Conceptual framework for inclusive fresh product supply chain resilience in the response to climate change in developing countries

Abstract Climate change poses a significant threat to smallholder farmers. Despite increasing attention on supply chain resilience, an integrated model tailored to inclusive fresh product supply chains remains lacking. This gap is particularly pronounced in developing countries whose supply chains are characterized by the dominance of smallholder farmers, resource constraints, and chronic threats from inherent socio-political-economic conditions, distinct from the large-scale risks generally studied in developed countries. As such, conceptual frameworks are essential to systematically identify the elements that build resilience and serve as a practical measuring tool for measuring inclusive fresh product supply chain resilience in response to climate change. This research proposes a conceptual framework for measuring the resilience of an inclusive fresh product supply chain to climate change. Unlike existing generic models, our key contribution lies in the systematic integration of four dimensions of resilience (ATRR) by explicitly considering smallholder farmers’ power asymmetries and the urgency posed by climate change. The developed ATRR framework serves as a theoretical foundation for the operationalization rather than a ready-to-use tool. The study followed a multi-stage methodology involving a literature review, synthesis of resilience dimensions, and informant validation through semi-structured interviews with purposive and snowball sampling. Based on these findings, the Adaptive capacity [A]-Transformability [T]-Robustness [R]-Recovery speed [R] conceptual framework is essential for the resilience of an inclusive fresh product supply chain. The developed ATRR framework can be a practical tool for stakeholders in inclusive fresh product supply chain resilience.