EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT OF FLOWER INDUSTRY SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Abstract The global supply chain of perishable products, i.e. flowers, is a multifarious interrelated structure and has underlined the problems. This research aims to find the characteristics of supply chain management of cut lotus flowers, analyze and create the supply chain management model of the cut-flower lotus, and apply the best lotus supply chain management model to practices of cut-flower lotus farmers. Mixed methods research was used consisting of quantitative and qualitative research methods. This phenomenological research was conducted by studying the phenomena and human experience using descriptive statistics. Purposive sampling was used to determine 22 cut-flower lotus farmers in Nakhon Pathom as a sample in the study of efficiency enhancement of supply chain management. The results found that the supply chain management structure of cut-flower lotus had 3 patterns, with the characteristics of the upstream, midstream, and downstream. The first pattern was the distribution of the lotus flowers that farmers cut the flower and sorted out the sizes of lotus flowers for middlemen to buy and sell to retailers in each region. Then, the retailers distributed to consumers. The second pattern was the distribution of the lotus flowers that farmers cut the flowers and sorted out the sizes of lotus flowers for retailers to receive the products at farms and then distribute to consumers in the market. The third pattern was the distribution of lotus flowers by lotus farmers. This style was rare. The cut-flower lotus farming can be applied to the agro-tourism business for tourists to study the way of life, community, culture, and lotus farming, including participate in activities within the lotus farm, such as collecting lotus flowers, raising fish, boating, and folding lotus flowers. This is another way to generate income for lotus farmers and communities sustainably