Special Issue on Next-Generation Cold Supply Chain Management: Research, Applications and Challenges

Special issue on next-generation cold supply chain management: research, applications and challenges A cold supply chain, also called a temperature-controlled supply chain, is a logistics and supply system that provides a series of facilities for maintaining ideal conditions for goods within a given temperature range, from the point of origin to the point of consumption. Typically, such supply chains face greater risks and uncertainties owing to issues such as product perishability, the wide variety of products delivered, multiple suppliers of raw materials, short shelf lives, stringent traceability and regulatory requirements and greater supply chain distances – and thus more handling points and larger networks. [...]a reference model deploying an object-oriented modelling approach is derived and synthesised. The underlying rationale is that logistics service providers are keen to maintain competitiveness and at the same time deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to customers who demand timely delivery of small and diverse shipments in food cold supply chains.