Current Supply Chain Management Research Articles

Application of information technology (IT) in Iraq's petroleum industry

The crucial role of information technology (IT) in operating and managing industrial systems is widely recognized, and Iraq's IT capabilities hold great promise for its industrial and other economic sectors. The demand for IT services has risen considerably, particularly for oil and gas companies, which face the challenge of boosting capital asset returns while ensuring safety and sustainability. They need to manage rising demands as well as competition for access to oil reserves while driving improved asset reliability, productivity, and performance. This application show how information technology is used in the petroleum industry. It specifically examines information technology applications in the upstream, midstream, and downstream important segments of the petroleum industry during the drilling process. The increased price volatility's noteworthy effect on the profitability of the energy industry is just one of the current supply chain management challenges. Better supply chain management aids in lowering operational costs, a challenge that many businesses are under demand to address right away. The study's theoretical and practical value is in exposing the characteristics and issues with the infrastructure supporting the Iraqi oil industry and in creating a control algorithm for the evolution of its Regular visual inspections of pipelines, offshore oil rigs, and other infrastructure may be carried out swiftly and safely thanks to technology. Light devices that enable temperature checks using infrared scanning are available in modern applications. Hazards like poisonous substances can be identified by other sensors from a safe distance. Enhancing oil and gas safety with artificial intelligence technologies protects the environment and ensures worker safety

Review of Research on the Impact of Blockchain Technology on Supply Chain Operational Decision Making

Blockchain is closely integrated with supply chain management, which can effectively avoid the tampering of real information and realize the effective traceability of supply chain information. At present, how blockchain technology empowers the supply chain and how supply chain operation decision-making has become a hot issue in current supply chain management research. This paper combs through the relevant research on the impact of blockchain technology on supply chain operation decision-making, takes different kinds of supply chains as the perspective, and divides the research into three major types: fresh e-commerce supply chain, shipping supply chain, and green supply chain, forming a literature review. The research results of relevant scholars are elaborated respectively, and the research on the impact of blockchain technology on supply chain operation decision-making is further summarized and the direction of future research is proposed.

Resilience evaluation of low-carbon supply chain based on improved matter-element extension model.

How to evaluate the resilience level and change trend of supply chain is an important research direction in current supply chain management practice. This paper proposes a new method of supply chain resilience assessment based on hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set (HFLTS) and matter element extension theory. Firstly, based on the research status quo at home and abroad, a low-carbon enterprise supply chain resilience assessment index system is established, which includes six first-level indicators and corresponding 21 second-level indicators of product supply resilience, resource resilience, partner resilience, information response resilience, financial resilience and knowledge resilience. Secondly, HFLTS was used to collect expert opinions and Ordered Weighted Arithmetic (OWA) to calculate the expert composite language, by which the fuzzy evaluation matrix of supply chain resilience assessment indicators was obtained. Once again, the resilience indicator weights are determined based on a game-theoretic portfolio assignment method combining the best-worst method (BWM) and the CRITIC method. Finally, the nearness degree function is combined with the extension comprehensive evaluation method to improve the matter element extension model, and the supply chain resilience assessment model of low-carbon enterprises based on the game theory combination assignment-improved matter element extension is established. Taking X low-carbon enterprise as an example, the evaluation results show that the supply chain resilience level of this enterprise is II, and the eigenvalue of the grade variable is 2.69, and the supply chain resilience is shifting to III, and the supply chain resilience is shifting to III, which indicates that the supply chain resilience of this enterprise is being enhanced. Therefore, the improved matter element extension not only ensures the accuracy of the evaluation results, but also has higher prediction accuracy.

Blockchain Technology Implementation in Supply Chain Management: A Literature Review

This paper aims to comprehensively review the main benefits, limitations, and challenges associated with the uptake of Blockchain technology in supply chain management (SCM). The study utilizes the literature review method, examining articles published from 2016 to 2022 and exploring the factors influencing the adoption and implementation of Blockchain in SCM. Multiple scholarly insights have shown no more hacking or cherry picking of options given for presenting data with high confidence and, therefore, reliability, as well as an ability to see everything in a highly limited way. An SCM looking at these multi-party evolutionary models shows that for Blockchain, the key advantages center on significantly increased security, confidentiality, traceability, transparency, data accuracy, privacy, efficiency, accountability, and trust. In contrast, the review has also detailed several limitations and challenges that must be overcome by firms and industries looking to adopt Blockchain within their SCM processes, which include problems with scaling, lower performance as a result of interoperability issues, legal and regulatory matters, very high initial implementation and ongoing maintenance costs, a struggle with standardization of the technology and the needed surveillance of this space, avoidance of technology adoption because of trust, the substantial energy used, low awareness, complexity of integrating with existing systems, being in its last mile in partnerships, and privacy. Even with this potential to transform and be disrupted across industry and its sectors, there are still very significant challenges for Blockchain. For those looking to actually utilize SCM and other sectors, understanding this from a variety of perspectives is of great interest to understand if the technology is fit for that sector and what strategies or networks need to be established or linked into with existing firms. Regardless, if these challenges can be overcome and responded to, then the greater protection and efficiency of current and future SCM processes will not only occur, but it can be the first significant node for broader industry-wide innovation and gains in efficiency.

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.

A Review on Supply Chain Management using Blockchain

Supply chain management is a process of transporting goods and products from source to destination. There are several problems that we encounter with current supply chain management (SCM) systems which include security, traceability, transaction transparency, stakeholder involvement, fraud, and instabilities. Blockchain emerges as a technology that can effectively and transparently manage data and foster trust. It can also help with payments made without the need for a third party or transaction authorization and verification in the supply chain. This study presents an overview of the literature on blockchain in the context of supply chains, including its benefits and challenges.

The impact of SCM integration on business performance through information sharing, quality integration and innovation system

Integration with external supply chain partners can reduce the risk of process and product development disruptions. Hence, the companies should anticipate and prepare for any risk that could emerge in the supply chain network. This study aims to analyze the role of supply chain integration, information sharing, supply chain quality integration, and innovation systems in improving business performance in the manufacturing industry. The study surveyed manufacturing companies located in East Java, as many as 258 companies. Data was collected using questionnaires designed with a five-point Likert scale and distributed through Google Forms and company visits. 222 questionnaires were distributed through Google Forms, and 36 were distributed during company visits. The smartPLS software version 4.0 was used for descriptive analysis and hypothesis testing. The results showed that supply chain integration positively impacts information sharing, quality integration, and innovation systems. Information sharing significantly supports the implementation of quality integration and innovation systems. However, quality integration does not affect the innovation system. Likewise, innovation systems have no impact on improving business performance. Many manufacturing companies in East Java had not done innovation systems appropriately after the COVID-19 disruption as the company still focused on current processes and products to maintain company sustainability. Furthermore, information sharing, and supply chain quality integration significantly improve business performance. The results of this study could contribute to managers building close partnerships with external parties to maintain the quality of processes and products. Business owners must also consider using the latest technology for process and product innovation. These findings enrich the current supply chain management theory, particularly with quality integration and innovation systems.

A participatory framework for bridging the conceptual and talent gaps in supply chain management education

AbstractThis article argues that current Supply Chain Management (SCM) education and training is inadequate to meet the human capital needs of industry. To bridge this gap, we propose the development and deployment of SCM educational programs that provide learning opportunities earlier in students’ educational journeys. We argue that such programs should be based on self‐directed learning of SCM knowledge, business concepts/skills, and their real‐life application with help from industry partners. We present a case study of a four‐way partnership SCM educational program for high schoolers, which utilizes a project‐based learning method. Survey data and focus group discussion revealed positive developmental learning outcomes, the program's uniqueness, and challenges such as lack of awareness, expertise, and industry partners. We evaluate the efficacy of this four‐way partnership among industry, government agencies, universities, and high schools and discuss the importance of “champions” for each partner. Our findings offer a scalable educational model that leverages multi‐stakeholder engagement to address the SCM talent and educational conceptual gap.

The Controllable and Non- Controllable Hurdles and Pushers to Executing Green Supply Chain Management in the Lebanese Hospitality Sector- the Case of Tannoury

Purpose: This study aims at determining the hurdles and pushers of green supply chain management in the Lebanese hospitality sector. Theoretical framework: This study adopts institutional theory to understand environmentally friendly supply chain management in the Lebanese hospitality sector, its pushers, and hurdles. Certain factors and pushers may influence businesses in their business actions (Hirsch, 1975; Lai et al., 2006). Design/Methodology/Approach: This exploratory qualitative research utilizes the case study approach through a physical semi- structured interview with the owner of Tannoury restaurant. Findings: It is found that there are two main controllable pushers mainly management mindset and green purchasing, one controllable hurdle namely employee resistance, and four non- controllable hurdles namely obscurity of GSCM awareness, lack of environmental awareness, absence of governmetal support and the Lebanese economic crisis. Research, Practical & Social implications: The results of such a study might be of great for the concerned Lebanese ministries and bodies to mandate the required legislation regarding green supply chain management. Such a study might be of great value for some non-governmental organizations and environmental associations, who may have a clearer view of the current green supply chain management situation in Lebanon. Originality/Value: This study is original and contributes to the Lebanese context and to the supply chain industry as a whole in as there exists no studies that tackled GSCM in the Lebanese hospitality sector.

TOWARD GOOD PRACTICE OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT A COMMUNITY SERVICE AT SUSU MBOK DARMI BOGOR INDONESIA

Delivering a supply chain good practices might ensure goods and services reach consumers using the means and methods readily available in the workplace environment. To achieve a good supply chain management, it is a need to come across an excerpt of delivering the right product, in the right quantity, to the right people, at the right place and time, at the lowest possible cost. Good supply chain management is indeed required by any services industry such as commercial drinks services outlet. Susu Mbok Darmi provides commercial various milk drinks outlet, located at modern location, like mall and individual outlet location. A community service to enhance the knowledge toward good supply chain management was conducted to Susu Mbok Darmi team in particular its supply chain, purchasing and operation department. The activity was done in the form of workshop based on the preliminary observation and in-depth interview to identify the problem of current supply chain management. The result of this community service was an additional knowledge of best practice toward good supply chain management. Participants were successfully learned about the role of Procurement versus Purchasing, Strategic Sourcing, Contract Management and Materials Inventory Management

Research on Reform of Teaching Content of Supply Chain Management Course in Application-oriented Universities

New business format and model put forward new requirements for post competence of business talents. Under the new business background, aiming at reform of teaching content of supply chain management course in application-oriented universities, Crawler Technology is used to obtain job responsibility data of current actual enterprise recruitment. Through Text Mining Technology such as high-frequency word analysis and semantic network analysis, the focus of actual job responsibilities and abilities is deeply explored, so as to clarify the focus of current supply chain management course teaching content and put forward corresponding teaching reform suggestions. The research results show that suppliers, logistics, planning and inventory and others are the main concerns of the current job responsibilities. It is suggested that the teaching content of supply chain management course should be designed from supplier and procurement management, supply chain logistics planning and scheme design, demand and inventory optimization, demand and production planning management, product cost and quality control, supply chain system coordination and optimization, and supply chain strategy and operation.

The construction of enterprise's financial supply chain management under blockchain technology

AbstractThis paper uses the advantages of blockchain technology to help construction enterprises obtain low‐interest bank loans, effectively reduce financing costs, thus improving the level of financial supply chain, innovating financial management (FM) of construction enterprises, solving the FM transformation problem of construction enterprises and promoting the sustainable development of construction enterprises, and thus doing the following work. First, this paper describes the concept and characteristics of BT and the motivation of FM of construction enterprises to use BT. Second, it analyses BT's three main application advantages in construction enterprise financing: reducing financial risks, improving the credit penetration of core enterprises, and reducing financing costs. Meanwhile, this paper summarizes the problems that should be paid attention to in implementing the current financial supply chain management strategy in enterprises. It provides a solid theoretical foundation for the research of FM transformation in construction enterprises. Finally, the overall design and functional analysis of the BT FM platform are carried out. The functions of the BT FM platform are divided into four modules: system management, credit management, contract management, and information management. Besides, their specific business processes are analysed. The research results show that BT is applicable in enterprises, and the value of each participant's financing platform can be clearly defined from the construction of BT‐based financing platform. The income quota of the owner's individual operation is 33%, and the income quota of the tripartite cooperation is also 33%, which further illustrates the effectiveness of the financial financing model of construction enterprises based on BT and the feasibility of its actual implementation in the future. In this paper, the related issues of financial supply chain management are systematically and comprehensively summarized, which has theoretical guiding significance for the research of FM transformation of construction enterprises based on BT.

Next generation supply chain management: the impact of cloud computing

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of cloud computing (CC) on supply chain management (SCM).Design/methodology/approachThe paper is conceptual and based on a literature review and conceptual analysis.FindingsToday, digital technology is the primary enabler of supply chain (SC) competitiveness. CC capabilities support competitive SC challenges through structural flexibility and responsiveness. An Internet platform based on CC and a digital ecosystem can serve as “information cross-docking” between SC stakeholders. In this way, the SC model is transformed from a traditional, linear model to a platform model with the simultaneous cooperation of all partners. Platform-based SCs will be a milestone in the evolution of SCM – here conceptualised as Supply Chain 3.0.Research limitations/implicationsCurrently, SCs managed holistically in cyberspace are rare in practice, and therefore empirical evidence on how digital technologies impact SC competitiveness is required in future research.Practical implicationsThis research generates insights that can help managers understand and develop the next generation of SCM with the use of CC, a modern and commonly available Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tool.Originality/valueThe paper presents a conceptual basis of how CC enables structural flexibility of SCs through easy, real-time resource and capacity reconfiguration. CC not only reduces cost and increases flexibility but also offers an effective solution for disruptive new business models with the potential to revolutionise current SCM thinking.

Application of objective matrix to improve performance green supply chain management

The eucalyptus oil factory (PMKP) Sukun Ponorogo is an industry with complex supply chain activities, starting from the raw material’s procurement, production processes, distribution, and reverse logistics. Some of these activities may result in environmental problems. Therefore, measurement of its supply chain management (SCM) performance related to environmental conditions is critical. The green supply chain management (GSCM) concept can help the company to assess the supply chain's performance conditions that could harm the environment. This study aimed to assess the current SCM and measure its performance, as well as to evaluate the potential implementation on GSCM in the PMKP Sukun Ponorogo. The analytical network process (ANP) was used in this study, consisting of 36 key performance indicators (KPI) from five categories of plan, source, deliver, make, and return. The study results show that all KPIs from the responsiveness dimension in the deliver category have the lowest weight, thus require priority for improvement. The results of the scoring system using the objective matrix (OMAX) method indicated two KPIs were in the red category (or need improvement), including on-time delivery of raw materials to production site and the rejection rate of raw materials. This study suggested to improve the estimated delivery time for avoiding any delays during the production process. This improvement may support the company to continuously offer on-time production process and product’s distribution.

Emotions and ends matter: Exploring the Practice of Sustainable Innovation Diffusion

ABSTRACT Despite practitioners’ and scholars’ increasing awareness of sustainable innovation (SI), studies that integrate sustainability, innovation, practices and supply chains (SCs) are still overlooked in the literature. In contrast to most supply chain management (SCM) research, which has typically focused on the dominant focal companies’ perspective, this qualitative research examines how suppliers’ SIs are diffused along textile and cosmetics SCs. Drawing on practice-based studies and the diffusion of innovation theory, we identify SI diffusion as a practice that comprises three sequential activities (presenting, evaluating and implementing). By conceiving of SI diffusion as a practice, we demonstrate that each of these activities is articulated around practical understanding, ends and emotions. This study contributes to the literature by answering different calls to integrate other theories into the SCM field and to move away from the taken-for-granted meaning of practices. Moreover, it sheds light on suppliers as initiators of SI diffusion. Finally, our main contribution is the focus on emotions in the diffusion process. More specifically, we reveal that sustainability, practices and emotions cannot be dissociated, extending current SCM studies that have focused on the rational dimension.

Competitiveness of the Shared Economy Model for Sustainable Management of Logistics Systems

This paper analyses the shared economy model to sustainably manage the tangible and in- tangible resources of logistics systems. A critical review of literature on the current supply chain management policy and technological platform in current use that supports it was done to suggest a new conceptual framework for logistics processes' sustainable management on a shared economy platform. This was examined according to how the concepts of new technologies influence logistics and the role of sustainable management platforms of the shared economy in enabling greater improved logistics processes. The inductive methodology approach was applied using multi-criteria analysis interpretive research method. The impact of the shared business model on each stakeholder and beneficiary varies according to how resources are consumed and its adoption according to the core business models requirements of each. Current scientific literature does not identify the impact this phenomenon has on companies in different sectors, as there is a lack of detailed analysis and evidence to fill this gap, particularly as the Internet of Things (IoT) monetize digital assets autonomously through the Economy of Things (EoT) marketplaces. From the analysis conducted, the findings provide a concept of the prototype framework required for the shared economy in the e-logistics' ecosystems rather than traditional ones, modelled using multi-criteria analysis interpretive methods as a strategic resource within the shared economy of supply chain management systems.

Relational Approaches Related to Digital Supply Chain Management Consolidation

This study provides a specific theoretical–applicative approach, of economic content, containing information and reference data in a logical and relational structure centered on aspects deemed suitable for enhancing the digital performance of the current supply chain management. The objective of the study is to correlate as closely as possible the theoretical scientific content with the practical side, with an emphasis on modernity. This objective led to the scientific interpretation, from a methodological perspective, of a relevant approach that proposes the analysis of several mathematical relationships and a case study that justifies the significance of the essential characteristics in ensuring the viability and resilience of the digitally consolidated Supply Chain Management. The work is particularly of interest and utility to entrepreneurs and managers involved in the construction and effective administration of (already digital) supply chain management, which is undergoing continual digital transformation and consolidation. In addition, this research will enhance the number of specialized sources that may be used for future research in this topic’s area of interest.

Towards carbon neutrality: Improving resource efficiency of the rare earth elements in China

Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential for promoting clean energy technologies and making high-performance materials because of their unique physical and chemical properties. In order to respond to climate change, the Chinese government has promised to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Under such a circumstance, the demand for REEs will increase significantly. However, several challenges exist in current REEs supply chain management in China. This policy brief discusses these challenges from a life cycle perspective, covering REEs mining, smelting, manufacturing, waste management, and recycling. Policy recommendations on future REEs supply chain management are then proposed, including adequate mining quota, a strategic REEs list, innovative high-tech applications, and circular economy.

Waste-to-energy supply chain management on circular economy capability: An empirical study

The circular economy initiative has driven the agriculture and agro-based industry to compost production waste into clean energy. However, the company ability to turn waste into energy requires well-managed energy supply chain systems. The challenges to produce clean energy through the biorefinery process in the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) supply chain led to less capable companies implementing the circular economy. This study aims to develop the theoretical-mediating of the WTE supply chain that examine the life cycle assessment (LCA), economic potential cycle (EPC) and value chain analysis (VCA) as enablers of circular economy capability (CEC). To investigate the current WTE supply chain management practices on agriculture and agro-based industry in Malaysia, this study has collected survey data from the companies that turn waste products into bio-energy and actively practices sustainable waste management. This study found that the enablers have a significant and positive impact on WTC supply chain practices and CEC. The results indicate that WTC supply chain practices have mediated the direct path from LCA and CEC. Our findings have extended the CEC's theoretical-mediating impact to explain how the agricultural and agro-based industries transform waste into clean energy. We suggest that the agro-based industry monitor the WTE practice consistently and strategically explore the opportunity to obtain benefits from clean energy while protecting the environment. Therefore, the abundant agricultural biomass waste in the developing countries should be converted into clean energy and support the business operations while also generating new income strategically.

Mathematical Modelling of Inventory and Process Outsourcing for Optimization of Supply Chain Management

Outsourcing is one of the major challenges for production firms in the current supply chain management (SCM) due to limited skilled workers and technology resources. There are too many parameters involved in the strategic decisions of the outsourcing level, quantity, quality, and cost. The outsourcing process removes the burden of capital investment; however, still it creates crucial concerns related to inventory control and production management by adding extra inventories. The semi-finished products are outsourced for a few processes due to limited resources and then returned to the manufacturer for the finishing operations. The article is based on the mathematical modeling and optimization of the process outsourcing considering imperfect production with variable quantity for the effective supply chain management. The numerical experiment was performed based on the data taken from the industry for the application of the proposed outsourcing-based SCM model. The results are significant in finding optimal production and outsourcing quantity with a minimum total cost of SCM. The sensitivity analysis was performed to see how important the effect of input parameters is on the total cost. The research is an important contribution in developing a mathematical model of process outsourcing in SCM. The research study is beneficial for managers to find the economic feasibility of process outsourcing for managing inventory and supply chain between manufacturer and outsourcing vendor.