Abstract
This paper provides a multi-stage multi-layer mapping methodology for capturing the macro-level supply chain dynamics that govern industrial systems using renewable feedstocks. The mapping approach combines the Industrial Systems Mapping and System Dynamics principles to systematically capture the interrelations across: (i) institutional players, (ii) sector specialists, (iii) products and intermediates, (iv) production operations, and (v) firms within the supply chain. The interfaces are further explored at four interconnected and mutually interacting theme areas of analysis, namely: (i) renewable chemical feedstocks, (ii) production technologies, (iii) target markets, and (iv) value and economic viability. We demonstrate the applicability of our approach by mapping the dynamics in industrial systems for the production of ‘green’ pharmaceuticals, particularly via the illustrative case of paracetamol. Through the use of the proposed integrated mapping process the case study demonstrates the principal interrelationships and inter-firm dynamics between the different layers of analysis. Three main drivers are identified that could enhance supply network transformations for improved viability of these developing industrial systems, namely: (i) regulatory conformance with market requirements, (ii) system level feasibility assessment of given renewable feedstocks, and (iii) target market volume demand. The causal feedback elements of the provided mapping technique indicate that it could support the analysis of industrial systems’ transformation dynamics enabled by renewable feedstocks. The standardisation of the methodology and its elements provides for an effective visualisation technique with cross-industry relevance.
Highlights
In the twenty-first century, the circular economy discourse exerts considerable pressure on the frontiers of manufacturing (Tsolakis et al 2016), further promoting the notion of sustainability across upstream and downstream operations in industrial supply networks (Zhu and Sarkis 2004)
Considering the inherent dynamism encapsulated to the aforementioned industrial systems’ mapping elements, along with our aim to understand networkconfiguration dynamics stemming from the utilisation of renewable feedstocks in manufacturing, we adopt the view of Zhang et al (2012) who define enabling technologies in the bio-based economy as: B... technologies for efficient utilization of inexpensive and renewable resources for the production of target compounds.^
Considering that alternative supply chain configuration options entail stakeholders across spatial and temporal constituents, we suggest that for the effective mapping of supply chains that exploit sustainable feedstocks in a circular economy context the elaborated approach should comprise of four well-established theme areas of analysis (Srai et al 2018), which could be applied in a stepwise sequential process, namely: (i) renewable chemical feedstocks, (ii) production technologies, (iii) target markets, and (iv) value and economic viability
Summary
In the twenty-first century, the circular economy discourse exerts considerable pressure on the frontiers of manufacturing (Tsolakis et al 2016), further promoting the notion of sustainability across upstream and downstream operations in industrial supply networks (Zhu and Sarkis 2004). In principal, existing supply chain mapping tools and decision-making frameworks are linear in nature (Joubioux and Vanpoucke 2016) In this regard, they fail to capture any evolution pathways, along with the underpinning causalities, which are essential for conceptualising industrial-level transformations (Cagliano et al 2008), predominantly in relation to institutional developments and technology advances. This research is based on the premise that a circular paradigm is important for the sustainable and viable development of industrial manufacturing operations; transformations of existing networks are required to be assessed (Zeng et al 2017) In this regard, this research study investigates industrial supply networks that could utilise renewable feedstocks in an attempt to tackle the following research questions (RQs):.
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