ICT Applications In the Supply Chain of Greek Agricultural Cooperatives

The agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the Greek economy. Cooperatives are an integral part of the agricultural sector and the logistics cost impacts the pricing policy of the agricultural products, taking into consideration the value added of all trading partners along the supply chain. Many governments all over Europe pay special attention to this issue trying to make agriculture prosperous by using information systems and technology (IS/IT). The aim of this study is to identify the present situation of ICT applications regarding the value added logistics processes of the Greek agricultural cooperatives. Especially, the role of specific information systems is examined in order to estimate the impact of logistics applications and partners in the cost of the products. For this purpose a questionnaire regarding the above issues was given to the Greek cooperatives. Almost all the cooperatives are characterized as Producers’ Cooperatives and are focused more on packaging and warehousing logistics operations. The application of Quality systems in the Greek Agricultural Cooperatives has been imposed mainly by the customers’ concern for the quality of the product and the protection of the environment. Although the respondents recognize the contribution of ICT in their supply chain management, the research concludes that the majority of Greek cooperatives is not aware of IT/IS in great extent and this derives from the inadequate organizational culture and education.