This study aims to highlight the usefulness of studying the performance of supply chains (SC) at the sectoral level in greater detail through the combination of a disaggregated supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model, with a multicriteria decision-making approach, specifically using an AHP, to adjust the analysis to the particularities of the sector under study by stakeholders’ judgements. The methodology was applied to the Ecuadorian flower industry, and the data for the analysis was from a survey of a group of companies that represent this sector. In addition, a focus group of SC experts weighted the model constructs as part of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and then the performance level for each construct was determined. According to the results methodologies, this model allows the classification of companies by their performance, as well as the performance of the aggregate sector. The processes that Ecuadorian flower companies need to improve on are planning, procurement, and manufacturing. The study’s main contribution is developing a general framework for measuring the overall performance of SCs and how the results are obtained. This tool could help managers, consultants, industries, and governments to assess the performance of SCs, as well as improving SC management in order to increase the sector’s competitiveness in the international market.
More intense floriculture activity in Ecuador could mean huge improvements for the country’s economic growth, while at the same time would be a sustainable exploitation of its natural resources. This study aims to help floriculture entrepreneurs in Ecuador with production planning, investment, and marketing strategies. With this in mind, two main objectives are addressed in the paper. The first one is to obtain an analytical overview of the world’s flower industry and the chief exporting and importing countries, as well as of the types of flowers that are offered and demanded. The second is to determine the competitive position of Ecuador’s flower industry and that of its direct competitors in the global cut flower marketplace. To accomplish the latter, we used Balassa’s and Hinloopen and Van Marrewijk’s measures and carried out statistical tests to validate the results. These indicated that both Ecuador and Colombia enjoy a strong comparative advantage among their direct competitors: the Netherlands, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Although the 2018 Logistics Performance Index and the 2017–2018 Global Competitiveness Index rankings put Ecuador in the 70th and 97th position worldwide, respectively, our findings show that Ecuador has the potential to achieve higher market shares in the flower trade globally. Consequently, strategic production policies should be implemented for Ecuadorian flower companies to adapt to the international flower trade requirements and for improving the production and supply chain technologies so that Ecuador can reach other foreign markets.
This research aims to identify and propose an analysis and redesign methodology for Supply Chain (SC) processes, leading to better performance and financial results. Our study focuses on the Ecuadorian flower industry redesigning processes and allowing higher levels of competitiveness. The methodology here proposed combines the SCOR (Supply Chain Operation Reference) and a Multi-Criteria Evaluation methodology, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The SCOR model allows mapping and describing the supply chain. By consulting with experts, the AHP helps examine and select decisive chain operational aspects for successful performance allowing redesign. According to the proposed methodology and expert consultation, those metrics, attributes, and processes with lower weight, should be improved. Although few research articles have applied the SCOR and AHP models to the agricultural sector, this study on the supply chain of the Ecuadorian floriculture sector leads us to conclude that model combination is a suitable methodology for supply chain analysis of any perishable product and, more specifically, the flower industry. Highlights Supply chain (SC) management is a crucial and decisive element in improving efficiency, productivity, and overall distribution and sale process. In perishable and temperature-sensitive products, like flowers, supply chain management (SCM) is imperative for avoiding financial losses. SCOR (Supply Chain Operation Reference) is a good model to measure SC performance. AHP helps examine and select decisive chain operational aspects for successful performance allowing redesign.
Ecuador's exports have been characterized by primary products (crude oil, bananas and plantains, coffee, shrimp, cocoa, abaca, wood, tuna, fish, natural flowers) and by industrialized products (oil derivatives, processed coffee, cocoa products), fishmeal, other seafood products, chemicals and drugs, metal manufactures, hats, textile manufactures). Ecuador's exports in the period 2017-2021 have been over 20 billion dollars, of which 80% correspond to primary products and 20% to industrialized products. Within primary products, the share of crude oil has been decreasing, going from 42% in 2017 to 34% in 2021, while the rest of primary products has gone from 58% in 2017 to 66% in 2021. These figures mean that Ecuador's specialization is purely agricultural.In this context, the present investigation entitled "Design of a model to improve the competitiveness of the Ecuadorian flower sector" aims to contribute to the Ecuadorian agricultural sector. For this purpose, the study contemplated the following investigations: a) Competitiveness of the Ecuadorian floriculture sector, for which the Balassa methodology was applied, which determined that Ecuador and Colombia have a strong comparative advantage compared to the exporting countries studied such as: The Netherlands, Kenya and Ethiopia. It is concluded that Ecuador must apply marketing strategies, such as market development, to achieve the positioning of its exports in the European Union, which is currently the main market for cut flowers in the world. Another strategy that Ecuador must apply is the related diversification that specifies that the production of cut flowers must be applied to other varieties such as chrysanthemums, carnations, flowers and buds, lilies and orchids, which are currently part of the world market.b) Comparative analysis of the supply chain models: ABC, BSC and SCOR, a review of the literature was applied, it was found that the SCOR model is a very powerful tool to structure, evaluate and compare the practices and performance of Supply Chain.The SCOR model proposes an integrated approach that is based on the conception of an interconnected structure that unites processes, includes performance metrics, best practices and technology with the aim of continuous improvement of the supply chain. c) Performance analysis of the supply chain of the Ecuadorian floriculture sector, by metrics, applying SCOR and AHP. For this study, the SCOR and AHP methodology was applied and as a result, the Return and Management processes register the lowest vii viii
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