Supply Chain Strategy Research Articles

한국의 e커머스 시장 전략방향 연구: Business Model Canvas, 5Force Model을 이용한 공급망 전략 측면

Purpose: This study derives a sustainable strategic direction for K-commerce companies to respond to a threatened entry of multinational companies, mainly Chinese (C-commerce) companies, into the Korean e-commerce market. Research design, data, and methodology: The methodology includes a market approach, the Business Model Canvas, and the 5Force Model for the study period from March to July 2024. Results: The direction of Korea's e-commerce market success strategy, classified into asset type and non-asset type, is that the first is One Strength, which has the competitiveness and entry power to lead existing competitors. The second is that One Medle has the bargaining power of suppliers that can protect existing customers from conversion due to consumer benefits and seller benefits. The third is Three Weakness, which is facing the threat of new entrants, the bargaining power of buyers, and the threat of alternative products, so there are always risks. Conclusions: The implications of the “One Strength, One Medle, and Three Weakness” sector derived from Korea's e-commerce market strategic direction study are summarized into three in terms of supply chain strategy and presented in the text.

An Integrated Circular Supply Chain Framework to Enhance Malaysian Business Performance

Businesses rely on supply chain management to suit the needs of global and multigenerational consumers. However, the current linear manufacturing and distribution supply chain strategy has been regarded as the source of dangerous waste generation, environmental deterioration, and the global warming phenomenon. In mitigating this issue, circular supply chain management, a practical integration model, is seen as the solution as it helps to reduce material flows and supply chain waste. Unfortunately, the fundamental mechanisms that can support its effective execution have not been comprehensively examined, hindering its complete incorporation into company strategy. Thus, to overcome this knowledge gap and improve organizational understanding, this study uses the systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) procedure to investigate the characteristics, enablers, and barriers of circular supply chain management. The study found five interconnected key structures: government, industry stakeholders, corporate management, end users, and financial institutions, all of which play important roles in the successful implementation of a circular supply chain strategy. As a result, close collaboration across the five identified stakeholders is essential to enable successful implementation. This study's objective is to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8, 9, and 12, which aim to promote peace and prosperity for people and the planet both now and in the future.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management for Business Competitiveness: A Systematic Literature Review

The goal of this systematic literature review (SLR) is to present a thorough examination of the connection between corporate competitiveness and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). Based on 74 publications from reliable sources, including Science Direct, JSTOR, IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, this review combines data to highlight important concepts, conceptual frameworks, and research findings. According to the review, supply chain strategies that incorporate sustainability principles can improve social responsibility, environmental performance, and economic viability—all of which support long-term competitiveness. The analysis reveals that among the key success factors within SSC that are related to social and environmental impacts, operational resilience and continuity, financial performance, technological innovation, technological innovation, differentiation, regulatory compliance and industry standards, customer satisfaction and loyalty, and resource efficiency and cost savings. Transparency and traceability, market and reputation benefits, risk management techniques, and circular economy ideas are some of the best ways that SSC practices boost company competitiveness. However, some of the biggest obstacles to supply chain management (SSCM) that undermine firm competitiveness are high beginning costs, complexity, supply chain interruptions, and market constraints. The review expands on our knowledge of the ways in which SSCM boosts corporate competitiveness. Discussions are held regarding conclusions, suggestions for additional study, and theoretical and practical ramifications.

Promotion strategies of food delivery O2O supply chain with anti-food waste regulation

This paper connects food waste with food delivery service and aims to explore the impacts of the anti-food waste regulation on food waste generation and the selection of promotion strategy in an Online-to-Offline (O2O) supply chain. Using a game-theoretical approach, we focus on three prominent promotion strategies—a no-promotion strategy (N strategy), a price discount strategy (D strategy), or a volume-based price discount strategy (S strategy). Our research results indicate that the restaurant’s choice of promotion strategy is almost independent of the intensity of anti-food waste penalties. However, the optimal strategy of the platform and the amount of waste are influenced by it. Under certain conditions, restaurants and platforms were able to achieve a win-win situation through promotion strategies. In the case of the relaxation of anti-food waste regulations, both restaurants and platforms tend to adopt the D strategy. In contrast, when penalties are stronger, platforms may be forced to accept D or S strategy because of the proactive behaviors of restaurants, even if they would prefer not to adopt promotion strategies. Overall, the government should consider bringing restaurants under regulation to protect platform revenue and effectively reduce food waste.

Modifying supply chain strategies to address regulatory compliance challenges: Lessons from South Eastern Nigeria

Regulatory compliance was an essential component of contemporary corporate operations, guaranteeing conformity to laws, rules, and standards controlling different aspects of organisational activity. Businesses operating in South Eastern Nigeria encounter complex obstacles to regulatory compliance, such as currency depreciation, the dynamic nature of data protection legislation, and the increasing global integration of supply chains. This report offers valuable insights into the intricate process of adjusting supply chain strategies to address regulatory compliance difficulties in South Eastern Nigeria. The paper examined regulatory compliance difficulties and their effects on supply chain dynamics by conducting a thorough literature review and analysing current research. Devaluing currency led to changes in import/export levies, tariffs, and customs procedures, which need quick and adaptable actions to ensure compliance and competitiveness. In addition, the digitalization of corporate operations intensified the issues of ensuring data security and privacy compliance. This necessitated investing in technological solutions and adopting proactive risk management strategies. Despite these difficulties, firms in South Eastern Nigeria adopted a range of tactics, such as implementing compliance management systems, diversifying suppliers and markets, and engaging with regulatory agencies, to successfully modify their supply chain strategies. The results emphasised the significance of taking proactive actions, engaging in strategic planning, and fostering cooperation among relevant parties to effectively address regulatory compliance obstacles and maintain competitiveness in the global market. Keywords: Adherence to regulations, Techniques for managing supply chains, Depreciation of currency, Safeguarding data, Region of South Eastern Nigeria.

Advanced Queueing and Location-Allocation Strategies for Sustainable Food Supply Chain

Background: This study presents an integrated multi-product, multi-period queuing location-allocation model for a sustainable, three-level food supply chain involving farmlands, facilities, and markets. The model employs M/M/C/K queuing systems to optimize the transportation of goods, enhancing efficiency and sustainability. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) approach is used to identify optimal facility locations while maximizing profitability, minimizing driver waiting times, and reducing environmental impact. Methods: The grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA), a meta-heuristic algorithm inspired by the behavior of grasshopper swarms, is utilized to solve the model on a large scale. Numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model, particularly in solving large-scale problems where traditional methods like GAMS fall short. Results: The results indicate that the proposed model, utilizing the grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA), effectively addresses complex and large-scale food supply chain problems. Compared to GAMS, GOA achieved similar outcomes with minimal differences in key metrics such as profitability (with a gap ranging from 0.097% to 1.11%), environmental impact (0.172% to 1.83%), and waiting time (less than 0.027%). In large-scale scenarios, GOA significantly reduced processing times, ranging from 20.45 to 64.78 s. The optimization of processing facility locations within the supply chain, based on this model, led to improved balance between cost (up to $74.2 million), environmental impact (122,112 hazardous units), and waiting time (down to 11.75 h). Sensitivity analysis further demonstrated that increases in truck arrival rates and product value had a significant impact on improving supply chain performance.

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES (SMES)

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically disrupted global supply chain management, significantly affecting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study investigates the profound impacts of the pandemic on SMEs’ supply chain operations, highlighting key challenges such as inventory shortages, logistical bottlenecks, and increased costs. The research draws on a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive analysis of how SMEs have adapted their supply chain strategies in response to the pandemic. Findings suggest that while SMEs were disproportionately affected by supply chain disruptions, those that swiftly adopted digital tools and diversified their supply chains were better positioned to mitigate risks. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on supply chain resilience, offering practical recommendations for SMEs to enhance their supply chain management in the face of future global disruptions.

Framework for resilience strategies in agricultural supply chain: assessment in the era of climate change

Climate change is significantly and enduringly impacting global agricultural supply chains (ASCs), underscoring the urgent need to enhance their climate resilience. This study aims to identify key strategies for building agricultural supply chain resilience (ASCRes) in the context of climate change and their interrelationships. Through a comprehensive literature review and expert consultations, a framework of 12 strategies was developed. Using survey data from 312 Chinese ASC companies, BP-DEMATEL-ISM and PLS-SEM methods were employed to conduct causal analysis and factor level evaluation. The results indicate that “diversification of agricultural products and supply chain (SC) networks,” “Agriculture 4.0 and digital transformation,” and “taking proactive climate action” are critical strategies to enhance ASCRes in the context of climate change. These findings can provide theoretical basis for farmers, ASC companies, and governments to cope with the impact of climate change, so as to build more robust ASC systems.

Selling mode selection and AI service strategy in an E-commerce platform supply chain

With the advancement and wide adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, various industries have recognized its immense potential and significance, especially in the e-commerce sector. This study considers an E-commerce Platform Supply Chain (EPSC) consisting of a manufacturer and a platform that may provide AI service. The primary purpose of this research is to explore the strategic interaction between different customer service strategies (i.e., Manual or AI service) and different selling modes (i.e., Agency or reselling mode). The research results show that if the manual service sensitivity is relatively high, the manufacturer is more willing to set a higher wholesale price. When the service efficiency attenuation effect of the manual customer towards demand is stronger, AI service would bring about more demand. Additionally, when the service efficiency attenuation effect is stronger, or it is weaker but the AI service efficiency is higher, the EPSC could utilize AI service to obtain more profit under reselling mode. Under agency mode, AI service can benefit the EPSC more when the service effect attenuation coefficient is relatively larger. Last but not least, we find that when the AI service cost coefficient is relatively small, the reselling mode can benefit the EPSC more. Most importantly, compared with manual service, AI service provides the EPSC with a new opportunity to embrace the reselling mode more.

Quantitative assessment of the profitability of next shoring strategy in global supply chains

Quantitative assessment of the profitability of next shoring strategy in global supply chains

Channel and pricing strategies in a risk-averse dual-channel supply chain: portfolio trade credit financing and platform investment

ABSTRACT This paper considers a dual-channel supply chain where the supplier can distribute products through an online platform and a capital-constrained traditional offline retailer. The retailer needs to fund its business by a portfolio financing of trade credit and platform investment to enter the market. With the price-dependent market uncertain demand, the supplier faces choices among direct, traditional, and dual channels for product distribution. We use the CVaR criterion to formulate the retailer’s risk-averse behaviour. Then derive the optimal retail channel strategy in a Stackelberg game model where the platform leads by setting a revenue-sharing rate. Our results unveil a Pareto improvement region in revenue sharing rates within the portfolio financing scheme. As the slotting fee escalates, the supplier tends towards traditional channels. Conversely, with a modest slotting fee, a threshold emerges for the retailer’s risk aversion, delineating the optimal retail channel. High retailer risk aversion favours the dual channel, while lower aversion steers all members towards the direct channel. Theoretical findings are validated through numerical analysis.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management for Business Competitiveness: A Systematic Literature Review

The goal of this systematic literature review (SLR) is to present a thorough examination of the connection between business competitiveness and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). Based on 74 publications from reliable sources, this review combines data to highlight important concepts, conceptual frameworks, and research findings. According to the review, supply chain strategies that incorporate sustainability principles can improve social responsibility, environmental performance, and economic viability—all of which support long-term competitiveness. The analysis shows that there are many success factors within SSC, some of the best ways that SSC practices boost company competitiveness, analyzed SSC obstacles. Discussions are held regarding conclusions, suggestions for additional study, and theoretical and practical ramifications

Research on retailer’s pricing and stocking strategy in two-stage green supply chain considering bounded rationality and non-green product

Due to the bounded rationality of decision-makers and the substitution effect of non-green products, retailers are not always profitable when selling green products. To assist retailers who may be disadvantaged in the game, this study constructs a two-stage green supply chain game model, considering the bounded rationality of decision-makers and the substitution effect of non-green products, and analyzes the impacts of two operational strategies that retailers can adopt—price-cutting strategy and early replenishment strategy. The research reveals that retailers tend to lower prices in the second stage when price reductions stimulate consumer purchases, enhancing their profitability. However, strategic retailers may raise prices in the first stage to create room for discounts later, potentially harming consumer interests. Contrary to expectations, anticipating future demand does not always improve supply chain profitability in the early replenishment strategy, which mainly depends on the market environment. Early replenishment deprives retailers of negotiation leverage in the second stage, and bulk orders may lead manufacturers to over-invest in green innovation. Therefore, this strategy is effective only when green innovation costs are low, consumer environmental awareness is high, or price sensitivity is low.

Analysis of government subsidy strategies for blockchain-enabled green supply chains under competition

This study uses game-theory to construct a dual-channel green supply chain consisting of a manufacturer, a blockchain-enabled platform, and a non-blockchain-enabled offline retailer, with the aim of comparing two government subsidy strategies: greenness investment cost subsidy and production subsidy, and exploring the impact of blockchain adoption. First, firms without government subsidy should adopt blockchain only when privacy costs are low. Both subsidy strategies can always motivate the manufacturer to increase greenness investment levels and achieve a triple-win situation. Second, when the government controls the greenness investment level, the demand, profits, and subsidy amount under cost subsidy are always lower than those under production subsidy. Third, when the government controls the subsidy amount, the greenness investment level under cost subsidy is always higher than that under production subsidy. The offline demand and retailer’s profit are higher under production subsidy, while the online demand and platform’s profit are higher under cost subsidy. The manufacturer’s profit is higher under cost subsidy only when the subsidy level is low. Additionally, regardless of governmental goals, the platform’s profit is always higher than the retailer’s profit, indicating that downstream firms under government subsidy should always adopt blockchain.

Role of the Copernicus Satellite Programme in Building the Resilience of European Supply Chains: Results of a Delphi Study

Abstract The paper aims to analyse the challenges European supply chains face in the context of satellite communications (specifically, in the Copernicus programme) amidst geopolitical and pandemic disruptions. It focuses on identifying factors and barriers and recommended solutions to enhance resilience in these supply chains. The study employs a comprehensive approach, incorporating Delphi surveys, a literature review, and the STEEPED analysis. Experts from the satellite communications field participated in the Delphi survey, and the study scrutinised the impact of Delphi theses on various stages of supply chains. STEEPED analysis was used to identify factors enhancing the resilience of European supply chains in satellite communications. An analysis of their validity and uncertainty was also carried out. The research highlights the factors influencing supply chain resilience within satellite communications, emphasising the importance of coping with uncertainty, shocks, and disruptions. The study presents valuable recommendations to strengthen supply chain resilience amid infrastructural and geopolitical challenges. This research enriches insights into building resilience strategies for European supply chains operating within intricate and uncertain environments. By analysing the role of the Copernicus programme and Earth observation data, the paper contributes to the theoretical framework, providing essential knowledge for managing supply chains in a dynamic and complex environment. The study’s recommendations offer practical guidance for EU institutions overseeing the Copernicus programme and its users. By effectively leveraging Copernicus and Earth observation data, stakeholders can enhance their analysis methods. These insights enable practical actions to be taken, ensuring the continuity and stability of European supply chains amidst challenging global scenarios.

What is the role of product services in the dual-channel closed-loop supply chain?

With the continuous development of internet technology and increasing awareness of environmental protection among consumers, the dual-channel closed-loop supply chain management combining online direct sales channel and retail channel has received more and more attention, however, the existing research has neglected the service research, so this paper focuses on the service strategy in the dual-channel closed-loop supply chain. In this paper, we propose three service strategy models for dual-channel closed-loop supply chains, including when there is no service provision, after-sales service and recycling service provided by retailers and after-sales service provided by manufacturers and recycling service provided by retailers, compare and analyze the optimal decisions of supply chain members under the three service strategy models, discuss the role of service generated in dual-channel closed-loop supply chains, and propose a service cost-sharing strategy to achieve a Pareto improvement in the effectiveness of a dual-channel closed-loop supply chain. The study finds that service plays a positive role in the dual-channel closed-loop supply chain; the model of manufacturer providing after-sales service and retailer providing recycling service is the best service strategy choice in terms of economic and social benefits; the service cooperation mechanism of service cost sharing can achieve Pareto improvement of the supply chain within a reasonable range.

Optimizing logistics and supply chain management through advanced analytics: Insights from industries

This review paper explores the transformative role of advanced analytics in optimizing logistics and supply chain management, offering insights into industry applications, best practices, and future trends. As global supply chains become increasingly complex, integrating advanced analytics—encompassing data mining, predictive analytics, machine learning, and big data—has emerged as a critical driver of efficiency, cost reduction, and enhanced decision-making. The paper discusses how various industries, including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and transportation, leverage advanced analytics to address specific challenges and improve overall supply chain performance. Additionally, it highlights the best practices for successful implementation, such as aligning analytics initiatives with business objectives, investing in the right technology infrastructure, and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making. The paper also addresses the challenges and barriers to implementation, including technological, organizational, and regulatory hurdles. Finally, it examines emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain, poised to revolutionize supply chain management further. It identifies key opportunities for growth in areas such as sustainability, risk management, and customization. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of advanced analytics in shaping the future of logistics and supply chain strategies, offering recommendations for industry stakeholders to harness these technologies effectively.

Effective Supply Chain Strategies in Addressing Demand and Supply Uncertainty: A Case Study of Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Services.

Ensuring the consistent availability of essential medicines is crucial for effective healthcare systems. However, Ethiopian public health facilities have faced frequent stockouts of crucial medications, highlighting systemic challenges such as inadequate forecasting, prolonged procurement processes, a disjointed distribution system, suboptimal data quality, and a shortage of trained professionals. This study focuses on the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Services (EPSS), known for its highly unstable and volatile supply chain, aiming to identify risks and mitigation strategies. Using a mixed-method approach involving surveys and interviews, the research investigates successful and less successful strategies, key success factors, and barriers related to pharmaceutical shortages. Proactive measures such as communication, stock assessment, supervision, and streamlined procurement are emphasized as vital in mitigating disruptions, while reactive strategies like safety stock may lack long-term efficacy. The study highlights the importance of aligning supply chain strategies with product uncertainties, fostering collaboration, and employing flexible designs for resilience. Managerial implications stress the need for responsive structures that integrate data quality, technology, and visibility. This study contributes by exploring proactive and reactive strategies, elucidating key success factors for overcoming shortages in countries with unstable supply chains, and offering actionable steps for enhancing supply chain resilience. Embracing uncertainty and implementing proactive measures can help navigate volatile environments, thereby enhancing competitiveness and sustainability.

An equilibrium analysis of blockchain integration strategies in the livestock meat supply chain considering consumers’ preference for quality trust

PurposeThis paper aims to explore blockchain integration strategies within a three-level livestock meat supply chain in which consumers have a preference for quality trust in livestock meat products. The paper investigates three questions: First, how does consumers’ preference for quality trust affect blockchain integration and transaction decisions among supply chain participants? Second, under what circumstances will retailers choose to participate in the blockchain? Finally, how can other factors such as blockchain costs and supplier–retailer partnership value affect integration decisions?Design/methodology/approachThis paper formulates a supply chain network equilibrium model and employs the logarithmic-quadratic proximal prediction-correction method to obtain equilibrium decisions. Extensive numerical studies are conducted using a pork supply chain network to analyze the implications of blockchain integration for different supply chain participants.FindingsThe results reveal several key insights: First, suppliers’ increased blockchain integration, driven by higher quality trust preference, can negatively affect their profits, particularly, with excessive trust preferences and high blockchain costs. Second, an increase in consumers’ preference for quality trust expands the range of unit operating costs for retailers engaging in blockchain. Finally, the supplier–retailer partnership drives retailer blockchain participation, facilitating enhanced information sharing to benefit the entire supply chain.Originality/valueThis study provides original insights into blockchain integration strategies in an agricultural supply chain through the application of the supply chain network equilibrium model. The investigation of several key factors on equilibrium decisions provides important managerial implications for different supply chain participants to address consumers’ preference for quality trust and enhance overall supply chain performance.

Evolutionary Game-Based New Energy Vehicle Supply Chain Strategies That Consider Carbon Reduction and Consumers’ Low-Carbon Preferences

The rapid development of the new energy industry has intensified the competition among companies. Finding solutions to achieve technological innovation, carbon reduction, and to earn consumers’ confidence has become a pressing challenge. In this research, we aim to develop a four-party evolutionary game model involving government, manufacturers, dealers, and consumers to examine the strategic decisions made by these parties in order to accomplish carbon emission reduction goals. We will perform numerical simulations to analyze the strategic choices of each party and the relevant influencing factors. The results suggest the following: (1) The tax hike on traditional car production is less than the innovation expenses for new energy vehicles, leading manufacturers to lean towards manufacturing traditional vehicles. (2) The rise in taxes resulting from the manufacture of conventional vehicles will influence manufacturers’ strategic decisions, whereas the expenses related to technological advancements will have a more significant effect on manufacturers’ strategic choices. (3) Compared to dealers, manufacturers’ strategic choices are more significantly influenced by consumers’ awareness of low-carbon preferences. (4) In the early stages of technological innovation, the government typically offers incentive subsidies to manufacturers to boost technological innovation activities. Whereas, in the later stages of technological innovation, the government usually provides direct subsidies to consumers to encourage the market acceptance and widespread use of innovative products.