Search

• Offering a novel fuzzy robust approach for closed-loop supply chain network design. • Examining the hybrid uncertainties and flexibility of constraints in the problem. • Considering economic, responsibility, and environmental subjects in modeling. • Using the interactive fuzzy programming approach to solve the multi-objective model. • Introducing a new application for stone paper closed-loop supply chain network design. Nowadays, the production of stone paper, in addition to its widespread utilization in various fields, does not require water consumption, cutting down trees, and stone paper products are easily recyclable and recoverable. Due to the importance of developing and using stone paper and paying attention to environmental matters, Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design (CLSCND) is very important for stone paper products. Moreover, due to epistemic, randomness uncertainties, the uncertainties in Objective Function (OF), and the flexible constraints for CLSCND in the real world, this paper introduces a novel Mixed Robust Stochastic, Possibilistic, and Flexible Programming (MRSPFP) approach based on credibility theory. The different attitudes of the Decision-Makers (DMs) are addressed by a more flexible measurement of the optimistic and pessimistic parameters using the criterion of credibility. In the study, a comprehensive procedure is proposed for stone paper CLSCND, to minimize costs, increase responsiveness by minimizing transit time between different facilities, and regarding environmental concerns into account through minimizing carbon emissions. The model is solved utilizing an interactive fuzzy programming solution procedure and the Best-Worst Method (BWM). The results of sensitivity analysis, the effect of changing the problem parameters, and the performance of the proposed model are investigated and compared. The results show that the MRSPFP model has a better performance compared to other previous models. The MRSPFP model performs better in strategic decisions that require high investment costs due to the minimization of the absolute deviation of OF from its mean. Also, the applied results of the study show that CLSCND has a good capability and potential for sustainable development in the field of stone paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the fast growing of the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), the business values of closed-loop supply chains (CLSCs) have been well recognized. In this paper, we investigate the performance of the CLSCs under different combinations of the recycling channel and the channel leadership when the recycling price is determined by the recycling party. Specially, we consider a CLSC consisting of two channel members, i.e., a manufacturer and a retailer. Each member acting as the channel leader has three different channels to collect the used products, and they are (ⅰ) the manufacturer (M-channel), (ⅱ) the retailer (R-channel) and (ⅲ) the third-party (T-channel). Given the recycling party determines the recycling price, mathematical models are developed to investigate the performance of the CLSC under different combinations of the channel leadership and the recycling channel. Through a comparison analysis, we find that M-channel is the most effective recycling channel. Moreover, once the M-channel be adopted, the retailer-led structure is as good as manufacture-led structure. We find that the recycling channel structure could be more important than the channel leadership in the CLSC. Finally, we illustrate that the CLSC can be coordinated by a two-part tariff contract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate digitalization as a performance driver in supply chains, especially the role of data analytics in the digitalization of procurement. The study investigates how digital procurement capabilities are linked to data analytics capabilities and supply chain operational performance and how this links to business success. Design/methodology/approach: Using operational and dynamic capabilities as foundations for data analytics capabilities, this paper studied the digital procurement capabilities and proposed the conceptual model and hypotheses for empirical testing. The collected industry survey data and structural equation method are then applied to test the hypotheses. Findings: The study confirms positive and significant relationships among digital procurement capabilities, data analytics capabilities and supply chain performance. Digital procurement capabilities mediate the positive relationship between external data analytics capabilities and supply chain performance. Research limitations/implications: This study has some limitations that should be addressed. The empirical study was based on survey data from a questionnaire that was probably challenging for some respondent companies with low levels of digital procurement and data analytics. Also, it is necessary to adopt secondary data to measure business performance in future studies which reduces the effect of subjective bias. Practical implications: From the managerial point of view, the findings highlight the importance of gaining knowledge from gathered data and digitalized processes. Managers must focus on data utilization capabilities to improve the operational performance expected from the digitalization of supply chain activities. In addition, managers need to consider exploiting of data through new creative approaches as part of standardized operations. Originality/value: The present study contributes to existing knowledge by investigating the mediating role of data analytics capabilities between the digitalization of procurement and supply chain performance. The findings support a positive relationship between the data analytics capabilities and supply chain performance in digital upstream supply chain procurement processes. The present study also clarifies the impact and role of data analytics capabilities in digital supply chain development and success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste electrical and electronic equipment have the potential environmental risks and resource value simultaneously. So the product recycling is very important. This paper studies on recycling problems of WEEE under the third-party recycling in a closed-loop supply chain. We take the following measures. Firstly, based on classifying the WEEE, we consider a revenue sharing and cost sharing contract as the coordination mechanism. Secondly, under centralized and decentralized decisions, we use the game analysis technology to determine the optimal pricing and profits, respectively. Finally, we conduct the number simulation to illustrate and validate the proposed models and provide managerial insights. The results show that when retailers sell new and second-hand products simultaneously, consumers become more sensitive to recycling prices, the profits of manufacturers, recyclers and CLSC increase. However, the retailers' profits decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global trade is plagued by slow and inefficient manual processes associated with physical documents. Firms are constantly looking for new ways to improve transparency and increase the resilience of their supply chains. This can be solved by the digitalisation of supply chains and the automation of document- and information-sharing processes. Blockchain is touted as a solution to these issues due to its unique combination of features, such as immutability, decentralisation and transparency. A lack of business cases that quantify the costs and benefits causes uncertainty regarding the truth of these claims. This paper explores how the costs and benefits of a blockchain-based solution for digitalising and automating documentation flows in cross-border supply chains compare to a conventional centralised relational database solution. The research described in this paper uses primary data collected through semi-structured interviews with industry experts, as well as secondary data from literature. Two models based on existing services were developed and the costs and benefits compared and then analysed using the Architecture Trade-off Analysis Method (ATAM) and the Analytic Network Process (ANP). Findings from the analysis show that a consortium blockchain solution like TradeLens is the favourable solution for digitalising and automating information flows in cross-border supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzing Capacitated Two-Echelon Systems with Permutation-Dependent Separability Capacitated multiechelon systems are common in practice due to the escalating costs of labor and advanced manufacturing technology. However, identifying the optimal replenishment policies for such systems is a largely open area of research due to the intrinsic complexity, especially when there is an upstream bottleneck. In "A Permutation-Dependent Separability Approach for Capacitated Two-Echelon Inventory Systems", Shen, Yu, and Huh propose a new approach, that is, permutation-dependent separability, to tackle a capacitated two-echelon system in which the capacity of upstream stage can be the bottleneck. They show that the value function for the capacitated two-echelon system in each period is permutation-dependent separable, and that for each echelon, a permutation-dependent echelon base stock policy is optimal. The authors also develop efficient solution procedures on how to obtain the optimal policy. We consider optimal inventory replenishment policies for capacitated 2-echelon serial inventory systems, where the capacity of upstream echelon can be the bottleneck. We show that the optimal replenishment decisions in each period can be made one echelon at a time by introducing a procedure that can sequentially decompose a multidimensional optimization problem to a series of one-dimensional problems. We also introduce the notion of permutation-dependent separability. A permutation-dependent separable function is a function that can be decomposed as a sum of single-variable component functions under each nondecreasing order of variables. We find that the value function for the capacitated 2-echelon system in each period is permutation-dependent separable, and that, for each echelon, a permutation-dependent echelon base stock policy is optimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalization is constantly altering company paradigms and expanding cross-border supply chain prospects. Maritime transportation plays an increasingly essential part in the global supply network. Since maritime shipping services need to exchange a huge number of papers and paperwork across numerous companies, the usage of a unified platform for inter-organisational communication and information sharing is required. To develop an integrative, adaptive, and intelligent container booking system, a multi-agent architecture is designed in this article. The proposed architecture will aid the maritime industry in establishing real-time information interchange between autonomous agents, shippers, freight forwarders, and shipping lines. The process outlined in this paper reveals how the agents communicate with one another to resolve underlying inconsistencies. With the multi-agent framework, the article also presents a container slot optimisation problem considering market segmentation, different booking periods, heterogeneous containers and port congestion scenarios. Using this model the managers can find the booking limit for each type of containers and accordingly they can accept or reject the incoming booking requests. Furthermore, a simulated case study is also provided to validate the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper explores the supply chain viability of medical equipment, an industry whose supply chain was put under a crucial test during the pandemic. This paper includes an empirical network-level analysis of supplier reachability under Random Failure Experiments (RFE) and Intelligent Attack Experiments (IAE). Specifically, this study investigates the effect of RFE and IAE across multiple tiers and scales. The global supply chain data was mined and analysed from about 45,000 firms with about 115,000 intertwined relationships spanning across 10 tiers of the backward supply chain of medical equipment. This complex supply chain network was analysed at four scales, namely: firm, country-industry, industry, and country. A notable contribution of this study is the application of a supply chain tier optimisation tool to identify the lowest tier of the supply chain that can provide adequate resolution for the study of the supply chain pattern. We also developed data-driven-tools to identify the thresholds for breakdown and fragmentation of the medical equipment supply chain when faced with random failures or different intelligent attack scenarios. The novel network analysis tools utilised in the study can be applied to the study of supply chain reachability and viability in other industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More practitioners are embracing blockchain technology to improve recycling performance. However, current research on the use of blockchain is mostly confined to general discussions on sustainable supply chains and circular economy, with limited studies specifically focusing on the recycling chain. This paper conducts a thorough content-based review of the literature related to the application of blockchain technology in the recycling chain with the objective to identify a conceptual framework. Although descriptive and thematic analyses show limited developments, blockchain technology can offer four distinct functions in the recycling chain: transparency, integration, behaviour channelisation, and service transformation. The adoption of blockchain in this area has technical, organisational, and environmental limitations that have not been overcome yet. In terms of benefits, blockchain technology improves recycling performance in terms of cost, dependability, flexibility, sustainability, and risk reduction. To summarise the findings, the paper proposes a novel conceptual framework for blockchain implementations in the recycling chain to support practitioners and guide scholars in further blockchain technology exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sales and operations planning (S&OP) has emerged as a planning approach that integrates tactical level decisions across functions and supply chains while aligning day-to-day operations with long-term strategy through these decisions. The extant knowledge on S&OP has evolved primarily based on the needs of mass production contexts, and applications of S&OP in engineer-to-order (ETO) contexts have not been explored by previous research. Arguing that the cross-functionally coordinated planning enabled by S&OP can improve the effectiveness of the challenging and competitively critical tendering process, this paper develops an S&OP framework for the tactical planning process design to support delivery date setting in ETO contexts. The paper adopts a systematic literature review approach for identifying the main tactical planning activities managers in ETO companies should consider while designing the S&OP process and the information inputs required for performing and coordinating these planning activities. The identified planning activities and planning inputs are synthesised to develop the proposed S&OP framework for delivery date setting in ETO contexts. The proposed framework can support managers in assessing which tactical planning activities are strategically essential in their respective companies and redesigning or reconfiguring existing planning processes to address the planning needs of their environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines local and global logistics involved in the transfer of animals to and from zoos in the twentieth century. The key contexts discussed here are, on the one hand, the relationship between the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (Museum of Natural History) and Berlin Zoo, and on the other hand, trade in and the market of exotic animals, a market that both exceeds and constitutes the institutions of the museum and the zoo. Taking the accidental death of a giant tortoise in the zoo in 1969 as its starting point, the paper studies the movement of animals, dead and alive. It traces the acquisition history of two new Galápagos giant tortoises by following the animals' trajectory from Ecuador to West Berlin during the Cold War. At the same time, it reconstructs the itineraries of the dead animals' remains through different natural history institutions, leading into the shared history of trade and traffic between zoos and natural history museums and into the political geographies of the Cold War. To put these episodes into a broader historical context, the article looks back on the expansion of global networks in animal trade through the lens of transport infrastructures, trading networks, and the accompanying red tape, tracing this back to the period around 1900 in order to reveal genealogies, thereby historicizing current logistical practices, policies, and problems. Taking logistics as a critical analytical category for natural history and thus examining natural history as logistics allows us to gain new insights into how logistics not only enabled but also shaped and reshaped natural history's material, economic, and epistemic frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To what extent do the network structural characteristics and prominence of supply chain actors in the buyer firm's network enhance or hinder the ability of the buyer firm to undertake competitive actions? Public Policy Topic Area: How does a firm's non-market actions influence firm supply chain actions and firm behavior? Information Technology Area: How does a buyer firm's information technology capabilities enable the firm to leverage supply chain resources for competitive advantage purposes?. [Extracted from the article]

Decision-making in supply chains is challenged by high complexity, a combination of continuous and discrete processes, integrated and interdependent operations, dynamics, and adaptability. The rapidly increasing data availability, computing power and intelligent algorithms unveil new potentials in adaptive data-driven decision-making. Reinforcement Learning, a class of machine learning algorithms, is one of the data-driven methods. This semi-systematic literature review explores the current state of the art of reinforcement learning in supply chain management (SCM) and proposes a classification framework. The framework classifies academic papers based on supply chain drivers, algorithms, data sources, and industrial sectors. The conducted review revealed a few critical insights. First, the classic Q-learning algorithm is still the most popular one. Second, inventory management is the most common application of reinforcement learning in supply chains, as it is a pivotal element of supply chain synchronisation. Last, most reviewed papers address toy-like SCM problems driven by artificial data. Therefore, shifting to industry-scale problems will be a crucial challenge in the next years. If this shift is successful, the vision of data-driven decision-making in real-time could become a reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a three-echelon supply chain problem under demand uncertainty is considered. The problem is formulated as a multiperiod two-stage stochastic optimisation model. The first stage, consisting of production and replenishment decisions, is integrated with the second stage, which comprises reactive fulfillment decisions, allowing seamless determination as demands are revealed over time. The demand in each period is characterised by an uncertainty set based on the nominal value and demand bounds. We propose a target-based robust optimisation (TRO) approach to determine the most robust planning with respect to a pre-specified cost target. The proposed TRO approach can trade off the total cost (performance) and model feasibility in the presence of demand perturbation (robustness) by fine-tuning the cost target. The robust counterpart is converted to a quadratically constrained linear programming (QCLP) problem, which can be solved by commercial solvers. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the TRO approach can outperform traditional robust optimisation methods in terms of both cost and feasibility against demand uncertainty by enabling precise adjustment of the cost target. Importantly, the TRO approach provides a flexible means to strike a balance between performance and robustness metrics, making it a valuable tool for supply chain planning under uncertain conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how physical climate exposure affects firm performance and global supply chains. We document that heat at supplier locations reduces the operating income of suppliers and their customers. Further, customers respond to perceived changes in suppliers' exposure: when suppliers' realized exposure exceeds ex ante expectations, customers are 7% more likely to terminate supplier relationships. Consistent with experience-based learning, this effect increases with signal strength and repetition and decreases with country-level climate adaptation. Subsequent replacement suppliers show a lower expected and realized but similar projected heat exposure. We find similar results for suppliers' exposure to floods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to explore adaptation-based and stability-based views of supply chain resilience to analyse what insights these different perspectives, individually and collectively, offer for theory and practice. In the stability-based view, resilience is triggered by disruptions and performance deviationsto return to some 'normal' states. This view accounts for known-known uncertainty. The adaptation-based view shifts the focus from avoiding oscillations and recovering some stable states toward proactive adaptation and performance persistence. The adaptation-based view aims at designing structurally adaptable networks with process flexibility and actively used redundancy. It considers resilience from the value-creation perspective accounting for unknown-unknown uncertainties. Stability-based approach views resilience as an outcome or quantity. Adaptation-based approach considers resilience as a property or quality. A combination of stability- and adaptationbased approaches is imperative for building a strong supply chain immunity through an integration of general protection and adaptability. These approaches complement each other depending on the knowledge of and attitude to uncertainty by decision-makers. A combination of the two views helps consider resilience both as a quantity to measure how sick the supply chain is and to understand how the resilience comes about to ensure the quality of the network health and viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leading manufacturers have struggled to extend their green supply chain management (GSCM) efforts to low-tier (the second- and even lower-tier) suppliers, but how to motivate low-tier suppliers to be involved is still a big challenge. This paper develops a low-tier GSCM model for managing second-tier suppliers. Based on stakeholder theory and literature review, this paper develops 25 drivers for the ìnvolvement of second-tier suppliers in low-tier GSCM by a manufacturer. Using data collected from 29 second-tier suppliers of a leading automobile manufacturer, this study identified 17 critical drivers. The Grey-DEMATEL method was used to examine the cause-effect relationships to reveal prominent and elemental drivers. Based on the evaluation by managers from the manufacturer, one first-tier supplier, and six second-tier suppliers, comparative analysis of the DEMATEL results show that the manufacturer understands the prominent role of second-tier suppliers for its low-tier GSCM implementation while second-tier suppliers know little about the manufacturer's requirements and the first-tier supplier ignores the importance of internal drivers by second-tier suppliers. In the long term, the manufacturer considers itself as the crucial firm for low-tier GSCM, but according to first- and second-tier suppliers, promoting policies by the government such as GSCM-related demonstration projects are also elemental. This study provides directions for multi-tier GSCM studies on the theoretical development about how to effectively involve second-tier suppliers by unveiling the difference in the understanding of drivers among firms along supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-opetition is gaining increasing attention as a potentially useful form of inter-organisational collaboration model to improve firms' sustainable performance. However, limited previous studies have provided a clear substantive theory or offered empirical evidence for the process of sustainability-driven co-opetition. This paper explores how competing companies can collaborate in their supply chains (SCs) to achieve a higher level of sustainability performance by identifying drivers, facilitators and barriers of co-opetition. Based on two explorative case studies of co-opetition in the UK, the findings of this paper lead to a number of propositions and a theoretical framework for sustainability-driven co-opetition in SCs. This study contributes to the literature by providing a more in-depth understanding of co-opetition as a strategic capability for firms. This paper also proves the feasibility of a combined use of Resource-Based View and Network Theory perspectives in explaining a paradoxical inter-organisational relationship like co-opetition. A road map for sustainability-driven co-opetition in SCs is also provided as a heuristic decision model for practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applications of blockchain in supply chain management (SCM) have received extensive attention among academics and industrial practitioners. Most current blockchain-related review papers focus on the values, methodologies, barriers, trends, and challenges of blockchain applications in the supply chain (SC) context. Despite some papers discussing blockchain's role in SCs from a specific perspective, the existing review papers mainly concentrate on blockchain's influence on one of the three critical SC flows. Hence, this study comprehensively reviews 251 academic papers to capture the precise impacts of blockchain on the material, information, and money flows in SCM. Following the above analyses, a conceptual framework is put forward to accentuate blockchain's influence on SCM. By unveiling a comprehensive research landscape, this study offers valuable viewpoints and vital information for scholars and practitioners to better identify research frontiers and themes of blockchain applications in SCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formal scavenging grants material circularity, but its potential contribution to the sustainability of a Supply Chain (SC) is far from being a trivial issue. Thus, this paper aims to understand what is the impact of formal scavenging on the sustainability of an SC and quantify it. Accordingly, a case study in an Italian Pulp and Paper circular SC was developed through the lenses of the Triple Bottom Line. This SC consists of five groups of stakeholders and a formal scavenger that collects and redistributes wastepaper. The findings show that, in a one-year time window, the formal scavenger generated an economic value of over €3 million and led to saving 718 tCO 2 e and an energy equivalent to that consumed by 1000 average Italian families every year. In addition, it created new stable jobs and directly contributed to decreasing the waste tax in the geographical area in which it operates. Furthermore, formal scavenging proved to be effective in building up SC resilience in the face of unexpected changes in the prices and volumes of wastepaper. The results contribute to framing formal scavenging as a collaboration-based solution to enable the achievement of sustainability benefits in closed-loop SCs and provide actionable suggestions for SC managers and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the problem of positioning customer order decoupling point (CODP) in customized logistics service supply chain and to provide logistics service integrators (LSI) with various CODP decision-making and supplier selection solutions. We consider LSI, logistics service providers (LSPs) and customers and propose multiobjective nonlinear team optimization models for multi-CODP location, including minimizing the cost to the LSI and maximizing the synthetic satisfaction of LSPs and customers. This paper adopts an improved nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), in which the key modules such as the crossover operations, chromosome structure and mutation operations are reconstructed, to solve the team models and investigate the Pareto-optimal front for the two objectives. To demonstrate the validity of NSGA-II and the reliability of mathematical models, cases from a specific dataset are generated and solved. Moreover, a classic genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to solve for the two objectives separately. The optimal solutions found by GA are f 1 = 2027.491, f 2 = 0.7704 and f 1 = 2454.512, f 2 = 0.8909. The corresponding optimal solutions in the Pareto-optimal solution set are f 1 = 2053.675, f 2 = 0.7715 and f 1 = 2427.114, f 2 = 0.8843. We find that the optimal solutions provided by GA cannot dominate any solution in the Pareto-optimal solution set, indicating that the results are valid and sufficiently convergent. In summary, the results of this paper provide LSI with easy access to various supplier selection schemes with multi-CODP, which is essential to reduce the cognitive burden on decision makers and address the diverse customization needs of many challenging real-world logistics issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Off-site construction (OSC) is an environmentally friendly building method with substantial benefits, yet it encounters challenges, particularly in supply chain efficiency. Current research on off-site construction supply chain (OSCSC) challenges faces issues such as dispersion, cross-disciplinarity, and timeliness. This is despite a number of studies in recent years focusing on the optimization of OSCSC to improve their performance and efficiency. However, the current literature still lacks a comprehensive summary of OSCSC problems, which hinders the popularization of OSC. To address this, improve OSCSC efficiency, and enhance OSC practicability, this paper conducted a thorough review of 244 published articles. Utilizing bibliometrics and scientometrics methods, it identified research trends, prominent researchers, and topics. Current OSCSC issues were further extracted and classified from the internal supply chain perspective. The findings reveal key issues hindering OSCSC efficiency, offering practitioners, policymakers, and researchers a nuanced understanding of current research issues. In addition, this paper provides future research directions and performance optimization recommendations, contributing to solving OSCSC challenges and exploring innovative solutions for continuous improvement in the OSCSC field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There has been limited research that has explored the connection between digital supply chain (DSC) and SC innovation and SC dynamic capabilities. This paper aims to examine the mediating effect of SC innovation on the relationship between DSC and SC dynamic capabilities. Design/methodology/approach: The research model and hypotheses were tested, employing (Statistical Package of Social Sciences) SPSS 25.0 and (Analysis of Moment Structures) AMOS 24.0 on data drawn from the Chinese manufacturing enterprises. Findings: The study reveals that DSC has a significant positive effect on SC innovation and SC dynamic capabilities. SC innovation also has a significant positive effect on SC dynamic capabilities. Besides, the authors' research illustrates that SC innovation partially mediates the relationship between DSC and SC dynamic capabilities. Research limitations/implications: Since the results are derived from the data collected from China, it may not, therefore, be generalized to other settings. Moreover, future research could consider other contextual variables such as "environmental uncertainty" and "Government's Reward-Penalty Mechanism," which may influence SC dynamic capabilities. Practical implications: The study provides practical insights for senior executives and managers in the manufacturing industry. Managers should emphasize the investment of advanced digital technologies and tools (DTTs) and improvement of SC visibility and collaboration. In the digital age, companies should pay attention to the introduction of advanced technologies, tools and processes and focus on cultivating an innovative spirit to promote SC dynamic capabilities, thereby enhancing competitive advantages. Originality/value: The paper illustrates that DSC is of great significance to improving SC dynamic capabilities. This study reveals compelling insights for firms to enhance SC innovation and dynamic capabilities by using DSC as an enabler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the evolution of terminology in supply chain management (SCM) and its implications for the field's strategic orientation. It also aims to understand how SCM terms adapt to interdisciplinary contexts, reflecting shifts in theoretical and practical approaches within the discipline. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses a systematic literature review and analyzes over 3,500 unique SCM-related terms extracted from approximately 33,000 abstracts. By using Descending Hierarchical Classification and factor analysis, the research methodologically identifies key shifts in terminology and discerns underlying patterns. Findings: This study categorizes terminological variations in SCM into three main clusters: product–agent, performance objective orientation and structure. These variations signal not only linguistic changes but also strategic shifts in SCM understanding and practice. Notably, terms such as "green," "sustainable" and "circular" supply chains have emerged in response to evolving internal and external pressures and trends. In addition, this paper offers a nuanced understanding of these terminological adaptations, proposing a reference framework for navigating SCM's evolving lexicon and highlighting global usage and geographical and cultural nuances in SCM discourse. Research limitations/implications: This paper presents a reference framework that complements existing SCM definitions, fostering a shared understanding of SCM variations on a global scale. This framework enhances cultural sensitivity within the field and underscores SCM's adaptability and flexibility. These insights offer a nuanced view of SCM dynamics, benefiting researchers and practitioners alike. Beyond terminology, this study sheds light on the interplay between language and SCM strategy, providing a valuable perspective for navigating the evolving SCM landscape. The study's scope is constrained by the analyzed abstracts. Future research could broaden this analysis to encompass more SCM literature or delve deeper into the implications of terminological changes. Practical implications: This study offers practitioners a reference framework for navigating the evolving lexicon of SCM. This framework aids in understanding the strategic implications of terminological changes, enhancing clarity and context in both academic and practical applications. Social implications: By acknowledging global usage and variations, the research underscores the impact of geographical and cultural nuances on SCM discourse. This global perspective enriches the understanding of SCM as a dynamic and culturally sensitive field. Originality/value: This research is novel in its extensive and systematic exploration of SCM terminology. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of how language evolves in tandem with strategic shifts in the field, providing a unique perspective on the interplay between terminology and strategy in SCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets with an updated Purchasing Portfolio Matrix (PPM) specifically for international sourcing. This data-driven PPM matrix is designed to provide a dynamic and process perspective that can help SMEs survive the disruptions caused by emergency situations such as the global COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: This research reports on qualitative interviews with experienced informants from 15 SMEs in the manufacturing industry. The authors follow process-based research using a combination of retrospective and real-time case study approaches to gradually unveil the dynamics in segmentation and sourcing strategies in the international sourcing context during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: The findings reveal the dynamics of segmentation and international sourcing strategies during global disruptions and unpack the underlying logic behind the dynamics that is specific to SMEs in emerging economies. Originality/value: Existing literature on PPM predominantly focuses on static and normal sourcing circumstances. This paper addresses this gap by adopting a dynamic approach to study how sourcing strategies of SMEs from emerging economies evolve in a highly volatile environment from an international sourcing perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to help financial institutions identify credit risk and reduce default losses more effectively by improving the accuracy and efficiency of the credit evaluation process using two methods. The paper first mines indicators that comprehensively describe the supply chain aspects of credit risk to obtain a precise credit risk portrait of the enterprise. The study then innovatively designs a random forest‐weighted naive Bayes (RF‐WNB) model that offers good interpretability and generalization qualities. The model forms an effective two‐stage process of enterprise credit risk evaluation that selects key features, quantifies the importance of each, and then evaluates credit risk. By applying empirical analysis to 1363 listed enterprises and performing one typical case analysis, we verified the effectiveness of the indicators and the two‐stage RF‐WNB model in evaluating enterprise credit risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In traditional supply chain finance, the financing of enterprise mainly relies on the credit segmentation of the core enterprise, resulting in a short trust transmission radius and poor financing ability. The development of Internet technology, while expanding financing channels, has also seen an increasing severity in issues such as information fraud and data breaches, which has further aggravated the trust crisis in supply chain finance. This paper integrates blockchain technology into the industrial internet platform and analyzes the applicability of both in empowering supply chain financial trust. Then a supply chain financial trust framework, which emphasizes information sharing, data security, and trust circulation, is proposed. Furthermore, combined with the theories of Funk-SVD and entropy value, this paper designs a global trust evaluation mechanism that facilitates the trust circulation in supply chain finance and proposes a recommendation algorithm for global trust. With the testing conducted using the Epinions dataset, it is found that the algorithm proposed in this paper has a strong data dimensionality reduction and concentration ability, especially for large sample data, it can obtain more accurate evaluation values with less space occupation, thus enhancing the trust circulation ability of supply chain finance. Finally, the paper puts forward specific policy recommendations for the implementation of the supply chain finance information mechanism, aiming to better improve the financing accessibility of enterprises in supply chain, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the big data era, where corporations commodify health data, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) present a transformative avenue for patient empowerment and control. NFTs are unique digital assets on the blockchain, representing ownership of digital objects, including health data. By minting their data as NFTs, patients can track access, monetize its use, and build secure, private health information systems. However, research on NFTs in healthcare is in its infancy, warranting a comprehensive review. Methods: This study conducted a systematic literature review and thematic analysis of NFTs in healthcare to identify use cases, design models, and key challenges. Five multidisciplinary research databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, IEEE Explore, Elsevier Science Direct) were searched. The approach involved four stages: paper collection, inclusion/exclusion criteria application, screening, full-text reading, and quality assessment. A classification and coding framework was employed. Thematic analysis followed six steps: data familiarization, initial code generation, theme searching, theme review, theme definition/naming, and report production. Results: Analysis of 19 selected papers revealed three primary use cases: patientcentric data management, supply chain management for data provenance, and digital twin development. Notably, most solutions were prototypes or frameworks without real-world implementations. Four overarching themes emerged: data governance (ownership, tracking, privacy), data monetization (commercialization, incentivization, sharing), data protection, and data storage. The focus lies on user-controlled, private, and secure health data solutions. Additionally, data commodification is explored, with mechanisms proposed to incentivize data maintenance and sharing. NFTs are also suggested for tracking medical products in supply chains, ensuring data integrity and provenance. Ethereum and similar platforms dominate NFT minting, while compact NFT storage options are being explored for faster data access. Conclusion: NFTs offer significant potential for secure, traceable, decentralized healthcare data exchange systems. However, challenges exist, including dependence on blockchain, interoperability issues, and associated costs. The review identified research gaps, such as developing dual ownership models and data pricing strategies. Building an open standard for interoperability and adoption is crucial. The scalability, security, and privacy of NFT-backed healthcare applications require further investigation. Thus, this study proposes a research agenda for adopting NFTs in healthcare, focusing on governance, storage models, and perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency and responsiveness of supply chains are vitally dependent on inventory replenishment and transportation decisions. In this paper, we study a supply chain consisting of a single retailer ordering seasonal products within the newsvendor framework. The primary objective of the paper is to investigate the retailer's decision-making process, aimed at determining the optimal replenishment quantities and selecting the appropriate mix and size of the truck fleet. Initially, we formulate a mathematical model where the retailer exclusively manages a limited fleet of its own trucks for inbound transportation of a single seasonal product. In this context, we determine a lower breakeven point for the fixed transportation cost than what has been previously proposed in the literature. Subsequently, we examine a commonly encountered transportation scenario where the retailer has the opportunity to expand its fleet size by leasing trucks from the external market. The outcomes of the numerical example indicates that the flexibility resulting from the utilization of different types of trucks can lead to reduced overall costs. We also address the practical transportation problem of efficiently shipping various seasonal products solely with the retailer's own trucks. For this complex problem, we propose an optimal solution procedure based on Lagrangian method. We show that the joint replenishment of multiple products results in cost savings and enhances utilization of the trucks' capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of supply chain finance (SCF) has significantly alleviated the financing difficulties of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, it is important to recognize that within the accounts receivable financing segment of the SCF credit market, the credit risk associated with SMEs poses a serious challenge and potential threat to the stability, health, and sustainable development of the SCF system. This paper pays special attention to the stability of the two-party evolutionary game between SMEs and financial institutions (FIs) within the context of the Chinese SCF credit market. To identify a pathway to reduce credit risks for SMEs while simultaneously enhancing system stability, this paper adopts the stochastic evolutionary game (SEG) model and combines the fixed-point method to determine the conditions that satisfy the stability of the system's index p mean square of the system. This study has made attempts in various aspects, such as the innovative construction and investigation of a nonlinear SEG model, the endeavor to study the stability of SEG systems using fixed-point methods, and the innovative construction of a more realistic two-player SEG system. The data and simulation results generated from hypothetical scenarios show that the conclusions of the article are credible and feasible. Through the study, we conclude that the higher credit ratio from FI and the higher penalty intensity from core enterprises (CEs) will accelerate the stability of the system. Based on solid data and modeling analysis, insights into the regulation of FI are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper responds to calls for research and conceptualizes resilience, responsiveness and reconfigurable (3Rs) capabilities required for handling disruptions in pre‐disruption, during disruption and post‐disruption stages. This paper examined the impact of analytics on 3Rs capabilities in the supply chain context building on the tenets of contingency theory. Drawing on survey data obtained from individuals with managerial positions in firms operating in the United Arab Emirates (n = 151), this study investigates how supply chain analytics foster 3Rs capacities in the face of a pandemic using canonical correlation and linear regression analyses. Supply chain analytics is a relevant predictor for supply chain (i) resilience, (ii) responsiveness, and (iii) restoration/reconfiguration. Inevitable supply chain disruptions call for investment and integration of digital tools like supply chain analytics because they offer timely information for informed decision‐making. This work provides theoretical contributions to the domain of interest by exploring the role of supply chain analytics on the 3Rs capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several features of automotive procurement distinguish it from the prototypical supply chain in the academic literature: pass-through pricing that reimburses suppliers for raw material costs, market frictions that prohibit cost transparency and imbue suppliers with pricing power, and contractual commitments that span multiple production periods. In this context, we formalize a procurement model by considering an automaker that buys components from an upstream supplier to assemble cars over several production periods in an environment where period demands and raw material costs are both stochastic. Our paper clarifies how information asymmetry and market factors that amplify or weaken this asymmetry affect the firms' procurement protocol preferences. Then, using proprietary contract and supplier data from BMW, we empirically validate this model and show that it reflects BMW's reality: the factors that should theoretically go into automotive procurement decisions do so. Our analysis also reveals that existing contracting protocols in this context are not optimal for procurement under asymmetric information, and so we propose an alternative contracting method. We calibrate our model and estimate an automaker's performance improvement from this optimal contract over the status quo. This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management. Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4880. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the potential of integrating supply chain management with blockchain technology, specifically by implementing smart contracts on the Ethereum network using Solidity. The paper explores supply chain management concepts, blockchain, distributed ledger technology, and smart contracts in the context of their integration into supply chains to increase traceability, transparency, and accountability with faster processing times. After investigating these technologies' applications and potential use cases, a framework for smart contract implementation for supply chain management is constructed. Potential data models and functions of a smart contract implementation improving supply chain management processes are discussed. After constructing a framework, the effects of the proposed system on supply chain processes are explained. The proposed framework increases the reliability of the supply chain history due to the usage of DLT (distributed ledger technology). It utilizes smart contracts to increase the manageability and traceability of the supply chain. The proposed framework also eliminates the SPoF (Single Point of Failure) vulnerabilities and external alteration of the transactional data. However, due to the ever-changing and variable nature of the supply chains, the proposed architecture might not be a one-size-fits-all solution, and tailor-made solutions might be necessary for different supply chain management implementations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to outline some of the details of the United Nations' entities project management dynamic while taking into consideration the context of their work as well as the conditions surrounding them. The idea is to find out how their projects can succeed in their unstable environments, risky supply chains, and the difficulties surrounding the coordination of multistakeholder projects. In this paper we will be presenting the implementation process of humanitarian projects while outlining the ''How to'' approach of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The paper proposes a descriptive approach to explaining the implementation process of the entity's projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study explores the key embrace factors for designing supply chains in Industry 4.0 to improve sustainability practices with respect to the triple bottom line. Design/methodology/approach: The theoretical underpinnings of this study were strengthened by a qualitative method that included an interview process within the framework of a holistic case study. Data collected through 38 remote interviews with representatives of 17 Egyptian companies that are actively using Industry 4.0. Findings: The thematic analysis identified 6 main categories in addition to 32 economic, environmental, and social key embrace factors. Further, an integrated model was established to show how various key embrace factors can be included in the evaluation of the Supply chain. 64.7% of interviewees affirmed that these factors were deemed to be the most important and influential key factors. Practical implications: The global contribution is mainly to facilitate additional eco-friendly initiatives to gain a competitive advantage through environmentally responsible practices, which reflects the strengthening of the sustainable supply chain with the involvement of all the interested parties. Social implications: This study expands on previous research papers to underline 20 new global key embrace factors, including 9 social, 7 economic, and 4 environmental key embrace factors. Originality/value: The Key embrace factors discovered and addressed in this paper provide a unique theoretical guideline to plan and popularize this integration process. The integrated approach assists in the review of existing supply chains or the creation of new ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To counter the uncertainties encountered within a supply chain and enhance its efficiency, it is imperative for a supply chain to be flexible. This paper aims to investigate the trajectory of development in the field of Supply Chain Flexibility (SCF). We perform citation analysis to understand the evolving trajectory. VOSviewer and Pajek software are used to conduct citation path analysis and keyword co-occurrence analysis in the field of SCF. Subsequently, a meticulous evaluation of papers along citation paths is conducted, accompanied by a comparative analysis between the general corpus and a specialized journal focused on flexible systems, namely the Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management (GJFSM). The main path identifies specific themes: SCF, agility, risk and uncertainties, and a holistic view of the SC. The evolving trajectory has origins in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. We additionally identify specific clusters of research, highlighting their concentration in areas such as SCF, risk management, performance management, and supply chain uncertainties. The research outcomes indicate a congruence between the studies featured in GJFSM and the broader corpus of SCF. Furthermore, these findings imply that exploring the intersection of Industry 4.0 and SCF presents promising avenues for future research endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the role of organizational and technological enablers and their arrangement and alignment with the external environment to facilitate supply chain integration (SCI), which consequently improves operational performance. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses a structural equation modeling approach and the data from 307 manufacturing firms from the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey version VI for hypotheses testing. Findings: The findings of the study reveal that (1) the alignment and particular arrangement of the sociotechnical organizational factors enable the SCI of a firm, (2) suitable organizational arrangements help in leveraging SCI under environmental pressures, and (3) SCI leverages the relationship between sociotechnical organizational factors and operational performance of the firm. Practical implications: This paper informs managers that SCI leverages the operational performance of firms under heightened environmental pressures. Developing suitable manufacturing technologies infrastructure followed by organizational practices aligned with the manufacturing technologies make it easier to realize SCI. Originality/value: This study explores the interaction of technological, organizational, and environmental factors as driving and enabling factors that help achieve SCI. Firms that develop an open and collaborative environment and use communication and integrative technologies to complement their work practices better cope with external pressures. These modern forms of working and the use of technologies facilitate SCI and leverage it effectively to positively impact firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tries to provide a system to predict social efficiency (SOE) by relying on internal social sustainability practices (ISSPs) in the service supply chains (SCs). Because of the unclear notion of an emerging issue, this study applied the fuzzy set theory to extract the experts' opinions and overcome the vague nature of this problem. So, the ISSPs were identified by literature review and confirmed as schedulable and budgetable practices in service SCs by the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM). The extracted ISSPs and SOE were, respectively, applied in the role of inputs and output of the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). The data from 70 hospital SCs were collected to design the knowledge base. The proposed system would help service SC managers to foresee if they are performing in an efficient way regards to social sustainability. Also, predicting the impact of adopting different levels of social practices on SOE enables managers to make a conscious decision about prioritizing and budgeting those practices. According to the extensive literature review, the research on the relationship between social sustainability practices-performance is emerging and limited. Also, one of the most important contribution of the paper is to consider the service SCs characteristics in this issue. This paper is a preliminary effort and scientific contribution to empirically determine the relations between social practices and social efficiency, especially in service SCs, along with applying FDM and ANFIS for answering this research questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes how Industry 4.0 transforms supply chain collaboration and design. Therefore, we identify and analyze 151 academic articles. The study uncovers holistic strategic changes Industry 4.0 and associated technologies imply for cross-company collaboration in supply chains. These include changes in the initiation of buyer-supplier transactions, information exchange and handling, and how Industry 4.0 transforms relationships and cooperation. Subsequently, implications for aspects concerning supply chain design, such as ecosystem development are given. The systematic literature review is the first to analyze the body of literature on supply chains in Industry 4.0 to synthesise how cross-company collaboration is transformed in detail. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research and develops several suggestions for future research and managerial practice, such as the role of risk-benefit sharing and information sharing, allowing to develop new forms of collaborative value creation in Industry 4.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]