Critical success factors in adopting short food supply chain practices under COVID-19 : a Sri Lankan case study

The short food supply chain (SFSC) is an emerging sustainable supply chain practice that facilitates a direct connection between farmers and consumers by eliminating several intermediaries of complex supply chains. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Agri-food supply chain has increased the need to establish more sustainable food supply chains practices for supporting local communities. This study aims to investigate critical success factors (CSFs) in SFSC impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. CSFs in SFSC was identified from a comprehensive literature review, followed by a selection of eight CSFs, based on inputs from experts in the agriculture sector for analysis. The influential and prominent CSFs in SFSC and their causal relationships are determined using Grey Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (Grey-DEMATEL) approach. Individualised and tailored service offered to consumers, organic production by promoting home garden concepts, and direct and ethical relationships between producers and consumers are the most influencing CSFs to implement SFSC impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic