Barriers to Sustainable Agricultural Logistics in Emerging Economies: Evidence from SMEs in Vietnam
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65896/ijsaes.v2i2.30Keywords:
barriers, emerging economies, SMEs, sustainable agricultural logistics, VietnamAbstract
Background: Sustainable agricultural logistics is increasingly important for enhancing supply chain resilience and competitiveness in emerging economies. However, prior studies have mainly examined sustainable agriculture or general logistics barriers, while limited attention has been paid to how Vietnamese SMEs experience barriers to sustainable agricultural logistics in practice. Aim: This study aims to identify the key barriers to sustainable agricultural logistics from the perspective of Vietnamese SMEs operating in agricultural logistics. Methods: A qualitative exploratory design was selected because the topic remains under-researched and requires an in-depth understanding of SMEs’ practical experiences, perceptions, and context-specific constraints. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 SME owners, managers, and logistics personnel in Can Tho, Dong Thap, Dong Nai, and Ho Chi Minh City. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: The findings reveal four dominant themes shaping SMEs’ adoption of sustainable agricultural logistics: market-driven pressure, resource and technology constraints, information and market-access limitations, and institutional support gaps. SMEs tended to adopt sustainability-oriented practices mainly in response to customer requirements and cost-efficiency concerns. However, their implementation capacity was constrained by limited access to market information, insufficient capital and technological resources, unstable raw material supply, and weak policy effectiveness. Conclusion: The study contributes to sustainable logistics literature by showing that SMEs’ barriers are not isolated constraints but interrelated market, resource, technological, and institutional challenges within an emerging economy context. Practically, the findings suggest the need for more targeted financial incentives, digital transformation support, human resource development, market access improvement, and logistics infrastructure investment to better align policy support with SMEs’ operational needs in Vietnam.
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