An Investigation of Quality Management within Frozen Food Chain: A Case Study in China

Abstract

As economies develop and the pace of life accelerates, there is an increasing demand for frozen agricultural products as well as for good quality and fresh products to enter the production chain. However, relatively little information is available regarding the management of this form of ＂cold chain＂ to ensure the quality of frozen food, especially within a developing country context. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap in the literature and provide feasible guidance for frozen food manufacturers in developing countries to establish both internal and external quality management systems for their supply chains. Examining a frozen corn cobs manufacturer in China, it is found that internal quality management with preventative and traceability systems are closely related to product quality, while the effectiveness of supply chain quality management moderates the extent of such relationships. Furthermore, it is found that organizations in their early stages of development can enhance the quality level by effective management without investing additional capital.