Current Supply Research Articles

Suppliers 4.0 digital capabilities development in support of digital supply chains: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Digital transformation of Supply Chains (SCs) is imperative to remain competitive. Suppliers must adapt and digitally integrate into the emerging Digital Supply Chains (DSCs). This review examines how to develop the next-generation Supplier Development Programs (SDPs) in the context of DSCs in terms of the requirements to digitally transform a SC, and the emerging Digital Capabilities (DCs) needed by their members. A PRISMA scoping review was conducted to analyse existing research on DSC transformation frameworks and relevant DCs for the next-generation suppliers to digitally transform into “Suppliers 4.0” and support their emerging DSCs. Findings point out that there is no conclusive evidence in the scientific literature of a well-established Digital Transformation Framework (DTF) supporting the development of DCs in the current supplier base. An outlook is presented on the fundamental enablers for developing DSC capabilities and their alignment with the DCs required by suppliers.

Bridging versus buffering: how IT capabilities and dependence advantage shape responses to supply chain disruptions?

PurposeDrawing upon resource dependence theory, this study aims to examine how a firm’s information technology (IT) capabilities (i.e. IT integration and IT reconfiguration) influence its responses to disruptions – bridging with a current supplier and buffering with an alternative supplier. We further examine how such relationships are moderated by the firm–supplier relative dependence (i.e. firm dependence advantage and supplier dependence advantage).Design/methodology/approachBased on data from 141 match-paired surveys of firms in China, we test our model.FindingsOur study finds that IT integration positively influences bridging and IT reconfiguration positively influences buffering. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the positive impact of IT integration on bridging is negatively influenced by the firm’s dependence (FD) advantage but positively moderated by the supplier’s dependence advantage. By contrast, the positive impact of IT reconfiguration on buffering is negatively influenced by the FD advantage.Originality/valueOur study provides a more nuanced insight into the effects of IT capabilities on disruption responses and a better understanding of the buyer–supplier dependence boundary conditions under which these effects vary.

Feasibility analysis and modeling of a solar hybrid system for residential electric vehicle charging

The process of transforming sunshine energy into electrical power is known as solar power generation. Photovoltaic (PV) technology has recently proved its cost-effectiveness and low environmental impact in generating power. The key goals of this study are to develop a solar PV system for charging electric vehicles (EVs) while utilizing the residential apartment's current domestic power supply. This study focuses on modeling grid-interactive solar PV systems for charging EVs inside a 40-unit residential apartment complex. The Solar Pro tool is used to do the techno-economic analysis of the modeled PV system. The research investigates the installation of a rooftop solar plant devoted to delivering electricity to EV charging devices on a real-time five-story residential building. The performance of the PV plant is tested under a variety of scenarios, including EV loading, shadow mapping, and local meteorological conditions. The PV plant's size is optimized at 150 kW, taking into consideration economic aspects as well as the actual proportions of the structure. In addition, the MiPower tool is used to do a load flow study of the modeled system, which includes both the grid and the PV system. This research evaluates line losses, line loading, and voltage levels at each bus at maximum loading circumstances.

Research opportunities and ethical considerations for heart and lung xenotransplantation research: A report from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop

Xenotransplantation offers the potential to meet the critical need for heart and lung transplantation presently constrained by the current human donor organ supply. Much was learned over the past decades regarding gene editing to prevent the immune activation and inflammation that cause early organ injury, and strategies for maintenance of immunosuppression to promote longer-term xenograft survival. However, many scientific questions remain regarding further requirements for genetic modification of donor organs, appropriate contexts for xenotransplantation research (including nonhuman primates, recently deceased humans, and living human recipients), and risk of xenozoonotic disease transmission. Related ethical questions include the appropriate selection of clinical trial participants, challenges with obtaining informed consent, animal rights and welfare considerations, and cost. Research involving recently deceased humans has also emerged as a potentially novel way to understand how xeno-organs will impact the human body. Clinical xenotransplantation and research involving decedents also raise ethical questions and will require consensus regarding regulatory oversight and protocol review. These considerations and the related opportunities for xenotransplantation research were discussed in a workshop sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and are summarized in this meeting report.

Global supply chains security: a comparative analysis of emerging threats and traceability solutions

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to increase awareness of current supply chain (SC) security-related issues by providing an extensive analysis of existing SC security solutions and their limitations. The security of SCs has received increasing attention from researchers, due to the emerging risks associated with their distributed nature. The increase in risk in SCs comes from threats that are inherently similar regardless of the type of SC, thus, requiring similar defence mechanisms. Being able to identify the types of threats will help developers to build effective defences.Design/methodology/approachIn this work, we provide an analysis of the threats, possible attacks and traceability solutions for SCs, and highlight outstanding problems. Through a comprehensive literature review (2015–2021), we analysed various SC security solutions, focussing on tracking solutions. In particular, we focus on three types of SCs: digital, food and pharmaceutical that are considered prime targets for cyberattacks. We introduce a systematic categorization of threats and discuss emerging solutions for prevention and mitigation.FindingsOur study shows that the current traceability solutions for SC systems do not offer a broadened security analysis and fail to provide extensive protection against cyberattacks. Furthermore, global SCs face common challenges, as there are still unresolved issues, especially those related to the increasing SC complexity and interconnectivity, where cyberattacks are spread across suppliers.Originality/valueThis is the first time that a systematic categorization of general threats for SC is made based on an existing threat model for hardware SC.

Review of Cockcroft-Walton High Voltage Low Current DC Power Supplies

High-voltage power supplies are key for developing particle accelerators, neutron generators, x-ray systems, ion implantation, etc. This paper reviews various developed voltage low current power supplies based on Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier circuits for accelerator-based neutron sources and other industrial and medical applications. The paper presents a detailed review of the topology of the power supply used for the high voltage generation, the key design parameters, key active and passive components used in the High Voltage (HV) system, key experimental results, protection and measurement circuit used in the power supply and about the system performance. The improvement that occurred in the size and performance of the power supplies due to the development in the technology of the magnetic components, semiconductors and energy storage devices in successive years is apparent in the discussion. Finally challenges and possible solutions for the compact design and system performance are concluded for the development of high voltage low current power supplies.

Vertical coordination in agri‐food supply chain and blockchain: A proposed framework solution for Vietnamese cashew nut business

The agri‐food supply chain has been a popular research topic in recent years. The combination of a demand for products of high quality and safety standards and the increasing number of stakeholders in supply chain networks has required the agri‐food business to transform from vertically integrated to vertically operated supply chain networks. Nevertheless, this traditional agri‐food supply chain form has exposure to some drawbacks. Meanwhile, blockchain technology as a disruptive technology today has the potential to provide value‐added contributions towards multiple‐disciplinary applications. Blockchain technology gains success and proves its functionality in improving the current supply chain by ensuring traceability, transparency and efficiency across the network from farmer to consumer. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature on vertical coordination in the supply chain and its mechanism and to develop a framework that explores how blockchain technology can address the challenges in coordination mechanisms. Furthermore, taking the current Vietnamese vertical coordination cashew supply chain as a case study, this research is based on the proposed framework to suggest a solution combining blockchain and other relative technologies for the Vietnamese cashew business. This paper will close a research gap, as the blockchain‐based supply chain for Vietnam cashew nuts has potential benefits for each supply chain actor in terms of effectiveness in operations, costs and time‐saving, and human resources.

Spectral Analysis of Injectable Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate From the International Market With Diffuse Reflectance Spectrometers: Potential Public Health Implications With Benchtop and Handheld Spectrometers

Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is an essential medication used as a form of family planning by millions around the world. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) has a long history as a quality assurance measure for raw ingredient verification in pharmaceutical manufacturing. There are a multitude of DMPA manufacturers in the global marketplace. Prudent supply chain management requires identification of potential suppliers that can be contacted if a current supplier is unavailable. Here, DRS data were collected with benchtop (350–2500 nm) and handheld (900–1700 nm) spectrometers for 16 brands of DMPA. Spectra from sample vials ( N = 262) are compared through principal component analysis and Mahalanobis distances. The benchtop spectrometer proved to be an efficient gauge of the similarities and differences amongst DMPA brands, with subcontracted manufacturers resulting in very similar results to the primary manufacturers. The handheld spectrometer offers advantages in portability and cost and was shown to be an effective brand discrimination tool but was less reliable in the context of identifying potentially suitable supply chain substitution options of DMPA due to several key DMPA spectral features appearing just outside of the handheld spectrometer's range. Data collected from the benchtop spectrometer was used to identify several potential supply chain substitutions, dependent on various other subsequent due-diligence activities (i.e., product documentation reviews and manufacturing site audits). These potential substitutions can be shortlisted for further auditing review prior to being identified as a potential supply chain substitution.

Network reliability evaluation of a supply chain under supplier sustainability

The United Nations’ sustainable development goals have brought attention to the pressing issue of enhancing supply chain sustainability and ensuring equitable order allocation. In contrast to the previous research, this study involves sustainability in network reliability evaluation. A new algorithm is proposed for computing network reliability, the probability that the current supply chain not only meets demand, budget, and suppliers’ production capacity but also considers the level of supplier sustainability. In the constructed multistate supply chain network (MSCN), a node represents a supplier, warehouse, assembler, or market, and a route connecting the nodes represents a carrier. The capacity of each carrier, represented by the available delivery containers, should not be deterministic as they may be partially reserved by other markets. Grounded in the Method Based on the Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the supplier sustainability can be assessed, facilitating the selection of sustainable suppliers and the determination of feasible order allocations, which are essential for various industries. An audio production cooperation is used as a case study to demonstrate the utility of the proposed algorithm.

Geospatial Approaches to Improve Water Availability through Demand Assessment in Agriculture Based on Treated Wastewater: A Case Study of Weinstadt, Baden-Württemberg

The sustainable management of water scarcity is a globally crucial issue. Germany has established efficient water management systems, but the agricultural sector still struggles with water scarcity as the demand surpasses the available water supply. In this work, the primary aim was to establish a framework for making water accessible for irrigation and additional use in households through the effective utilization of recycled water from wastewater treatment facilities. The research inquiries were focused on evaluating the changes in the CROPWAT agricultural irrigation model, determining the spatial distribution of zonal severity, estimating the capacity of urban roof catchments, and evaluating the economic value addition of retreated water from the existing wastewater treatment plant supply. According to the findings, the annual amount of water required for agriculture in the designated study location is approximately 2.9 million m3. Although there is no initial need for irrigation water, the demand for irrigation water increases during the development, active growth, and mature stages of maize, winter wheat, and wine grapes, reaching around 189 mm, 223 mm, and 63 mm, respectively. According to our observations, the annual water supply in Weinstadt is around 4 million m3. On the other hand, the compensated volume of water to the current water supply calculated from the urban roof rainfall is estimated to be 0.8 million m3, which is considered valuable from an economic standpoint. This economically efficient volume of water would reduce the current treated water supply, which indicates an opportunity for enhanced agricultural irrigation.

A geographic information system approach for estimating state‐wide water quality credit need: Application for planned transportation projects in Virginia

AbstractUncertainty in water quality trading (WQT) markets is frequently cited as a deterrent for participation, with few studies focusing on uncertainty in future water quality credit needs. To reduce this uncertainty, we present a geographic information system (GIS)‐based methodology for estimating an upper bound of water quality credit needs for a set of spatially referenced planned construction projects over a large geographic region. We demonstrate the methodology by applying it to estimate future credit needs for the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) 6‐year improvement program. The results show that 25% of the state's 6‐digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) basins lack sufficient current credit supply to meet the estimated future credit need from VDOT's planned projects alone. Furthermore, while 70% of the 8‐digit HUCs containing planned projects have a sufficient current credit supply to meet VDOT credit needs, this is true for only 20% of the 10‐digit HUCs. Finally, nearly 25% of the planned transportation projects, representing potentially $9 million in credit purchases at current market rates, will be constructed in catchments with impaired water bodies. State regulations will initially limit these projects to trade with credit banks collocated at the 12‐digit HUC level. This application demonstrates how the GIS‐based methodology can be applied to reduce uncertainty about future WQT credit needs and how needs are aligned with current credit supply.

Interventional device tracking under MRI via alternating current controlled inhomogeneities.

To introduce alternating current-controlled, conductive ink-printed marker that could be implemented with both custom and commercial interventional devices for device tracking under MRI using gradient echo, balanced SSFP, and turbo spin-echo sequences. Tracking markers were designed as solenoid coils and printed on heat shrink tubes using conductive ink. These markers were then placed on three MR-compatible test samples that are typically challenging to visualize during MRI scans. MRI visibility of markers was tested by applying alternating and direct current to the markers, and the effects of applied current parameters (amplitude, frequency) on marker artifacts were tested for three sequences (gradient echo, turbo spin echo, and balanced SSFP) in a gel phantom, using 0.55T and 1.5T MRI scanners. Furthermore, an MR-compatible current supply circuit was designed, and the performance of the current-controlled markers was tested in one postmortem animal experiment using the current supply circuit. Direction and parameters of the applied current were determined to provide the highest conspicuity for all three sequences. Marker artifact size was controlled by adjusting the current amplitude, successfully. Visibility of a custom-designed, 20-gauge nitinol needle was increased in both in vitro and postmortem animal experiments using the current supply circuit. Current-controlled conductive ink-printed markers can be placed on custom or commercial MR-compatible interventional tools and can provide an easy and effective solution to device tracking under MRI for three sequences by adjusting the applied current parameters with respect to pulse sequence parameters using the current supply circuit.

An optimal scheme assists the municipalities in Fukuoka, Japan in achieving their goal of 100% renewable energy supply and future decarbonization

To achieve the net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050, it is essential for local municipalities to clarify the current state of renewable energy (RE) development, energy balance, and future development directions. Thus, an optimal energy supply system scheme with a coordination function between municipalities has been designed for Fukuoka Prefecture. We initially examined the spatial distribution of current RE supply and energy balance at the municipality level and estimated the total supply potential of Agri-Voltaic to be approximately 4145 GWh year−1. In our analysis, we found that in 2020 (the current scenario), the share of RE supply by municipalities relative to demand ranged from 3 % to 267 %, with an average of 32 %. Grid power accounted for 84 % of the total demand. However, considering factors like a declining birth rate, an aging population, and energy saving initiatives assumed for 2050 (the future scenario), we estimate a decrease in total energy demand from the current level of 30,950 to a future level of 24,339 GWh year−1. From an emissions perspective, optimizing the promotion of additional RE sources and coordinating RE usage between municipalities in the future will help achieve the goal of 100 % RE supply, meet the future energy demand at the prefecture level, and support regional decarbonization efforts (emission reductions: 7871 GgCO2).

A Systematic Review of Strategic Supply Chain Challenges and Teaching Strategies

Background: This study provides a comprehensive overview of current supply chain challenges and how they are taught within university circles or among supply chain professionals to simulate reality. Methods: The study applied a systematic literature review, using bibliometric co-citation and concept-centered content analysis for a comprehensive review of 118 relevant articles, leading to the identification of critical challenges in modern supply chain management. Results: These challenges include supplier selection and quality, supply chain networks, and sustainable supply chains. Supply chain educators are encouraged to use games that mirror real-world scenarios to teach these challenges. Results from this review underscore that existing games covered supply chain concepts such as the bullwhip effect, collaboration, networks, supplier selection, quality management, humanitarian logistics, sustainability, lean supply chain, Supply Chain 4.0, and perishable goods supply. Conclusions: The study’s contribution is to assist in selecting games tailored to the supply chain specific aspects and to guide developers in creating realistic games that address recent challenges in supply chain management. It recommends a holistic approach to enhance new supply chain game development, drawing from methodologies such as problem-based learning and Lego Serious Play. This multifaceted approach imparts practical knowledge and comprehensive skills for addressing supply chain intricacies in modern business settings.

Implementation of high step-up power converter for fuel cell application with hybrid MPPT controller

As of now, there are multiple types of renewable energy sources available in nature which are hydro, wind, tidal, and solar. Among all of that the solar energy source is used in many applications because of its features are low maitainence cost, less human power for handling, a clean source, more availability in nature, and reduced carbon emissions. However, the disadvantages of solar networks are continuously depending on the weather conditions, high complexity of the solar energy storage, and lots of installation place is required. So, in this work, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Stack (PEMFS) is utilized for supplying the power to the local consumers. The merits of this fuel stack are high power density, ability to work at very less temperature values, efficient heat maintenance, and water management. Also, this fuel stack gives a quick startup response. The only demerit of PEMFS is excessive current production, plus very less output voltage. To optimize the current supply of the fuel stack, a Wide Input Operation Single Switch Boost Converter (WIOSSBC) circuit is placed across the fuel stack output to improve the load voltage profile. The advantages of the WIOSSBC are less current ripples, uniform voltage supply, plus good voltage conversion ratio. Another issue of the fuel stack is nonlinear power production. To linearize the issue of fuel stack, the Grey Wolf Algorithm Dependent Fuzzy Logic Methodology (GWADFLM) is introduced in this article for maintaining the operating point of the fuel cell near to Maximum Power Point (MPP) place. The entire system is investigated by utilizing the MATLAB software.

An approach for designing leakage compensated voltage reference circuit

ABSTRACT In this paper, the design of CMOS-based and recyclic folded cascode (RFC)-based voltage reference circuits is presented. Further inherent leakage compensation technique using diode connected MOSFET is introduced, which results in the compensation of high-temperature leakage current and a reduction in consumed power. Moreover, current mirror-induced mismatch and supply dependency reduces. Furthermore, temperature range and power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) improves. Later, comparison between the two configurations, i.e. with and without leakage compensation, has been presented. The minimum value of the achieved temperature coefficient on applying leakage compensation is 4.2 ppm/ºC for the proposed RFC op-amp-based voltage reference circuit with improved temperature range by 40°C. The obtained value of PSRR is −88.2 dB at 10 Hz, −66.8 dB for 1 KHz and −61.6 dB for 1 MHz frequency, with the line sensitivity of 0.031%/V and the variation of 1.69 mV for an entire operating temperature range. All the simulation results are obtained at 0.7 V supply voltage in 180 nm SCL technology.

Green Hydrogen Production Directly from Seawater with No Corrosion Using a Nonmetallic Electrode: A Novel Solution and a Proof of Concept

Why Hydrogen. Nowadays, the energy industry and research laboratories are heavily working on developing ideas and methods to reduce and/or eliminate the carbon dioxide emission to control the problem of global warming. The solution relies on finding alternative green energy resources to reduce the world’s dependence on conventional fossil hydrocarbon energy. Green hydrogen gas from water stands on the top of the alternative resources since it does not produce carbon dioxide when burned and in return does not add to global warming. Since seawater is the largest resource on earth, this makes the hydrogen production from seawater the most economically attractive solution. It is very important to avoid using fresh water as a source of hydrogen energy due to the dependence of all living creatures, humans, animals, plants, etc., on such very limited resources. In this paper, the applications of the proposed novel solution of green hydrogen production directly from seawater relies on solving one of the major problems, electrode corrosion. Generating Hydrogen. The direct method to produce green hydrogen from seawater is the electrolysis technique. This technique requires a direct current power supply for the positive and the negative electrodes. The outcome of the electrolysis is decomposing the saltwater to its positively charged hydrogen and sodium ions at the negative electrode and its negatively charged oxygen and chlorine ions at the positive electrode. The Real Challenge. Traditionally in the electrolysis analysis of water, both electrodes are made of metals. At the positive electrode, both the oxygen and the chlorine cause a high rate of corrosion to that electrode. This results in the interruption of the electrolysis process, bad water condition due to the corrosion deposits, and cost burden due to the need to periodically replace the corroded electrodes and/or use high-cost corrosion-resistant alloys. The Novel Solution. A low-cost but powerful solution to the corrosion problem is introduced, tested, and experimentally proved. The novelty of the solution relies on replacing the classic special high-cost metallic positive electrode with a nonmetallic, no-cost, one. The nonmetallic electrode is made of surface rock portions that have high porosity and pore volume and high permeability and pore connectivity and is saturated with saline water. Surface rocks with the above properties exhibit very low resistivity and hence conduct electricity like metallic electrodes. The voltage and the current conducted by such electrode are controlled by the electrode geometry, connectivity, and physical properties. Results and Discussions. Multiple experiments using the proposed nonmetallic high-porosity and high-permeability positive electrode are conducted and presented in this paper. The experimental work is based on testing multiple rock electrodes with different rock properties, sizes, and connectivity in comparison to the metallic ones. The comparison showed that the novel solution solved the corrosion challenges of the metallic electrodes with excellent efficiency.

From systematic literature review to performance criteria evaluation: advancing green supply chain management in construction

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) has gained significant attention across various industries due to its potential to incorporate sustainable practices throughout a product’s lifecycle. However, the construction industry lacks a systematic investigation into the prevailing GSCM practices specific to its domain, resulting in limited implementation. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a systematic literature review on the various GSCM practices applicable within construction. Through the systematic literature review (SLR), existing research on GSCM in construction is synthesized, allowing for the identification of key themes, trends, and performance evaluation criteria. To further expand the existing knowledge base on GSCM in the construction industry, this study proposes a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model to assess the performance of GSCM practices in construction. The model incorporates diverse evaluation criteria encompassing environmental, economic, organizational, and social aspects identified through the SLR. The developed model serves as a benchmark, empowering decision-makers in the construction industry to assess their current supply chain practices, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions to enhance sustainable thinking.

Low computational cost convolutional neural network for smart grid frequency stability prediction

In the smart grid, it is critical to collect dynamic and time-dependent information on energy demand and consumption and compare it to current supply conditions. The decentral smart grid control (DSGC) system manages frequency, a Smart grid element. It connects energy costs to grid frequency, allowing access to both consumers and producers. This work proposes a pruning of the convolution layers and neurons of 1-dimensional time-aware convolutional neural network (1D CNN) analysis of grid frequency stability to determine efficient energy costs. The proposed solution evaluated augmented grid stability datasets in addition to two other publicly available datasets to ascertain the approach’s feasibility in various scenarios; the simulation demonstrated a minimal train and prediction time of 124.37 s and 17.67 s efficiency over compared models, with prediction accuracy of 99.79% and 0.01 MFLOPs. Matthew’s correlation coefficient was applied to evaluate further the performance of the proposed 1D CNN to ascertain its applicability in various scenarios.

Determinants of Supply Chain Performance in the Energy Sector in Kenya: A Case Study of the Kenya Power.

The current supply chain management in Kenya energy sector is deficient of an acceptable SCM performance level due to the inability to connect every willing buyer, and the cost of rural electrification by grid development due to dispersion as is expected in the service charter. The general objective of the study was to establish the determinants of supply chain performance in the energy sector in Kenya with an inclination to KPLC. The specific objectives of the study were to; determine the effect of information communication technology on supply chain performance of KPLC; examine the effect of buyer-supplier relationship on supply chain performance of KPLC; determine the effect of procurement professionalism on supply chain performance of KPLC and establish the effect of contract management on performance of KPLC. The study employed a descriptive research design. The researcher used stratified random sampling technique. The study population was 698 employees working in KPLC from which 254 respondents were selected. Questionnaires were used as the main data collection instrument and a pilot study was undertaken to pretest the questionnaires for validity and reliability. For the purpose of analyzing the data that was gathered, and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 24 was utilized in analysis. In order to establish the statistical link between the independent factors and the predicted variable, the study made utilization of the regression model. Descriptive statistics were computed whereby frequencies, percentages and means were clearly shown in the form of both tables and figures. The study revealed that a unit increase in the elements of information communication technology, procurement professionalism, buyer-supplier relationship and contract management will translate to improvement of supply chain performance in KPLC. the study recommends that KPLC and other firms in the energy sector should exploit the aforementioned determinants in a hierarchical order. This would enable KPLC and other firms in the energy sector to focus on the determinants with the most positive significant effect on supply chain performance and prioritize resources allocation and deployment appropriately. The study recommends this order, buyer-supplier relationships, followed by contract management while information communication technology and procurement professionalism should be exploited concurrently.