Can We Connect? Benefits and Barriers to Adoption of Transformative Technology in Global Supply Chains

PurposeMixed methods research is useful to enhance theoretical and practical research contributions. However, single methods have predominated much logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) research. This paper presents a review of mixed methods research across ten years in LSCM to determine their usage, identify benefits and inhibitors, and provide suggestions for LSCM researchers to realise the benefits from using mixed methods.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a mixed methods approach through a quantitative analysis of methods used in six leading LSCM journals, an e-mail survey of mixed methods article authors during the review period, and four published case studies that used mixed methods.FindingsOnly 144 (ten percent) of all empirical articles were published using mixed methods during the review period. A range of benefits and inhibitors regarding mixed methods adoption were found. Suggestions for LSCM authors include research training in mixed methods use and developing a project-specific research design due to the specificity and complexity associated with mixed methods research.Originality/valueLSCM is at a critical juncture, shaped by new contexts, themes and challenges, and would benefit from different research approaches and methods. This paper contributes to the LSCM domain through analysing the current state, benefits and inhibitors of mixed methods research in LSCM journals to provide a renewed call to action and guidelines for mixed methods LSCM research, and suggesting research design adaptation to enable agile and resilient research when investigating rapidly changing and complex phenomena.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the curriculum design of logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) undergraduate courses offered by selected UK higher education (HE) institutions and compares them with employers’ job requirements in the UK. Design/methodology/approach – Desk-based research involving content analysis of 22 selected undergraduate LSCM courses from 18 UK HE institutions and job advertisements from an online recruitment web site during 12 weeks in 2011-2012. Findings – In general, LSCM recruiters highlighted the importance of professional skills and general management knowledge rather than specific LSCM subject knowledge. Work experience is important even at the entry level. As the roles become more senior, as indicated by higher salaries, more LSCM subject knowledge and work experience is required. The findings indicate an imbalance between the undergraduate curriculum and employer needs. Only some of the LSCM undergraduates programmes investigated provided such a balance of curriculum design. Research limitations/implications – This paper is based on published information in web sites and also job adverts. More studies of the detailed syllabuses for the courses and the overall learning experiences of students are required. Practical implications – This paper highlights the importance of general managerial skills and professional skills to meet the needs of employers. Graduates are expected to be able to manage and acquire additional LSCM knowledge when required indicating the importance of continuing professional development. Originality/value – The methodology of this paper takes advantages of the availability of up-to-date “live” data via the internet. As a result, this study provides new insights into the LSCM employer requirements for three salary brackets, from entry level to senior level, and it indicates the “right” balance of curriculum design for LSCM graduates in the present days.

One of the main challenges for modern logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) is the automation of processes along the supply chain. Although research on different automation applications in LSCM exists, LSCM managers lack an overall picture of possible application areas as well as the antecedents influencing the successful implementation of applications. The study applied data triangulation through a systematic literature review of 265 articles and a Nominal Group Technique exercise among 18 LSCM professionals in order to extract automation application areas as well as antecedents of successful automation projects. Through a structured synthesis process building on the Q-methodology a conceptual framework of application areas and antecedents of automation in LSCM is proposed. The framework synthesises ten application areas of automation in LSCM and ten antecedents that influence the efficient implementation and use of automation applications. The study proposes that the impact of technological and informational antecedents is moderated by organisational as well as knowledge-related antecedents, and advances propositions outlining the impact of antecedents on the successful implementation and use of automation applications. The study provides a coherent conceptualisation of automation in LSCM which provides a common basis on which to merge further discussions on automation between research and practice.

Disruptions and rising costs in global supply chains due to COVID-19, climate change, and geopolitical tensions have led to supernormal profits, substantially more recognition of the importance of the sector and management functions associated with it, and a potential “golden age” for a career in logistics and supply chain management (LSCM). This article provides a general overview of the opportunities arising from global LSCM trends. Motivated by student views and comments, the authors have surveyed leading academics and senior practitioners globally across the key LSCM functions to obtain a comprehensive view on the future skills required to excel in a career in supply chain management. Their findings suggest a multitude of future-proof skills centred around technical (e.g., data analytics), soft (e.g., creativity) and cross-functional skills, which they then use to discuss implications for job profiles, graduates (i.e., learn to learn) and LSCM professionals. Given the variety and complexity of the identified skills and LSCM functions, in addition to a compounding LSCM talent shortage, the authors propose changes in LSCM offerings at universities and other tertiary education providers, with a focus on unlearning and life-long learning.

It is now widely recognised that effective logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) plays a vital role in economic and wider societal well-being. A key facet of contemporary supply chain management (SCM) thinking is the shift away from traditionally fragmented supply chain configurations to ones that are characterised by high levels of integration of supply chain processes and data. Experience suggests that success in achieving higher levels of supply chain integration (SCI) depends on both physical and technical aspects (ie the so-called ‘hard-wiring’), as well as human and behavioural components (ie the so-called ‘soft-wiring’). It would appear, however, that the latter has received relatively little attention in the LSCM academic literature. Furthermore, the empirical evidence suggests that the majority of supply chain improvement initiatives in companies have been primarily concerned with technological, structural and process issues. This paper argues that the difficulties often encountered in attempting to put LSCM theory into practice are largely a consequence of a lack of focus on, and understanding of, the human dimension. Based on this discussion, the paper offers some suggestions for improvement in this area to both the supply chain research and practitioner communities. It uses several cultural and literary references throughout to illustrate these suggestions.

The use of information systems for logistics and supply chain management in South East Europe: Current status and future direction

The application of discrete event simulation and system dynamics in the logistics and supply chain context

The field of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LSCM) suggests that transactions, collaboration, and value are important in the supply and delivery of products and services to meet the need of impoverished end-consumers. In many cases, the application of LSCM is paramount in most strategic decision-making efforts. Therefore, this research explores the applications of LSCM processes and activities within the community-based context. The methodology used to address the research questions consisted of a hybrid of mixed methods. This mixed methodology provides three essays that investigate the application and development of LSCM in the community-based context. The essays address the flow of charitable products and services through supply chains. The dissertation does not pay close attention to the first-tier suppliers’ suppliers, which is looking at the originating flow of goods and services (raw materials, manufacturing, etc.). However, the dissertation puts a focus on products and services supplied to focal organizations and how these products are then passed on to end-consumers. Essay I looks at the transaction (costs) that ensue from the supply of charitable products. Essay II analyzes a social service ecosystem and investigates how the network of organizations enable the distribution of charitable products and services. Lastly, Essay III examines the delivery of valuable services to the end-consumers, and what tools Community-Based Enterprises (CBEs) should focus on to develop and retain end-consumers in impoverished communities. The research provides conceptual models that review some fundamental LSCM achievement gaps in supplying, delivering and providing social services to end users within impoverished communities. The dissertation draws upon literature from the fields of economics, marketing, social science, and logistics and supply chain management. The dissertation uses the primary research method of unstructured and semi-structured interviews, case studies, written survey instruments and system dynamics within three studies. The studies resolve to look into the term Community-Based Logistics and Supply Chain Management (CBLSCM) as employed by social service providers in the logistics and supply chain context and investigate how it applies to impoverished communities. The research identifies conceptual models that can be used to explain the role of LSCM within humanitarian aid context. The models offer insights on the managerial implications and evidence of using LSCM processes and techniques within impoverished communities. The research has considered that the type of transactional relationships, structure, shared value, service systems, and consumer value, retention and management mechanisms can be achieved utilizing LSCM.

As part of business and management studies, research works addressed blockchain technology (BCT) in logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) first in 2016. Increasing levels of interest from researchers and practitioners alike have led to an increasing number of studies from both ends; however, a thorough bibliometric- and cocitation network analysis of BCT in LSCM research has not been carried out so far. To address this gap and to build a basis for future research endeavors, this article provides a bibliometric analysis on BCT, comprising data from 613 articles from academic supply chain research. It is therefore an easy-to-access entry point for academics and practitioners into the topic of BCT in LSCM. This study aims to understand the status of research of BCT in LSCM. To present the results, this article employs a bibliometric analysis methodology. It adopts a citation network analysis and a cocitation analysis. Based on a cocitation analysis, this article classifies the existing literature into five different research clusters, including theoretical sensemaking, conceptualizing and testing blockchain applications, framing BCT into supply chains, the technical design of BCT applications for real-world LSCM applications, and the role of BCT within digital supply chains.

This systematic literature review focuses on theory‐driven research in logistics and supply chain management (LSCM), giving particular attention to the originating disciplines of theories used. It is important to understand the origin of theory and how it has evolved within the LSCM discipline, because learning the past helps scholars understand the present and presage the future. To fulfill that objective, this research catalogs theories that have been used and also begins to identify how, when, and why borrowed theories have been adapted for LSCM research. The major results include theoretical insights such as trends in theory utilization and the methods and topics where theories are typically used or underused. The top five theories that have been used in LSCM research actually represent five different disciplines—management, economics, mathematics, psychology, and sociology—supporting the multidisciplinary nature of LSCM. To summarize this research, a forward‐looking perspective is taken to identify potential areas for the application of theory for future LSCM research. Comments are also provided on how researchers are employing more theory in the latest period of LSCM development (2011–2015).

Theory is fundamental in research to rationalize concepts, instigate changes and advance a discipline. The existing body of research in logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) suggests more theoretical application and inductive reasoning. Specifically, however, theories used in Halal logistics and supply chain management (HLSCM) literature has never been formally scrutinized. This chapter aims to systematically review and examine the theories applied in HLSCM research in the past decade. Through a comprehensive literature review of extant HLSCM literature published in the Journal of Islamic Marketing, 14 theories were identified. The in-depth review suggests that theories are explicit but used sparingly – implying insufficient theoretical application in HLSCM research. Interestingly, much of the theories used in HLSCM research emerge from other disciplines. This suggests the need for a more definitive HLSCM theory development. The information in this chapter may help scholars (authors, reviewers and editors) widen theoretical application in the HLSCM research and increase inductive and deductive research in the LSCM domain at large.

Digital transformation (DT) and automation technologies have significantly impacted logistics and supply chain management (LSCM), enhancing business performance. Efforts to automate processes alongside machine and robotic automation aim to improve reliability, consistency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. While existing research has explored specific aspects of DT and robotic process automation (RPA), the deployment and implementation of RPA as a service (RPAaaS) in LSCM are under-explored. This study focuses on RPA in LSCM and aims to improve organisational processes associated with DT. A systematic review identifies five knowledge clusters regarding RPA deployment for DT in LSCM. Real-life RPA implementation cases in a third-party logistics company highlight challenges and opportunities related to RPA deployment. Insights on the timing and choice of the RPAaaS platform to facilitate DT in enterprises are discussed. This paper provides extensive theoretical insights into RPA for DT in LSCM and offers practical guidance for streamlined implementation.

The purpose of this paper is to explore a fit between Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LSCM) related course content and the industry needs in the Nepalese context. Since this study is undertaken using the Nepalese sample, the knowledge and skills prioritized by employers, it can be of value to educators while designing their LSCM course content. Desk-based research involving content analyses was done to understand the supply side information i.e. relative coverage of LSCM topics in business-related courses and degrees offered at selected five Nepalese Universities and for the demand side information i.e. analysis of job description of the LSCM related vacancies in the Nepalese job market over eighteen weeks. The study reveals that the inclusion of LSCM courses in the business programs at Nepalese Universities is currently negligible as none of them offered a separate program dedicated to LSCM. Besides, the LSCM courses were limited to just one course per program weighing not more than three credit hours. Instead, there seems to be an unprecedented number of business schools and colleges leaning towards more sellable traditional business degrees related to finance, marketing, human resource management, IT, and hospitality. Finally, when comparing the relative coverage of LSCM topics in the curriculum to the relative demand for such knowledge by the employers, there seems to be an over-emphasis or under-emphasis of courses related to LSCM both at the bachelors and masters level indicating a mismatch between the expectations of employers and education offered by the universities.

Background: Digital supply chain twins (DSCT) are gaining increased attention in academia and practice as they emerge as one of the most important trends in logistics and supply chain management (LSCM). Still, there seems to be no common understanding of the term in scientific literature. Moreover, the broad field of LSCM allows for a multitude of feasible application areas and use cases, yet there exists no conclusive list of them as to date. Methods: This study builds upon a systematic literature review of 66 DSCT articles to identify application areas of DSCT in LSCM as well as specific use cases and their respective intended benefits. Results: To start with, the study derives a unified definition of DSCTs, including possible scopes of applications. Afterwards, five application areas of DSCT in LSCM are synthesized as well as 14 individual use cases and their respective intended benefits. Conclusions: The study leads towards a conceptual clarification of DSCT that is of importance for research and practice alike. For managers it additionally provides up-to-date use cases to guide DSCT applications in practice.

Big data analytics in logistics and supply chain management: Certain investigations for research and applications