Supply Chain Processes Research Articles

Digital Transformation: Moderating Supply Chain Concentration and Competitive Advantage in the Service-Oriented Manufacturing Industry

One of the service-based manufacturing concepts emphasizes relationship orientation and building strong customer relationships, while Industry 4.0 enables companies to be proactive in the supply chain. However, to achieve digitally driven growth, service-based manufacturing requires a shift away from the traditional upstream and downstream hierarchy toward a collaborative model. In this study, service-oriented manufacturing companies in the packaging and printing industries are selected as case studies to examine the relationship between supply chain concentration, digital transformation, and corporate competitive advantage from the perspectives of power control and equilibrium. The results show that a high supply chain concentration harms firms’ competitive advantage, especially when power is unevenly distributed. Moreover, digital transformation plays a moderating role in this relationship, suggesting that it is possible to improve firms’ competitiveness and further equalize the power balance by applying digital technologies to supply chain processes. The study revealed significant heterogeneity within the group of companies in terms of ownership type, dual management roles, and company size. In summary, this study makes a unique contribution to the growing research field of supply chain digital transformation. It provides valuable insights from a power balance perspective for service-oriented manufacturing companies seeking to enhance their competitive advantage in a rapidly changing market environment.

Biorefinery solutions for food processing wastes: A sustainable bioeconomic perspective

Food waste is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases (mostly methane) that causes environmental devastation. Further, nearly onethird of produced food goes to wastage during the supply chain and harvesting process. These can contribute to a yearly loss of US$ 1 trillion. Considering these, there is a great concern all over the world regarding sustainable solutions for food waste minimization. For instance, the beverage, dairy, fruit and vegetable, and cereal industries create 26%, 21%, 14.8%, and 12.8% of food wastes, respectively. Such food waste is rich in protein, fat, carbohydrates, and so on, providing the possibility of fermentative products. Also, these food wastes are very homogeneous, which means they have a great potential for usage as feedstock in biorefineries (BRs), thereby greatly reducing the massive environmental load and offering sustainable resources to produce value-added products/chemicals like β-carotene, polyhydroxyalkanoates, lycopene, eicosapentaenoic acid, triacylglycerol (precursor for biodiesel) and so on. Food waste BR is a state-of-the-art facility that processes various types of food waste into useful value-added products. Food production in the EU (European Union) produces nearly 30 million tonnes of inedible food wastes per year. This value is expected to rise as the food processing business grows at a 4.3% CAGR from 2019 to 2024, hitting $4.1 trillion. Collectively, food waste BRs have great potential to empower circular bioeconomy, support fabrication sustainability, and solve environmental challenges. This review provides a distinctive overview of the latest developments in cutting-edge technologies for the bioconversion of food waste, as well as an in-depth analysis of each process, and critical aspects on development of sustainable biorefinery solutions for food processing wastes along with circular bioeconomy.

The relationship between green supply chain and green innovation based on the push of green strategic alliances

AbstractThis article aims to examine the influence of green strategic alliances (GSA) on both green radical and incremental innovation through the effects of green supply chain integration (GSCI). A theoretical model was proposed and evaluated using structural equation modeling. A 37‐item questionnaire was created to assess the proposed relationships, and a total of 303 valid responses were obtained from a sample of industrial and service companies in China. The findings indicate that GSA have a positive impact on GSCI, and thus, on both green radical and green incremental innovation. This study also explores the role of strategic alliances in corporate green innovation, and how members of alliances can benefit from superior green innovation through shared value creation. The authors innovatively adopt the frameworks of value creation and stakeholder theory to explain how supply chain (knowledge, technology, and processes) can aid firms in achieving green radical and incremental innovation.

Methane emission and influencing factors of China's oil and natural gas sector in 2020–2060: A source level analysis

The Chinese oil and gas industry requires targeted policies to reduce methane emissions. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to predict future methane emission trends and analyze the factors that influence them. However, changing economic development patterns, insufficient analysis of various factors influencing emissions, and inadequate resolution of methane emission inventories have made these goals difficult to achieve. Accordingly, this study aims to expand the methane emission estimation method to compile source-level emission inventories for future emissions, analyze the factors influencing them, and form a mechanistic understanding of the methane emissions from the local oil and gas industry. The research results indicate that methane emissions deriving from this industry will increase rapidly before 2030, after which they will decline slowly in all scenarios. The production and utilization processes in the natural gas supply chain, i.e., compressors and liquid unloading, include the main sources of methane emissions. Emissions are affected significantly by total production and consumption. Change in the overall supply and demand of natural gas affects change in methane emissions more significantly than adopting new technologies and strengthening facility maintenance, i.e., the overall supply and demand of natural gas are the dominant factors in controlling methane emissions. This study suggests that controlling the total demand for oil and gas should be at the core of the methane emission control policy for the local oil and gas industry. Moreover, equipment maintenance and emission reduction technologies should be used more effectively to reduce total emissions.

State of Digitalization in Lifestyle Apparel Industry

Objective: The objective of this research study was to assess the extent of digitalization in the Lifestyle Apparel Industry and identify any loopholes in the ideal supply chain management. The study aimed to examine the integration of retailers with their partners, the understanding of key industry trends, and the decision-making process regarding the right retail format and digitalization level.
 
 Method: This research adopted a descriptive approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. A sample of 80 Lifestyle Apparel Retailers from the Mumbai region was selected using a simple random sampling procedure. Data was collected through surveys and interviews to gather insights into the utilization of technology platforms in the industry.
 
 Result: The findings of the study revealed that Universal Product Coding, Unified Payments Interface, E-Commerce platforms, ERP Solution, and Loyalty Programs are the most extensively used technology platforms in the Lifestyle Apparel Industry. These platforms have significantly transformed the supply chain process, enhanced customer experience, and improved operational efficiency.
 
 Conclusion: In conclusion, this research highlights the pivotal role of technology in shaping the Lifestyle Apparel Industry. The adoption of various technology platforms has empowered retailers to optimize their operations, enhance customer engagement, and remain competitive in the market. The study also points out the importance of integrating retailers with partners, understanding industry trends, and making informed decisions to achieve an ideal supply chain management in the digital era. These insights are valuable for industry stakeholders and policymakers to drive further advancements and growth in the Lifestyle Apparel sector.

Sustainable supplier selection based on VIKOR with single-valued neutrosophic sets.

Considering economic, environmental, and social issues, the sustainability of the supply chain has drawn considerable attention due to societal and environmental changes within the supply chain network. The strategic study of the entire supply chain process and maximizing an organization's competitive advantage depend heavily on supplier selection based on sustainable indicators. Selecting sustainable suppliers for the supply chain is challenging since it is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem with significant uncertainty in the decision-making process. This study uses the VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) technique and single-valued neutrosophic sets (SVNS) to deal with the challenge of choosing a sustainable supplier with insufficient information. This method reduces the influence of personal experience and preference on the final evaluation results and the problem of excessive individual regret caused by factor correlation and improves the consistency of evaluation results. Finally, the method's success and adaptability are demonstrated by sensitivity analysis and additional comparison analysis, and the benefits and drawbacks of the suggested framework are examined. Compared to other approaches, it can assist decision-makers in communicating fuzzy and uncertain information, offering a perspective and approach for MCDM in the face of such situations, and helping them select suppliers of high caliber and who practice sustainable business practices.

Supply Chain Management Optimization Based on Bigdata Analysis

Contemporarily, in the context of big data, enterprises need to continuously optimize and innovate the supply chain, change the traditional supply chain management process pattern as well as optimization the whole supply processes. These actions are able to strengthen the actual effect level of supply chain process operation and achieve more benefits for the enterprise. Under the background of big data, more information management technologies are widely used, and supply chain management needs to clarify the deficiencies in its own operation, and reengineer and adjust the deficiencies. This paper will systematically discusses the implementation of the state-of-art bigdata analysis techniques in SCM. According to the analysis and evaluations of the measures, the usage of advanced big data technology will help increase the cultivation and establishment of management talent resources, so as to optimize the supply chain management process. Overall, these results shed light on guiding further exploration of supply chain management optimization.

A network-of-networks adaptation for cross-industry manufacturing repurposing

During a crisis, manufacturing processes in supply chains of different industries may network with each other as an adaptation response. We propose and examine a “network-of-networks” mechanism of such a cross-industry adaptation to learn about the value of reducing uncertainty through collaborative crisis preparedness and response during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study allows revelation of the underlying trade-offs between the manufacturing capacity conversion time and effort required to adapt and the gains from collaborative preparedness to uncertainty. Through a real-life data-based analysis with the help of mathematical optimization, we connect the networks-of-networks coordination design and the outcomes of scenario modeling demonstrating a superiority of the coordinated capacity repurposing when compared to ad-hoc adaptation. We conclude that an appropriate collaboration of governmental agencies, healthcare, and industry is crucial for a prompt capacity conversion to healthcare production in a pandemic. Concrete implementation ways are visibility, healthcare inventory monitoring, technology backup plans, and repurposing contingency plans at the preparedness stage. At the response stage, a correct adaptation start time determines success. The results obtained can be instructive to develop technological and managerial plans for a cross-industry adaptation. The proposed “network-of-networks” perspective contributes to theory of supply chain viability and adaptation under disruptions using intertwined supply networks.

FDOs to Enable Cross-Silo Work

In this paper we describe with the help of two examples how FAIR Digital Objects can be used to bridge between different dataspaces, repositories using different technologies, and model worlds. The first example is the digital specimen as defined by DiSSCO which offers access to a variety of information from different repositories in a persistent way. The second example results from a collaboration with the I4.0 Asset Administration Shell experts where we integrate the two domains using the Digital Product Pass as an example. In this example we also show how FDOs can be used to implement secure access on shared data as it occurs in almost all supply chain processes.

Smart Containerization as a Determinant of Supply Chain Visibility in Sea Freight Cargo: A Case Study of Apparel Industry in Sri Lanka

As a prominent exporter, the apparel sector draws considerable attention in the Sri Lankan economy. As most apparel supply chain occurs through sea freight, there is a significant demand for more visibility for end-to-end movements. Due to technological innovations, smart containerization has become popular with the prevailing problems in apparel supply chains to enhance its visibility, reliability, and efficient demands. The study aims to understand the concept and the related influencing factors in enhancing the supply chain process performance. The study followed the qualitative approach, and the case study strategy was used by conducting in-depth interviews selecting six experienced professionals from the logistics & supply chain sector in the selected leading apparel export organization in Sri Lanka. NVivo software assisted in the transcript coding process of the analysis while deriving the influencing factors. The study explored technological, financial, and social avenues and influences as contributions to the inbound and outbound logistics process of the apparel industry.

From concept to reality: leveraging green innovation and supply chain management for sustainable corporate performance.

The aim of this study is to examine the potential effects that Industry 4.0, often known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and its accompanying technology improvements may have on SCMP and SC performance. Industry 4.0 impacts both the methods and productivity of supply chain management. Therefore, this study conceptualizes and develops an operational framework backed by SEM to examine the impact of Industry 4.0 on S.C. performance. This study employs a structural equation model (SEM) to estimate variables in India between September 2021 and March 2022 owing to the many advantages of the SEM over other estimators. The research shows that by implementing Industry 4.0-enabled technologies, businesses can improve SCM performance significantly through a holistic strategy that emphasizes supply chain integration, information sharing, and transparency. First, the results indicate that the supply chain management practices influence the Industry 4.0 technologies adoption. Second, the results revealed that Industry 4.0 technologies significantly positively affect supply chain performance measures. Finally, Industry 4.0 technologies mediated the relations between supply chain management practices and supply chain performance measures. Moreover, these technologies allow for huge performance improvements within individual supply chain processes such as procurement, production, inventory management and retailing by enabling process integration, digitization and automation, and bringing about novel analytical capabilities.

Examining the impact of Russia-Ukraine conflict and China support on the supply chain of German family-owned SMEs in 2022

ABSTRACT The geopolitical situation created by Russia and China over Ukraine has made it difficult for businesses in Germany, mostly small and medium-sized enterprises, to manage their logistics and supply chain processes effectively. The objective of this paper was to examine the impact of the geopolitical situation on the supply chain of German family-owned SMEs in 2022, focusing on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and China. The researchers used a quantitative research study that sampled 50 participants drawn from four family-owned SMEs in Germany. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the participants. The path analysis results reveal a significant relationship between price changes and Germany's family-owned SMEs’ supply chain processes (b = 0.716, t = 15.469, t < 0.05). The positive sign indicates that an increase in the independent variable results in an increase in the dependent variable. The positive sign indicates that an increase in organizational characteristics increases attitude towards green practices. The study concludes that supply inflation, price cost, and supply cost fundamentally affect the supply chain processes of Germany-owned SMEs. The German government and other stakeholders in the SME sectors should develop policies that aim to provide financial and regulatory assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany through public-private partnerships.

Supply Chain Inclusivity and Performance of State Corporations in the Energy Sector in Kenya.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in supply chain management. This includes a focus on promoting diversity and inclusivity within the workforce, as well as in the supply chain itself. Governments while deploying public funds for the provision of goods, works and services have realized the need to use supply chain function to advance social and economic development by ensuring the inclusion of otherwise excluded. However, there is little research done to establish whether inclusivity practices improve organization performance. This study therefore sought to establish the influence of supply chain inclusivity on the performance of state corporations in the energy sector. Specifically, the study aimed at determining the influence of discriminatory procurement, stakeholder involvement, supply chain diversity and supply chain integration on performance of state corporations in the energy sector in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population for this study was nine (9) State Corporations operating in the Energy sector in Kenya. Due to the limited number of target population, a census approach was adopted. Thus, all the 9 state corporations operating in Energy sector were included. The research purposefully targeted employees in the procurement and finance departments. A total of 20 employees were involved per organization arriving at a total of 180 respondents. A questionnaire was used in collecting data. With the study being quantitative in nature, both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were employed. The study used SPSS version 26 to facilitate the analysis of data. Inferential data analysis was done using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis method. Data was presented using a combination of statistical techniques and graphical techniques. The study established that jointly, discriminatory procurement, stakeholder involvement, supply chain diversity and supply chain integration influence the performance of state corporations in the energy sector. The study recommends that state corporations should institutionalize procurement plans with a total reservation of at least 30% of the procurement budget to the special groups. The study also recommends that state corporations should authenticate tender awards and purchase orders and enter into agreements with relevant financing institutions with an undertaking that the contracted special enterprises be paid through the account opened with the financier. Consequently, the study recommends that local firms be offered more protection to enable them stand chance against the mega global entities. Further, the study recommends for involvement of citizens, local communities and civil society organizations in the process of purchasing goods and services by the state corporations through provision of input on procurement plans, monitoring procurement processes, and providing feedback on the quality of goods and services purchased. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended to state corporations that for them to effectively embrace supply chain diversity there is need to access and mitigate any barriers and bottlenecks that may hinder fair treatment, equity and justice in supply chain processes. The study also recommends to state corporations to explore and embrace advanced and emerging technologies in exchange of strategic supply chain information for improvement in the relationship and integration between the supply chain partners. The study further recommends for collaborations within the supply chain to allow firms to partner by combining core competencies and expertise as firms derive more benefits from working together than individual firms can gain on their own.

Supply Chain Management in the Modern Era: Trends, Challenges, and Strategies

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, supply chain management has emerged as a critical discipline that directly impacts a company's competitiveness and overall success. This research paper explores the complexities, trends, challenges, and strategies in supply chain management in the modern era. By analyzing recent developments and synthesizing empirical evidence, this paper provides insights into how organizations can optimize their supply chain processes to achieve operational efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability. The paper also delves into the integration of technological innovations, sustainability considerations, and the role of data analytics in enhancing supply chain practices. Supply chain management (SCM) plays a pivotal role in today's globalized and interconnected business environment. As companies strive for efficiency, sustainability, and resilience, SCM has evolved significantly to meet the demands of the modern era. This research paper examines the challenges, innovations, and best practices in supply chain management in the context of the contemporary business landscape. It explores the impact of technology, sustainability concerns, and global disruptions on SCM practices and outlines strategies for organizations to thrive in this dynamic environment. Keywords: Supply Chain Management, Modern Era, Trends, Challenges, Strategies, Globalization, Digital Transformation, Sustainability, Agile Supply Chains, Collaboration, Technology Integration, Data Analytics, Case Studies, Future Outlook.

Analysis of Supply Chain Performance of Banana Chips In Dahlia MSMEs

This study aims to analyze the performance of Banana chips supply chain management in Dahlia MSMEs, Gorontalo City in August-September 2022. This research method is a case study using primary and secondary data types. Data analysis techniques used in this study is the analysis of Supply Chain Operation Reference (SCOR) which then the calculation results will be compared with the data Benchmark. The results showed that of the 4 attributes with 7 assessment indicators only 4 indicators are in the superior category, namely perfect order fulfillment, delivery performance, cash to cash cycle and order fulfillment cycle while the other 3 indicators are volume flexibility, lead time and daily inventory are in the advantage category with the total cost used for Banana chips supply chain process is IDR. 7,560,000 in one production process. The impact for managerial is because the lead time that has not reached a superior position has a strong relationship with volume flexibility where long waiting times will result in the inability of the supply chain to maintain the flexibility of production volume, of course, this will have an impact on daily inventory, because it still have to wait for the schedule for the delivery of raw materials plus the production and marketing process.

Quantitative microbial risk assessment of haemolytic uremic syndrome associated with Argentinean kosher beef consumption in Israel.

The aim of this study was to perform a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) linked to the consumption of Kosher beef produced in Argentina and consumed in Israel in children under 14 years. A probabilistic risk assessment model was developed to characterize STEC prevalence and contamination levels in the beef supply chain (cattle primary production, cattle transport, processing and storage in the abattoir, for export and at retail, and home preparation and consumption). The model was implemented in Microsoft Excel 2016 with the @Risk add-on package. Results of 302 surveys with data collected in Israel were as follows: 92.3% of people consumed beef, mostly at home, and 98.2% preferred levels of cooking that ensured STEC removal from the surface of beef cuts. The preferred degree of ground beef doneness was "well-done" (48.2%). Cooking preference ranged from red to "medium-well done" (51.8%). Median HUS probability from Argentinean beef cut and ground beef consumption in children under 14 years old was <10-15 and 8.57x10-10, respectively. The expected average annual number of HUS cases and deaths due to beef cut and ground beef consumption was zero. Risk of infection and HUS probability correlated with salting effect on E. coli count, processing raw beef before vegetables, ways of storage and refrigeration temperature at home, joint consumption of salad and beef cuts, degree of beef doneness and cutting board washing with detergent after each use with beef and vegetables. The STEC-HUS risk in Israel from consumption of bovine beef produced in Argentina was negligible. The current QMRA results were similar to those of previous beef cut consumption QMRA in Argentina and lower than any of the QMRA performed worldwide in other STEC-HUS linked to ground beef consumption. This study confirms the importance of QMRA to estimate and manage the risk of STEC-HUS from beef consumption. The impact variables identified in the sensitivity analysis allowed us to optimize resources and time management, to focus on accurate actions and to avoid taking measures that would not have an impact on the risk of STEC-HUS.

Impact of Supply Chain Integration on Organizational Performance

This investigation assessed the association between factors of supply chain integration and organizational performance by including supply chain dimensions (internal supply chain process lean practices, technology compatibility, quality of information sharing). A qualitative research method was adopted to explain the effect of independent variables on dependent variables. Data was collected using a questionnaire through a random sampling technique. The analysis was performed utilizing SPSS version 25. This research provides a unique picture of how important the independent variables are for better organizational performance. Where two hypotheses were rejected, and two were accepted. The results are substantial for manufacturing organization managers to improve supply chain integration and achieve a competitive position in the industry by enhancing their organizational performance.

Configuring Supply Chain as a Strategy of Enhancing Firm Performance: A study on Manufacturing Sector in Kenya

This paper explored the role played by supply chain configuration on the performance of manufacturing sector in Kenya. Kenya’s manufacturing sector has come a long way in contributing to the country’s economic growth and development. However, the past decade has not been favourable for the sector, as it has recorded a significant decline in performance and growth characterized by loss-making, and declining production. With supply chain taking a huge portion of the industry’s operations, it raises the question on the extent to which supply chain of the manufacturing firms in Kenya has been aligned to suite the interests of suppliers, service providers, and customers as the key stakeholders in the supply chain process. The paper was anchored on the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model which describes the essence of organizations to map, measure, and optimize their supply chain processes. Informed by a descriptive research design, primary data was collected from 160 manufacturing firms in Kenya using a questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that supply chain configuration was significant in determining the performance of the manufacturing industry in Kenya. The findings revealed that configuring supply chain through promoting relationship with customers and suppliers played a significant role in reducing the costs of operations, enhancing quality and productivity thus enhancing profitability of manufacturing firms. A recommendation is therefore drawn that for the Kenya’s manufacturing sector to regain its strength and performance, there is need for the management to put more emphasis on supply chain processes by instigating strategies that enhance configuration of the supply chain network.

Digital twin implementation approach in supply chain processes

Integrating technology and data throughout value chains is critical for achieving efficiency. Smart technologies that enable innovation and continuous improvement are key to long-term success. Modelling and simulation of business processes help to better understand existing systems and optimize processes. However, current approaches to digital transformation tend to focus solely on outcomes rather than the strategic methodology needed for successful implementation, resulting in differing valuations of solutions investments. This paper's significant contribution is introducing a new conceptual implementation method for digital twin technology in supply chain processes. This methodology enables technology and system evaluation at the process study stage, and a stylized business case demonstrates its application in a real-world scenario involving digital twin integration into order fulfilment in a manufacturing factory using Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN) to simulate "As-Is" and "To-Be" processes.

Risk assessment in project supply chains in Maldives hospitality sector

The article evaluates the enabling factors of risks in the project management supply chain process within the Maldives hospitality sector within identification of needs in procurement process. The tourist arrivals in the Maldives have been increased rapidly. This trend is found as 64% from 2017 to 2021. The identified trend encourages investments in the hospitality sector in Maldives. Therefore, more accommodations are built to cater upcoming trend of tourist arrivals in Maldives. Statistics show 1.4 million tourist arrivals to Maldives in 2018, setting a new record. The Minister of Tourism, Ali Waheed, reported that the number of tourists who visited Maldives in 2018 was 1,484,276, which is 6.8% (or 94,734 tourists) which is higher than in 2017[1]. Tourism contributes 60% of foreign exchange receipts, making it a crucial part of the Maldives’ economy.