Recommendations to Improve the Cold Chain Management in a Case Company
Rahola, Anne (2021)
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202105057181
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202105057181
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this thesis was to propose actions to improve the outbound cold chain management of the temperature sensitive IVD reagent products in the case company. The products manufactured in the case company’s factory are distributed worldwide. Controlling all steps and procedures in the supply chain on a sufficient level can be challenging and improvement opportunities have been recognised in the current process.
The research approach is design research applying qualitative methods. This study included four stages. At first the current order to delivery process was analysed from cold chain perspective together with the subject matter experts. As a result, the strengths and weaknesses of the current process were identified. In the second phase the existing literature was reviewed in order to find best practices and solutions to tackle the identified weaknesses. The conceptual framework of the thesis was created based on the improvement ideas gathered from the literature. The initial recommendations for improvement of the current process were co-created with the applicable key stakeholders in the third phase. In the fourth phase feedback for the initial proposal was requested from the selected managerial level decision makers and the final proposal was formed based on their comments.
As an outcome of this thesis the improvement recommendations for the case company’s cold chain management process are proposed. The implementation of the final proposal provides the opportunity to develop the current process and have better control of transportation.
This study provides practical solutions for the case company to improve the current cold chain management procedures. Controlling the cold chain of the critical products ensures the product quality is maintained also during transportation. It prevents temperature excursions and decreases the risk of the financial loss for the manufacturer. Maintaining the cold chain provides protection to the patient.
The research approach is design research applying qualitative methods. This study included four stages. At first the current order to delivery process was analysed from cold chain perspective together with the subject matter experts. As a result, the strengths and weaknesses of the current process were identified. In the second phase the existing literature was reviewed in order to find best practices and solutions to tackle the identified weaknesses. The conceptual framework of the thesis was created based on the improvement ideas gathered from the literature. The initial recommendations for improvement of the current process were co-created with the applicable key stakeholders in the third phase. In the fourth phase feedback for the initial proposal was requested from the selected managerial level decision makers and the final proposal was formed based on their comments.
As an outcome of this thesis the improvement recommendations for the case company’s cold chain management process are proposed. The implementation of the final proposal provides the opportunity to develop the current process and have better control of transportation.
This study provides practical solutions for the case company to improve the current cold chain management procedures. Controlling the cold chain of the critical products ensures the product quality is maintained also during transportation. It prevents temperature excursions and decreases the risk of the financial loss for the manufacturer. Maintaining the cold chain provides protection to the patient.