Supply Chain Logistics Research Articles

Role of IT on the Effectiveness of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Systems in the Pharmaceutical Sector in Saudi Arabia Vision 2030

The main objective of this study is to evaluate how IT might improve the efficacy and efficiency of supply chain management and logistics systems in the pharmaceutical sector because the pharmaceutical industry is experiencing a transformation by the lofty objectives outlined by Saudi Arabia Vision 2030. The study was conducted using 150 executives working in the Saudi Arabian pharmaceutical industry's logistics and supply chain division. An open-ended survey questions were used to determine how IT technology affects pharmaceutical logistics and supply chain using non-probability sampling, logistics managers' LinkedIn accounts were selected for the sample, irrespective of the organization's size, location, or gender. SPSS statistical tools were used to analyse the data. It was found that the integration of IT tools and systems has emerged as a crucial enabler in this process. By harnessing the power of data analytics, IoT (Internet of Things), and automation, pharmaceutical companies can gain real-time insights into their supply chains. This, in turn, allows them to develop agile responses to changing market dynamics and customer expectations. Such strategic decisions, driven by IT, enable businesses to adapt quickly, reorganize their operations, and offer value-added services tailored to the specific needs of the market. Moreover, the creative application of IT solutions facilitates efficient inventory management, demand forecasting, and tracking of pharmaceutical products from manufacturing facilities to end consumers results also show that companies may simply increase the pace of the supply chain with the aid of innovative chances in major choices and judgments.

SHOP-EZ

The rapid evolution of technology has transformed the landscape of commerce, ushering in an era dominated by electronic transactions and online marketplaces. This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the emerging trends and challenges in the field of e-commerce. The study encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, including technological advancements, consumer behavior, regulatory frameworks, and the impact of global events on e- commerce ecosystems. The first section of the paper explores the latest technological trends shaping the e-commerce industry, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and augmented reality. Special attention is given to their influence on enhancing user experience, personalization, and security. The paper also delves into the integration of these technologies and their potential to revolutionize supply chain management and logistics in e-commerce operations. Consumer behavior is a dynamic aspect of e-commerce that requires constant scrutiny. The second section of the paper examines the evolving preferences and expectations of online consumers. It investigates factors influencing purchasing decisions, the role of social media, and the growing significance of sustainable and ethical practices in shaping consumer choices.

Optimizing Production Supply Chain With Markov Jump System for Logistics Collaboration

This study employs a novel Markov jump system model to address complexities and uncertainties in modern logistics management, particularly in supply chain logistics information networks. It introduces dynamic memory to tackle issues in traditional static networks, enabling modeling and control of this intricate system. By assessing decision node importance, a novel strategy optimization method is devised. Through information exchange and decision adjustments among cooperating nodes, the overall decision system performance is enhanced, resulting in a comprehensive logistics information coordination mechanism for production supply chains based on the Markov jump system. The research demonstrates that this approach considers node interactions and information exchange, using dynamic memory to improve system adaptability and robustness, ultimately enhancing overall decision performance and stability. This has practical value for decision support and system optimization in production supply chain logistics information networks, offering fresh insights into Markov jump system control.

The role of big data and IoT in logistics supply chain management of e-commerce

With the rapid development of social mode virtualization and electronic component technology, the application of data science and Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the field of e-commerce is gradually increasing. This study aims to explore how these emerging technologies can enhance the advantage of Chinese e-commerce companies in international competition. By comprehensively analyzing the massive data generated by online social networking and the application of IoT sensor technology in logistics and enterprise management, this paper proposes a decision support model based on data analysis. Research methods include data collection, data analysis and case studies. The results of the study show that data analytics and IoT technologies can effectively improve the efficiency of e-commerce operations and customer experience. The conclusion is that these technologies not only contribute to the domestic development of e-commerce enterprises, but also play a non-negligible role in international competition. This research has important implications for understanding the practical applications and potential of new technologies in the field of e-commerce.

Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Military Health Personnel During High-Intensity Conflict: The Crucial Issue of Triage.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has triggered the biggest conflict in Europe since the Second World War. It has forced countries to prepare for engagement on a massive scale, namely, a high-intensity war between nation states. A potential massive influx of wounded personnel risks saturating logistical supply chains and requires changes to not only medical care but also a paradigm shift. In this context, the principle of distributive justice is key. The aim is to save as many lives as possible through triage, which consists in "doing the greatest good for the greatest number." This idea is fundamental, as an emergency that has passed is no longer an emergency. However, international texts and treaties not only underline that the sole criterion for triage is clinical severity, but they also fail to take into account the patient's status (civilian, friend, and foe). In a high-intensity warfare situation, these texts, and the medical-surgical triage criteria they provide are insufficient, as caregivers may be required to make decisions based on the status of the patient. The need to make such choices could cause psychological suffering among military caregivers, as individuals are recurrently faced with difficult ethical dilemmas. One way to prevent this happening is to provide predeployment training in wartime medical ethics. The latter would include both instruction in international humanitarian law and practical simulations of clinical situations where the person is faced with an ethical dilemma.

The Path from Green Innovation to Supply Chain Resilience: Do Structural and Dynamic Supply Chain Complexity Matter?

At the heart of supply chain innovation lies the challenge of complexity, a pivotal force shaping the pathways to resilience and sustainable success in today’s business environment. Drawing from the resource-based view, dynamic capabilities, and contingency theories, this study examines the impact of green innovation strategies on supply chain resilience through the mediation role of green logistics management practices and the moderation effects of dynamic and structural supply chain complexity. Leveraging a quantitative approach, this study surveyed 404 managers from manufacturing firms in Turkey using a combination of physical and electronic questionnaires. Our analysis robustly supports the interconnected roles of green innovation strategy and logistics management practices in bolstering supply chain resilience. A green innovation strategy significantly enhances green logistics management practices and supply chain resilience. Further, green logistics practices contribute positively to supply chain resilience, acting as a crucial mediator in translating green innovation strategies into heightened supply chain resilience. Additionally, the effectiveness of green innovation strategies in improving green logistics management practices is amplified in less structurally complex supply chains. In contrast, the impact of green logistics practices on supply chain resilience becomes more pronounced in environments with lower dynamic complexity, highlighting the nuanced influence of supply chain complexity on sustainability efforts. The study’s findings contribute a novel perspective to the sustainability discourse, emphasizing complexity’s nuanced role as a determinant of supply chain resilience.

Shop-EZ

Abstract: The rapid evolution of technology has transformed the landscape of commerce, ushering in an era dominated by electronic transactions and online marketplaces. This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the emerging trends and challenges in the field of e-commerce. The study encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, including technological advancements, consumer behavior, regulatory frameworks, and the impact of global events on ecommerce ecosystems. The first section of the paper explores the latest technological trends shaping the e-commerce industry, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and augmented reality. Special attention is given to their influence on enhancing user experience, personalization, and security. The paper also delves into the integration of these technologies and their potential to revolutionize supply chain management and logistics in e-commerce operations.

Bi-objective model for tactical planning in corn supply chain considering CO2 balance

This paper addresses the Brazilian corn production logistic supply chain with an optimisation model considering carbon emission from transportation and carbon sequestration from corn production. The focus is on the higher-level decision planning, which includes the best regions for corn cultivation, location and sizing of silos to store grains, transportation modes with intermodality, considering several resource constraints to meet the demands of domestic market and export. Two conflicting objectives are considered: the logistics costs of the supply chain and the balance of CO 2 . Accurate data are used to evaluate the model and the Pareto optimal solutions are produced in scenarios potentially feasible in practice. The solutions showed relevant information to guide decisions about investment in logistic infrastructure. We demonstrated that cleaner transportation routes lead to solutions that have larger carbon stocks with 3–5% increase in costs by only choosing more suitable regions for corn cultivation and transportation modes.

The effect of a green supply chain on a company's success

The potential of a conceptual model which integrates sustainabile logistics and management strategies to financial performance and organizational performance to lead to long-term profitability is studied in this research. Green logistics and distribution methods, as per the research, currently have a significant impact on the financial market and organizational performance. The organizational performance of green supply chain management and logistics and management practices is also examined in light of the moderating effects of ethical, ecological, and financial performance. Google form is used to develop a questionnaire due to the factor of COVID-19 element for instant data Collection. A 5-point Likert scale is used for the validity of the questionnaire statements. A statistical tool SPSS is used to analyze and examine collected data. Further linear regression is used to find the correlation, variance of the model, and significance of the variables.

Marketing logistics support for the export of cereals from Ukraine under the conditions of marital state

The research paper aims to improve the marketing logistics processes to support grain export supplies from Ukraine during martial law conditions. Research methodology. The research was based on the dialectical method of cognition, fundamental economic theory, logistics, and marketing. It also drew from scientific works of domestic and foreign scientists on the issues of marketing logistics and the formation of supply chains for agri-food products. The research utilized a wide range of general and specialized methods, including in-depth monographic study of assigned tasks, theoretical generalization and comparison, historical-retrospective analysis of the development of marketing, sales, and logistics management, functional-cost and statistical analysis, heuristic assessment and analysis of logistics processes in the agricultural sector, correlation-regression analysis, and graphic representation of research results and economic trends. Research results. The critical aspects of the influence of Russian military aggression on essential logistics functions and costs for logistical support of export supplies of corn from Ukraine, as well as its main competitors, are determined based on the application of the Aglink-Cosimo economic-mathematical recursive-dynamic partial equilibrium model. Elements of scientific novelty. Using the Aglink-Cosimo model, we developed several scenarios to predict the impact on the harvest and export levels of all crops in Ukraine and the level of wheat exports from Ukraine in 2022/23 MR and world wheat prices. If Ukraine loses its export opportunities completely, it will result in a 19% increase in the world price of wheat. Practical relevance. The practical significance of the results is the development of science-based proposals for improving marketing logistics support for agricultural enterprises specializing in corn-producing for grain. Keywords: marketing logistics, export, logistics supply chains, grain crops, corn, logistics costs, alternative logistics routes, Grain Corridor, Aglink-Cosimo economic-mathematical model.

Optimizing Palm Oil Biomass Supply Chain Logistics through Multi-Objective Location-Routing Model

Malaysia can convert agricultural wastes (biomass) into biofuel to reduce fossil fuel dependency and solve the disposal problem. As one of the largest palm oil producers, Malaysia has an abundance of palm oil biomass, but the biomass has high humidity, low energy density, and is scattered geographically. Establishing collection facilities with pretreatment operations is suggested to collect the biomass and improve its quality. Nevertheless, the facility placement and vehicle routing decisions significantly affect the total cost and operational efficiency. Hence, this study develops a model to address the location-routing problem and quantifies the pretreatment operation to customize the process in the biomass supply chain. This research also addresses sustainability from all dimensions through multi-objective optimization. The model minimizes costs, reduces negative social impacts by considering population densities, and measures environmental performance through CO2 emissions. The study first optimized each objective function separately and then conducted a multi-objective optimization using a weighted sum approach. Optimizing each objective function individually will achieve the best outcome for each dimension, but enhancing one objective would impair the others. However, multi-objective optimization shows some compensation for the performances where economic, social, and environmental indicator values decreased by 0.36%, 6.58%, and 15.28%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the model adjusts the locational and routing decisions based on different goals.

Factor Identification for the Procurement of Raw Material in Food Processing Industry

Procuring raw materials (RM) is essential in the supply chain (SC), particularly in the current business landscape where organisations actively seek innovative ideas to cut costs and maintain competitiveness. The procurement operation enables these organisations to navigate through increasing cost pressures. Within SC logistics, the procurement of RM faces numerous obstacles and complexities. To address these challenges and propose potential solutions, examining the specific issues that impact the procurement of RM in the Food Processing Industry (FPI) is necessary. Therefore, this article explores the challenges affecting the procurement process. The authors also provided recommendations for mitigating the identified challenges. This study utilises interpretive structural model methodology, a qualitative and interpretive approach that produces solutions for complicated issues through discussions based on the structural mapping of intricate relationships between elements to look at and analyse the challenges that affect the procurement process. A systematic review of the existing literature provides a comprehensive understanding of these challenges. The study found that challenges in contract and procurement, infrastructure and transportation, technology, govt regulations, quality and safety standards, etc., are the factors that constitute severe challenges and affect the growth of FPI. Data were collected from only those working in Indian companies or multinational companies operating in India. Every step of the process, starting from the development of the questionnaire to the data collection itself, is carried out with a focus on the Indian perspective. Addressing these problems and obstacles will yield advantages for decision-makers and stakeholders, including farmers, manufacturers, customers and consumer Food Business Organisations. It will enhance their comprehension of the current situation, identify issues and confront challenges, thereby facilitating improved planning and management strategies.

Implementation of the Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 29 of 2018 Concerning Industrial Empowerment (Case Study in the National Shipbuilding Industry in East Java)

Indonesia is a maritime and archipelagic country that requires a fleet of ships to support the logistics supply chain throughout Indonesia. The need for the independence of the National Shipping Industry, namely Shipyards, must be developed and maximised so that it can support the reliability of the national shipping fleet. For this reason, Government policies must support the existence and development of the Shipping Industry. PT Adiluhung Saranasegara Indonesia is one of the national shipping industries in East Java which has partnerships with several SMEs (small and medium industries) in the production and operational processes. Researchers conducted research on the Implementation of Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia No. 29 of 2018 concerning Industrial Empowerment, especially in the Shipping Industry in the Scope of Institutional Strengthening and Empowerment of SMEs. This type of research is descriptive research with a qualitative approach which is analysed based on Van Meter and Van Horn’s theory, namely aspects of standards, goals and activities, resource policies, institutional characteristics, communication, performance, economic conditions, social, cultural, political and attitudes of implementers. As well as Milles, Hubermann and Saldana (2014) theoretical guidelines in data processing. From the results of the research, there are inhibiting and supporting factors for the implementation of this regulation. The inhibiting factor is that there is still no standard in the implementation of this regulation and the supporting factor is that the government has maritime stakeholders to support the implementation of the regulation. And the government is still not optimal in implementing this regulation. The new thing that the author found in the research is that PT Adiluhung Saranasegara Indonesia has implemented institutional strengthening which should be the obligation of the Government. Based on SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats) and the results of the Cartesius Strategy Diagram (SO-Strengths Opportunities), the strategies that can be applied are collaboration between shipping industry stakeholders to strengthen SMI institutions, increase Domestic Content Levels (TKDN), Technical Policies to support the implementation of these regulations, and maximise Technical Implementation Units (UPT) related to the National Shipping Industry SMI.

IJCM_212A: Assessment of Effective Vaccine Management in Government Health Facilities of Jammu district

Background: The success of immunization depends highly on the level of cold chain maintenance. For effective implementation and success of the Universal Immunisation Programme, proper maintenance of Cold Chain needs a great focus. In 2010, WHO and UNICEF launched the Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) initiative. EVM is a tool which assesses immunization supply chain logistics management. Objectives: To evaluate the performance of Immunization supply chain in cold chain points of Government Health Facilities (HF) of Jammu district Methodology: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jammu district of UT of J&K. The assessment was done during November 2021– October 2022 using WHO-UNICEF EVM assessment standalone questionnaire generated on EVM assessor app. Sample size and site selection were done using the WHO EVM site selection tool(v1.7-March 2014). A total of 31 HFs were assessed including Divisional Vaccine Store (SN) Results: None of the health facilities reached the WHO recommended overall score of >80%. The criterion scores showed that Facility infrastructure and equipment (E4) and waste management (E9) for District Vaccine Store (LD) was 83% & 86%. Vaccine management (E8) score for SN level & Government Hospital was 88% & 82%. Rest of the CCPs scored less than 80% for all the criteria(E2-E9). The scores of distribution of vaccines and dry goods (E7) were very low for Primary Health Centres (PHC) and Health & Wellness Centres (H&WC) i.e., 39% and 25%. The scores for all the categories(C1-C6) for various CCPs were below 80%. Management criteria scores for supportive supervision(M3) was 0% for all CCP except LD &PHC Conclusion: The overall performance of cold chain in Jammu district was below the recommended level. Supportive supervision, provision of safe disposal pits, power backup, micro plan, training of Cold Chain Handlers and provision of vaccine transportation facility can help in effective vaccine management

Smart Logistics Management in the Age of Digital Transformation: A Systematic Literature Review

Recently, the Industry 4.0 paradigm has commenced to swiftly grow in the supply chain management and logistics fields. Despite this development in the logistics and supply chain management domain, the investigations of smart logistics (also known as logistics 4.0) are still in maturity. Especially, some areas such as the drivers and inhibitors of smart logistics are still an adequately unexplored area. On the other hand, smart logistics provides highly practical solutions to overcome the increasing difficulties in logistics operations by enabling worldwide cooperation. For this reason, studies in the field of smart logistics are of critical importance. This study addresses this gap by investigating the driving factors to facilitate and barriers to the adoption of smart logistics in the context of the extant literature. A systematic literature review was conducted to provide a comprehensive result to capture the dynamics and benefits of smart logistics and identify barriers deserving of further academic interest. To summarize the novel investigations in this domain, forty (40) papers were chosen and properly analyzed. As a result of the analysis, it was revealed that there are 6 main barriers preventing the adoption and implementation of smart logistics. These are risk-related barriers, data and technology-related barriers, organizational-related barriers, human resource-related barriers, economic-related barriers, and regulation-related barriers. On the other hand, as a result of the literature review, critical factors (such as investing in smart logistics, developing technological infrastructure, generating organizational culture or mission toward smart logistics, and providing top management support) that will both overcome these obstacles and facilitate the adoption of smart logistics have been determined. The accumulation of knowledge and provided insights in this research will provide advantages for both practitioners and academics interested in this emerging novel technology segment.

Sustainable Agriculture Leveraging Artificial Intelligence Systems in Kenya's Agri-food Supply Chain

The Agro-food supply chain is crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goal No. 2 of zero hunger and sustainable agriculture. However, Kenya faces significant post-harvest losses, mainly attributed to challenges in first and last-mile logistics. In the era of technological advancements, this research paper explores the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the Kenyan agri-food supply chain. Building on existing information, the study focuses on AI's role in monitoring and controlling farmland outputs, optimizing supply chain logistics, and addressing fraud and counterfeiting. The research objectives include assessing AI's utility in monitoring and controlling outputs in farmlands improving supply chain efficiency, and combating fraud in agricultural inputs. Research methods involve a comprehensive literature review, analyzing case studies such as Project FARM and FAO's Fall Armyworm Monitoring and Early Warning System, and reviewing scholarly articles on AI applications in agriculture. The research results highlight the benefits of leveraging AI in farmland monitoring, climate change adaptation, supply chain logistics, and fraud prevention. AI technologies can enhance agricultural productivity, reduce transportation costs, and eliminate corruption in the supply chain. The findings suggest that integrating AI systems into the agri-food supply chain is vital for achieving sustainable agriculture in Kenya. The study concludes that AI offers innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, enhance supply chain efficiency, and contribute to achieving zero hunger and sustainable agricultural practices.

A memetic algorithm for a real-world dynamic pickup and delivery problem

The dynamic pickup and delivery problem (DPDP) is essential in supply chain management and logistics. In this study, we consider a real-world DPDP from daily delivery scenarios of a company. In the problem, orders are generated randomly and released periodically. The orders should be completed as soon as possible to minimize the cost. We propose a novel memetic algorithm (MA) to address this problem. The proposed MA consists of a genetic algorithm and a local search strategy that periodically solves a static pickup and delivery problem when new orders are released. We have conducted extensive experiments on 64 real-world instances to assess the performance of our method. Three state-of-the-art algorithms are chosen as the baseline algorithms. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the MA in solving the real-world DPDP.

EGCY-Net: An ELAN and GhostConv-Based YOLO Network for Stacked Packages in Logistic Systems

Dispatching, receiving, and transporting goods involve a large amount of manual effort. Within a logistics supply chain, a wide variety of transported goods need to be handled, recognized, and checked at many different points. Effective planning of automated guided vehicle (AGV) transportation can reduce equipment energy consumption and shorten task completion time. As the need for efficient warehouse logistics has increased in manufacturing systems, the use of AGVs has also increased to reduce working time. These processes hold automation potential, which we can exploit by using computer vision techniques. We propose a method for the complete automation of box recognition, covering both the types and quantities of boxes. To do this, an ELAN and GhostConv-based YOLO network (EGCY-Net) is proposed with a Conv-GhostConv Stack (CGStack) module and an ELAN-GhostConv Network (EGCNet). To enhance inter-channel relationships, the CGStack module captures complex patterns and information in the image by using ghost convolution to increase the model inference speed while retaining the ability to capture spatial features. EGCNet is designed and constructed based on ELAN and the CGStack module to capture and utilize hierarchical features efficiently in layer aggregation. Additionally, the proposed methodology involves the creation of a dataset comprising images of boxes taken in warehouse settings. The proposed system is realized on the NVIDIA Jetson Nano platform, using an Arducam IMX477 camera. To evaluate the proposed model, we conducted experiments with our own dataset and compared the results with some state-of-the-art (SOTA) models. The proposed network achieved the highest detection accuracy with the fewest parameters compared to other SOTA models.

“Hello, this is your AI co-pilot” – operational implications of artificial intelligence chatbots

PurposeThis editorial for the 6th World Conference on Production and Operations Management (P&OM) 2022 Special Issue delves into the transformative role of advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chatbots in reshaping operations, supply chain management and logistics (OSCM). It aligns with the conference’s theme of exploring the intersection between P&OM and strategy during the Technological Revolution.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing a conceptual approach, this paper introduces the “ERI Framework,” a tool designed to evaluate the impact of AI-driven chatbots in three critical operational dimensions: efficiency (E), responsiveness (R) and intelligence (I). This framework is grounded in disruptive debottlenecking theory and real-world applications, offering a novel structure for analysis.FindingsThe conceptual analysis suggests immediate benefits of chatbots in enhancing decision-making and resource allocation, thereby alleviating operational bottlenecks. However, it sees challenges such as workforce adaptation and potential impacts on creativity and sustainability.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that while chatbots present opportunities for optimizing operational processes, organizations must thoughtfully address the emerging challenges to maintain productivity and foster innovation. Strategic implementation and employee training are highlighted as key factors for successful integration.Originality/valueBridging the gap between the burgeoning proliferation of chatbots and their practical implications in OSCM, this paper offers a first perspective on the role of AI chatbots in modern business environments. By providing insights into both the benefits and challenges of chatbot integration, it offers a preliminary view essential for academics and practitioners in the digital age.

Modelling a Logistics and Financial Supply Chain Network during the COVID-19 Era

Background: Supply chain networks (SCNs) have been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving them open to financial losses. SCs have been impacted by the pandemic, necessitating the adoption of sustainable practices and dynamic capacities to ensure resilience and performance. Several studies have focused on this subject, offering insights into the importance of sustainable supply-chain management, corporate governance, big data management activities, and digital technology in minimising the consequences of the pandemic and fostering sustainability. Methods: This study suggests an analytical framework for assessing environmentally friendly procedures and dynamic capacities to assure performance in a disruptive environment. Results: The following are some of the important details and contributions in this article: (1) developed a conceptual framework for assessing dynamic capacities and sustainable behaviours considering COVID-19, (2) concentrates on financial ratios during COVID-19, and (3) established drivers for sustainable practices and competencies during disruption and unpredictable business settings. Conclusions: The suggested model can assist practitioners in creating and implementing sustainable supply chain (SC) activities and tracking and assessing their effects on the sustainability of businesses. So, the proposed model can assist managers in creating and implementing sustainable supply-chain activities and tracking and analysing their effects on the sustainability of businesses.