), pages 529-549, May.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:6085-:d:1693613. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.