Supply Chain Security Research Articles

Software Supply-Chain Security: Issues and Countermeasures

Software Supply-Chain Security: Issues and Countermeasures

내륙운송 연계 컨테이너터미널 플랫폼 구축모형 요인분석

Purpose – This research aims to derive factors when developing a data platform for container terminalinland transportation and provide implications for platform quality improvement to cope with supply chain security issues such as COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, an extensive literature review and interviews with related business practitioners were performed to obtain detailed survey results. Independent sample T-tests were conducted to verify differences between container terminal groups and inland-carrier groups, including forwarders. Then, exploratory factor analysis and importance-performance analysis were performed using SPSS26.0. Findings – The results showed that system accessibility, quality, and diversity of information should be considered preferentially, suggesting that the efficient management of fixed capital could be possible through the strengthening of practice-oriented container terminal-inland transportation linkages. Research implications – This study proposed the introduction of a modular container terminal-inland transportation platform considering the characteristics of relatively small-scale inland-carriers and forwarders. In addition, it is possible to create competitive edge that connects maritime and inland transportation in a balanced way from the perspective of a port-based logistics cluster if the range of platform availability related to container terminals and background logistics connectivity is expanded in phases.

Securing small and medium ports and their supply chain services

This paper argues that small and medium sized ports (SMPs) are as important as larger ones in terms of supply chain service (SCS) management and security, as they can become the weakest links for national and European Union (EU) resilience and security. It focuses on explaining key concepts about SMPs, their characteristics (e.g., size, operational field, infrastructure), potential threats (e.g., interception of sensitive information, illegal access, terrorism) and attacks (cyber, cyber-physical), as well as basic security concepts (e.g., attack path, attack vector, risk). Three SCS attack scenarios for SMPs are described based on different types of threats, which could cause catastrophic impacts, even paralyzing an SMP propagated in its SCS. Finally, a risk management methodology for SCSs that can be used by SMPs, named CYSMET, is presented considering their capabilities, needs and constraints.

Towards a closed loop recycling process of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries: Recovery of critical metals and electrochemical performance evaluation of a regenerated LiCoO2

The growing demand for lithium-ion battery technology emphasizes the critical need to establish effective recycling and proper disposal methods for used batteries, ensuring the long-term sustainability and security of the battery supply chain. This study addresses this need by exploring two hydrochemical routes, using sulfuric acid and nitric acid, respectively. The objective is to investigate the influence of the acid used in the leaching process on the properties of the regenerated final product, LiCoO2. Moreover, a novel and simplified approach for extracting lithium as lithium carbonate is proposed.In evaluating the recycled batteries, careful examination of their physicochemical properties and electrochemical performances reveals striking similarities to batteries produced from commercial sources. This comparison provides evidence of the successful recycling process. By optimizing the leaching conditions, we were able to extract more than 98% of both cobalt and lithium from the used cathode materials of cell phone batteries.Significantly, our study demonstrates that nitric acid offers a straightforward method for separating and obtaining a pure product, surpassing the outcomes achieved with sulfuric acid using the same steps. Additionally, we thoroughly investigate and compare the electrochemical performances of the synthesized cathode materials with those synthesized from pure commercial reagents. This systematic analysis confirms the effectiveness and viability of the proposed recycling process.The key advantage of this approach lies in its ability to achieve a complete recycling of the initial spent cathodic elements, which is crucial for establishing a circular economy. This comprehensive recycling method not only addresses the increasing demand for lithium-ion battery technology but also contributes to the sustainable utilization of resources and the preservation of the battery supply chain's integrity.

Making the case for Africa and the democratic republic of the Congo as the global rare earth element supply leaders

The initiative to electrify and decarbonize economies over the next two decades, particularly in the energy and transportation sectors, is going to cause a significant increase in demand for critical rare earth elements , Rare earth elements have already proved themselves highly useful, contributing to many everyday items including batteries, electric vehicles, computer components, photovoltaic panels, and turbines to name a few examples. The number of countries outside of the United States that currently source and provide these critical elements is limited, posing implications for the security and continuity of the global and national supply chain and specifically to the national security of the US. This article is a mini review of the existing literature with recommendations for partnerships. It discusses potential stress points in the current supply chain of REEs and explores the feasibility of expanded American partnerships with Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo specifically to address opportunities to strengthen the security and transparency of the global supply chain of REEs. In Africa, REEs are concentrated in countries like South Africa, Madagascar, Malawi, Kenya, Namibia, the DRC, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Burundi. These countries have significant quantities of neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium among other REEs that are required in the numerous technological items (including green technologies) that are manufactured today. The framework for extracting the elements from those countries requires specific attention to ensure the preservation of natural assets that are key to global health.

Food Freshness Detection Using IOT and ML

In today's modern world, the issue of food spoilage poses a significant challenge, as consuming spoiled meals can be hazardous to consumers' health. Our objective is to develop a solution for detecting spoiled food by employing suitable sensors that monitor gasses released by various food items. By utilizing a microcontroller equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, an alert can be issued, prompting appropriate action to be taken. This technology has the potential for widespread application in the food industry, where manual food detection is currently employed. Our plan is to create devices that can learn and adapt to this detection process, enabling us to estimate the likelihood of food spoilage and predict the timeframe within which it may occur, especially when sourced from specific suppliers. By implementing this system, we aim to foster increased competition among retailers, encouraging them to prioritize the sale of healthier and fresher food products. Ultimately, this will contribute to the creation of a safer environment for all consumers. To achieve our goals, we propose the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies in food freshness detection. This system is designed to assist food suppliers and retailers in monitoring the freshness of their food products. The proposed system employs a combination of IoT devices and ML algorithms to identify changes in the freshness of food items. IoT-enabled sensors are utilized to gather data from the surrounding environment, which is then processed by ML algorithms to detect any deviations in the freshness of the food products. In instances where the freshness begins to deteriorate, the system promptly notifies the food suppliers and retailers, enabling them to take immediate action. We have conducted thorough testing of the proposed system through a case study, and the results demonstrate its effectiveness in detecting changes in the freshness of food products. The integration of a microcontroller equipped with IoT capabilities ensures timely alerts, facilitating the necessary actions to prevent the sale or consumption of spoiled food. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the food industry by automating and improving the detection of food spoilage, thereby safeguarding the health and well-being of consumers. In summary, our proposed solution utilizes IoT and ML to detect changes in food freshness. By leveraging IoT-enabled sensors and ML algorithms, we can monitor and predict the likelihood of food spoilage, enabling suppliers and retailers to take appropriate measures. This approach not only fosters competition among retailers to provide healthier and fresher food but also ensures a safer and more secure food supply chain for consumers worldwide.

Analysis of the global trade network of the chip industry chain: Does the U.S.-China tech war matter?

Chip is the “brain” of the information industry and modern manufacturing industry, and supply chain security is the key to the sustainable development of the industrial chain. From the perspective of the industrial chain, this paper selected semiconductor silicon wafers and equipment, integrated circuits, electronic computers, and components as representative commodities in the upstream, midstream, and downstream of the chip industry chain, constructed global trade networks of the chip industry chain, and analyzed the characteristics of the networks and nodes in 2020 and the changes in China's status before and after the China-U.S. tech war. The study results indicate that the network scale and network density of the global trade network of downstream electronic computers and components are higher than those of midstream integrated circuits; the global trade network of upstream semiconductor wafers and equipment has the smallest network scale and network density, and the trade networks of all links show obvious small-world characteristics; The United States ranks first in betweenness centrality of all links, with the strongest control ability and the largest number of trading partners in all links; China has higher betweenness centrality and more trading partners in the global trade network of the two upstream commodities than that of the midstream commodities, and the lowest betweenness centrality in the global trade network of the downstream commodities; The core countries of the chip industry chain are concentrated in southeast Asia, east Asia, central and western Europe, and the United States. China's trade status of semiconductor silicon wafers and integrated circuits has declined significantly during the China-U.S. tech war. The nodes in the chip trade network have good robustness in the face of random attacks and show vulnerability under target attacks. Additionally, the trade network's robustness in the chip industry chain is the strongest for downstream commodities, ranks second for midstream commodities, and is the weakest for upstream commodities. These findings can provide references for ensuring chip supply chain security in China and other trade-participating countries.

Supply-chain factors and antimicrobial stewardship.

Efficient and secure supply chains are vital for effective health services worldwide. In low- and middle-income countries, the accessibility, affordability and availability of essential medicines, including antimicrobials, remain challenging. Ineffective supply chains often cause antimicrobial shortages, leading to inappropriate use of alternative agents and increasing the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Shortages, coupled with insecure supply chains, also encourage the infiltration of substandard and falsified medicines, leading to suboptimal treatment and further promoting antimicrobial resistance. Addressing antimicrobial supply-chain issues should be considered a key component of antimicrobial stewardship programmes. We have explored the link between medicine supply chains and antimicrobial use in seven focus countries: Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia. We explored country medicine supply-system structures, national medicine supply-chain policy documents and global study reports. Our aim was to develop evidence-based strategies to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the medicine supply chains in supporting antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Better management of medical supply chains involves rational selection, quantification, forecasting, procurement, storage, distribution, use and stock management of antimicrobials. Important supply-chain considerations include pooled procurement networks to ensure consistent pricing of quality-assured antimicrobials, and improved resource utilization and information exchange among relevant stakeholders. We propose adaptable recommendations for integrating medicine supply chains as an essential part of antimicrobial stewardship programmes, with a call for action at the local, regional and national levels in low- and middle-income countries.

Food Supply Chain Assurance: Malaysian Consumer Household Perspective

Food supply chain assurance refers to the measures and processes that are put in place to ensure the safety, quality, and reliability of the food supply chain from farm to fork. Food supply chain assurance aims to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses, ensure the integrity of the supply chain, and build trust between consumers and producers. Hence, this paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the effects of the dimensions of food security and their impacts on the food supply chain in the context of households in Malaysia. This research primarily focuses on individuals as the unit of analysis, and 498 households in the Klang Valley, Malaysia, were invited to take part in the survey. Subsequently, out of the invited households, 350 responses were received and considered valid for data analysis. The results of this study show that each of the hypotheses is true and that food security in the supply chain is affected by all four aspects of food security: how easy it is to get food, how much food is available, how it is used, and how stable it is. This study is one of the first to help partners in the food security supply chain better understand the effects of food security mechanisms. This will help consumers become more aware of the food security supply chain in the long run.

Investigation of Risk Factors Influencing the Safety of Maritime Containers Supply Chain: In the Period of the Pandemic

Maritime security is facing many challenges due to war conflicts, geopolitics, sanctions, and pandemics. The supply chain for maritime containers has faced considerable obstacles as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous factors, such as port closures, travel restrictions, and a decreased workforce, have impacted the supply chain. The risk of cargo theft, piracy, and other security events has increased as a result of these difficulties. Therefore, it is essential to look at the risk variables that may affect the security of the marine container supply chain during the pandemic. This research paper highlights those risks through the following three indexes: the likelihood index (LI), severity index (SI), and average risk index (ARI) by analyzing 64 risk factors that were prepared and designed by incorporating the Delphi expert survey technique to prepare a systematic questionnaire. The article addresses worries over the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on international supply networks. The causes of the most recent global shipping industry disruptions and their impact on supply chains have been thoroughly examined. In order to reduce the number of disruptions in global supply chains and lower the direct and indirect costs for consumers, the authors have also mentioned the necessary actions that must be implemented. The results concluded after the analysis pointed to “management activities,” such as human resources or the working environment as having the highest possibility of going wrong, whereas “operation activities” were judged to likely be the fatal ones if the security of maritime containers was ever compromised. The main objective of the study is to evaluate how the COVID-19 epidemic may affect international shipping, particularly container shipping, which is currently the most important link in the world’s multimodal land–sea supply chains.

Turning black to green: Circular economy of industrial carbon emissions

Industrial carbon emissions represent both a problem and an opportunity. As part of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) strategies, they can be used as raw materials to produce value-added products. Depending on the final product, the CCU approach could delay, reduce, or completely eliminate carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Although technically feasible, the barriers to commercial sustainability of such low-carbon or net-zero circular economy models are not sufficiently explored in the literature. To bridge this gap to a certain extent, I will discuss five key areas where circular economy-based CCU ecosystems producing net-zero synthetic fuels face challenges: supply-chain security, value-chain innovation, stakeholder cooperation, supply–demand market dynamics, and policy and regulation. To overcome some of these challenges, I will share opinions on how collaboration between government, private investors, and industries could help in developing relevant policies to close cost gaps in the short- and medium-term. Finally, I will explain how public–private partnership models could be used to pool resources, share risks, and how regulatory de-risking could be used to promote alignment between regulation and private investor for circular economy-based CCU projects for producing net-zero methanol.

Guest Editorial: Blockchain and decentralised solutions for social good

Guest Editorial: Blockchain and decentralised solutions for social good

Beyond 15 MW: A cost of energy perspective on the next generation of drivetrain technologies for offshore wind turbines

Leading wind turbine manufacturers are racing to build larger and more powerful offshore machines. Drivetrain configurations often use a permanent-magnet synchronous generator (PMSG), in either a direct-drive configuration or coupled to a gearbox. With increasing demand for critical rare-earth magnets, new generator technologies are emerging to ensure a stable and secure supply chain. We evaluate three different topologies of radial flux synchronous generators employing high field magnets with reduced or no rare-earth content: a direct-drive interior PMSG (DD-IPMSG), a geared drivetrain combining a medium speed gearbox with a PMSG (MS-PMSG), and a direct-drive low-temperature superconducting generator (DD-LTSG). We develop a conceptual design module for each of these technologies within a larger framework for full turbine design. This provides the fairest comparison between technologies at nominal power ratings from 15–25MW, which represent the next generation of offshore wind turbines. The analyses show that if operational expenditures (OpEx) are constant across the technologies, MS-PMSG results in the lowest LCOE with reductions of up to 7% relative to DD-IPMSG. DD-LTSG also yields lower LCOE values by 2%–3% for fixed-bottom turbines and 3%–5% with a floating platform. However, results are sensitive to OpEx assumptions, with a mere 10% increase causing the conclusions to shift.

The Impact of Online Anti-Counterfeiting on Channel Structure and Pricing Decisions

Counterfeiting is an important challenge in maintaining the security and sustainability of supply chains. This paper examines a supply chain consisting of a luxury goods manufacturer (and a retailer) in the presence of counterfeit goods. Inspired by the reality that both manufacturers and retailers have incentives to implement anti-counterfeiting, this paper combines the psychological impact of anti-counterfeiting efforts on consumers and discusses the impact of anti-counterfeiting efforts on pricing and profits. We find that: (1) anti-counterfeiting has a positive impact on the selling price of brand products and the firms’ profits. However, the impact on wholesale prices varies depending on who implements the anti-counterfeiting strategy. (2) Only when the quality of brand products is higher than the threshold, is the firm willing to input anti-counterfeiting efforts. Manufacturers in a reselling structure are more motivated to fight counterfeits. (3) Implementing anti-counterfeiting in a direct selling structure is the most effective strategy for manufacturers. Under a reselling structure, it is more beneficial for manufacturers to have the retailer input anti-counterfeiting efforts. Our study provides insights into the reasons why some manufacturers establish internal anti-counterfeiting teams under the direct selling structure, while others incentivize retailers to invest in anti-counterfeiting.

A hybrid mechanism-based and data-driven approach to forecast energy consumption of fused deposition modelling

Additive manufacturing (AM) has been recognized as a promising technology for achieving more secure and resilient supply chains to support social transitions to sustainable post-fossil carbon societies. AM is considered to be efficient and sustainable and its environmental impact is mainly from energy consumption. Therefore, it is of great significance to accurate predict and thus reduce the energy consumption of AM. However, current models to predict AM energy consumption are not sufficiently accurate. In this paper, a hybrid mechanism-based and data-driven approach is proposed to forecast the AM energy consumption. This approach accurately modelled the working time and power of each energy-consuming component of the FDM machine. Firstly, the physical model was used to establish the energy consumption prediction framework which documents the total energy into energy consumed by each component. Secondly, the data-driven method was leveraged via data fitting and deep learning to obtain the power and temporal model of the nozzle and the platform, considering their working states and interactions between them and the cooling fan. Thirdly, experimental measurements and G-code parsing were utilized to obtain data of the power model and the temporal model of the remaining components. In this work, the different types of parts were fabricated by the fused deposition modelling (FDM) printer and the energy consumption was measured and compared with the predicted values to verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method. Finally, the proposed method was compared with other methods to document the benefits of the proposed method. The results showed that the prediction accuracy of the proposed method for these four experiments was more than 94% accurate and it outperformed other methods. The proposed method can be used to guide process design to more accurately predict and thus reduce the energy consumption of AM parts during their manufacturing processes.

Blockchain technology adaptation and organizational inertia: moderating role between knowledge management processes and supply chain resilience

PurposeSupply chain resilience and knowledge management (KM) processes have received increasing attention from researchers and practitioners. Nevertheless, previous studies often treat the two streams of literature independently. Drawing on the knowledge-based theory, this study aims to reconcile these two different streams of literature and examine how and when KM processes influence supply chain resilience.Design/methodology/approachThis research develops a conceptual model to test a sample of data from 203 Chinese manufacturing firms using a structural equation modeling method. Specifically, the current study empirically examines how KM processes affect different forms of supply chain resilience (supply chain readiness, responsiveness and recovery) and examines the moderating effect of blockchain technology adaptation and organizational inertia on the relationship between KM processes and supply chain resilience.FindingsThe findings show that KM processes positively affect three dimensions of supply chain resilience, i.e., supply chain readiness, responsiveness and recovery. Besides, the study reveals that blockchain technology adoption positively moderates the relationships between KM processes and supply chain resilience, whereas organizational inertia negatively moderates these above relationships.Originality/valueThis research linked the two research areas of supply chain resilience and KM processes, further bridging the gap in the research exploration of KM in the supply chain field. Next, this study contributes to supply chain resilience research by investigating how KM systems positively impact supply chain readiness, responsiveness and recovery. In addition, this study found a moderating effect of blockchain technology adaption and organizational inertia on the relationship between KM processes and supply chain resilience. These findings provide a reference for Chinese manufacturing firms to strengthen supply chain resilience, achieve secure supply chain operations and gain a competitive advantage in the supply chain. This studys’findings advance the understanding of supply chain resilience and provide practical implications for supply chain managers.

Supply Chain Security in the Age of Techno-Geopolitics: ‘Fab 4’ Case in the Semiconductor Industry

Other SectionsAbstractINTRODUCTIONEXISTING STUDIES AND THEORETICAL PREMISETHE CONCEPTUAL STRUCTURE OF TECHNO-GEOPOLITICSUNDERSTANDING SUPPLY CHAIN RECONSTRUCTION FROM A TECHNO-GEOPOLITICAL PERSPECTIVECONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE U.S.-LED FAB 4CHINA AND FAB 4 COUNTRIES: STRATEGIC OPTIONS FOR THE U.S. INITIATIVECONCLUSIONFootnoteFigureTableReference

A Delphi fuzzy analytic hierarchy process framework for criteria classification and prioritization in food supply chains under uncertainty

Effectively managing food supply chains is critical for ensuring food security and safety. Identifying and prioritizing the criteria affecting food supply chain performance is imperative to manage uncertainty and avoid undesirable consequences in Supply Chain Management (SCM). This study aims to identify and prioritize critical criteria affecting food supply chains under uncertainty. We use the Delphi method to choose the predominating criteria classified into four groups: Resilience and Flexibility, Transparency and Traceability, Communication and Collaboration, and Regulation and Standardization. The fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method is used next to prioritize the selected criteria based on their significance. The results show investment in research and development, transparency and traceability, risk-sharing and collaboration among stakeholders, are the top criteria for food supply chain security and safety. These findings contribute to formulating and developing effective strategies for securing food supply chains.

The Institutionalisation of Information Security Management Practices in selected Organisations in Uganda

The study aimed at examining the extent to which information security management practices were institutionalised in corporate organisations. Evidence shows that failure by organisations to entrench the information security management practices (ISMPs) into organisations’ structures opens the gateway for attacks, threat actors and information breaches to cause harm to information assets with ease. The study explored the phenomenon in its social setting hence the adoption of descriptive research design as the research methodology. The institutional theory was adopted as a new dimension in examining information security management in organisations. This theory suggests that control gears like coercive, normative, mimetic and management commitment could be used to effectively entrench security guidelines in organisations. Methodical scrutiny of the institutionalisation process: development, implementation and maintenance, and evaluation were also carried out. The researcher relied on human experience to make sense of the institutionalised processes. Extant literature was reviewed, and survey questionnaires were developed based on the eleven ISMPs and administered to purposively selected respondents from the two organisations. The eleven ISMPs covered include state of information security policy, asset management, secure information sharing, supply chain security, access management, network security controls, portable and removable media security, remote access security, protective monitoring of information systems, implementation of information security back-ups, and security accreditation by professional bodies. Data analysis was done using SPSS. Findings indicate that organisations have not fully incorporated all the eleven ISMPs covered as best practices and standards. Based on the results from the field, answers to the research questions were partly realised. Recommendations like the implementation of ISMPs to check deficiencies identified, customisation of security guidelines to protect information assets and institutionalisation of security practices at all levels were suggested. Overall, the study was a positive step towards the institutionalisation process of ISMPs in organisations

Transforming Challenges into Opportunities for Qatar’s Food Industry: Self-Sufficiency, Sustainability, and Global Food Trade Diversification

Food trade restrictions pose a serious risk for countries that are heavily reliant on food imports, potentially leading to food crises, inequality, and geopolitical conflicts on a global scale. However, such restrictions may also have transformative effects in promoting food supply chain resilience, security, and self-sufficiency. In this study, a novel econometric analysis is presented, utilizing a data-driven analytical model to investigate the impact of a food embargo on the industry, using Qatar as a case study. A structured and automated food trade database is created using Microsoft Management Server Studio and data visualization software is integrated for automated data discovery. By using a global, trade-based sustainability assessment model, which combines the multi-region input-output (MRIO) analysis with transportation mode-based (sea, road, and air) emissions, the carbon footprint of the dairy food production sector could be estimated. The study shows that the trade embargo on Qatar’s food industry can lead to significant reductions in the annual import of food products, promoting self-sufficiency, and reducing the net carbon emissions of the dairy food sector by nearly 40%. This reduction is not only achieved through food supply chain changes, such as transportation modes, but also by restrictions pushing the country to increase domestic production. Overall, the study demonstrates that a trade embargo, with the support of a well-designed national food security strategy, trade/import diversification, and the use of different modes of transportation for food products, can improve the resilience of global supply chains, self-sufficiency, and environmental sustainability.