FOOD-VALUE-CHAIN PERFORMANCE: AN INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK CONDITIONED BY GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES

Abstract

Affordable food availability requires a well-functioning value chain system, yet the food sector faces mounting challenges to sustainable performance amid concerns about food security, environmental degradation, and economic viability. This study develops an integrated framework to examine the determinants of Food Value Chain Performance (FVCP) and the moderating role of government incentives in strengthening these relationships. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey of key decision-makers across Malaysia's food value chain, the data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to test direct and moderating relationships, and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) to assess necessary conditions. Findings show that community support is the strongest predictor of FVCP, followed by environmental collaboration, while technological factors exhibit complex effects. Government incentives significantly moderate the relationship between community support and FVCP, highlighting the role of policy intervention in improving value chain outcomes. The study contributes a unified theoretical framework and offers practical insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to optimise resource allocation for sustainable food value chain management.