International Supply Chains Research Articles

Quality Evaluation of Fair-Trade Cocoa Beans from Different Origins Using Portable Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)

Determining cocoa bean quality is crucial for many players in the international supply chain. However, actual methods rely on a cut test protocol, which is limited by its subjective nature, or on time-consuming, expensive and destructive wet-chemistry laboratory procedures. In this context, the application of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, particularly with the recent developments of portable NIR spectrometers, may represent a valuable solution for providing a cocoa beans' quality profile, in a rapid, non-destructive, and reliable way. Monitored parameters in this work were dry matter (DM), ash, shell, fat, protein, total polyphenols, fermentation index (FI), titratable acidity (TA) and pH. Different chemometric analyses were performed on the spectral data and calibration models were developed using modified partial least squares regression. Prediction equations were validated using a fivefold cross-validation and a comparison between the different prediction performances for the portable and benchtop NIR spectrometers was provided. The NIRS benchtop instrument provided better performance of quantification considering the whole than the portable device, showing excellent prediction capability in protein and DM quantification. On the other hand, the NIRS portable device, although showing lower but valuable performance of prediction, can represent an appealing alternative to benchtop instruments for food business operators, being applicable in the field.

The European Union Response Against Covid-19 Pandemic on Maritime Transport

The European Union joint maritime policy is a wide approach of all European Union policies linked with the sea. This policy is based upon the idea that by coordinating all activities linked with oceans, sea and coasts, the European Union would benefit higher rates of yields by its maritime space with a smaller mass of impact on environment. The joint maritime policy aims at strengthening the so-called ‘blue economy’, which includes all the economic maritime activities. The maritime transport plays a fundamental role and will continue to do so at world and European trade. In economic terms 77 percent of European foreign trade and 35 percent of that between European Union countries happen through the sea. This is the key reason because the maritime transport represents a core part in the international supply chain. Even with the decline of this activity in maritime sector due to Covid-19 Pandemic, a significant increase is foreseen in the next 10 years. To face challenges of Pandemic, the European Union took few measures that are linked with the health security, repatriation and maritime traveling ways of passengers and other persons on the boards. This article seeks to analyze the response that European Union and its institutions have provided to the situation through recommendations and regulations to normalize an important sector for the future of the Union.
 
 Received: 26 September 2022 / Accepted: 29 November 2022 / Published: 20 December 2022

Modelling the impact of disease outbreaks on the international crude oil supply chain using Random Forest regression

PurposeThe crude oil supply chain (COSC) is one of the most complex and largest supply chains in the world. It is easily vulnerable to extreme events. Recently, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (often known as COVID-19) pandemic created a massive imbalance between supply and demand which caused significant price fluctuations. The purpose of this study is to explore the influential factors affecting the international COSC in terms of consumption, production and price. Furthermore, it develops a model to predict the international crude oil price during disease outbreaks using Random Forest (RF) regression.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A qualitative study is conducted using a literature review to explore the influential factors on COSC. All the data are extracted from Web sources. In addition to COVID-19, four other diseases are considered to optimize the accuracy of predictive results. A principal component analysis is deployed to reduce the number of variables. A forecasting model is developed using RF regression.FindingsThe findings of the qualitative analysis characterize the factors that influence international COSC. The findings of quantitative analysis emphasize that production and consumption have a higher contribution to the variance of the data set. Also, this study found that the impact caused to crude oil price varies with the region. Most importantly, the model introduced using the RF technique provides a high predictive ability in short horizons such as infectious diseases. This study delivers future directions and insights to researchers and practitioners to expand the study further.Originality/valueThis is one of the few available pieces of research which uses the RF method in the context of crude oil price forecasting. Additionally, this study examines international COSC in the events of emergencies, specifically disease outbreaks using machine learning techniques.

Embedding attributes towards the supply chain performance measurement

Dependency on the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model is inadequate in the context of sustainability, environment, and other multiple factors along with the changes in the market dynamics. As a result, performance evaluation through a holistic approach in the manufacturing industry is not comprehensive. Therefore, a Supply Chain Performance Measurement (SCPM) is required to assess the supply chain's effectiveness. This research formulates Integrated Supply Chain Performance Measurement (ISCPM) model through the supply chain performance attributes in the outlook of input-process-output considering the BSC and the SCOR model at three decisions levels with an application of quantitative techniques to bring synergic effect to all stakeholder issues. A gap analysis was performed through systematic literature reviews. The integrated supply chain performance measurement model incorporates ten supply chain performance measurement attributes supplier relationship management (SRM), internal supply chain management (ISCM), and customer relationship management (CRM). The model was then tested from the various sectors in the manufacturing industry of Bangladesh, through a simple random sampling. The ISCPM model furnishes stakeholders of the manufacturing supply chain with the appropriate strategies to review and appraise their performance toward fulfillment of the ultimate goals. This model is suggested to be implemented in manufacturing industries to improve their operational performance. The study contributes to academia developing the ISCPM model with ten performance measurement attributes that enrich the literature on SCPM. It also contributes to the industry for practitioners by bringing synergy into the framework and performance measurement attributes which eventually upgrade the prosperity of the manufacturing industry and eventually the society.

Where does the wood come from? A physical accounting model to trace the origin of wood-based products

In today's globalized world wood-based products are often imported from countries other than those where the wood was grown. Bilateral trade statistics are thus only of limited help for getting a better understanding of how production-related environmental impacts are caused by consumption elsewhere. This study presents a novel physical accounting model that allows flows of wood-based products to be traced along international supply chains, therefore making it possible to consistently relate the consumption of wood-based products to the origin of roundwood. In comparison to previous studies, the proposed method covers entire supply chains, including finished wood and paper products, such as furniture and printed matter, and also accounts for flows of processing residues and recovered paper. The main results of the accounting model are detailed country-by-country matrices indicating the locations of origin of the products consumed in a given nation. For instance, it is revealed that out of the finished wood products consumed in the USA in 2018, 75.6% originated domestically, 10.7% from neighbouring Canada and the remaining 13.7% from other countries. Potential applications and extensions of the presented approach are also discussed.

A Network DEA Approach for Performance Evaluation of Safety Supervision and Rescue Capability in the Port Waters of Changjiang MSA

In recent years, the global economic situation and the development of the international shipping industry have been deeply affected by COVID-19. Since 2021, China has gradually recovered its international shipping supply chain industry with the help of government policy support, and its GDP has grown by 8.1% year by year. Under this favorable macroeconomic background, the Yangtze River waterway transportation, with its good waterway conditions, has led to the continuous increase in transportation demands. However, while pursuing rapid economic growth, ensuring the navigation safety and rescue of ships in the waterway has been one of the key issues of concern for maritime divisions along the Yangtze River. Therefore, combined with the network date envelopment data (DEA) model, this study intends to construct a new set of performance evaluation models in line with their safety supervision and rescue capability based on the daily work characteristics of the Changjiang Maritime Safety Administration (MSA). The occurrence of disasters in their port areas has been taken into consideration as the key undesirable variable. This study hopes to screen out worthy pacesetter representatives, and further suggests more targeted improvement options for inefficient maritime authorities to facilitate more effective safety supervision in the future.

Using Time Series Analysis Forecast Post-Covid-19 Period Deep Sea Freight Transportation Index

This paper is a study to predict the trend of the Deep Sea Freight Transportation Index after the end of COVID-19 using ETS modeling in the context of the abnormal increase in the Deep Sea Freight Transportation Index due to the COVID-19 epidemic using time series analysis. The purpose of the study is to help international supply chain practitioners and shipping companies to make risk assessments in advance at the decision-making level. In the methodology section, the primary dataset used is the US Deep Sea Freight Transportation Index and the secondary dataset is the WTI Crude Oil Index. The forecast result is that the U.S. Deep Sea Freight Transportation Index will remain high for the next two years, and the WTI Crude Oil Index supports the accuracy of this forecast in its forecast plot based on its correlation with the Deep Sea Freight Transportation Index. Therefore, this study suggests that international supply chain operators and shipping operators should respond to the continued high ocean shipping costs in the next two years to avoid inventory risk and profit decline.

Enhancement of Supply Chain Control Tower to Reduce Inventory Parts of Heavy Equipment at PT XYZ

Introduction: As a leading heavy equipment distributor in Indonesia, PT XYZ is very concerned about after-sales service as an advantage compared to competitors. Keeping the service level based on target was accompanied by a decrease in working capital as one of the goals of PT. XYZ was establishing a tower in its supply chain concept. This research was conducted at PT. XYZ owns the largest market share of heavy equipment in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the increase in the supply chain control tower in reducing the inventory of heavy equipment spare parts at PT. XYZ. Method: This research uses mixed methods, a stage of research combining two types of research methodologies, namely qualitative and quantitative. Result: The analysis results at SCOR level 1 show that all strategic metrics are below the set targets. So that at SCOR level 2, an in-depth analysis is carried out with Geographic maps and Thread diagrams that show potential problems in Enable Process (sE2), Plan Source (sP2) and Delivery (sD1) activities. Finally, the results of SCOR level 3 analysis using a fishbone diagram reveal that the root cause of the problem is a leak in internal company supply chain management. We recommend the enhancement of the supply chain control tower at PT XYZ. Conclusion: This Research primarily aims to evaluate the element supply chain control tower at PT XYZ as a stocked business product with SCOR Model 12.0. The result shows that the performance of the Supply Chain Control Tower in Tower Tanjung Area (TAD) does not achieve the target.

Public Management of Employment at the Level of Territorial Communities in the Context of Ensuring the Development of Rural Areas

United territorial communities were formed by voluntary unification of adjacent territorial communities of villages, towns, and cities. The availability, working conditions, and the level and quality of life of the population of rural communities significantly affect the development possibilities of rural areas. Problematic issues are the growth of unemployment, the demographic crisis, the intensive outflow of young people from the countryside, etc. The primary issue for anti-crisis public administration in rural areas (at the level of rural territorial communities and rural districts) is ensuring employment and self-employment of the population, increasing the level of labor income of the rural population. The low capacity of the labor market in rural territorial communities determines the need for the population to find work outside their place of residence and, in this connection, the presence of significant financial costs. The introduction of new types of activities and areas of employment for residents of the rural community must meet the needs of the market and be economically feasible, because otherwise public policy measures to support such types of employment will have a short-term nature and insignificant results. The tools of the public employment policy are: unemployment benefits, insurance of the population against job loss; assistance in professional training and retraining of personnel, conducting advanced training courses, organization and regulation of labor exchanges, public employment services; regulation of the wage level, regularization of the dismissal of employees; subsidies and benefits from tax accounting for entrepreneurs, regarding the creation of new and preservation of old jobs. Public management of employment at the level of the territorial community should be aimed at ensuring the possibility of effective economic activity of the residents of the community. At the same time, they should receive sufficient financial support to motivate work. This requires: creation of procurement points with a wide range of products with the participation of territorial communities; combining them into a procurement network; active cooperation with public administration bodies; networks of procurement points to international supply chains; ensuring their access to foreign food markets.

Leveraging supply chain disruption orientation for resilience: the roles of supply chain risk management practices and analytics capability

PurposeBuilding on the information processing perspective, the authors propose that both internal and external supply chain risk management (SCRM) practices play essential roles in mediating supply chain disruption orientation (SCDO) to exercise an influence on resilience. The authors also put forward analytics capability as an important moderator in the above-mediated relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected 170 match-paired questionnaires from Chinese firms to test our model. The authors further interviewed some managers to supplement key quantitative results.FindingsFirst, SCDO positively affects resilience via internal and external SCRM practices. Second, the mediating effects of internal and external SCRM practices are stronger when analytics capability is higher. Third, analytics capability positively moderates the positive effect of SCDO on SCRM practices. Meanwhile, it does not moderate the positive effect of SCRM practices on resilience.Research limitations/implicationsOur study contributes to SCRM-related and IT-related literature by considering the content, mediating mechanisms (i.e. internal and external SCRM practices) and boundary conditions (i.e. data analytic capability) of SCDO in shaping resilience in the digital supply chain.Practical implicationsOur study helps remind managers that firms build disruption orientation, develop different SCRM practices and leverage analytics capability to improve resilience amid unexpected and unplanned disruptions.Originality/valueOur study sheds light on the roles of both internal and external SCRM practices. Furthermore, this research helps explain how SCDO motivates resilience through SCRM practices, particularly for those firms that have higher analytics capability.

Responsible shipping for sustainable development: Adoption and performance value

Responsible shipping is attracting increasing attention in shipping industry, but a systematic analysis of its concept is scanty. Different stakeholders ranging from shippers and carriers to government and non-government associations have expressed worries and expectations about responsible consumption and production in shipping industry. This paper aims to advance the knowledge by exploring the adoption and performance value of responsible shipping practices. Using the concept analysis approach, we first construct a two-folder conceptual framework with strategic folder and practical folder considering the dual-role of shipping industry in servicing trade activities of the global economy. Accordingly, we carry out a two-way interpretation of responsible shipping in economic, environmental, social performance dimensions as well as supporting measures in resources and technological aspects at the strategic folder, and five processes (design, operations, management, governance, finance) at the practical folder. To examine the adoption and performance value of responsible shipping, we develop propositions concerning its implementation elements as well as the favorable conditions for adoption and the performance value. The framework provides insights to guide managers in shipping industry to design, plan, and implement responsible practices to meet the escalating public expectations for shipping operations in servicing international trade and global supply chain activities.

Can U.S. multi-state climate mitigation agreements work? A perspective from embedded emission flows

Subnational and non-governmental actors are expected to provide important contributions to broader climate actions. A consistent and accurate quantification of their GHG emissions is an important prerequisite for the success of such efforts. However, emissions embodied in domestic and international supply chains, that can undermine the effectiveness of climate agreements, add challenges to the quantification of emissions originating from theconsumption of goods and services produced elsewhere. We examine emission transfers between the states that have joined the U.S. Climate Alliance (USCA) and others. Our results show that states pledging to curb emissions consistent with the Paris Agreement were responsible for approximately 40% of total U.S. territorial GHG emissions. However, when accounting for transferred emissions through international and interstate supply chains of the products they consume, the share of Alliance states increased to 52.4% of the national total GHG emissions. The consumption-based emissions for some Alliance states, such as Massachusetts and New York, could be more than 1.5 times higher than their production-based emissions. Our detailed sectoral analysis highlights the challenges facing such agreements to extend cooperation in the future for larger joint benefit given the potential for carbon leakage from member states implementing stricter environmental policies that could lead to higher emissions from non-member states. It is critical for these arrangements to pay close attention to transferred emissions.

The impact of internal and external green supply chain management activities on performance improvement: evidence from the automobile industry

Although the significance of green supply chain management activities on corporation sustainable development has been highlighted in the literature, the potential inter-dependencies between these activities and corporation performance have not been investigated by considering cooperation moderation. The purpose of this research is to examine internal and external Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) activity on automobile performance: Environmental performance, operational performance, positive economic performance, and negative economic performance. Using survey data from foreign-owned company A with 117 manufacturing firms and domestic company B with 94 manufacturing firms, a significant relationship between GSCM and corporation performance has been found. For foreign-owned automobile companies, internal organizational activity has the greatest influence on operational performance, and promotes corporate value and corporation with outside. However, for domestic automobile companies with the advanced green concept, Eco-design exerts the biggest effect on environmental performance, and also brought a negative economic impact on corporate performance. Moreover, although both corporate social responsibility (CSR) and creating shared value (CSV) promotion could influence the corporation with consumers and suppliers, CSV promotion has a more positive influence on cooperation with consumers than that CSR. These findings have important implications for designing GSCM strategic plans for the automotive industry in developing countries.

Supply or Demand, that is the Question: Decomposing Euro Area Inflation

This paper studies the recent trends in inflation in the euro area and estimates to what extent the current inflationary pressures are driven by demand expansion and by supply side disruptions. First of all, consumer price inflation is particularly pronounced in goods and less so in the case of services. Energy and food are the most relevant components of rising consumer prices, accounting for almost three-quarters of total headline inflation. The fact that price pressure comes mainly from sectors with a high import content suggests that disruptions along international supply chains may play a key role. The paper then focuses on producer prices at the sectoral level and presents a methodology to decompose the rise in inflation between supply and demand impulses. It finds that, in the present context, supply factors are the main driver and account for at least 80% of the current increase in producer prices in industry and in each one of the manufacturing sectors with the highest price pressures. There are nevertheless some differences across countries. These findings imply that, if repairing supply-side problems and disruptions along supply chains is the priority, then promoting the right investment may be more urgent than cooling demand down. Country heterogeneity in the relative importance of demand and supply factors, then, may lead to different degrees of effectiveness of monetary policy and to a risk of divergences.

Service risk of energy industry international trade supply chain based on artificial intelligence algorithm

With the deepening of the process of global economic integration, international trade supply chain financial services have also flourished. International trade supply chain financial services have played an important role in solving supply chain enterprise financing. As far as the energy industry is concerned, international trade supply chain financial services can provide sufficient credit support for energy companies. This solves the financing dilemma of small and medium-sized energy companies in import and export trade, and can also improve the capital turnover rate of large energy companies. However, because the international trade supply chain financial service still faces the influence of risks such as corporate credit risk, bank operational risk, and supply chain enterprise information transmission risk, its function of providing financing has not been fully exerted. Early warning and control of risks existing in international trade supply chain financial services can fully play the role of international trade supply chain financial services in promoting the development of the energy industry. Therefore, this article used three artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, including artificial neural network, genetic algorithm and particle swarm algorithm, to analyze the risk of financial services in the international trade supply chain of the energy industry. A risk early-warning model about the financial services of the international trade supply chain of the energy industry was constructed, and an experimental study on the risk early-warning model was carried out. Research showed that the risk early warning model based on AI algorithm enabled banks to improve the accuracy of corporate credit assessment by 7.43% and the accuracy of information collection by 5.61%. It improved the forecast accuracy of external environmental risks by 3.52%, and reduced bank operational risk by 6.58% and legal and regulatory risk by 7.06%.

The volume of trade-induced cross-border freight transportation has doubled and led to 1.14 gigatons CO2 emissions in 2015

<h2>Summary</h2> International freight transport associated with global trade generates significant CO₂ emissions, which are expected to increase with further globalization. The reduction of these emissions will require international and interregional collaboration. However, which trading partners are responsible for freight transport carbon footprints throughout global value chains remains unclear. Here we link bilateral trade flows of export volume to a multi-regional input-output model to measure CO₂ emissions of international freight transport from 1995 to 2015. We find that in 2015, international freight transport generated 1.14 gigatons of CO₂, representing 16% of the total emissions associated with international supply chains. Primary contributors were Asia (39%), the European Union (21%) and the United States (13%). During 1995–2015, the cross-border freight transport volume more than doubled due to rapidly growing consumption and transportation of heavier intermediate goods. Our findings provide the information necessary to design targeted mitigation policies for international freight transport.

Digital fingerprints of microstructural variation in titanium alloy hip joint forgings via machining force feedback analysis

Considering actual trends regarding life expectancy, it is forecast that the total number of hip replacements will increase in the next few decades due to an increasingly ageing population. This situation will require an increase in component supply and experience of titanium alloy closed-die forging experience in the manufacturing supply chain. However, the scrutiny of microstructural evolution during processing for orthopaedic implants is not at the same level compared to the aerospace industry. This study is focused on understanding the current microstructure quality in the international forging supply chain by applying standard characterisation techniques, currently used in the aerospace industry for safety critical titanium alloy components, as well as a Sheffield developed machining force feedback technique. Three different manufacturers whose near net shape hip joint forgings all successfully pass the industry standards were studied. Through digital fingerprint reconstructions, the microstructural variation has been shown to be linked to the forging process parameters which could help to determine the individual components' fatigue performance. Furthermore, significant variations have been identified in microstructure quality that could compromise the part performance. The study demonstrates that the materials standards for orthopaedic implants could be more stringent to avoid such large microstructural variations in the supply chain. • Significant variation in the supply chain materials quality has been found. • Hip forgings from 3 manufacturers have been characterised to evaluate material consistency. • Specimens conformed to standards, but important materials quality variation was found. • Texture, microstructure, and machining response variation are linked to final fatigue performance. • Forging Variations have been linked to process variables.

Recommendations for treatment strategies in people with epilepsy during times of shortage of antiseizure medications

In times of severe antiseizure medication (ASM) shortage due to emergency situations (e.g., disasters, conflicts, sudden disruption to international supply chains), management of people with epilepsy with available ASMs can be difficult. A group of experts was brought together by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) to formulate recommendations for such circumstances. Every effort was made to base these recommendations on direct published literature or extrapolations from basic information available about ASMs. Actual published literature in this area is, however, limited, and at times, assumptions were made by the experts to generate these recommendations. During times of shortage of ASMs, switching between different ASMs (e.g., oxcarbazepine and carbamazepine) can occasionally be considered as a mitigation procedure. However, for many ASMs, the option of an overnight switch to another drug does not exist. Switching from brand to generic or between generic products has often been shown to be safe, if required. Finally, when supplies of benzodiazepines or equipment to administer medications intravenously are not available, rectal administration of some ASMs may be an emergency alternative route for treating serial seizures and status epilepticus. Decision-making with regard to treatment and possible options should be driven by what is best for the patient.

Vocal for Local Growth of Domestic Supply Chain

One of the positive fallouts of the Covid crisis seems to be the policy initiatives of GOI in line with PM’s clarion call for Vocal for Local targeted to expand the efficiency and competitive edge of the indigenous industries. Basically it may be in line with the Swaraj calls during the pre-independence India or the earlier steps like Make in India but there were obvious risk minimization steps necessitated by the dislocation of the international supply chain as a result of the world wide shut down due to covid impacts. Many segments of the economy have already started benefitting from the policy and it seems to be on a firm course for greater good for the overall economy.

Exports Widen the Regional Inequality of Health Burdens and Economic Benefits in India

Both the ever-complex international and subnational supply chains could relocate health burdens and economic benefits across India, leading to the widening of regional inequality. Here, we simultaneously track the unequal distribution of fine particle matter (PM2.5) pollution, health costs, and value-added embodied in inter- and intranational exports for Indian states in 2015 by integrating a nested multiregional input-output (MRIO) table constructed based on EXIOBASE and an Indian regional MRIO table, Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR), the Community Multi-Scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, and a concentration-response function. The results showed that the annual premature deaths associated with PM2.5 pollution embodied in inter- and intranational exports were 757,356 and 388,003 throughout India, accounting for 39% and 20% of the total premature deaths caused by PM2.5 pollution, respectively. Richer south and west coastal states received around half of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) induced by exports with a quarter of the health burden, while poorer central and east states bear approximately 60% of the health burden with less than a quarter of national GDP. Our findings highlight the role of exports in driving the regional inequality of health burdens and economic benefits. Therefore, tailored strategies (e.g., air pollution compensation, advanced technology transfer, and export structure optimization) could be formulated.