Perishables

Master the Complexities of the Last-Mile Delivery Ecosystem.
When a consumer taps a screen and receives fresh groceries thirty minutes later, they are interacting with an illusion of simplicity. Perishables: Food, Groceries, and the Gig Economy is the definitive textbook for operations managers, students, and entrepreneurs navigating the chaotic reality of hyper-local cold chains.
Bridging the gap between theoretical routing mathematics and physical urban infrastructure, this text breaks down the systemic friction of the modern supply chain. You will explore real-world case studies from Zipline's autonomous drone networks in East Africa to the regulatory battles over gig-worker classification in Europe and the US.
Core Concepts Explored:

• Thermal & Temporal Degradation: Managing the strict compliance of pharmaceuticals and the aesthetic perishability of floral logistics.
• The Control Paradox: Deconstructing the "Boss in the Pocket" and the rise of algorithmic management.
• Sustainable Architecture: Transitioning from single-use packaging to circular economies and micro-mobility cargo fleets.
• The Automation Spectrum: Evaluating the spatial constraints of sidewalk robots, drones, and AVs.