Key words: 1) Supply chain Management 2) Entrepreneurship 3) Logistic Capabilities 4) Resilience 5) Marketing & 6) Aquaculture Products
Fishery trade has expanded considerably in recent decades, and the fisheries sector operates in an increasingly globalised environment. The way fishery products are produced, marketed, and delivered to consumers has changed significantly, and commodities may cross national boundaries several times before final consumption.
Demand for Indian fish products in the international market has led to an increase in seafood export which may provide great opportunities to the people of Kerala. The trend of aquaculture practices in Kerala retarded, contrary to that in India. Even after encompassing complementary settings in climatic, environmental, and technological segments, the State's aquaculture is declining. The literature review demanded further studies to achieve sustainability, but research on aquaculture products' supply chains was barely found. Empirical studies in intra-firm and intra-functional relationships to acquire proactive capabilities recommend further research.
The constant rise in the demand for fish and fish products does not tend to avail profits to aquaculture farmers; it became essential to conduct a study about the supply of fish products across the State. A study on the supply chain of aquaculture products may reveal the scope of value addition to increase the market value of aquaculture products from the State. The present study is to gain knowledge about the supply chain of aquaculture products from Kerala. It also aims to recognise the potential for entrepreneurship development across supply chain operations of aquaculture products from Kerala. The specific questions to address are: (i) Are the existing supply chains vulnerable to changes? And (ii) Can entrepreneurship development improve supply chain resilience in the sector?
The study framed four objectives to carry out this research, viz. (i)To understand the supply chain linkages in the selected aquaculture sector of Kerala. (ii)To assess the entrepreneurial orientation and risk management orientation of the aquaculture supply chains in Kerala. (iii)To comprehend the resilience and vulnerability status of aquaculture supply chains and (iv)To understand the extent of entrepreneurial orientation in achieving supply chain resilience in the aquaculture supply chain. The study proposes fifteen hypotheses to attain the following objectives. H1-Essential aquaculture inputs are catered by other states. H2-The profitability of the supply chain is associated with the species cultured. H3-Kerala's supply chain for aquaculture products still has untapped potential for entrepreneurship. H4-In an entrepreneurial supply chain, farmers tend to substitute the role of other agents. H5-Supply chains that effectively manage their risks are profitable to their supply chain partners. H6-An entrepreneurial supply chain manages its risks pretty well. H7-Resilient supply chains are less vulnerable. H8-Resilient supply chains are profitable to the supply chain partners. H9-Improving Integrated logistics capabilities reduces the vulnerability of the supply chain. H10-Entrepreneurial orientation is composed of proactiveness, innovation and risk-taking tendency. H11-Integrated logistics capabilities is composed of supply management capabilities and information management capabilities H12-Entrepreneurial orientation in the system is positively linked with the supply chain resilience capabilities of aquaculture supply chains in the State. H13-Entrepreneurial orientation reasons for the development of integrated logistics capabilities in the supply chain system. H14-Integrated logistics capabilities of the aquaculture supply chain augment supply chain resilience in the system. H15-Integrated logistics capabilities mediate the influence of entrepreneurial orientation over supply chain resilience in Kerala's aquaculture supply chain.
The focus was exclusively on the characteristics of the aquaculture supply chain from the producers' viewpoint. Aquaculture production and supply is a vast area, and so the supply chain from the harvest of aquaculture products to the consumer was examined. A combination of exploratory and descriptive designs was employed due to its uniqueness. In order to accomplish the objectives of the study, a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative analysis is used. The research was conducted in a three-step sequence. The initial stage consists of observation of farms, processing centres, markets, etc., to understand the existing supply channels and operations from February 2018 to March 2019. The second stage of the research from August 2019 to November 2020 was by conducting interviews and observing detailed sessions. The third step was through conducting semi-structured Interviews (Feb. 2021 to Sep. 2021) with 105 responses.
A comprehensive interview of each respondent was summarised and reported. Demographic profiles, detailed analysis of recognised supply chains, and SWOT analysis were carried out to support H3. Eight different parametric/nonparametric tests were utilised to analyse 14 hypotheses proposed in the study. Exploratory factor analysis, Confirmatory factor analysis, Independent sample t-test, Pearson's correlation analysis, Structural Equation Modeling, Chi-square test for goodness for fit, Chi-square test for independence, and Friedman test were the tests used in the study.
The supply chains operating in the sector were found to have a high entrepreneurial orientation and offer numerous opportunities. The study identified 12 different supply chains of aquaculture products in Kerala and many entrepreneurial opportunities, viz. fresh stalls near farms, certifying agencies, quality control stations, transportation, and storage facility, cost-effective pre-processing centres with retail outlets (with GMP certification), small-scale cost-effective processing centres, ERP systems, designers and training centres, etc. Tourism-related ventures also have good entrepreneurship potential. Seed availability for aquaculture production was denoted as an immediate problem, followed by the escalating costs of feed.
A successful supply chain foresees, manages, and turns risky situations into profitable opportunities. Entrepreneurial supply chains always meet problems or inadequacies with viable solutions, thereby adding to resilience, reducing risk, and making the system more profitable.
A competent supply chain focuses on being resilient. Resilient systems always are prepared to face the vulnerabilities associated with them and therefore offer profits to all segments. Resilient systems easily overcome vulnerabilities.
The logistic capabilities of supply chains were found to be at a medium threshold. A supply chain system keeps improving its capability to overcome disturbances. Overall entrepreneurial success requires developing dynamic capabilities to become resilient. A supply chain that offers entrepreneurship opportunities should develop its capacity to manage its flows: information, materials, and money.
The study presented a model relating entrepreneurial orientation and supply chain resilience via integrated logistics capabilities. According to the study, supply chains should focus on developing their logistic capabilities to be more resilient to maintain stability in turbulent environments.