How to Assess Risks in Weak Links in Cold Chain Distribution Process?

Abstract: Abstract Title: How to assess risks in weak links in cold chain distribution process? Authors: Shuchang Lu, Yufan Gu & Radzion Predko Tutor: Åsa Gustafsson Examiner: Dr. Lars-Olof Rask Course: 4FE06E - Master Thesis Research Questions: • Why do cold chain products have quality risk? -  What kind of weak links exist in distribution process of cold chain? -  What kind of risks exist in weak links of distribution process of cold chain? -  How to assess risks in weak links of distribution process of cold chain? Background: The increasing food wastes and starving people have made food preserved by cold chain as a significant and profitable issue. An effective and efficiency cold chain can make a big difference in the whole food supply chain around the world. With the improvements of modern technologies, cold chain distribution is experiencing changes. Purpose: To identify weak links in distribution channel of cold chain products. What kind of risks exist in these weak inks and how to assess them. Method: Positivistic is used throughout the paper. Multiple exploratory case study is our way of research our problems. Data were gathered from interview, documents and company’s website. Conclusions: Human handling in delivery process, the way retailers deal with frozen products, how do different participants manage their resources and safety of product and its quality are main reasons for quality risk. Risks in weak links can cause product quality problem in cold chain distribution channel. Therefore, assess these risks can help managers to deal with them. Keywords: Cold chain distribution, quality problem, weak link, risk