Supply Chain Capabilities Research Articles

The Impacts of Supply Chain Capabilities, Visibility, Resilience on Supply Chain Performance and Firm Performance

This study explores the significance of two determinants: Supply Chain Capabilities and Supply Chain Visibility, in the intricate interplay among Supply Chain Resilience, Supply Chain Performance, and Firm Performance. A dataset comprising 221 participants from Vietnamese garment manufacturing firms was gathered and subjected to analysis using the PLS-SEM approach, revealing insights into the modeled complex relationships. The research findings reveal that visibility significantly influences supply chain resilience; while the hypotheses of a positive impact of supply chain visibility and supply chain resilience on firm performance have been rejected. Interestingly, these findings underscore the significant influence of indirect relationships mediated by factors, such as supply chain resilience and supply chain performance. Hence, this study bridges a gap in the existing body of literature and offers practical implications for supply chain management, particularly concerning performance measurement challenges in this sector. The article suggests that the Vietnamese garment supply chain could enhance supply chain and firm performance by focusing on supply chain capabilities and visibility.

Is Paper Stationery or Agile? An Investigation of Dynamic Capabilities in the Printing Paper Supply Chain

Dynamic capabilities enable businesses to build a sustainable competitive advantage (Teece, 2007). This study investigates whether supply chain sensing (SCS) and supply chain agility (SCA) form a dynamic sensing and agility capability (DSAC) that enhances firm performance. Most empirical research on dynamic capabilities examines large organizations; this study investigates dynamic capabilities in small to medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs form a significant part of the world economy and often have limited resources compared to large organizations. We utilize a survey of 139 respondents from SMEs in a single industry – the printing industry. Our analysis, both an EFA and PLS-SEM, find that SCS and SCA are different constructs that combine to form a dynamic sensing and agility capability. We found that this dynamic sensing and agility capability positively affects firm performance but not supply chain impact.

The Importance of Adapting And Updating The New Supply Chain Capabilities For Sustainability In The Business of Supply Equipment In Oil and Gas Industrial Projects

The supply of equipment in oil and gas industrial projects requires high standards and specifications due to high requirements of safety and reliability. Delay of equipment delivery is very sensitive as the impact will be direct to the whole project, while the delay of project completion will disrupt PSC’s (Partnership Status Contractor’s) initial production. Ultimately, this would disrupt the oil and gas production target of the Government of Indonesia. Operational data show that a lot of delay is caused by the ineffectiveness of supply chain management at PT AMN. These conditions increased complaints and penalties from customers while at the same time decreasing the operational efficiency of PT AMN. To overcome this problem and enhance customer satisfaction it is required to evaluate the existing supply chain capabilities and then adapt, update, and develop new supply chain capabilities. Determine new supply chain capabilities of PT AMN, requires analysis data of PT AMN related to customers' needs, internal assessment, existing supply chain, check-list supply chain capabilities, SWOT analysis, five pillars, the landscape of supply chain technology, game changer and risk management analysis for business sustainability. In terms of determining supply chain capabilities, PT AMN is categorized as an Adaptive Initiative or Continuous Improvement Initiative

How does digital transformation affect organisational sustainable performance: the mediating roles of supply chain agility and integration

ABSTRACT This study investigates the effect of digital transformation on sustainable performance in the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) era. Survey data from China is used to test the mediating role of supply chain agility and integration as well as the moderating effect of perceived business force. The findings reveal that supply chain agility mediates the effects of digital transformation on economic and social performance, particularly under high level of perceived business force. However, no significant effect on environmental performance is observed. Additionally, supply chain integration acts as a mediator for the effects of digital transformation on economic, social and environmental performance, furthermore, the moderated mediation effects of perceived business force are supported. This study elusidates how digitalisation influences organisational sustainable performance through supply chain capabilities and highlights the crucial role of digital supply chain in the VUCA era. It provides theoretical and practical implications for achieving sustainable development.

Sustainability and robust decision-support strategy for multi-echelon supply chain system against disruptions

ABSTRACT Due to the higher nonlinearity and parametric sensitivity of multi-echelon supply chains, minor changes may result in a completely different evolution of supply chain capabilities. Realizing resilient and sustainable development goals for enterprise logistics requires great insights into management schemes in a volatile market. This paper deals with dynamic characteristics and resilience issues of managing multi-echelon supply chain systems against disruptions. Discrete-time nonlinear systems with time delay are extensively evaluated via computation of Lyapunov exponent, bifurcation diagram, permutation entropy, and Poincaré map. For time-series evolution, forecasting and predictability are assessed by the Hurst exponent. An echo state network (ESN) will be utilized to predict the future states of the supply chain dynamics. Based on a decision-support strategy with an ESN model, a resilience strategy concerning disturbing factors is implemented to ensure a sustainable supply chain network. Numerical simulations are demonstrated to validate dynamical behaviors and verify the efficiency of control theory with machine learning, guaranteeing the resilience and sustainability of a supply chain against market volatility. The test results demonstrate how machine learning algorithms can be integrated with management schemes. Finally, the presented methodology can ensure more supply chain visibility and traceability under highly uncertain markets.

Empowering supply chains with Industry 4.0 technologies to face megatrends

AbstractThis paper investigates how current megatrends (i.e., aging population, growing urbanization, shifts in consumer demands, geopolitical shifts, depletion of natural resources, climate change) are changing the supply chain landscape and the role of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies to support alignment with these changes. Building on contingency theory, the study employs focus‐group interviews with various experts to generate new insights into fitting supply chain capabilities and enabling technologies. Data collected in the focus groups helped us to identify five supply chain capabilities as prevalent and mostly fitting the external contingencies, i.e., customer‐driven, urban‐centered, resource‐efficient, fast reactive, and human‐centered supply chain. Moreover, this study highlights and compares the potential of I4.0 technologies and their applications in supporting specific supply chain capabilities. The findings of this study can inform supply chain managers in the definition of capabilities to be enhanced at the supply chain level and contribute toward understanding the extent of I4.0 technologies in empowering supply chains to face turbulent and changing conditions.

The Role of Supply Chain Capabilities in Increasing the Competitive Advantage of Photo Catalyst Ceramic MSMEs in Bali

The long-term goal of this research is to develop knowledge in the field of Strategic Management, especially about Collaborative Value Innovation, Supply chain strategy, strategy of competitive advantage in SMEs. This research was conducted at SMES Photo catalyst Ceramics in Bali, with research objects on collaboration value innovation, supply chain capabilities, competitive advantage. The research population is all ceramic SMEs in Bali. This research was conducted at SMES Photo catalyst Ceramics in Bali, with research objects on collaboration value innovation, supply chain capabilities, competitive advantage. The research population is all ceramic SMEs in Bali. The results of this study indicate that Collaboration of the value of innovation has no significant negative effect on competitive advantage. This indicates that there is no relationship between photo catalyst ceramic SMEs to produce an innovation, so this also provides a negative value in creating competitive advantage between business actors. Collaboration of innovation values provides positive value to supply chain capabilities, collaboration provides great opportunities in sharing information related to resources to support the development of photo catalyst ceramics. The ability of the supply chain to provide significant positive results for competitive advantage, with the capabilities of good information actors from raw materials to ceramic products will certainly provide great opportunities in achieving competitive advantage; this also shows that the mediation of supply chain capabilities becomes full mediation in relationships, collaboration value innovation and competitive advantage.

Leveraging relational capital with ambidexterity in building supply chain resilience

ABSTRACT Grounding in the nexus of the relational capital theory and dynamic ambidexterity view, this study examines the effect of supplier collaboration on supply chain capabilities including flexibility and risk management using a sample of 195 manufacturers in China. It also assesses the antecedent role of the supply chain capabilities in building supply chain resilience and its resulting competitive advantage. This study employs path analyses using data collected from manufacturers. The findings of this study indicate the significant role of relational capital gained from supplier collaboration in building supply chain capabilities of flexibility and risk management capabilities, which are shown to lead to supply chain resilience. Competitive advantage also results from enhanced supply chain resilience. This study provides an integrated view of relational capital and ambidexterity for vulnerability mitigation and capabilities improvement, which offers implications to supply chain practitioners that maintaining a dynamic ambidexterity is critical to bolster supply chain resilience in the time of unexpected disruptive incidents.

Product Quality Augmentation Through Agile Operation: A Critical perspective on Supply Chain Capabilities on Reducing Operations Cost

This study focuses on the impact of product quality improvement and supply chain capabilities on reducing operational costs through agile operation. It highlights the significance of adopting agile operation principles and practices to enhance product quality, optimize supply chain operations, and achieve cost efficiencies. The study underlines the importance of continuous improvement processes, such as Lean Six Sigma, in identifying and eliminating inefficiencies, defects, and waste to improve product quality and reduce costs associated with rework and warranty claims. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of agile supply chain capabilities in minimizing inventory carrying costs, production disruptions, and transportation expenses through efficient inventory management techniques. The research emphasizes that integrating product quality improvement and agile supply chain capabilities drives down operational costs by streamlining processes, reducing waste, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Overall, this study highlights the critical role of product quality improvement and supply chain capabilities in reducing operational costs and achieving operational excellence through agile operation practices.

Impacts of inbound logistics capabilities on supply chain resilience: insight from Vietnamese textile industry

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of inbound logistics on dynamic supply chain capabilities and, subsequently, on supply chain resilience in the Vietnamese textile industry.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework based on a resource-based view was empirically tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling and data collected from 215 Vietnamese textile enterprises from December 2021 to March 2022.FindingsThe research shows that inbound logistics capability positively affects dynamic supply chain capabilities. In particular, the study has ratified reengineering as the chief factor that textile firms should consider when building a resilient supply chain.Originality/valueThis study considers the Vietnamese textile industry to assess the indirect effect of inbound logistics on supply chain resilience through dynamic supply chain capabilities in a theoretical sense while assisting managers in comprehending the functions of supply chain collaboration, agility and reengineering as the foundation for supply chain resilience in a managerial sense.

Making supply chain traceability strategic: insights from the food industry

PurposeThis paper aims to present an emergent framework that proposes the strategic importance of supply chain (SC) traceability beyond the traditional role in supporting product safety, recalls and sustainability initiatives.Design/methodology/approachA grounded theory (GT) approach with 22 in-depth interviews with managers from 10 countries/territories and 3 different echelons of the food SC is employed to arrive at the strategic traceability framework and framework's propositions.FindingsThe framework suggests that traceability can sometimes help expose and modify firms' core and non-core SC capabilities and provide an opportunity to align them better with SC strategies. This alignment may require a complementary execution of human coordination and the adoption of technological traceability components.Practical implicationsThe research suggests that firms may be able to extract greater value from the firms' traceability investments. While traceability continues to serve the key purposes of preventing and mitigating the risks of recalls, this can sometimes illuminate sustained business growth opportunities.Originality/valueThe study extends traceability beyond a means to meet the requirements of product safety, recalls and sustainability. Rather, this study establishes traceability's role in exposing and aligning firms' capabilities for business gain and not merely recall risk mitigation. This reframing of the premise for traceability can invigorate both research and practice on the subject of traceability.

Complementary and contingent value of SMEs' data capability and supply chain capability in the competitive environment

PurposeScholars and practitioners increasingly recognize data as an important source of business opportunities, but research on the effect on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is limited. This paper empirically examines the complementary impact of SMEs' data capability and supply chain capability (SCC) and further tests the mediation effect of SCC between data capability and operational performance. The mediated effect of data capability is also moderated by competition.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyzes longitudinal data collected from 122 manufacturing SMEs in Finland. Hypotheses were tested by using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe results show that to benefit from the data capability, SMEs require a certain level of SCC to extract the value from the SMEs' data capability and support operational performance. Additionally, competition affects how SMEs benefit from data capability, as competitor turbulence moderates the complementary effect of data capability and SCC on operational performance.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies examining the longitudinal effect of SMEs' data and SCC on operational performance in the current competitive environment.

Mapping the portrayal of small modular reactors in Canadian Energy Solutions

ABSTRACTThe Arctic region exhibits socio-economic disparities and diverse development strategies among Arctic states. Energy solutions in the Arctic necessitate industrialisation and ground infrastructure, with many off-grid Arctic communities relying on diesel power due to limited accessibility and high transportation costs. Moreover, there is growing interest in renewable and low carbon energy, followed by the consideration of nuclear solutions as part of the transition to achieving net-zero emissions. Local perspectives are crucial in formulating sustainable energy policies tailored to specific needs. Canada, with its established nuclear supply chain and technical capabilities, provides a pertinent case study for incorporating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as part of its energy transition. Within the context of transitions in Arctic communities, this paper’s primary focus is on mapping the portrayal of SMRs within Canada’s energy solutions. This investigation relies on publicly available sources to analyse how SMRs are depicted and integrated into Canada’s energy landscape. This paper analyzes publicly available discourse to examine various perspectives on SMRs, emphasising the most prominent viewpoints, including Indigenous perspectives. The results provide an exploration of the intricate difficulties and potential benefits associated with SMRs in the context of Canada's shift towards cleaner energy sources. Indigenous viewpoints add a wide range of perspectives, both endorsing and opposing SMRs, highlighting the complexity of SMRs employment and the need for future research on this emerging topic.

Assessing the Product–Service Systems Supply Chain Capabilities: Construct and Instrument Development

Assessing the Product–Service Systems Supply Chain Capabilities: Construct and Instrument Development

The Impact of Digital Transformation on Supply Chain Capabilities and Supply Chain Competitive Performance

In the current highly uncertain external environment for businesses, maintaining a single competitive advantage in the supply chain is difficult in the long run. There is an urgent need to acquire a more comprehensive and sustainable competitive advantage, and the thriving digitalization is reshaping the industry structure and competitive dynamics. This study, based on data from 255 survey responses, employs a structural equation model to examine the relationships among environmental uncertainty, digital transformation, supply chain capabilities, and sustainable competitive performance in the supply chain context. Our findings reveal the significant role of digital transformation in enhancing supply chain capabilities, which in turn positively influence sustainable competitive performance. A further analysis shows that supply chain capabilities mediate the relationship between supply chain digital transformation and sustainable competitive performance. Moreover, environmental uncertainty can serve as a driving force for digital transformation, stimulating supply chains to enhance their exploration of digitalization. This research provides valuable insights into exploring sustainable competitive performance in the supply chain context. It addresses the gap in empirical literature regarding digital transformation research and enriches the field of the contingency theory.

Design and Development of a Novel 3-D Printed External Fixation Device for Fracture Stabilization

BackgroundAn external fixator is an orthopaedic device used to stabilize long bone fractures after high energy trauma. These devices are external to the body and fixed to metal pins going into non-injured areas of bone. They serve a mechanical function to maintain length, prevent bending, and resist torque forces about the fracture area. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a design and prototyping process creating a low-cost entirely 3-D printed external fixator for fracture stabilization of extremity fractures. The secondary objective of this manuscript is to facilitate future advancements, modifications, and innovations in this area of 3-D printing in medicine.MethodsThis manuscript describes the computer aided design process using desktop fused deposition modeling to create a 3-D printed external fixator system designed for fracture stabilization. The device was created using the orthopaedic goals for fracture stabilization with external fixation. However, special modifications and considerations had to be accounted for given the limitations of desktop fused deposition modeling and 3-D printing with plastic polymers.ResultsThe presented device accomplishes the goals of creating a construct that can be attached to 5.0 mm metal pins, allows for modularity in placement orientations, and facilitates adjustable lengths for fracture care. Furthermore, the device provides length stability, prevention of bending, and resists torque forces. The device can be printed on a desktop 3-D printer using standard low-cost polylactic acid filament. The print time is less than two days and can be completed on one print bed platform.ConclusionsThe presented device is a potential alternative for fracture stabilization. The concept of a desktop 3-D printed external fixator design and method of production allows for numerous diverse applications. This includes assisting areas with remote or limited access to advanced medical care and large-scale natural disasters or global conflicts where large volumes of fractures exceed the local medical supply chain capabilities. The presented device creates a foundation for future devices and innovations in this fracture care space. Further research is needed on mechanical testing and clinical outcomes with this design and initiative in fracture care before clinical application.

Supply chain sustainability in VUCA: role of BCT-driven SC mapping and ‘Visiceability’

ABSTRACT The study investigates the role of three essential supply chain capabilities: visibility, traceability, and mapping, collectivity termed as 'visiceability', in the relationship between blockchain technology and supply chain sustainability. The study focuses on Malaysia's Electronics Component manufacturing firms, a sub-sector of the electrical and electronics industry. Data were collected from 105 through a close-ended questionnaire. PLS-SEM was employed to examine the modeled relationships. The findings of the study challenge the notion that supply chain (SC) traceability alone is responsible for mediating the impact of blockchain technology (BCT) on SC sustainability. However, findings confirm the significant roles of SC Mapping and Visibility in the association between BCT and SC sustainability. Findings further validate the significant impact of BCT on SC sustainability, highlighting its multifaceted role. The findings suggest that firms can build their intermediary capabilities instead of exclusively focusing on adopting BCT for SC sustainability. These capabilities can further channel the impact of BCT on improving SC Sustainable. Our findings illustrate that BCT can enhance SC visibility by offering a precise and transparent record of the products, inventory, and transactions. Hence, we strongly suggest that managers consider leveraging BCT to improve their SC visibility, thereby uplifting the sustainability of a supply.

Effects of the degree of supply chain resilience capability in supply chain performance in the UAE energy industry

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the influence of supply chain resilience (SCR) and supply chain capabilities (SCC) on supply chain performance (SCP) through the direct and moderating influence of the degree of SCR (DSCR), as demonstrated in UAE energy industry supply chain management (SCM) processes.Design/methodology/approachUsing the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), a questionnaire-survey collected 168 valid responses from UAE-based companies that operate within the energy industry. This study investigates the moderated mediation research model of the SCR, SCC and SCP with DSCR being considered as the variable having the moderation role.FindingsSCR and SCC were found to have a significant positive affect on SCP playing a mediating role in improving performance during or after a SC disruption. However, the objective was to confirm the exitance of the moderator role in DSCR to substantiate its moderated mediating effect in the research model. There was a negative moderating effect of SCR on SCP through SCC.Originality/valueThis is among the pioneer study that suggests and empirically tests the moderated mediating impacts of the SCR degree on the relationships between SCR, capability within a supply chain and its performance. An additional element of originality of this study is its relevance to the UAE energy industry and recent SC disruptions.

The impact of sustainability‐oriented dynamic capabilities on firm growth: Investigating the green supply chain management and green political capabilities

AbstractBuilding on the dynamic capabilities literature and natural‐resource‐based view, the paper examines whether firms can attain sales growth through a range of sustainability‐oriented dynamic capabilities including (1) internal green supply chain management capabilities, (2) external green supply chain management capabilities and (3) green political capabilities. Based on a dataset of 277 public US firms between 2010 and 2020, a panel quantile model of firm growth showcases that while internal green supply chain capabilities and green political capabilities affect firms' growth performance positively, external green supply chain capabilities are associated with slower growth. Importantly, the results indicate that the positive growth effects of green political capabilities are short‐lived, while those of internal green supply chain capabilities are long‐lived. The study contributes to the sustainability‐oriented dynamic capabilities literature by showing that different capabilities have different implications for firm growth depending on the firm's base performance and the time periods under consideration.

Implications of using Industry 4.0 base technologies for lean and agile supply chains and performance

The adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in recent years has generated conditions for substantial changes in supply chain management. However, research is still ongoing on how I4.0 technologies can be integrated into current supply chain models to improve supply chain capabilities and performance. This work aims to contribute to understanding the relationships between Industry 4.0 technologies and lean and agile supply chain strategies, and identifying the implications for the focal firm's operational performance. In this study, we focus on a specific group of emerging I4.0 technologies known as I4.0 base technologies (i.e., cloud computing, Internet of Things, and Big Data analytics), whose complementary features can enhance the data collection, storage, and sharing, as well as the analysis processes. Drawing on the Dynamic Capabilities Theory, a structural equation model is used to analyze data collected from 256 Spanish focal manufacturing firms. Results indicate that I4.0 base technologies do not have the same effects on lean and agile supply chain strategies. While I4.0 base technologies can make supply chains leaner, they have been found to have no significant direct effect on agile supply chain implementation. Further, findings indicate a direct relationship between the lean and agile approaches and that the latter generates mediation effects between lean and operational performance.