Supply Chain Innovation Research Articles

How Does the Digital Capability Advantage Affect Green Supply Chain Innovation? An Inter-Organizational Learning Perspective

Green supply chain innovation has gained significant attention from academics and practitioners due to its ability to mitigate chain liability risks, meet consumer environmental demands, and create sustainable competitive advantages. Digital technology, a valuable tool for enhancing organizational information processing capabilities, plays a crucial role in promoting successful green supply chain innovation. However, existing research has a limited understanding of how digital capability advantage influences green supply chain innovation. Therefore, based on an inter-organizational learning perspective, this study aims to explore the impact of digital capability advantage on green supply chain innovation and examine the mediating role of green supply chain learning (green supplier learning and green customer learning). The survey results from 221 Chinese manufacturing firms indicate that digital capability advantages contribute directly and positively to green supply chain innovation and also indirectly enhance it through green supplier learning and green customer learning. This study establishes the positive relationship between digital capability advantages and green supply chain innovation and highlights the mediating role of green supplier learning and green customer learning. The research conclusions not only enhance our understanding of the factors and key success paths of green supply chain innovation from a digital perspective but also provide theoretical guidance for its effective implementation in manufacturing firms.

Estimation of the Overmature Wood Stock and the Projection of the Maximum Wood Mobilization Potential up to 2100 in Hungary

The demand for woody biomass as a key raw material of the developing circular bioeconomy is expected to increase. This has led to the need of increased timber productivity and the search for new procurement methods, new assortments, and innovative supply chains. Timber is regarded as a climate-friendly resource, which can contribute to climate change mitigation through long-term carbon storage and through the substitution of fossil products and fossil fuels. Thus, it is of high importance to assess the amount of timber that can be harvested without compromising sustainability concerns. In this paper, we examined the amount of the wood stock accumulated in overmature stands in Hungary. We define overmature stands being those stands where the actual age of the stand is over its cutting age prescribed by the forest authority. According to our results, 11.5% of the standing volume in Hungary is overmature, and the wood stock of overmature stands has increased by more than 250% in the last 40 years. The importance of the overmature forests is enormous, as they represent an unused wood stock reserve, which could be available to meet the growing demand for timber. In our study, we also conducted a simple yield table-based projection on the maximum amount of timber available for harvest in the period 2020–2100 based on the data of the national forestry database and the cutting ages prescribed by the forest authority in the forest management plans. According to our results, even without new afforestation, more timber becomes available for harvest annually in the 2020–2100 period than the level of the average harvests of the last five historic years. In the 2020–2050 period, an additional 56% of timber is projected to become available for harvest as a maximum. This means a maximum additional potential of 4059 thousand m3, even without the harvesting of the stands, which were already overmature in the starting year of the projection. In the first part of the projection period, industrial wood available for harvest is forecasted to be above the average historic level of industrial wood production. However, in the second part of the projection period, the industrial wood yield shows a decreasing tendency and even drops below the 2017–2021 average. The decreasing availability of industrial roundwood in the second part of the projection period points out the importance of innovation in the wood industry. The inclusion of drought tolerant species, which are nowadays less used for industrial purposes seems inevitable in the production of high-quality wood products.

The commercialization of timber bamboo in Nepal: A SWOT-AHP analysis

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) have the potential to support sustainable livelihood development and forest conservation. Among NTFPs, bamboo has gained popularity as a potential substitute for wood-based timber. In Nepal, bamboo is a culturally and ecologically important plant distributed across major ecological regions. Despite its potential, the current use of bamboo in Nepal is limited. To address this, we conducted a study using expert interviews, a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify the key factors necessary for the successful commercialization of bamboo in Nepal. Our findings highlight the importance of local employment, marketing infrastructure, research and development, and product quality and delivery. Overall, the Nepalese bamboo industry shows high potential for development, with strengths and opportunities outweighing weaknesses and threats. Our study identifies four areas for improvement to support the commercialization of the Nepalese bamboo industry i) integrating traditional knowledge into innovative supply chains, ii) improving policy support, iii) building capacity in bamboo harvesting and management, and iv) utilizing community forestry networks to grow bamboo. Our results have implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders looking to develop sustainable and profitable bamboo industries in Nepal and beyond.

Effect of Supply Chain Management Relationship on the Performance of Public Hospitals in Nairobi County

The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of supply chain management relationship on the performance of public hospitals in Kenya.The study was guided by the following objectives: to assess the influence of strategic supplier partnership on the performance of public hospitals in Nairobi County,to evaluate the influence of Customer Relationship on the performance of public hospitals in Nairobi County,to assess the influence of Information sharing on the performance of public hospitals in Nairobi County and finally to determine the influence of Supply chain innovation onthe performance of public hospitals in Nairobi County.The researcher used descriptive research design.This study will focus on all the 163 employees working with procurement department in various public hospitals for procurement of healthcare products and services in Nairobi County.The study used census where all employees were recruited to take part in this study.This study used primary data which was collected through use of questionnaires. Afive-point Likert scale questionnaire was used.. The researcher contracted two research assistants to collect data. The collected data from the questionnaire was be been given codes, keyed in the computer and eventually edited for completeness. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel was used data analysis.Regarding strategic supplier partnership, the study established that strategic supplier partnership had a significant and positive effect on the performance of public hospitals in Nairobi County.The study also established that customer relationship leadership Styles had a significant and positive effect on the performance of public hospitals in Nairobi County.The study further established that information sharing had significant and a positive effect on the performance of public hospitals in Nairobi County.The study finally established that supply chain innovation had significant and a positive effect on the performance of public hospitals in Nairobi County.

Impact of big data technological and personal capabilities on sustainable performance on Jordanian manufacturing companies: the mediating role of innovation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical model that explains the impact of big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) on company's supply chain innovation capabilities and sustainable supply chain performance. BDAC is represented through two dimensions of big data technological capabilities (BDTC) and big data personal capabilities (BDPC). Moreover, the relationships between BDTC and BDPC with sustainable supply chain performance through the mediation effect of supply chain innovation capabilities are examined.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a quantitative research approach. A survey of 400 Jordanian manufacturing companies was carried out to conduct this research. However, the responses of 207 managers were valid to be used in the analysis. In this study, the SmartPLS software was used to perform structural equation modeling using a partial least squares approach (PLS-SEM) and to examine the measurement and structural model's validity and reliability.FindingsAccording to the results of this study, BDPC has a significant positive impact on supply chain innovation capabilities. Furthermore, the findings indicate that supply chain innovation capabilities are the most influential predictor of sustainable supply chain performance and act as a positive significant mediator in the relationship between BDPC and firm sustainable performance. Surprisingly, the study found that BDTC had no significant effect on supply chain innovation capabilities. Besides that, no significant relationship exists between BDTC and firm sustainable performance via the mediation effect of supply chain innovation capabilities.Originality/valueThis study provides an integrated research model that incorporates BDAC, supply chain innovation capabilities, and sustainable supply chain performance in order to analyze supply chain innovation and sustainable supply chain performance. This suggests that the scope of the study is broader in terms of predicting sustainable supply chain performance. As a result, the study intends to fill a gap in the literature by explaining how BDAC affects supply chain innovation capabilities and firms sustainable performance. In addition, the role of supply chain innovation capabilities as a mediator between BDAC and sustainable supply chain performance is investigated.

Promoting 4.0 Supply Chain Innovation for Fisheries Bioecoregion: A Case Study in West Java Province, Indonesia

The industrialization of marine and fisheries is the integration of production systems from upstream and downstream, to increase the scale and quality of production, productivity, competitiveness, and value added of fishery products. Bio-ecoregion-based fisheries and marine resources from each region, especially in West Java, which is one of the producers of fisheries and marine production through the development of industrialization innovations 4.0. This study aims to analyze how to promote 4.0 industrial innovations for Fisheries Bioecoregion, case study in West Java Province, Indonesia. The method used in this research is quantitative description, using primary and secondary data. Data analysis tools use SWOT to systematically analyze various factors based on logic that can maximize strengths and opportunities, but simultaneously can minimize weaknesses and threats. Based on the research results, the strength that is owned is to create a transformation of the potential of fishery resources to the exploitation of fishery resources based on Bioecoregion. Opportunities faced by the transformation of open market access management and high competitiveness in fisheries and marine products. The challenges faced must be able to create a digital bio-ecoregion-based fishing industry system. The threat faced by the transformation of the workforce towards digitalization. Based on the SWOT analysis being in quadrant 2 it means it is in a diversification strategy. Promoting 4.0 Industrial Innovations For a Fisheries Bioecoregion, based on: increasing the added value of fisheries industrialization, increasing the competitiveness of fishery products; strengthening of marine and fisheries industry players; commodity-based, regional, and regional management systems with a concentration on leading commodities, modernization of upstream and downstream production systems; balance between the use of natural resources and sustainable environmental protection; and changes in the mindset and behavior of modern society.

SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION BOLSTERED UP BY SUPPLY CHAIN MODEL

The purpose of this study was to examine the level and relationship between supply chain management practices (SCMP), competitive advantage (CA), and supply chain innovation (SCI) among manufacturing firms in Malaysia. Giri and Bardhan (2015) found out that supply chain process becomes inefficient and lack business strategies has affect the operation which led to poor profitability. That’s why manufacturing supply chain needs to innovate constantly for maintaining their position in the marketplace and to fight uncertainties. Hence firms are focusing on strategies for developing innovation within and across its manufacturing supply chain. In line with following objectives, this study employed a quantitative research approach that utilized stratified sampling technique and self-administered questionnaire survey. The respondents for this survey were the senior managers (top management) in operations management from manufacturing firms in Malaysia. Subsequently, the survey data have been utilized to test the research framework and hypothesis. The results of the study are useful for supply chain practitioners and manufacturers in integrating the right SCMPs and competitive advantage on improving SCI. Furthermore, industrial practitioners also receive insight on how to take account of the mediating effect of competitive advantage in designing their supply chain innovation for better manufacturing performance. In fact, organizations are not certain of what to implement, due to a lack of understanding of what constitute a comprehensive set of SCMPs. There was far too little knowledge available on the role of competitive advantage in mediating the effect between SCMPs and supply chain innovation. As such, this paper is one of the first to address the mediating effect of competitive advantage between SCMPs and supply chain innovation. Also, the results have suggested successful dimensions of SCMPs that could be implemented in order to obtain competitive advantage and foster supply chain innovation in manufacturing industry in Malaysia.

Benefits of Technological Innovations in Logistics and Supply Chain in Manufacturing Section

Benefits of Technological Innovations in Logistics and Supply Chain in Manufacturing Section

Breaking bad: how can supply chain management better address illegal supply chains?

PurposeThis pathway paper offers research guidance for investigating illegal supply chains as they increasingly threaten societies, economies and ecosystems. There are implications for policy makers to consider incorporating supply chain expertise.Design/methodology/approachThe authors’ work is informed by the team's previous and ongoing studies, research from fields such as criminology, investigative journalism and legal documents.FindingsIllegality occurs in many supply chains and consists in multiple forms. Certain sectors, supply chain innovations, longer supply chains, and heterogeneous regulations and enforcement exacerbate illegal activities. But illegal activity may be necessary for humanitarian, religious or nationalistic reasons. These areas are under explored by supply chain researchers.Research limitations/implicationsBy encouraging supply chain academics to research in this area as well as form collaborative partnerships outside of the discipline, the authors hope to move the field forward in prevention as well as learning from illegal supply chains.Practical implicationsPractitioners seek to prevent issues like counterfeiting with their products as well as fraud for economic and reputational reasons.Social implicationsGovernments strive to minimise impacts on their economies and people, and both governments and NGOs attempt to minimise the negative social and environmental impacts. Policy makers need supply chain researchers to evaluate new laws to prevent enabling illegality in supply chains.Originality/valueAs an under-explored area, the authors suggest pathways such as partnering with other disciplines, exploring why these supply chains occur, considering other data sources and methodologies to interdict illegality and learning from illegal supply chains to improve legal supply chains.

The resilience of short food supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study of a direct purchasing network

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges to global food supply chains. Since the beginning of the pandemic researchers have studied various food supply chain issues influenced by the COVID-19 crisis, including impacts on consumer behavior, and logistical and organizational changes to food supply chains. Despite the proliferation of studies on food supply chains during the pandemic, only a few researchers have focused on short food supply chains and their resilience. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the resilience of short food supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic using a direct purchasing (DP) network as a case study. The study considered three research questions. (1) How has the functioning of the DP network changed during the COVID-19 pandemic? (2) What role do resilience elements (i.e., readiness to shocks, responsiveness to disruption, and recovery from the crisis) play in the short food supply chain response to the COVID-19 crisis? (3) Which innovations in the short food supply chain would further the recovery process, and thus resilience, after the crisis?MethodsThis article presents a case study of a direct organic food purchasing network in Latvia. The analysis of economic data regarding the dynamics of organic product demand and supply in the DP network was supplemented with an analysis of qualitative data gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews with representatives of three groups of DP network participants: consumers, producers, and DP network organizers.Results and discussionFrom the consumer and producer experiences, the DP network was a flexible short food chain that could adapt quickly in a crisis. While the number of DP distribution points and total number of purchases decreased during the pandemic, a statistically significant increase in the number of product units sold compared to the pre-COVID-19 period was observed. From the perspective of food chain resilience elements, the reactive strategies of the DP network as a short food supply chain were highlighted. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizational and product innovations introduced in the DP network played a key role in enhancing the resilience of the short supply chain in the context of the wider food system.

Analysis of E-Commerce Management Policies Based on The Current Situation of Development

At present, e-commerce is an indispensable part of the development of the real economy. This article on the guiding policies of government supervision and support for the development of e-commerce. This article first finds that e-commerce is applied to rural revitalization and raised issues such as internal supervision and supply chain innovation of e-commerce. This article follows the progressive decision-making model and analyses the development process and future of e-commerce. When studying the development of e-commerce, some questions were raised: E-commerce has not fully met the ever-changing consumer demand and has not fully realized stable development. There are loopholes in the internal supervision of the e-commerce industry at all stages of the development of e-commerce, and the government's e-commerce policy formulation still needs to be improved. And the industrial chain supply chain in the e-commerce industry needs to be expanded and innovated in response to changes in the post-epidemic era. This article proposes to formulate regulatory policies to standardise commission distribution, internal interest rates, and encourage high-quality professionals to invest in logistics innovation, promote the overseas circulation of goods, and promote the development of the foreign economy. It also provides a guiding role for the implementation of future government measures and the formulation of national e-commerce development policies.

Supply chain information integration, supply chain innovativeness and supply chain resilience among manufacturing firms in a developing context

Purpose The purpose of this study is to empirically explore the influence of supply chain information integration (SCII) on supply chain innovativeness (SCI) and supply chain resilience (SCRE).Design/methodology/approach Data from 403 manufacturing companies in Uganda were analyzed using Analysis of Moments of Structures version 27. Unmeasured common latent factors were used to minimize the bias of common methods.Findings SCII, SCI and SCRE have significant positive relationships. About 41% of SCII and SCRE are partially mediated by SCI.Research limitations/implications Considering variations in perception of SCRE, the cross-sectional nature of the study limits generalizability and transferability. Experiments and interviews are recommended to explore differences between firms in SCRE.Practical implications SCII and SCI capabilities buffer a firm’s SCRE.Originality/value This study establishes SCI as a mediator between SCII and SCRE by studying manufacturing firms in a developing country context.

Green supply chain innovation management strategy based on the combination of low carbon economy and e-commerce with big data technology

Abstract In recent years, cloud computing, Internet of Things, mobile Internet and other emerging technologies have emerged and developed continuously, prompting various kinds of data to gradually show an explosive growth trend, and the resulting impact has penetrated into all levels of industry, scientific research, education, family and society, which marks that mankind has entered the era of big data comprehensively. At the same time, with the arrival of the era of big data, the concept of decarbonizing and greening of the supply chain is deeply rooted in the hearts of people, and it has become an inevitable trend for enterprises to promote the development and innovation of green supply chain. The supply chain of e-commerce is inseparable from big data technology. This paper intends to effectively combine low carbon economy and e-commerce from the perspective of big data-based application, and explore the green supply chain innovation management strategy based on the combination of low carbon economy and e-commerce under big data technology, so as to effectively promote the innovation and development of green supply chain management strategy in the era of low carbon economy.

Rethinking the role of value-added industries for invasive trees in South Africa

Invasive alien trees are a threat to sustainable development in South Africa due to their rapid propagation and negative impacts on water availability, fire risks, land productivity, and biodiversity conservation. Despite the ambitious three decades-long governmental Working for Water programme to clear and restore land, the problem remains. This paper questions the proposition that value-added industries can contribute to its resolution by providing value to the biomass and supporting upscaled control efforts with private investments. Their financial feasibility remains largely theoretical as most studies resort to ex ante assessments untested on the ground and are misleading due to the mix of tangible financial flows and hypothetical environmental benefits. Assumed perverse effects with further propagation remain theoretical or rest on anecdotical evidence. It is suggested that value-added industries and particularly bioenergy hold potential but require a more conducive policy environment. Three priorities are identified: an incentives framework that recognises environmental (dis)services and clarifies potential net carbon gains depending on the accounting system; the provision of updated information to the private sector on resource availability with improved coordination between investors and public programs in charge of land clearing; and innovative supply chain models with improved logistics. Thinking outside the box would help and novel land management options could be considered with natural regrowth and rotations in non-strategic sites, or crop substitution to sustain value chains – which would necessitate strict management rules in exchange for greater flexibility in resource accessibility. Overall, value-added industries for invasive trees encompass climate change adaptation and mitigation and their feasibility depends on their articulation.

The evolution of B2B strategies in the rise of value co-creation and service management

PurposeOver the last five decades, business to business (B2B) marketing has evolved from a transactional model to a behavioral model. This evolution is a consequence of the rise in thoughts of managing customer journeys, services marketing and acknowledging value co-creation amongst stakeholders. The contemporary B2B marketing strategies of relationship, innovation, sustainability and digital marketing that emerge through the literature review are discussed to demonstrate how they add value to the competitive advantage of firms and facilitate co-creation between business partners to help design the customer journey. The purpose of the paper is to discuss how the apparel industry could implement the B2B marketing strategies highlighted and further suggests a framework of value co-creation. The framework shows the journey between business partners followed by the value propositions as service exchange through resource integration within the service ecosystem.Design/methodology/approachThrough a review of the literature, the evolution of B2B marketing unveils the importance of services marketing and how the marketing strategies discussed add value to the services marketing, this is further explored with propositions of value co-creation between business partners. The propositions are based on the theory of service dominant logic, whereby, the partners in the service ecosystem co-create value from value propositions offered by the business partners in collaboration with supply chain innovation.FindingsA framework is suggested in the context of the apparel industry that demonstrates the value propositions as a part of the B2B marketing strategy. Through resource integration and collaboration between the business partners, the value propositions in the form of services, are exchanged resulting in value co-creation that leads to the ultimate offering to the end customer.Research limitations/implicationsThe service dominant logic theory and the supply chain innovation model are the basis of the framework, showing the value propositions made, are in collaboration between the firm and the supply chain partners. The value propositions in the form of services are exchanged as an outcome of resource integration amongst the business partners resulting in value co-creation which will aid apparel manufacturers differentiate their services and manage customer journeys better. The framework will be further researched through primary research to determine its rationality in the real-world context. The nature of the industry being fast paced, the literature will be outdated in a short span of time and with the vast growth, new strategies will need to be executed eventually.Practical implicationsThe paper discusses how the apparel industry can move forward with the B2B marketing strategies highlighted through the literature review and further suggests a framework of value co-creation. This will aid apparel manufacturers to focus their marketing efforts in an era of services marketing and compete better globally with service offerings.Social implicationsThe competitive advantage strategies and other key emerging themes of co-creation, value co-creation and customer journeys are highlighted and shows increasing importance to the survival of businesses in an era of service orientation and relationship marketing.Originality/valueThrough a critical literature review of B2B marketing strategies and with the use of theoretical models of service dominant logic and supply chain innovation, the conceptual paper proposes a framework by the authors that allows future research to analyse value co-creation in B2B marketing strategies for the apparel industry.

Digital transformation for green supply chain innovation in manufacturing operations

In the digital era, green supply chain management (GSCM) is undergoing transformations associated with innovation and performance improvements. Manufacturers adopt these innovative GSCM practices, called green supply chain digital transformation (GSCDT), by applying emergent digital technologies to GSCM for specific purposes. This study identifies and develops GSCDT practices with support from the literature and case studies of six manufacturers with operational GSCDT in diversified industries to explore the practice adoption enablers of GSCDT and contingency factors for performance improvement through GSCDT for manufacturers. We analyze the emergence and adoption of GSCDT and find that the practices are: a) unevenly implemented among the five dimensions of GSCM; b) highly reliant on top management to coordinate internal coordination among organizational units; c) more intensive in manufacturing operations with large suppliers; and d) implemented at a higher level for external practices than for internal practices. Our research findings contribute to academic knowledge by unraveling critical factors that affect the digital transformation process in GSCM and managerial insights by identifying pathways for the successful adoption of GSCDT practices.

Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund–Expanding testing and evaluation (DOC)

Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund–Expanding testing and evaluation (DOC)

Structure innovation of agricultural supply chain in china: from farmers’ perspective

Abstract There are three serious problems in the traditional agricultural supply chain structure in China, namely, the blockage of information channels and the poor transmission of information, the subordination of farmers and the low distribution of network profits, the unstable contract and the loose supply chain. Among them, the first problem is the core problem. This paper attempts to design an innovative ASC structure to solve these problems. Firstly, from the perspective of farmers, this paper analyzes the agricultural sustainable development of network embedding, and draws the following conclusions: with the increase and deepening of farmers’ network embedding relationship, farmers can obtain more effective information about the whole agricultural sustainable development, and finally improve their profit distribution ratio. But how to increase this network embedding relationship? To solve this problem, we introduce the platform theory and consider redesigning ASC by embedding the integrated management information platform (IMIP). Then, we made a mathematical analysis. Through the comparison of absolute value and relative value, we find that the innovative structure can not only increase the amount of effective information that farmers get from ASC, but also increase the total amount of information from all stakeholders and the proportion of farmers’ information in the total amount of ASC information. In view of this, we believe that the innovative structure of ASC can effectively solve the problems existing in the traditional ASC structure.

Times are changing: the case of Movado Group

Research methodology To develop the case, the authors used secondary sources including company annual reports, industry reports, news articles, social media sites, academic journal articles and company websites. This case has been classroom tested with students in the MBA Program and Master of Science in Management and Technology Program, and with undergraduates in an operations management course. Case overview/synopsis Movado Group, which has been a fierce competitor in the luxury watch market, has been facing unprecedented challenges posed by consumers’ enthusiasm for smartwatches and by their love of shopping online. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified these problems and brought new setbacks. This case examines these challenges to the company’s current business model. It then explores opportunities that could transform Movado into an innovative, digitally oriented organization capable of reaching consumers in a dynamic market while combating intense competition from the smart wearable devices that threaten traditional watch companies. The case also discusses the importance of building a robust supply chain through the lens of Industry 4.0 to guard against future supply chain disruptions. Complexity academic level Instructors can use this case in operations and supply chain management classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The focus of the case aligns with discussions of supply chain management and Industry 4.0. In particular, the case uses supply chain innovation theory to investigate the implications of Industry 4.0 in the watch industry and dovetails into discussions of omni-channel experience and virtual reality in retail that integrate multiple points of contact to reach consumers efficiently.

Internal and External Drivers of Sustainable Supply Chain Innovation: Evidence from the Textile Industry in Jordan

Internal and External Drivers of Sustainable Supply Chain Innovation: Evidence from the Textile Industry in Jordan