The Role of Supply Chain Management in Increasing the Competitive Advantages of Vietnamese Coffee Products: a Systems Thinking Approach
Date
2017
Authors
Nguyen, Thich Van
Editors
Advisors
Nguyen, Nam C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Thesis
Citation
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Supply chain management (SCM) has been receiving greater attention among academics and organizations and is viewed as a potential source of increasing competitive advantages. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the role of supply chain management in order to enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese coffee. This topic was chosen because there has been little previous research done to study the competitive advantages of coffee products in general and of applying systems thinking in order to enhance the competitive advantages of Vietnamese coffee in particular. This research discovers suitable sub-system models for different chains of the whole coffee supply chain. Interrelationships between these sub-systems and their leverage points are also explored and identified in order to reduce cost, increase quality and upgrade the competitive advantages of Vietnamese coffee products. This research focuses on an understanding of supply chain management in order to enhance the competitiveness by asking the following research questions: What are the main drivers and barriers in the supply chain towards improving the competitiveness of Vietnamese coffee products? What is the most appropriate systems model for each sub-system in the coffee’s supply chain?, and How can systems thinking and modelling be used to manage a whole supply chain more effectively by reducing cost and enhancing the competitiveness of coffee products internationally? Initial findings of the study consist of three sub-system models (including sub-systems of production_chapter 2, processing_chapter 3, and export_chapter 4) to explore relationships among different variables in production, processing and export stages. A causal loop diagram for the whole supply chain was then developed (chapter 5), which helped to identify the overall relationships of the Vietnamese coffee supply chain from production to final customers. In addition, a sequential approach, by combining two established modelling techniques (Causal loop diagram and Bayesian Belief Networks - BBNs) was applied to identify the leverage points in the Vietnamese coffee supply chain for increasing the competitive advantages of the product (chapter 6). Finally, potential interventions were implemented in the coffee supply chain management philosophy for increasing the competitiveness of coffee products, and directions and recommendations for future research are also discussed.
School/Discipline
Business School
Dissertation Note
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Business School, 2017
Provenance
This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals