Supply Chain Flexibility Research Articles

Adapting to disruption: the impact of agility, absorptive capacity and ambidexterity on supply chain resilience

PurposeThis study aims to explore the key drivers contributing to supply chain resilience, with specific attention on agility, absorptive capacity and ambidexterity. It focuses on the roles of supply chain absorptive capacity (SCAC), supply chain ambidexterity (SCAB), supply chain agility (SCAG) and supply chain flexibility (SCF) in enhancing supply chain resilience (SCR).Design/methodology/approachA survey based on a questionnaire with established scales for SCAC, SCAB, SCAG, SCF and SCR was conducted among professionals in various industries within India, receiving 356 responses. Structural equation modeling is used to test the hypothesis.FindingsThe study reveals significant relationships between SCAC, SCAB, SCAG and SCR. SCAC and SCAB are positively correlated with SCAG, which in turn positively influences SCR. Further, SCF directly influences SCR and moderates the relationships between SCAC/SCAB and SCAG, enhancing the agility and resilience of the supply chain. These findings underline the importance of integrating knowledge management, adaptability and flexibility in supply chain strategies to cope with the dynamic business environment.Originality/valueThe uniqueness of this study lies in its integrated investigation of absorptive capacity, ambidexterity, agility and supply chain flexibility, with a specific focus on the moderating role of flexibility. This research is unique in demonstrating how these dynamic capabilities transform disruptions into innovative and growth opportunities for supply chain management.

Chaos in chains: Exploring a novel supply chain model through bifurcation analysis, multi-stability and complete synchronization via backstepping control

Chaotic systems are highly sensitive to initial conditions, meaning small changes can lead to significant outcomes. This sensitivity can be leveraged to enhance the flexibility and adaptability of supply chains, allowing them to respond quickly to changing market demands and conditions. In this research work, we obtain a New Chaotic Supply Chain Model (NCSCM) by introducing a sinusoidal model uncertainty in the third differential equation of the Hamidzadeh chaotic supply chain model (2023). The sinusoidal uncertainty in the model accounts for the volatility and fluctuations of the supply chain model. We investigate the dynamic behaviors of NCSCM by performing a detailed Bifurcation Diagram (BD) analysis and Lyapunov Exponents (LEs). Next, we carry out a 0−1 test for the NCSCM to confirm the chaotic attractor of the system. We also study the multi-stability properties of the NCSCM. Finally, with the help of backstepping control, we derive new results for the complete synchronization of the novel chaotic supply chain models.

Integrating flexibility and sustainability in supply chains: a practice-based view on leadership, knowledge and digital quality management practices

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the synergy between supply chain flexibility and sustainable supply chain management in the manufacturing industry. The study also investigates the roles of leadership practice, knowledge management practice and digital quality management practice in promoting supply chain flexibility that leads to sustainable supply operations from a practice-based perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed a self-administered questionnaire and distributed it amongst manufacturing executives in India. Data were collected from 347 executives. Before moving on to assumptions, such as constant variance and normality, we have analysed them to check for possible nonresponse bias. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to check the data’s reliability and consistency. PLS-SEM was used to validate the constructs and verify the hypotheses.FindingsThe findings indicate that knowledge practice and digital quality management practice, augmented by effective leadership practice, are positively associated with supply chain flexibility in the manufacturing sector. Further, the findings indicate a positive relationship between flexibility and supply chain sustainability.Originality/valueThe novelty of this study lies in the developed framework, wherein the authors attempted to rope in both flexibility and sustainability measures. The findings bridge a gap in the literature, especially in the context of the manufacturing industry, by demonstrating how leadership, KNP and DQMP collectively influence SCF and, ultimately, supply chain sustainability.

Unlocking the Potential of Industry 4.0 for Supply Chain Flexibility and Agility: A Systematic Literature Review

This paper reports on a comprehensive literature review using the Systematic Literature Review approach to improve agility and flexibility at the Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) level. The review identified 51 papers that satisfied the research criteria. The literature on SCM-level I4.0, flexibility, and agility was classified into four major research lines, namely interrelationships between SCM strategies, I4.0 technologies’ role in enabling Supply Chain Flexibility and Agility, barriers to achieving supply chain-level flexibility, and drivers to improve supply chain-level flexibility. Content analysis of the papers from each group was also provided, along with gaps detected and avenues for future research. The findings can help organizations understand how to leverage I4.0 practices and technologies to improve their flexibility and agility capabilities in the SSCM context, as well as identify potential drivers and barriers to their achievement.

Supply Chain Flexibility and Performance of Food and Beverages Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

In the current dynamic business environment, any organization can survive if it performs exceptionally well. This study's main goal was to assess the effect of supply chain flexibility and performance of food and beverages manufacturing firms in Kenya. The cross-sectional survey was used in the study. Senior procurement managers from 246 Kenyan companies that produce food and beverages were the target audience. Krejcie and Morgan (1970) were used to estimate a sample size of 150 respondents. Simple random sampling was used to choose the sample. Pilot research of 15 firms, representing 10% of the sample size, was carried out, and 13 questionnaires were returned. Semi-structured and self-administered questionnaires were employed by the researcher. 135 questionnaires were given to responders and 119 were returned. Descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis, were used to analyze the data. Correlation, regression, and hypothesis testing were also used in inferential statistics. SPSS version 28 was used for processing the acquired data. Tables were used to display the data. According to the dependability results, every variable satisfies the requirement for a Cronbach's alpha value of greater than 0.7. Criteria, content, and construct validity were also examined. The findings showed a favorable, substantial linear significance between SCF and performance of food and beverages companies in Kenyan (β: 0.590, t: 7.910, p ≤ 0.00) In addition, the results indicated that when one unit in supply chain flexibility grows there is a rise in a unit of the performance. The study concluded that supply chain flexibility significantly improves the performance of food industry. The research recommends that supply chain flexibility be strategically implemented.

Pricing Strategy and Risk-Averse Flexibility in Sustainable Supply Chain: A Dual-Channel Logistics Process Under Reward Contracts and Demand Uncertainty

Pricing Strategy and Risk-Averse Flexibility in Sustainable Supply Chain: A Dual-Channel Logistics Process Under Reward Contracts and Demand Uncertainty

3D Printing Systems Designed for the Factory Floor

Markforged is enabling more resilient and flexible supply chains with its 3D printers by bringing industrial production to the point of need. We caught up with Daniel Leong, senior product manager, to hear more

Industry 4.0 technologies and circular economy synergies: Enhancing corporate sustainability through sustainable supply chain integration and flexibility

Recently, an increasing number of firms have embraced sustainable supply chain practices to reduce negative environmental and societal impacts in their supply networks. The adoption of a circular economy framework has become popular among many businesses as a strategic approach to achieving sustainable development goals. This involves turning used products into new items with different uses, aligning with wider corporate sustainability aims. The advent of Industry 4.0 initiatives holds the potential to exert a transformative influence across entire business systems, redefining the manner in which products are conceived, manufactured, distributed, and disposed of. The present study undertakes an inquiry into the interconnections linking Industry 4.0 capabilities, green supply chain integration (GSCI), flexibility in sustainable supply chain management (SSCF), and the utilization of circular economy capabilities (CEC) within the context of corporate sustainability performance (CSP). Based on a comprehensive survey of 256 manufacturing organizations, the study highlights the importance of integrating dynamic capabilities like GSCI and SSCF within I4.0 and CE strategies. The collected data reveal the transformative influence of GSCI, SSCF, and I4.0 on enhancing CEC and promoting corporate sustainability. Given these insights, recognizing and harmonizing vital Industry 4.0 technologies with circular economy capabilities proves valuable for organizations aiming to enhance corporate sustainability through informed decisions.

Dynamical Analysis and Sliding Mode Controller for the New 4D Chaotic Supply Chain Model Based on the Product Received by the Customer

Supply chains comprise various interconnected components like suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and customers, each with unique variables and interactions. Managing dynamic supply chains is highly challenging, particularly when considering various sources of risk factors. This paper extensively explores dynamical analysis and multistability analysis to understand nonlinear behaviors and pinpoint potential risks within supply chains. Different phase portraits are used to demonstrate the impact of various factors such as transportation risk, quality risk, distortion, contingency reserves, and safety stock on both customers and retailers. We introduced a sliding mode control method that computes the sliding surface and its derivative by considering the error and its derivative. The equivalent control law based on the sliding surface and its derivative is derived and validated for control purposes. Our results show that the controller SMC can significantly enhance supply chain stability and efficiency. This research provides a robust framework for understanding complex supply chain dynamics and offers practical solutions to enhance supply chain resilience and flexibility.

On implementing autonomous supply chains: A multi-agent system approach

Trade restrictions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical conflicts have significantly exposed vulnerabilities within traditional global supply chains. These events underscore the need for organisations to establish more resilient and flexible supply chains. To address these challenges, the concept of the autonomous supply chain (ASC), characterised by predictive and self-decision-making capabilities, has recently emerged as a promising solution. However, research on ASCs is relatively limited, with no existing studies specifically focusing on their implementations. This paper aims to address this gap by presenting an implementation of ASC using a multi-agent approach. It presents a methodology for the analysis and design of such an agent-based ASC system (A2SC). This paper provides a concrete case study, the autonomous meat supply chain, which showcases the practical implementation of the A2SC system using the proposed methodology. Additionally, a system architecture and a toolkit for developing such A2SC systems are presented. Despite limitations, this work demonstrates a promising approach for implementing an effective ASC system.

Resilience in supply chain management: lessons learned from disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic

The ravaging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global supply chains and its exposures of the vulnerabilities of the supply chain process has been examined in this paper. Importantly, the failure of supply chain resilience and the post-COVID-19 lessons necessitated the need to examine the need for resilience in supply chain management process. The paper examined the concept of resilience and its application in supply chain management, and covered strategies for developing resilience in supply chain management, which includes: identification and assessment of associated risks, diversification of supply chain channels, enhancing collaborations and effective communication among stakeholders, inventory management and supply chain flexibility, technology adoption and digitalization, scenario planning and simulations, as well as robust continuity planning. The paper also identified the challenges of supply chain resilience building. The paper provides valuable insights into how organizations can better handle future supply chain operations by considering the intrinsic development of resilience, which will enable them to better withstand and quickly recover from future disruptions.

Fuzzy-FMEA Theory Approach for Prioritizing Supply Chain Nervousness Factors

Global supply chain shocks and interruptions underscore the importance of supply chain nervousness (SCN). A clear understanding of nervousness in the event of a crisis allows an organization to make a good plan to deal with interruptions and future shocks. This study aims to develop a model for assessing nervousness parameters in the supply chains (SCs) by incorporating the fuzzy-FMEA theory and gray correlation approach to rank the SCN factors. The integrated model used in this study can improve the accuracy of outcomes when uncertainty exists in the SCN data. The results show that the most important nervousness factors are SC planning, visibility, stability, decision support systems, and SC flexibility. The developed SCN approach allows understanding and prioritizing SCN factors with more realistic and effective assessment. Findings offer beneficial insights for SCN prevention, and suggestions are made to identify nervousness mitigations. The outcomes of this research can be used by researchers and SC specialists to develop decision support systems.

Role of supply chain partnership, cross-functional integration, responsiveness and resilience on competitive advantages: empirical evidence from Palestine

PurposeThe external business environment of the organization is always changing at a rapid pace. For a firm to adapt to changing client requirements, it must implement the right business procedures and strategies. To improve competitive advantage, this study investigates the roles that supply chain partnerships, cross-functional integration, responsiveness and resilience play in achieving competitive advantages in Palestine.Design/methodology/approachIndustrial institutions in Palestine constitute the study population. Data are collected by distributing surveys via Google Forms linked to manufacturers in industries such as the Leather and shoe Industry, metal industries, chemical industries, construction industries, textile industries, stone and marble industries, pharmaceutical industry, veterinary industry, food industry, plastic industry, paper industry, major advantages and disadvantages. The SEM-PLS approach is used to analyze the data.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that supply chain responsiveness, resilience and cooperation are all improved by cross-functional integration in inventory data integration and immediate operation. Supply chain partnerships improve the supply chain’s responsiveness, resilience and competitive advantage by involving partners in work teams and exchanging best practices. The enhancement of supply chain resilience and competitive advantage is influenced by the company’s capacity to act promptly in response to variations in demands.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper faces some limitations and it can be drawn as follows: To enhance supply chain risk management, the study continues to concentrate on manufacturing organizations that have internal integration. It also emphasizes the necessity of supply chain integration, which establishes direct connections with outside partners.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study suggest some policy implications, as follows: To provide the manufacturing sector with a competitive edge, operations supervisors must be able to track and assess processes to ensure they are meeting demand. Firms that possess the ability to adjust to novel procedures or advancements in technology gain a competitive edge by guaranteeing consistent and high-quality delivery of products.Originality/valueBy implementing IT integration, this study theoretically and practically advances the understanding of the resource-based view of competitive advantages. This study focuses on providing insights into the nature of the relationship between supply chain partnership, cross-functional integration, responsiveness and flexibility and competitive advantages in the manufacturing sector in the Palestinian market.

Russian Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Challenges and Relevant Solutions

Relevance of the research. The article considers a forced paradigm shift and systemic restructuring of Russian logistics due to the introduction of sanctions barriers and partial trade blockade, which, in addition to restricting Russian exports and imports, threatens digital technological transformations in supply chain management and occurs against the backdrop of tightening international environmental requirements for business activities, including logistics.The purpose of the research is to review changes taking place in Russian logistics and to analyze corresponding solutions for supply chain management.Design, methods, information base. The methodological framework of the research consists of fundamentals of logistics and supply chain management, elements of economic systems digital development concept and basic principles of ecological economics. The main research methods are collecting information from secondary sources, practicing experts in-depth interviewing, specialists surveying, computer content and PESTEL analysis. The methodological basis is formed by the basics of logistics and supply chain management, elements of the concept of digital development of economic systems and basic principles of ecological economy. The information base of the research consisted of interview transcripts, survey results, bibliographic documents, and Internet text files.Findings. As a result of the work, external challenges and influencing factors are identified, internal processes, drivers and trends characteristic of Russian logistics and supply chain management today are identified and described. Relevant decisions made by Russian logisticians in the current period are systematized and evaluated. The flexibility and sustainability of supply chains was confirmed, as well as the high adaptability of Russian logistics to radical transformation of business environment and operating conditions.Originality/value of the research. The study showed that despite the deglobalization of Russian logistics, it remains possible to manage any cargo delivery to Russia from anywhere in the world. The material may be useful both to Russian logistics practitioners and to persons studying or teaching the discipline “Logistics”.

Frugal Innovation Strategies and Supply Chain Performance of Food and Beverage Firms in South-South Nigeria

This study explored frugal innovation strategies and supply chain performance of food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. It critically analyzed the dimensions of frugal innovation strategies (value innovation, cost cutting advancement and technological innovation) and relate them to supply chain performance measures (product availability, on-time delivery and supply chain flexibility) of food and beverage firms. The study applied the positivist research philosophy and correlational research design. The population of this study comprised 82 registered food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. The sample size consisted of 68 food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. The Taro Yamene’s formula was used to determine the sample size for the study. The sampling unit consisted of managers of the selected food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection in this study. The data collected were analyzed statistically while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) was used to test the formulated hypotheses. The SPSS software program version 24 was used to correlate the data collected on the study variables. The findings revealed that value innovation has a significant relationship with product availability, on-time delivery and supply chain flexibility of food and beverage firms. This study also revealed that cost cutting advancement has significant relationship with product availability, on-time delivery and supply chain flexibility of food and beverage firms. The study equally revealed that technological innovation has a significant relationship with product availability, on-time delivery and supply chain flexibility of food and beverage firms. Based on these findings, it was concluded that frugal innovation strategies such as value innovation, cost cutting advancement and technological innovation are significant predictors of supply chain performance of food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. Based on the findings and conclusion, it was recommended that food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria should adopt frugal innovation strategies as it would improve their supply chain performance.

Strategies for Smart Manufacturing Industry 5.0: High Quality Development for the Future

The proposal of Industry 5.0 is an effort and attempt to shape a new type of industrialization using human defined values. The core elements of Industry 5.0, including human centeredness, sustainable development, and resilience, are all different forms of high-quality development. This article proposes four corporate value innovation strategies - rainforest strategy, wetland strategy, grassland strategy, and oasis strategy - to provide management suggestions for traditional manufacturing enterprises to shift to smart manufacturing Industry 5.0. Human-robot collaboration, AI and machine learning, IoT and cyber-physical systems, sustainable manufacturing, human-centered workplace designs, resilient and flexible supply chains, and digital twin and simulation technologies are covered in the text. This article presents a detailed plan for the shift towards Industry 5.0, emphasizing the advantages and real-world uses of these sophisticated production techniques. On the new journey, what kind of response can smart manufacturing Industry 5.0 makes and how can they make forward-looking strategic preparations?

Economic Growth and Spatial Analysis in Transport Corridors: A Preliminary Review

Abstract The construction and development of international transport corridors have become a means of cross-border space governance, promoting the flexibility of international industrial chains and supply chains. Due to the uncertainty of cooperation, the development of international transport corridors entails a long-term and complex system of engineering. Transport corridors can generate wider economic benefits and costs through their effects on a potentially diverse set of development outcomes, such as economic growth, poverty, jobs, equity, environmental quality, and economic resilience. The focus on roads, rails, and waterways is justified, as transport corridors based on these modes have clearer potential for economic spillovers than, for example, airline routes. The current paper describes a multi-method approach involving spatial and non-spatial analysis to investigate spatial disparity along a proposed corridor and examine its integration within the existing settlement structure. The conceptual structure for the review is guided by a simple canonical model describing the policy maker’s problem in maximizing the net wider economic benefits of corridors. The meta-analysis confirms that characteristics of individual studies, as well as the placement and design of transport infrastructures, systematically influence the findings of corridor studies. It also shows that, on average, estimated impacts of corridor interventions on economic welfare and equity tend to be beneficial, while they are often detrimental to environmental quality, and possibly also to social inclusion.

A Decision Support Model for Barriers and Optimal Strategy Design in Sustainable Humanitarian Supply Chain Management

Sustainable humanitarian supply chain (SHSC) management enables effective and efficient responses to natural and human-made disasters. Existing literature falls short of offering decision support (DS) models to address the barriers and strategies to designing SHSC. To this end, this study develops a DS model that identifies and prioritizes the barriers to SHSC and determines optimal strategies for mitigating those barriers. This study adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches. As part of the qualitative approach, a field study was applied using in-depth interviews to determine the barriers and corresponding strategies, while under the quantitative approach, a quality function deployment (QFD) integrated optimization technique was used to prioritize barriers and determine optimal strategies to mitigate the SHSC barriers. The study found that a lack of contingency planning, the prevalence of corruption and political interference, and a lack of social and environmental awareness are the most important barriers, while logistics outsourcing, supply chain (SC) performance management, and SC flexibility are the most essential strategies. We also found that our DS model is highly flexible and can be adapted under different scenarios, which makes the model applicable to different contexts. This study has a significant contribution to literature and practice. We developed a novel decision model that captured cost savings and leveraged both cost and time savings from interrelated strategies to determine the best optimal strategy while applying QFD-integrated optimization modeling. The paper’s findings will assist humanitarian SC managers in designing an effective, efficient, and sustainable humanitarian SC.

Analyzing Industry 4.0 Adoption Enablers for Supply Chain Flexibility: Impacts on Resilience and Sustainability

Analyzing Industry 4.0 Adoption Enablers for Supply Chain Flexibility: Impacts on Resilience and Sustainability

The mediating role of information integration: information technology capabilities and supply chain resilience in Ugandan agro-food processing firms

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the relationship between information technology (IT) capabilities, information integration and supply chain resilience within the context of a developing country.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a structured questionnaire survey, the study collected cross-sectional data from 205 agro-food processing firms in Uganda, drawn from a sample of 248. The data were subsequently analyzed using SPSS version 27 to validate the hypothesized relationships.FindingsThe study findings revealed that IT capabilities and information integration are positively and significantly associated with supply chain resilience. Moreover, it established a positive and significant link between IT capabilities and information integration. The results further revealed both IT capabilities and information integration account for 62.2% of the variance in supply chain resilience (SCRES) in agro-food processing firms in Uganda. Notably, the findings revealed the partial mediating role of information integration, addressing the need to understanding the mechanisms through which IT capabilities influence SCRES.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, the study used a cross-sectional design which makes it difficult to test causality. Some of the study variables need to be studied over time due to their inherent behavioral elements such as collaboration and information sharing. Hence, future research that could, where possible, collect longitudinal data on the study variables would add value to the findings. Second, the study was limited to agro-food processing firms in Uganda in selected districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and Jinja. Further research needs to be done in other sectors such as service industry and other geographical locations in Uganda and other developing economies to provide more generality of the findings. Third, the study was based on IT capabilities, information integration and supply chain resilience. There are other variables that affect supply chain resilience such as business continuity planning strategy, interactions between teams within an organization in building resilience, supply chain velocity, system orientation and flexibility among others which can be interesting for further research.Practical implicationsManagers are advised to motivate their IT-related personnel. Efficient use of IT systems by staff, especially who are skillful at self-study, enhances their ability to respond to disruptions accordingly. This enhances SCRES. Additionally, to get feedback from supply chain stakeholders, agro-food processing firms should assess the quality of their supply chain services through using IT capabilities as well as integrating their information.Originality/valueThis study contributes to existing literature by adopting information processing perspective to provide an empirical understanding of IT capabilities and information integration as key resources and capabilities essential for information processing in building SCRES. Furthermore, the study introduces the novel insight of the mediating role of information integration as a pathway in which IT capabilities enhance SCRES in agro-food processing firms in Uganda.