Abstract:
This research aimed 1) to study green logistics management guidelines for sustainable environmental quality of palm oil mills in Thailand in the future 2) to develop a green logistics management model for the sustainable environmental quality of the palm oil mills of Thailand in the future. The future research technique, known as the EDFR (Ethnogrphic Delphi Futures Research) technique was applied in this study. The sample group consisted of 24 experts with knowledge and experience in green logistics and palm oil management selected by the purposive sampling method. The data collection tools included interviews and questionnaires with rating scale. Three rounds of the data collection were conducted. The first round was an interview and the collected data was used to create a rating scale questionnaire. Then, the rating scale questionnaire was evaluated by the experts respectively. The data obtained from the final questionnaire were used to determine the median, popular base, difference between base popular and median, and interquartile range as well as to examine the format by referencing the connoisseurship.
The results showed that the development of green logistics management model for sustainable environmental quality of Thailand's palm oil mills in the future related to vital key concepts of activities and factors affecting the green logistics management. There were 4 aspects as follows: 1) the process of green logistics management was the important factor enhancing the effective competition for the business or industry. The green logistics approach has been applied to the industrial green logistics management because many processes affected the environment. Thus, the concept of green logistics management (Green Logistics) was concerned. The concept of the green logistics management involved with environmentally friendly activities. The aim of green logistics is to develop and improve the operations in logistics activities regarding the environment and the management processes from upstream to downstream. Palm tree planting and caring were environmentally friendly processes including giving knowledge to farmers about planting, pruning, maintaining and efficient harvesting palm tree. Moreover, palm tree transporting process focused on environmentally friendly and quality transporting system. In addition, the production process concerned steps and processes of producing palm oil. Unnecessary steps have been eliminated to reduce costs. Costs of different activities in the production process were compared to reduce non-value-added activities as well as the amount of emissions in the production process. 2) The human capital related to the management of the work process of employees in the industry. This process provided a work process for employees in each section systematically. However, the human capital management referred to the concept of human resource management focusing on the knowledge of behavioral science. The management of various activities with creative techniques, especially human resource areas involved the planning, employment, personnel development training, performance appraisal, compensation and benefits, employee behavior Including the development of human resource management processes according to new concepts. 3) The equipment referred to the management plans by the organization to achieve the goals and to build positive environment impact. Choosing industrial equipment and materials will be leaded to goals, such as selection of machinery, packaging, trucks, palm oil extractors, etc. These tools are the driving force for the production of eco-friendly palm oil. 4) Information mentioned to the information management for improving the methods of organizations to ensure systems to be available to all critical users, including, executives, personnel, organizations or other organizations operating with service users and stakeholders. The information has been updated and a truck tracking device used for monitoring the location, making decisions, controlling and monitoring the driver in order to command and resolve problems immediately as well as to transport goods on time and correctly. A truck tracking device can be used for controlling the route. Customers can know the location of the truck and estimate the time arrival, reducing the advance wages for employees, increasing the safety transportation. This issue is a serious matter of loss the property and reputation. However, this device helped to control the speed limit or monitor the dangerous driving behavior. It can also help to build the confidence and trust of the customer service. A communication device is used for contacting employees facilitating the communication.
In conclusion, all 4 factors above contributed to the green logistic management. The green logistics concerned the environment impact and affecting the climate changes. The firms or organization can be accepted due to the green logistics operations. However, the green logistics operation can create the image and reputation of the organization as well as enhance the firm sustainability.