Factors influencing the adoption of e-SCM by Women-led Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) of India in Agri-Fresh Produce Supply Chain: A Conceptual Model

Abstract

In India, agriculture employs nearly 60% of the rural workforce and contributes significantly to the country's GDP. However, smallholder farmers, who represent the majority of agricultural producers, face numerous challenges, including limited access to markets, resources, and technology. Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have emerged as a solution to these challenges, enabling farmers to pool their resources, enhance bargaining power, and improve their livelihoods. Further, Electronic supply chain management or e-SCM i.e., adoption of the internet to handle the supply chain processes is an emergent trend in the supply chain and logistics industry and has been recently impacting the development and operations of supply chain and its management. The research mentioned the imminent and rising trend of adoption of e-SCM into practice with the development and increasing standardization of technology as an important part for the development of industrial digitalisation. e-SCM was observed as an important aspect in case of adoption of technological advancements in the industry. It is identified to have been impactful in the growth and enhancements of the organization in terms of operational efficiencies and keeping up with the advancements in demands and requirements of the industry. The study had conducted a systematic review in association to the study information in relation to the objectives of exploring the topic of electronic supply chain management in the study.  The literature review indicated that among the screened studies for systematic review, it was indicated that some of the antecedent factors that are motivating the electronic supply chain can be broadly classified into Technological, Organizational, Supply chain and Environmental factors. While in terms of consequences the financial performance of the FPO is examined in the literature. The study proposed a theoretical model to examine the antecedents and consequences of e-SCM adoption in Women-led FPO organizations. This is a unique attempt in the literature of e-SCM adoption. The proposed model can be analysed in future research which will help the managers, policy makers and academicians to understand the factors better and take measures to increase the effectiveness of adoption in the supply chain of Women-led FPO organizations.