Global Value Chains Research Articles

Optimizing pharmaceutical inventory management: A global framework for efficiency and cost reduction

Pharmaceutical inventory management is critical in ensuring continuous drug availability and cost efficiency in healthcare institutions globally. However, maintaining optimal inventory levels is challenging due to factors such as overstocking, stockouts, and global supply chain disruptions. This paper reviews best practices for efficient pharmaceutical inventory management, emphasizing the integration of data analytics and predictive models to forecast demand, reduce waste, and streamline procurement. It explores strategies for implementing unified inventory systems across diverse healthcare settings, balancing cost efficiency with uninterrupted drug availability. Additionally, the paper examines the impact of global supply chain disruptions on pharmaceutical supply and recommends solutions for building resilience. Through real-world examples and recommendations for future improvements, this review highlights the potential for enhanced global inventory management practices to reduce costs while ensuring the continuous availability of essential medications. Keywords: Pharmaceutical Inventory Management, Data Analytics, Cost Efficiency, Predictive Models, Supply Chain Resilience, Drug Availability

Middle spacepowers’ integration with the global supply chain for the space industry: Taiwan and Thailand

Abstract Space as a domain of economic and security competition between great powers has risen to become an arena of active statecraft for middle powers in the twenty-first century. It has set a high-stake stage for not only continuing struggles for catch-up industrialization of late developers but also offering opportunities to capture commercial gains of technological breakthroughs and globalization of markets. We examine these challenges for Taiwan and Thailand, surveying major trends in the emerging space industry and exploring four analytical perspectives on how government-business relations shape adaptive national industrial policies in high-technology sectors with proliferating end-users. We argue that the Asian developmental state model is evolving in response to specific challenges of a global supply chain for commercial space activities dominated by leading space firms and government regulatory actions in the United States. Significant differences in Taiwan’s and Thailand’s space and industrial policy approaches will likely create divergent technological trajectories and reinforce current constraints on improving national security. The longer-term prospect for middle spacepowers remains contingent on the space race between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.

The resilience and determinants of global mineral resource supply chains: a network percolation perspective

Mineral resources are the basic materials for global economic development. Assessing mineral resource supply chain resilience is an important pillar of mineral resource supply chain stability management. The globality, heterogeneity and complexity of supply chain bring challenges to the resilience assessment of global mineral resource supply chain. To solve this problem, a method based on multi-region input-output model, network percolation model and econometric model is proposed, which is able to measure the resilience of global mineral resource supply chain and its influencing factors from the perspective of the whole system. The percolation phase transition is introduced to measure the critical state of global mineral resource supply chain system collapse facing external disruption. Using the proposed method, this paper conducts an empirical study on the evolution of global mineral resource supply chain resilience from 2005 to 2014. The results show that the resilience of global mineral resource supply chain declined by 39.6% in 2005–2014. Most of the critical links that caused the collapse of the global mineral resource supply chain network are the manufacturing sector and its upstream and downstream sectors. The structure of supply chain network plays a key role in network resilience. Increasing the number of linkages in upstream and downstream could improve network resilience, but the increase of linkage strength would deteriorate network resilience.

The Impact of Industrial Robot Applications on Global Value Chains Division Position

This paper surveys the GVC division position across forty-five countries and fourteen manufacturing sub-sectors during the period from 1999 to 2018 to illustrate the impact of applications of industrial robots on the GVC position. The study proves that an increasing level of utilization of industrial robots significantly improves the GVC division position in the manufacturing sector. By automating repetitive and precision tasks, robots enhance efficiency and productivity, therefore allowing deeper specialization in specific stages of the manufacturing process. This technological progress allows for a more connected global production network and hence better integration into GVC. The study also evaluates the spillover effects across value chains and the moderating impact of industrial agglomeration on smart manufacturing.The empirical results show that the application of industrial robots enhances productivity and encourages innovation in related sectors, thereby driving downstream industry growth and promoting industry specialization.Despite the improvement in GVC division positions, robots also contribute to making global value chains more diversified and resilient. Flexible and adaptive manufacturing systems can adapt to disruptions, such as pandemics and geopolitical tensions, ensuring continuity in production and increasing stability and competitiveness in smart manufacturing systems.

Purification of T7 RNA polymerase for large scale production of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics

The COVID-19 Pandemic has revolutionized the field of mRNA vaccine technology, highlighting its utility and rapidly expanding potential, propelling it to the forefront of future vaccines & therapeutics for cryptic diseases. T7 RNA Polymerase (T7 RNAP) is a high-fidelity enzyme used for the synthesis of single-stranded mRNA from DNA templates using In vitro transcription (IVT). T7 RNAP is now the mainstay for the development of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics, accounting for 34 % of the overall raw material cost for mRNA manufacturing. Although small-scale purification processes for T7 RNAP exist, scalable process platforms and comprehensive analytical characterization are still lacking. Moreover, to address global raw material supply chain issues and to facilitate the efficient and large-scale production of mRNA vaccines & therapeutics, here we report a three-step purification process platform, yielding ∼ 85–100 mg/L of T7 RNAP from E. coli fermentation harvest. Also, to demonstrate its high-level purity and structural integrity, we have characterized it using orthogonal analytical techniques. Furthermore, when evaluated in an IVT system, this highly pure T7 RNAP showed activity that was comparable to the commercial T7 RNAP in producing integral RNA (10 kb) from a linearized plasmid DNA template. Collectively, these findings establish a purification process platform for the commercial production of T7 RNAP enzyme to support the future development of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics.

Global Resilience in Transport and Logistics

This study aims to develop the Global Resilience In Transport-and-Logistics (GRIT) framework designed to reinforce the resilience of global supply chains against a variety of disruptions, from pandemics to geopolitical tensions and environmental challenges. It facilitates devising robust, adaptable logistics and transportation strategies that help mitigate the challenges of supply chain disruptions. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining a literature review with the conceptual foundation of the Stress and Strain model and the Theory of Graceful Extensibility. It adapts these concepts to the global transportation and logistics sector to develop the GRIT framework. The findings reveal the GRIT's potential in identifying critical areas for strategic intervention and thus enabling logistics managers to adeptly navigate disruptions. Through its application in a real-world scenario, the framework demonstrates its applicability and effectiveness in mitigating the impact of supply chain disruptions.

Export factoring in global supply chain: information updating and convertible contracts

In this article, we develop two export factoring models: recourse export factoring (RE) and non-recourse export factoring (NR), both incorporating credit risk and exchange rate risk. We also introduce a novel contract, convertible export factoring (CEF), which allows the supplier to switch from RE to NR (CR) or from NR to RE (CNR) at a designated time. We compare this contract with traditional export factoring contracts and assess the impact of updated exchange rate information on the supplier. Our findings indicate that when only RE and NR are available, suppliers often favor RE. Furthermore, CEF provides benefits to both the supplier and the buyer over traditional RE and NR contracts. For the supplier, the accuracy of updated exchange rate information can be beneficial, whether higher or lower. Similarly, the optimal timing for contract conversion may vary, making either an earlier or later conversion advantageous.

Extremely high levels of PBDEs in children’s toys from European markets: causes and implications for the circular economy

BackgroundWith the high influx of low-cost plastic toys on the market, there is growing concern about the safety of such toys. Some of these plastic toys contains hazardous chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) due to the use of recycled plastics in new toy manufacturing. Here, we investigated if toys marketed in Europe are compliant with EU directives to assess the safety of currently used children's toys and identify implications of PBDE content in toys.ResultsEighty-four toys purchased from international toy retailers were screened for bromine using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and 11 of those with bromine content higher than 500 µg/g were analyzed for ten PBDEs using GC–HRMS. PBDEs were detected in all 11 toys. Ʃ10PBDE concentrations ranged up to 23.5 mg/g (with a median concentration of 8.61 mg/g), with BDE-209 being the most abundant compound (4.40 mg/g). Eight samples exceeded the EU’s Low POP Content Limit (LPCL) of 500 µg/g for the Ʃ10PBDEs by 6–47 times and the Unintentional Trace Contaminant (UTC) limits of 10 µg/g for Deca-BDE by 12–800 times.ConclusionsPBDEs were up to percent levels, suggesting direct recycling of flame retarded plastic, e.g., e-waste plastics, into toy components. This is a call for concern and requires intervention from all stakeholders involved in the toy market. Overall, the occurrence of non-compliant toys in the EU market, as indicated in this study is primarily attributed to gaps in regulations, inadequate legislation for recycled plastics, the rise of online sales, complexities in global and national supply chains, and economic challenges. Failure to address these issues will hinder the efforts of the plastics industry to transition into a circular economy. This suggests that more actions are needed to address gaps in cross-border enforcement, and stricter sanctions are required for toy manufacturers who fail to adhere to regulations and safety standards.

War in foreign lands, hunger at home

The war between Russia and Ukraine pitted two major agricultural countries and threatened the African continent with food insecurity and hunger. The war came at a time when the world was emerging from another global challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant effects of distorted food prices and disruptions of the food supply chain. Informed by the analysis of the literature available on the Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar databases and grey literature from United Nations (UN) agencies, this study explores the challenges that emanated from the global problem of conflict and its implications on food security and the fight against hunger in Africa. The study found that the Russo-Ukrainian war exposed the lack of progress in Africa towards the fight to eliminate hunger. The consequences of the war have been aggravated by this lack of progress towards achieving zero hunger in many African countries. The war disrupted the global supply chain and threatened Africa with hunger as the continent experienced food shortages, food inflation and general commodity price volatility.

The labour share along global value chains: perspectives and evidence from sectoral interdependence

The labour share along global value chains: perspectives and evidence from sectoral interdependence

Global value chain approach and micro-level analysis: a innovative framework of analytical elements and future research opportunities

Global value chain approach and micro-level analysis: a innovative framework of analytical elements and future research opportunities

Analysis of Earnings Quality and Enterprise Valuation of Microsoft by Earnings Quality and Residual Income Model

Artificial intelligence has had a remarkable influence in recent years and has developed many revolutionary solutions in many industries. OpenAI’s ChatGPT is one of the most popular products in this trend. As the largest stockholder of OpenAI, Microsoft has committed itself to integrating artificial intelligence into its primary products, like Microsoft Office and Azure. Although Microsoft experienced a continuous slump in stock in 2022, Microsoft’s current stock price has broken through $400 per share. This paper aims to conduct a financial analysis and forecast Microsoft’s future growth to figure out Microsoft’s intrinsic value. This article uses earnings quality analysis and residual income model to evaluate Microsoft’s financial performance and conduct valuation. Microsoft’s Cash Conversion Cycle has become negative since 2021, so Microsoft can reinvest the cash it receives from sales before using it to pay suppliers. The present value of the continuing value in the Residual Income Model indicates that Microsoft is undervalued compared to the current stock price. Economic conditions and the global supply chain will also influence investors’ expectations, except for quantitative factors. Therefore, Microsoft's stock price fluctuates and does not exceed the forecasted price. This article offers some insights on Microsoft and relevant industry valuation analysis.

The Impact of a New Container Port on the Greenhouse Gas Pollution

Abstract Background Large vessels that call at European ports will have to pay for their CO2 emissions from transporting cargo that enters or goes from a European port since January 2024. The costs will increase with increasing global trade. This results in a higher pollution level, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions like CO2. Methods/ Approach Based on the gravity model embedded in a global supply chain, we developed a model to evaluate maritime transport pollution in case a new, sufficiently large container port becomes operational. Additionally, we consider how lousy railway connections to European customers increase transportation costs and pollution. Results The approach to the well-connected sequences of gravity models in the intercontinental maritime chains evaluates the differences in quantities of cargo between ports when a new port is opened, and the waiting time does not change. We also highlight that poor rail connections can reduce this positive effect. Conclusions We showed how it is possible to estimate the optimal capacity of a new port with a multi-level gravity model and how this would affect the pollution around the port and on the routes from the port to the final consumers.

Promising Phytogenic Feed Additives Used as Anti-Mycotoxin Solutions in Animal Nutrition.

Mycotoxins are a major threat to animal and human health, as well as to the global feed supply chain. Among them, aflatoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone, T-2 toxins, deoxynivalenol, and Alternaria toxins are the most common mycotoxins found in animal feed, with genotoxic, cytotoxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic effects that concern the animal industry. The chronic negative effects of mycotoxins on animal health and production and the negative economic impact on the livestock industry make it crucial to develop and implement solutions to mitigate mycotoxins. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the mycotoxicosis effect in livestock animals as a result of their contaminated diet. In addition, we discuss the potential of five promising phytogenics (curcumin, silymarin, grape pomace, olive pomace, and orange peel extracts) with demonstrated positive effects on animal performance and health, to present them as potential anti-mycotoxin solutions. We describe the composition and the main promising characteristics of these bioactive compounds that can exert beneficial effects on animal health and performance, and how these phytogenic feed additives can help to alleviate mycotoxins' deleterious effects.

The convergence of IoT and sustainability in global supply chains: Patterns, trends, and future directions

This study investigates the pivotal role of Internet of Things (IoT) applications in advancing sustainable supply chains through a comprehensive analysis of research trends, international collaborations, and thematic evolution. Utilizing data from the Web of Science database, the research employs an innovative methodological framework combining keyword network analysis, country collaboration networks, and thematic mapping. The study reveals seven distinct keyword communities, highlighting the dominance of enabling technologies and the emergence of sector-specific applications. Analysis of international collaborations identifies five country clusters, each with unique research foci and collaborative patterns. The thematic map and evolution analysis uncover critical research gaps, including underexplored areas such as security in IoT-enabled supply chains and the integration of smart city concepts. The study projects future research directions, emphasizing the convergence of artificial intelligence and IoT, and the need for more holistic approaches to sustainability in supply chain management. The findings underscore the potential of IoT to foster sustainable business models that balance economic, social, and environmental benefits. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on IoT applications in sustainable supply chains by providing a multifaceted analysis of the field’s structure, evolution, and future trajectory. The insights offered are valuable for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to leverage IoT for creating more efficient, resilient, and sustainable supply chains in an increasingly globalized and environmentally conscious market.

Is US trade policy reshaping global supply chains?

This paper examines the reshaping of supply chains using detailed US 10-digit import data between 2017 and 2022. The results show that while US-China decoupling in bilateral trade is real, supply chains remain intertwined with China. Over the period, China's share of US imports fell from 22 % to 16 % as a result of US tariffs. US imports from China are being replaced with imports from large, developing countries with revealed comparative advantage in a product. In strategic industries, countries replacing China tend to be deeply integrated in China's supply chains and are experiencing faster import growth from China. Put differently, to displace China on the export side, countries must embrace China's supply chains. There is no consistent evidence of reshoring but evidence of nearshoring to border nations. Despite the significant reshaping, China remained the top supplier of directly imported goods to the US in 2022.

Economic and environmental impacts of the shifts to electromobility in Spain: A multiregional input–output framework

AbstractThe decarbonization of transport is a key goal facing climate change. The electrification of the powertrain for passenger cars is part of this goal to reduce carbon emissions. This involves a big change in the global supply chain, specifically in countries with a high weight of the traditional automotive sector, such as Spain, where above 10% of the GDP comes from this industry. There is a forecasted shift from the sector of traditional automotive parts to the electric sector, where batteries and electric components will be the major part of the powertrain. This work evaluates socioeconomic and environmental impacts of the changes in the car industry from the ramp‐up of the electric vehicles market in Spain, and also in the European Union and the rest of the world. To do it, we use an environmentally extended multiregional and multi‐sectoral input–output model. Our simulations include the technological change and demand shifts estimated to achieve the penetration of electric vehicles up to 2030 and 2050. The results show significant impacts on employment and economic indicators by 2050, when the share of electric vehicles is expected to increase up to a relevant level.

Possible Contours of Developing International Trade in the Perimeter of Global Value Chains under the Conditions of New Reality

The transition from hyperglobalization to slowgbalization that began after the 2008 global financial crisis has increased skepticism about the future of globalization and motivation to adjust the architecture of international trade. The subsequent series of global shocks – the aggravation of the US-Chinese trade relations, the COVID-19 pandemic, the events in Ukraine in 2022-2023 – aggravated the situation, exacerbating the problem of stopping the negative consequences of the disruption of supply chains of goods and services. The purpose of the article is to clarify the contours of restructuring and outlooks for the development of cross-border trade in the context of new reality: the imposition of global shocks, increasing geopolitical uncertainty and increasing fragmentation of the world economy. The object of the study is the international trade in the perimeter of global value chains (GVCs), whose share in world trade increased from 34.93% in 1995 to 45.24% in 2007 and, after falling to 43.49% in 2020, quickly recovered and increased to 49.38% in 2022. The analysis of quantitative and structural shifts in GVC-trade was based on the methodology of structuring exports in the categories of value added by A. Borin and M. Mancini. The prospects for GVC-trade were assessed using the methods of identifying the “risk iness” of goods in the export-import turnover of S. Majune and V. Stolzenburg, the frequency of cross-border bilateral interactions of S. Liang, the agglomeration to global trade of K. Baris. The characteristics of the four main options for strengthening the resistance of GVCs in modern conditions are given – reshoring, diversification, regionalization and replication. The working hypothesis has been confirmed: all 4 considered trajectories are not mutually exclusive and none of them presupposes complete autarky of the country. The main conclusion is made, according to which the negative events in the global economy of the last decade reconfigured trade flows, accelerated the processes of regionalization of the global economy, but did not become a trigger for deglobalization.

Electroanalytical detection of fruit ethylene by a novel electroactive biosensing membrane

Purpose This study aims to present an innovative approach to detect and monitor ethylene gas during fruit ripening. Design/methodology/approach It uses a specialized composite membrane in conjunction with a solid-state electrochemical method. This unique electroactive membrane, composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CHT), lithium chloride (LiCl) and ammonium molybdate (AMO), exhibits synergistic behavior when applied to a microelectrode chip surface. This composite enhances the sensitivity of electrochemical ethylene detection. Empirical experiments were conducted to elucidate the ripening kinetics in various fruit specimens, including apples, pears and mangoes. These fruits released ethylene, which was analyzed using the molybdenum-permeated electroactive biopolymer composite membrane, a critical determinant of ethylene levels. Findings Characterization of the synthesized composite through techniques such as X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed reduced crystallinity and decreased hydrogen bond interactions upon activation with Mo ions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images exhibited a distinctive porous surface morphology with spherical microgranules. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicated a significant change in the mass or atomic composition of Mo in the composite membrane after Mo ion activation. Electrochemical measurements, including cyclic voltammetry and potentiostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, validated the efficiency of the Mo-activated PVA-CHT-LiCl-AMO membrane, manifesting an impressive 87.79% increase in sensitivity compared to the nonactivated membrane. Practical implications This research work represents a significant advancement in the field of ethylene detection and fruit ripening monitoring. The Mo-activated PVA-CHT-LiCl-AMO membrane offers a reliable and effective solution for real-time ethylene detection, providing an invaluable tool for the horticultural industry to optimize fruit ripening processes, extend shelf life and ensure the delivery of high-quality produce to consumers. Social implications The findings of this study hold great promise for fostering sustainability and efficiency within the global fruit supply chain, ultimately benefiting both producers and consumers alike. Originality/value The implications of this research extend to the fabrication of a sensor based on a solid-state electroactive PVA-CHT-LiCl-AMO composite membrane, which upon Mo-activation exhibits robust electrochemical fruit ethylene detection when exposed to different fruits.

Embracing methodological evolution and diversity in logistics and supply chain management research

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to highlight the significance of advancing research methodologies in logistics, operations and supply chain management. It seeks to expand the scope of research questions and explore areas previously constrained by traditional methodological approaches, thereby enhancing the exploration of complex, real-world business issues.Design/methodology/approachThis commentary introduces and discusses the special issue on “Advances in Research Methodologies for Logistics and Supply Chain Management,” exploring methodological innovations, diversity and their potential to address complex business and disciplinary challenges. The commentary assesses a broad spectrum of methodologies, ranging from traditional qualitative and quantitative approaches to overlooked methods such as qualitative comparative analysis, netnography, design science, Bayesian networks, machine learning and repertory grid technique. This diverse methodological approach enables a comprehensive examination of emerging and ongoing challenges in the supply chain. In the final summary section, we highlight additional areas of research method innovation not covered in this special issue, offering a broader perspective on future directions for methodological advancements in SCM research.FindingsThe findings suggest that integrating less explored methodologies from various disciplines encourages a richer, multi-level analysis of the supply chain management landscape. This integration facilitates a deeper understanding of emerging challenges, such as geopolitical issues, global supply chain disruptions and the integration of new technologies. Additionally, the exploration of ‘white space' in research methodologies indicates significant potential for discovering new insights that bridge practical problems with theoretical contributions.Originality/valueThe value of this methodological diversity extends beyond academic enrichment. It catalyzes the generation of innovative insights crucial for business practitioners, policymakers, consultants and academics. By adopting varied research designs and methodologies, the research note can offer a broader spectrum of analytical perspectives, crucial for uncovering nuanced insights into complex, cross-cultural and relationship-based dynamics in supply chain research.