IMPORTANT FACTORS OF COLD CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN SAMUT PRAKAN PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the key factors influencing cold chain management in Samut Prakan Province using ANOVA to examine the relationship between the independent and dependent variables and their effectiveness and provide managerial recommendations regarding cold chain management factors. The research variables are independent variables of personal Factors, including Gender, Age, Education, Employees, Business type, and Position, and dependent variables of Cold chain management Factors, including Temperature Monitoring, Transportation Time, Cold Storage Facilities, Packaging Materials, Logistics Coordination, Compliance with Industry Regulations, and Professional Training. The study involved 225 individuals from 48 factories, who work in, have experience with, or are connected to the food cold chain in Samut Prakan Province. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentage, mean, and standard deviation, along with inferential statistics through One-Way Analysis of Variance (One-Way ANOVA or F-test with P < 0.05).

            The findings revealed that most respondents were male, over 50 years old, held undergraduate degrees, worked in companies with 20–50 employees, were engaged in cold storage businesses, and held senior supervisory or supervisory positions. Temperature Monitoring and Compliance with Industry Regulations were identified as the most critical factors for cold chain management in Samut Prakan Province, with mean scores of 4.61 (SD = 0.54) and 4.50 (SD = 0.68), respectively. Additionally, demographic factors such as gender, age, and education significantly influenced all aspects of cold chain management in the province, with a statistical significance level of 0.05. This study provides valuable insights into the demographic influences and critical factors for enhancing cold chain management efficiency, offering practical implications for industry improvement.