An Analysis and Evaluation of Supply Chain Management Components of Cricket Farm Entrepreneurs: A Case Study of Surin Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to analyze and evaluate the supply chain management components of cricket farm entrepreneurs in Surin province, using the Supply Chain Operations Reference Model. The qualitative research approach was applied with a multiple case study technique to collect data from five cricket farm entrepreneurs who have operated their businesses for at least two years and were located in Surin province. Semi-structured interviews were used as a research tool. Triangulation was also employed to ensure reliability and validity of data. The findings demonstrate that there are two ways of selling crickets: retailing and wholesaling. The types of operation are: farms that produce crickets, and farms that produce and collect crickets from farm members. There are also a single farm, a single farm with a few farm members, a contract farm with many farm members, a farm that is registered as a community enterprise, and a farm that is a member of another contract farm. All types of entrepreneurs perform main activities according to SCOR Model, including planning, sourcing, making, delivery and returning. Regarding the supply chain management components, retailing farms need to improve the reliability, flexibility and cost of planning, sourcing, making and delivery. On the other hand, wholesaling farms need to improve themselves in terms of material costs, production, transfer and delivery.