Emerald Management Reviews

Design/methodology/approach - Outlines the evolution of the supply chains that provide food to US consumers, which are made up of farm suppliers, farmers, marketers/storage, processors, wholesalers/distributors, retailers, and consumers, and the traceability and transparency of which are especially affected by three major forces: globalization; consolidation; and commoditization. Explores the global sourcing of food ingredients and the associated hazards, before focusing on food sourcing from China and the realities of the US Food & Drug Administration inspections. Presents conventions of the traditional Chinese business environment, ideology and culture that specifically illustrate the practices of Chinese food suppliers, associated with views related to money, conditions creating a short-term business mindset, views about hygiene and safety, underdeveloped regulations and regulatory infrastructure, local incentives that favour economic growth over enforcement of regulations, and a culture of indirectness and opacity. Develops a conceptual framework, the 'Six Ts' of supply chain quality management, relevant for any product but especially critical to the preservation of public welfare through a safe food supply, centred on traceability, transparency, testability, time, trust and training. Discusses the implications of the Six Ts for global supply chains.

Findings - Demonstrates how the Six Ts represent the key inputs and outputs of the familiar define, measure, analyse, improve and control approach to quality improvement.

Originality/value - Claims to be one of the first studies to examine quality issues for globally sourced foods using a supply chain management perspective. Exposes critical challenges posed by the global sourcing of food and global food supply chains.