Cold warehousing services from the perspectives of logistics providers: the mediating role of cost and organizational readiness

Despite the importance of the cold supply chain in preventing food waste worldwide, there are only a limited number of cold chain providers in Malaysia. This study investigates the factors influencing the intention to provide cold warehousing service logistics providers in Malaysia. Employing a purposive sampling method, data were gathered via an online survey of logistics companies in Malaysia. 184 usable datasets were valid for further analysis. Owing to concerns regarding predictive purposes, structural equation modelling with SMART-PLS 4 was applied to test the hypotheses of this study. The analysis found all direct hypotheses were supported. The relationship between CEO innovativeness and intention, and government support toward intention, is positively mediated by organizational readiness. Meanwhile, cost failed to mediate the relationship between CEO innovativeness and intention. The study developed a new model with two mediators for a better understanding of the factors influencing the intention to provide cold warehousing services in Malaysia from the perspective of logistics providers. The findings will provide meaningful information for the government to craft a better policy to enhance the number of cold service providers.