Global Value Chains Research Articles

Comprehensive framework for data fusion in distributed ledger technologies to enhance supply chain sustainability

This review proposes a comprehensive framework that integrates data fusion with Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) to enhance sustainability in supply chain management. In today’s global supply chains, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and environmental responsibility is critical, yet the lack of real-time visibility and data fragmentation presents significant challenges. The framework addresses these issues by merging data from multiple sources, including IoT devices, operational databases, and external environmental factors, using advanced data fusion algorithms. DLT, with its decentralized, immutable, and transparent nature, ensures the integrity and security of the data, allowing all stakeholders to access accurate and tamper-proof information. The fusion of data within a DLT infrastructure not only improves traceability and accountability but also enables the automation of sustainability checks via smart contracts. These contracts can trigger actions based on predefined sustainability metrics such as carbon emissions, energy consumption, and resource efficiency. Furthermore, predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms integrated into the system provide real-time monitoring and optimization of sustainability performance throughout the supply chain. The proposed review offers numerous benefits, including enhanced transparency, reduced operational costs, improved sustainability outcomes, and risk mitigation. It also addresses challenges such as scalability, data privacy, and regulatory compliance, offering solutions to overcome these hurdles. By exploring case studies of successful implementations, this review demonstrates the practical applications and future potential of combining DLT and data fusion for sustainable supply chain management, positioning it as a critical tool for organizations aiming to meet environmental and regulatory demands in an increasingly digital and eco-conscious world.

Global Value Chain Participation in the Agricultural Sector and Its Impact on Food Security

Global Value Chain Participation in the Agricultural Sector and Its Impact on Food Security

Developing cultural awareness competencies in purchasing and supply management education

AbstractThis paper examines the evolving demands of purchasing and supply management (PSM) education, especially in addressing topics that have gained prominence in global supply chains. One such topic is cultural awareness. However, despite its critical relevance in today's global landscape, the topic is often underrepresented in PSM curricula. This gap is further compounded by the unique learning preferences of Generation‐Z, who are less inclined toward traditional “reading and writing” methods, presenting additional challenges for educators in teaching such complex topics. This underscores the need for innovative teaching strategies that engage students and improve knowledge retention. We propose employing an Entertainment‐Education approach by integrating movies into PSM courses. We describe a specifically tailored activity for a PSM course that includes a movie available on an over‐the‐top platform implemented at two state universities in the United States. The outcomes from both universities offer evidence supporting the development of cultural understanding within the PSM domain among the students. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of movies as educational tools, our research is one of the first within the PSM domain to investigate their potential for cultivating cultural awareness, thereby paving the way for further research into the role of movies in PSM education.

Status, Challenges and Prospects of Policies Related to the Green Economy

Amidst the backdrop of globalization, the international community has increasingly focused on green economy policies, recognizing them as crucial instruments for advancing sustainable development. With the green and low-carbon transformation of the global industrial chain supply chain, the green economy and trade have become an important symbol for measuring the trade competitiveness of a country or region. Green economy policies are not only related to the process of global environmental governance but also have a direct impact on the green transformation of countries’ economic landscapes and the reshaping of international competitiveness. Amid escalating environmental challenges, the concern over leveraging green economic policies to foster harmonious economic and environmental development has emerged as a significant matter for governmental and international entities. This paper will focus on analyzing the relevant theories of the green economy, the status of its development, and the challenges it is currently facing. By analyzing the different cases of developed and developing countries in promoting the development of a green economy, we will take an in-depth look at the bottlenecks in the development of a green economy and the prospects for its future development, and reveal the specific challenges faced by different countries, as well as the innovative strategies they have adopted in promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth.

Why Civilizations Collapse: The Cruciality of Social Solidarity and the Dangers of Its Absence

This essay examines the complexities of civilizational collapse, proposing that it is not a singular event but a prolonged process driven by internal conflicts and external threats. It begins by defining the concept of collapse and uses historian Jared Diamond’s perspective to analyze how internal strife, such as loss of cultural identity, conflicting ideologies, and political division, can initiate the decline of a civilization due to a fragmentation of social solidarity. The essay then uses historical examples of the Islamic and Roman Empires to illustrate the importance of social solidarity for the survival of civilizations. It also discusses the internal challenges faced by modern civilization, including issues brought about by globalization, political polarization, East-West conflicts, global supply chain shortages, and how these factors can erode solidarity, posing a risk of collapse to the contemporary “world civilization.” The essay concludes by highlighting that internal conflicts and the absence of social solidarity are the primary causes of civilizational collapse, a theory that remains relevant for understanding the challenges faced by the global civilization today.

Historical Friction: Pacing Ourselves in HCI

This forum focuses on the conditions and futures of the labor underpinning technology production and maintenance. We welcome standalone articles as well as interviews and conversations about all tech labor within the global supply chain of digital technologies. --- Seyram Avle and Sarah Fox, Editors

Sailing along the global tobacco supply chain: public health insights of innovative database project

Abstract Background Tobacco control commonly focuses on reducing tobacco demand rather than tobacco supply. This paper presents findings from a major four-year project on the tobacco supply chain. Transnational Tobacco and Leaf Companies (TTLCs) and other tobacco supply chain companies argue that provision of livelihoods, exports and corporate social responsibility (CSR) exonerates tobacco. Our objective was to consider these claims. Methods This paper presents the results of three studies: a literature review and two analyses of data from the innovative Tobacco Supply Chain Database (TSCD). Study 1: A scoping review of academic literature (n = 124 papers) reviewing how the tobacco supply chain embeds the tobacco industry as a development actor. Study 2: The statistical association between countries hosting TTLC subsidiaries (TSCD) and TTLC interference in health policy (Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index) was analysed (n = 76 countries). Study 3: Document and website analysis of TSCD non-TTLC tobacco supply chain companies comparing descriptions of CSR and tobacco supply chain involvement (n = 80 companies). Results Study 1: Although there are instances of advantages of involvement in the tobacco supply chain, TTLCs tends to be associated with declines in tobacco workers’ income, equality, quality of life (cultural and health and wellbeing) and nations’ environment and economy. Study 2: Countries that hosted more TTLCs had more policy interference (farming subsidiaries p=.046, tobacco product manufacturing subsidiaries p=.008). Study 3: Non-TTLC companies often lack transparency regarding their connection to tobacco. For example, 68% linked to CSR activity on their homepage whereas only 16% linked to involvement in the tobacco supply chain. Conclusions Tobacco supply chain involvement is detrimental to public health, the environment and governance. Countries and companies should seek to extricate themselves from the tobacco supply chain. Key messages • Tobacco supply chain involvement weakens public health governance despite CSR activities. Lack of transparency on supply chain involvement by companies is thus a concern. • The new Tobacco Supply Chain Database illuminates previously hidden areas of the tobacco supply chain: the location of tobacco industry subsidiaries and presence of independent companies.

Critical factors to adopt sustainable agrifood supply chain management in developing countries: The case of Ethiopian coffee industry

AbstractGlobal agrifood supply chains are under increasing pressure to address sustainability issues due to growing concerns. However, numerous organizations within the agrifood industry are struggling to incorporate sustainable supply chain management practices and address the concerns. Therefore, this research is designed to identify the key critical factors, such as drivers, enablers, and barriers to adopting sustainable practices. This study considers the Ethiopian coffee industry, which is an important sector not only for the Ethiopian economy but also for the global agrifood supply chain. To accomplish the objectives of this study, we applied a systematic literature review and empirical survey. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify critical factors for adopting sustainability in agrifood supply chains. An empirical survey was then undertaken in the Ethiopian coffee industry to rank the key critical factors. Hence, the study has revealed that economic and productivity improvement, cost effectiveness and improvement in the overall performance, and difficulty in mindset and cultural changes as the key critical factors that determine the adoption of sustainability initiatives from the perspectives of the Ethiopian coffee supply chain. The findings can be used as input by government regulatory bodies and policymakers to craft strategies and policies to adopt sustainability initiatives and ensure sustainable development. Furthermore, the research is expected to contribute to the existing literature by bringing in the perspective of suppliers in developing countries.

Integrating Resource-Based Theory and Contingency Theory for Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience in Malaysia: A Post-Pandemic Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted global supply chains, exposed their vulnerabilities and underscored the urgent need for enhanced resilience. In Malaysia, the pandemic's impact on supply chains has been profound, prompting a re-evaluation of existing strategies and frameworks. This study explores the integration of Resource-Based Theory (RBT) and Contingency Theory (CT) to enhance supply chain resilience in Malaysia. Through in-depth case studies and semi-structured interviews with senior managers and supply chain professionals, this research identifies key factors contributing to the successful implementation of an integrated resilience framework. The findings reveal that firms leveraging advanced technology, skilled workforce, and strategic partnerships can maintain operational efficiency and adaptability. Context-specific strategies such as diversifying suppliers, local sourcing, strategic stockpiling, and flexible logistics solutions are essential in responding to disruptions. Common challenges include high initial costs, coordination issues, regulatory hurdles, and cultural resistance to change. The integration of RBT and CT results in improved supply chain visibility, flexibility, robustness, and stakeholder collaboration. This study contributes to the academic discourse by offering practical insights for firms seeking to enhance supply chain resilience. It underscores the importance of combining internal strengths with adaptive strategies tailored to the external environment. The findings provide valuable guidance for both academia and industry in developing more robust and adaptive supply chain strategies in the post-pandemic landscape. Future research should explore the integration of RBT and CT across different contexts and industries and investigate the role of emerging technologies in enhancing supply chain resilience.

Trade Wars and Tariff Policies: Long-Term effects on Global Trade and Economic Relationship

Trade wars and Tariff policies have become serious concerns defining and affecting global trade and economic relations in the 21st century. These policies characterized by the use of tariffs and other trade barriers have impacted the world beyond just the economic or financial effect between countries involved. The paper focuses on the long-term effect of trade wars and tariff policies on global trade and economic relationship between countries. Using historical and modern trade war scenarios such as USA-China trade war, the study indicates that disruption of global supply chain, volatility of financial market, and impact on specific sectors of the country economy such as agriculture are some of the long-term impacts of these policies on global trade. In terms of the impact on economic relationship between countries, the study highlights creation of new trade agreements and diversification of trade partnership as possible effects on economic relationship between countries. It is therefore imperative for countries to diversify their trade relationship by adopting initiatives against the effects of trade war. The study concludes that while national measures could bring some political and economic results in the short term, it is important to note that global prosperity cannot be long-lasting without cooperative and stable international trade policies.

This is going to hurt: Weather anomalies, supply chain pressures and inflation

As climate change accelerates, the frequency and severity of extreme weather events are expected to worsen and have greater adverse consequences for ecosystems, physical infrastructure, and economic activity across the world. This paper investigates how weather anomalies affect global supply chains and inflation dynamics. Using monthly data for six large and well-diversified economies (China, the Euro area, Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States) over the period 1997–2021, we implement a structural vector autoregressive model and document that weather anomalies could disrupt supply chains and subsequently lead to inflationary pressures. Our results—based on the monthly data and robust to alternative estimation methodologies—show that these effects vary across countries, depending on the severity of weather shocks and vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. The impact of weather shocks on supply chains and inflation dynamics is likely to become more pronounced with accelerating climate change that can have heterogeneous effects. These findings have important policy implications. Central bankers should consider the impact of weather anomalies on supply chains and inflation dynamics to prevent entrenching second-round effects and de-anchoring of inflation expectations. More directly, however, governments can invest more for climate change adaptation to strengthen critical infrastructure and thereby minimize supply chain disruptions.

Global Supply Chain Information Sharing Platforms: Challenges, Opportunities, and Trends

With the deepening process of globalization, the rapid development of information technology and the diversification of logistics methods, supply chain management faces increasingly complex challenges. This study explores the future development trends, challenges and opportunities of information sharing platforms in global supply chains. In global supply chains, information sharing platforms are of great significance. It facilitates real-time data exchange and collaboration among supply chain segments and help improve supply chain transparency, flexibility and efficiency. However, global supply chain information sharing faces many challenges, including problems in information security, technical standards, cultural differences, and laws and regulations. In response to these challenges, this paper proposes future directions for developing a global supply chain information sharing platform, including digitization, automation, cross-platform cross-border collaboration, data security and privacy protection, application of new technologies, and flexibility and adaptability. This study provides useful insights and guidance for future global supply chain management by exploring the global supply chain information sharing platform.

The effects of global product design on supply chain efficiency and natural resources management

The significance of global product design as a primary factor in determining supply chain efficiency and natural resource management. This study examines the impact of global product design changes on process and supply chain practices. Specifically, it seeks to understand in promoting sustainable practices across global supply chains. This study, utilizes the fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods to evaluate the criteria, sub-criteria, and various significant opportunities influencing sustainable product design and supply chain management. The fuzzy AHP method is used to assess the key criteria and their respective sub-criteria. The fuzzy TOPSIS method is used to rank the opportunities in driving sustainable practices across global supply chains. The results of fuzzy AHP show that innovation and product differentiation (C4), economic viability (C1), and supply chain efficiency (C5) are the crucial criteria. While the results of fuzzy TOPSIS present that supply chain transparency (O2) is the most suitable opportunity, followed by circular economy practices (O1) and policy advocacy and compliance (O6) in adopting global product design on supply chain efficiency and natural resources management. Thus, this study is highly relevant to the governments, industry specialists, and policymakers who aim at enhancing the dynamic business environment and sustainable development.

Navigating Complexity: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This editorial introduces a special issue dedicated to exploring sustainable supply chains through an interdisciplinary lens, incorporating theories from International Relations (IR) to better understand the complexities of global logistics in an era marked by significant geopolitical shifts. As the demand for sustainable business practices grows, this issue highlights innovative research that integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations into supply chain management. The contributions within this issue apply a mix of realist and liberalist IR perspectives to dissect the dynamics of global and local supply chain strategies, focusing on industries such as shipping and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in supply chain practices.

Strategic Innovations in Apple's Supply Chain Management: Objectives, Methods, and Strategies for Navigating Global Market Challenges

This study looks at global supply chain risks and remedies in the context of Apple Inc.'s supply chain, which is renowned for being efficient and complicated. Apple's supply chain management strategy (SCM) optimizes costs and efficiency by integrating the planning and control of manufacturing, distribution, and sales. Efficient worldwide product delivery and very high operational standards are guaranteed by centralized strategic decision-making and collaboration with key suppliers like Foxconn. The report emphasizes how Apple uses cutting-edge logistics technology to reduce risks like supply interruptions and geopolitical unrest, which are becoming more common in today's international marketplace. Additionally, the study holds that in order to gain a long-term market competitiveness and manage a more uncertain external environment, today's smart device and electronic equipment manufacturers represented by Apple need to embrace the wave of digital transformation and increase resilience through strategic innovation and the construction of ethical and sustainable supply chains. This entails building morally and environmentally sound supply networks as well as implementing strategic innovations that increase supply chain resilience. Businesses that use this approach not only mitigate short-term risks but also establish a strong basis for sustained prosperity, guaranteeing their ability to adjust and prosper in the dynamic international arena.

Examining the role of national governance capacity in building the global low-carbon agricultural supply chains

The majority of related research has traditionally focused on examining the individual influences of national governance capacity and technological innovation on carbon emissions and economic performance, neglecting the effects and influence mechanisms on carbon efficiency within agricultural supply chains, which is not conducive to advancing a low-carbon transition that includes agricultural concerns. This study addresses these gaps by investigating the correlation between national governance capacity (considering voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence/terrorism, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law and corruption control) and agricultural supply chain carbon efficiency and investigating the influence mechanism and mediating role of technological innovation. The relevant findings are twofold. 1) The impact of national governance capacity and its components on agricultural carbon efficiency follows an inverted U-shaped curve. 2) Technological innovation can act as a mediator between national governance capacity and select factors of voice and accountability, government effectiveness and regulatory quality to enhance agricultural supply chain carbon efficiency. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and managers in agricultural supply chain enterprises seeking to transition towards low-carbon agriculture.

Development of novel DNA aptamers and colorimetric nanozyme aptasensor for targeting multi-drug-resistant, invasive Salmonella typhimurium strain SMC25

Invasive, biofilm-forming Non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS), propagating through the global food and water supply chain, presents a significant risk to food safety and public health. Developing a robust detection system is crucial for enabling point-of-care, affordable, and equipment-free identification of this pathogen throughout the supply chain. In this study, we screened a novel pool of ssDNA aptamers specific to a multidrug resistant iNTS strain SMC25, previously isolated from Indian poultry products in our earlier research. Through 13 rounds of whole-cell SELEX, we identified, characterized, and selected seven full-length aptamers (ST18, ST19, ST25, ST28, ST29, ST31, and ST32). Flow cytometric analysis reveals superior binding of ST25, ST28, ST29, and ST31. These aptamers were translated onto Nanozyme-based aptasensing system for efficient, cost-effective detection of SMC25. This system harnesses the aptamer-mediated, reversible peroxidase-like activity of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to oxidize the TMB substrate into a one-electron oxidation state, resulting in a blue-colored Diamine charge transfer complex (DCTC). The catalytic process, coupled with GNP aggregation, induces a visible color change in the test mixture from ruby-red to blue. Post-SELEX truncations identified the optimal aptamer sequence (T_ST31), which selectively detected SMC25 in water with a limit of detection (LOD) of ∼10⁴ CFU/mL. Lower concentrations (10 CFU/mL) of SMC25 could be detected after non-selective enrichment within 120 min. This research introduces a novel pool of iNTS-specific aptamers along with a cost-effective (0.25 USD per sample) solution for colorimetric detection by the naked eye.

The hidden abode of artificial intelligence production: Stretching the limits of artificial intelligence ethics and critique

The present article aims to discuss the possibility of including the sphere of artificial intelligence production within the domain of artificial intelligence ethics and investigate its moral implications. In the first section, the role of human labour in the artificial intelligence production processes is considered, with particular reference to the distinction between high-skilled and low-skilled jobs, their differential distribution in the production process itself, and the labour conditions of ghost workers, in order to analyse the main ethical issues emerging within the field. In the second section, some aspects of the existing critical literature concerning artificial intelligence and labour are discussed, focusing on Marxist and decolonial scholarship and more precisely on its lack of consideration of the global value chain through which artificial intelligence AI production processes are structured. Finally, the possibility and limits of an ethics of artificial intelligence production are reconsidered by assuming the centrality of workers’ struggles and agency along artificial intelligence's global value chain.

Financial Constraints and Firms’ Productivity: The Role of Participation in Global Value Chains

Financial Constraints and Firms’ Productivity: The Role of Participation in Global Value Chains

Evolution and sustainability analysis of global tungsten trade pattern from the perspective of industry chain

Tungsten is an irreplaceable primary material and strategic resource for national economic development and modern national defense security. The endowment of tungsten ore resources in various countries is different; we should not only focus on the availability of tungsten ore itself but also the sustainability of its entire process from upstream supply to downstream industry demand. Analyzing the evolution of the supply and demand patterns of tungsten ore trade from the perspective of the industrial chain, identifying the key supply and demand subjects, and exploring the influencing factors of trade has become an important research topic. Therefore, we construct global tungsten trade networks based on the industrial chain, analyze its overall characteristics, explore critical trade supply and demand entities, and identify China’s trade position. We got some meaningful results: (1) The global tungsten trade networks have prominent power-law distribution characteristics. The trend of trade globalization is evident, but the dominance is still in the hands of a few developed countries or developing countries with developed manufacturing industries. (2) In different parts of the tungsten industry chain, the impact of resource endowment, industrial technology level, and geographical location on the country’s trade role is different. (3) China’s position in the global tungsten resource industry chain and value chain is constantly improving, but there is still a risk of high-end technology being “stuck.” This provides some suggestions for the systematic understanding of the evolution of the trade pattern of the tungsten industry chain and how countries occupy a dominant position in the game of tungsten resources.