Global supply chain risk management: a multicase study in the mango exportation chain

The purpose of this study is to understand how different members manage risk in the global supply chain. Through a multi-case study of the Brazilian mango exportation chain to the United States, four actors of this chain were investigated: supplier, exporter, importer and logistics operator. A research protocol was developed based on previous research conducted by Christopher, et al. (2011). Main results show that risk management is heterogeneous among members of the mango chain, the exporter is the most penalized by the results of the risk chain and collaboration is the main mitigation strategy observed

Gestão de risco em cadeia de suprimentos global: um estudo multicasos entre os membros da cadeia da manga

O propósito deste estudo é compreender como os diferentes membros gerenciam o risco na cadeia de suprimentos global. Por meio de um estudo multicaso na cadeia de exportação da manga brasileira para os Estados Unidos foram investigados os elos fornecedor, exportador, operador logístico e importador. Foi desenvolvido um protocolo de pesquisa conforme sugestão de Yin (2010) e adaptação de instrumento de coleta de dados semi-estruturado de Christopher, et al. (2011). A partir de entrevistas com organizações de apoio ao objeto da pesquisa, foi selecionado a amostra de empresas nas quais o fenômeno de gestão do risco poderia ser melhor observado. Baseado nas classificações de tipo de risco elaboradas por Christopher et al. (2011), é sugerida uma nova organização das categorias de risco (demanda, suprimentos, processo e controle, ambiental e sustentabilidade). Este trabalho apresenta uma descrição da cadeia de exportação de manga, bem como os principais riscos e as estratégias mitigadoras de risco empregadas pelos quatro membros da cadeia estudados. Conforme regra de Sousa (2001), foram realizadas comparações entre os tipos de risco e estratégias mitigadoras observadas na cadeia de suprimentos. Por fim, o estudo mostrou que a gestão do risco é heterogenia entre os membros da cadeia, o exportador é o mais penalizado pela consequência de risco à cadeia e a colaboração é a principal forma observada de mitigação.

A technological innovation for capsicums production in Peru: the mechatronics arms

Peru agricultural exports have increased in recent years due to (i) free trade agreements with many countries (United States, Canada, European Union, China, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Chile, among others), (ii) an increasing international demand for healthy products, (iii) country´s economic development and (iv) more private investments in this sector (Velazco 2012). Also, if we can compare among Peru three main regions (Coast, Andean highlands and the Jungle), It is the Coast (western region) that has a developed agricultural production due to unique weather conditions, private investments, public infrastructure, transport costs and quality of land (Gomez, 2008). This country development is also related to the production of non-traditional products for export like asparagus, artichokes, capsicums, bananas, grapes, among others; produced by agro industrial companies and small farmers and that are mainly labor intensive (Gomez, 2008 and Velazco, 2012). This very successful export diversification and self-discovery process was the result of a combination of strong natural comparative advantages (mainly excellent agro climatic conditions) and a significant innovation effort. It meant the introduction and expansion of new products and markets, the entry of new firms, and experimental research and the adoption of new techniques and process technologies developed abroad (in irrigation, crop management, post-harvesting, sanitary control, storage and packing) to produce high-quality, niche (gourmet) and higher value-added products, in line with consumer trends in sophisticated food markets. In products such as asparagus, mango, organic coffee and capsicums, Peru has become a leading world exporter (OECD). For this reason one of the government main tasks for the next years is to meet urgent agriculture producer’s needs in the areas of technological Innovation and business management (MINAG). In this context, this thesis analyzes the applicability of a new technology – the mechatronic arms – specifically to capsicums production sector in Peru. We chose Capsicums production sector (paprika, chilli pepper) because is mainly labor intensive and is the sector where my family company (DIROSE SAC) operates. This innovation consists in a 40 arms mechatronic combine, and it was first created in order to improve the efficiency on the labor intensive phase of harvest for this kind of agriculture products. It is estimated that a laborer with brief training operating the machine would be equivalent to 40 people that not only would work during daytime, but also on the night shift as well. Also, using this new technology can allow a company to make additional crops that would increase their yields and annual revenues. This thesis was developed as a business plan to make this new product available for other agriculture companies that operates in the capsicums production sector in Peru; however, this new technology has the potential to be modified in order to be available to other kind of agriculture products, in Peru and other countries.