Supply Chain Context Research Articles

The US Forced Labor Import Ban as a Tool to Raise Labor Standards in Supply Chain Contexts: Strategic Approaches to Advocacy

The US Forced Labor Import Ban as a Tool to Raise Labor Standards in Supply Chain Contexts: Strategic Approaches to Advocacy

Enhancing wood efficiency through comprehensive wood flow analysis: Methodology and strategic insights

Wood, an essential natural resource in human civilization, remains widely used despite advances in technology and material substitution. The surge in greenhouse gas emissions and environmental concerns accentuates the need for optimizing wood utilization. Material flow analysis is a powerful tool for tracking material flows and stocks, aiding resource management and environmental decision-making. However, the full extent of its methodological dimensions, particularly within the context of the wood supply chain, remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we delve into the existing literature on wood flow analysis, discussing its primary objectives, materials involved, temporal and spatial scales, data sources, units, and conversion factors. Additionally, data uncertainty, data reconciliation and crucial assumptions in material flow analysis are highlighted in this paper. Key findings reveal the significance of wood cascading and substitution effects by replacing non-wood materials, where they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than the natural carbon sink of forests and wood products. The immediate impact of short-term wood cascading might not be as robust as the substitution effect, with energy substitution showcasing better results than material substitution. However, it's crucial to note that these conclusions could experience significant reversal from a long-term and global perspective. Strategies for improving wood efficiency involve maximizing material use, advancing construction technologies, extending product lifespans, promoting cascade use, and optimizing energy recovery processes. The study underscores the need for standardized approaches in wood flow analysis and emphasizes the potential of wood efficiency strategies in addressing environmental challenges.

Pallet drop-size optimisation and its effect on the supply chain using a cost-to-serve model

The study explores the critical role of transportation within the Supply Chain, emphasising efficient planning, implementation, and control of goods and information flow from suppliers to customers. Focused on optimising the number of pallets per shipment and occurrence of the shipments to decrease secondary transport costs and environmental impact. The study is conducted with a leading Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company in the UK by deploying the methods; Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control (DMAIC) for data collection and Cost-to-Serve (CTS) for data analysis. Initially, a new Cost-to-Serve tool is developed to visualise customer performance and identify opportunities for improvement. Subsequently, a secondary tool is created to monitor the performance of identified customers. An Excel simulator is constructed to extract key performance indicators for logistics performance. Results reveal significant cost savings, with £207 K saved in the first five months of 2023 through shipment reduction of 9.09% compared to 2022. Even with inflation, the cost per pallet has remained steady, showing minimal variation from the average of 2022. This underlines the efficacy of the CTS tool in enhancing secondary transportation performance within the wider supply chain context.

ESG Integration in Chinas Sustainable Supply Chain: Feasibility, Impact, and Optimization Strategies

Although more and more companies and investors are beginning to recognize the importance of ESG, its promotion and practice still need to be improved. China's ESG development is still in its infancy compared to ESG applications worldwide. Some leading businesses have already been actively using ESG to enhance the sustainability of their supply chains. This article examines the proactiveness and feasibility of companies adopting ESG development and how to improve their supply chains. The research employs methods such as data regression analysis and correlation analysis, and it also investigates the case of JD.com. The study reveals that while the ESG concept may seem contradictory to a company's short-term business goals or performance, it exhibits a certain degree of positive correlation and can even bring about favorable impacts in both the short and long term. JD.com's ESG application strategy in the supply chain context holds practical significance and scalability, potentially serving as a template for ESG supply chain development in future Chinese companies.

Accountability in permissioned blockchains: through the ledger, the code and the people

PurposeThis study explores how introducing a permissioned blockchain in a supply chain context impacts accountability relationships and the process of rendering an account. The authors explore how implementing a digital transformation impacts the governance of network transactions.Design/methodology/approachThe authors mobilize 28 interviews and documentary analysis. The authors focus on early blockchain adopters to get an insight into how implementing a permissioned blockchain can transform information sharing, coordination and collaboration between business partners, now converted into network participants.FindingsThe authors suggest that implementing a permissioned blockchain impacts accountability across three levers, namely through the ledger, through the code and through the people, where these levers are interconnected. Blockchains are often valued for their ability to enable transparency through the visibility of transactions, but the authors argue that this is an incomplete view. Rather, transparency alone does not help to satisfy a duty of accountability, as it can result in selective disclosure or obfuscation.Originality/valueThe authors extend the conceptualizations of accountability in the blockchain literature by focusing on how accountability relationships are enacted, and accounts are rendered in a permissioned blockchain context. Additionally, the authors complement existing work on accountability and governance by suggesting an integrated model across three dimensions: ledger, code and people.

Towards a theoretical framework of co-development in supply chains: role of platform affordances and supply chain relationship capital

Purpose Using perspectives from the technology affordance and social capital theories, this study aims to unpack the process through which platform-enabled co-development unfolds in supply chain contexts. Specifically, it explores how innovation outcomes can be fostered through platform affordances and supply chain relationship (SCR) capital. Design/methodology/approach The paper integrates literature on digital platforms, SCRs and co-development to produce an integrative framework, developing propositions on the relationships among digital platforms, SCR capital and innovation outcomes. Findings The authors identify affordances for distinctive strategic use of platforms: value co-creation, relationship building and strategic learning. The authors discuss ways in which each affordance contributes to the advances in SCR capital, thus altogether enabling focal firms to orchestrate and integrate internal and external resources to attain incremental and radical innovation. Research limitations/implications Based on the proposed research framework, further empirical studies can use quantitative data to measure the relationship between affordances and SCR capital and use longitudinal case studies to explore how affordances and SCR capital evolve to provide more fine-grained and contextualised information in different research settings. Originality/value This paper sheds light on how the relation between the adoption of digital platforms and SCR capital shapes digitally enabled service co-development. The authors provide an alternative explanation of resource integration in platform-mediated supply chain contexts and enrich the related literature on how digital platforms can maximise value from introducing ambidextrous innovation by leveraging internal and external resources.

Nature-inspired solutions for energy sustainability using novel optimization methods.

This research centres on developing a Home Electricity Management (HEM) system, a pivotal component within the modern supply chain for home electrical power. The system optimizes the scheduling of intelligent home gadgets through advanced meta-heuristics, specifically the Social Spider Algorithm (SSA) and Strawberry Algorithm (SWA), to efficiently manage home energy consumption. Within the supply chain context, HEM acts as a crucial link in the distribution and utilization of electricity within households, akin to optimizing resource allocation and demand balancing within a supply chain for efficient operation and cost-effectiveness. Simulations and comparisons demonstrate that SWA excels in cost savings, while SSA is more effective in reducing peak-to-average power ratios. The proposed solution reduces costs for residences by up to 3.5 percent, highlighting the potential for significant cost savings and efficiency improvements within the home electricity supply chain. It also surpasses existing cost and Peak Average (PAR) ratio meta-heuristics, indicating superior performance within the overall energy supply and consumption framework. Moreover, implementing the HEM system contributes to reducing carbon emissions, aligning with sustainability goals in the energy supply chain. It promotes energy efficiency, integrates renewable sources, and facilitates demand response, mirroring the emphasis on sustainability in supply chain practices. Overall, this research offers a practical and sustainable approach to home energy management, bringing substantial cost savings and environmental benefits to the modern supply chain for residential electricity.

Do industry 5.0 advantages address the sustainable development challenges of the renewable energy supply chain?

Scholars assert that the fifth industrial revolution has the potential to go beyond Industry 4.0's efficiency and advance supply chain objectives for sustainable development, including adaptability, a human-centered orientation, and the durability of social and environmental issues. According to Industry 5.0-based solution methodologies, sustainable development challenges (SDCs) can be addressed in the renewable energy supply chain (solar energy). This study provides a distinct set of 23 SDCs and 19 Industry 5.0 advantages. Moreover, A hybrid fuzzy best worst method and fuzzy weighted aggregated sum product assessment technique are utilized in the renewable energy supply chain context. To determine the weight of SDCs, preliminary data are gathered based on experts' opinions. The outcomes indicate that the most significant SDCs in the renewable energy supply chain are “non-consideration of human factors,” “Inadequate regulation and implementation of environmental standards,” “Commitment of inadequate management for adopting sustainability,” “non-uniform alignment of sustainability, organization,” and “goal and customer expectation.” For overcoming the SDCs, “supply chain modularity,” “research and innovation in social and human problems,” and “building safer and more complicated hyper-connected networks” are the most prominent Industry 5.0 advantages. The study findings will give the most critical advantages for creating sustainability in the continued industry expansion–society engagement and more sustainable renewable energy supply chain, as well as creating a more resilient energy industry and society.

Towards a unified theory of supply chain value creation and capture

The value provided to market by competing supply chains determines success. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of how supply chains create and distribute this value is paramount. The purpose of this research is to synthesis the value creation and value capture concepts in a supply chain context. A case study of an extended agribusiness supply chain is used to empirically explore how value is created and captured with a specific focus on the interplay of the two concepts. The results identify the core value creation drivers and enablers, and value appropriation mediators that determine the net value capture of a supply chain. Insights from the exploratory case study are synthesised into an overarching model. Identification of the symbiotic relationship of value creation and value capture advances our knowledge beyond current discrete conceptualizations. By drawing upon value theory and the empirical insights, the proposed unified theory provides novel implications for theoreticians and managerial decision makers.

Industry 4.0 in “Major Emerging Markets”: A Systematic Literature Review of Benefits, Use, Challenges, and Mitigation Strategies in Supply Chain Management

The extant literature does not provide consolidated knowledge on the use of Industry 4.0 in supply chains of emerging markets. This systematic literature review investigated the benefits, use, challenges, and mitigation measures related to Industry 4.0 technologies in supply chain management within thirteen “major emerging markets”. Industry 4.0 integrates technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and cloud computing, and it offers tangible benefits for manufacturing and supply chains. However, its adoption faces significant obstacles, particularly in emerging economies. This study used the PSALSAR framework and PRISMA methodology to systematically review 87 peer-reviewed research articles on Industry 4.0 in the supply chain context of thirteen major emerging economies. Findings revealed that while IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence are frequently applied, other technologies such as cloud computing and robotics are underutilized. Key challenges identified include data integration, cyber-security, high upfront investment, weak policy, and business risks. Mitigation strategies proposed include the development of supportive policies, management backing, training, and improved data security. Tangible benefits such as sustainably using resources, reducing power use, enabling collaboration among supply chain partners, incorporating asset traceability, and minimizing meat contamination were evident. This research provides useful insights into the current status of Industry 4.0 adoption in emerging markets, helping stakeholders to navigate towards a more digitized, efficient future.

Transparency in textile & apparel supply chains: a systematic review

Consumers and suppliers demand transparency in the textile and apparel industry due to increasing complexity, volatility, and competition in the global market. While research communities acknowledge the scarcity of publications in this domain, the number of related papers has surged by 122%. Nonetheless, existing reviews have primarily refrained from offering a comprehensive exploration of transparency within the broader context of textile and apparel supply chains. Consequently, a gap in systematic reviews focusing on transparency within this domain is evident. To fill this gap, our study aims to synthesise existing research on transparency in apparel and textile supply chains. To this end, we have structured our study into four research clusters derived from author-generated keywords in a carefully curated Scopus dataset. Furthermore, our study explores how transparency has evolved in textile and apparel supply chains, supported by these four clusters, which cover the following themes: 1) Sustainable approaches for transparency, 2) Supply chain perspective in transparency, 3) Implementing traceability for transparency and 4) Information transparency. Considering the insights gleaned from this comprehensive review, our study offers valuable insights and delineates potential directions for future research endeavours. These avenues for exploration can improve transparency in textile and apparel supply chains towards greater advancement and scholarly innovation.

Analysis of variables influencing the cost of wood freight: the case of southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze the variables that influence freight cost in the forest supply chain and to fit nonlinear regression models to estimate the freight cost of wood transportation from the production areas to the processing units. The data used for cost analysis considered the following variables: volume of wood (m3); average fuel consumption (km/l) and average speed of the complete journey (km/h) per round trip. The results showed that there is a strong positive correlation between the variables transport distance and the freight cost of the wood, as well as between the moisture content of the wood and the freight cost of the wood. The load capacity of the vehicle combinations showed a mean negative correlation with the freight cost of the wood, and the length of the wood did not show a correlation with the cost of the transported wood. The fitted models for estimating the value of wood freight showed a high degree of adjustment of the dependent variable, indicating a good capacity for extrapolating the results from these variables. Such results emphasize the importance of optimizing transport routes, controlling wood moisture, maximizing vehicle volumetric load capacity, and using cost forecast models in order to make correct and efficient decisions in the forest supply chain context.

The dynamic risk profiles and management strategies in supply chain coopetition under altruistic preference

This paper focuses on bilateral coopetition within a two-echelon supply chain consisting of manufacturer and retailer. The objective is to establish a comprehensive stochastic dynamical framework for investigating the dynamic mechanisms of supply chain coopetition (SCC) and to develop a novel method for optimal decision-making of ownership incentive and capital structure under the measurement of dynamic risks in uncertain environment. The study introduces the altruistic preference to characterize the bilateral utility, and establish a stochastic system model within the framework of Langevin dynamics. Considering the inherent uncertainty in SCC, we define and classify the dynamic risks into bilateral cooperation risk and system response risk, based on which we propose a novel indicator to assess the performance in terms of risks. In the simulations, we consider the different scenarios to discuss the influences of various factors, i.e., ownership ratio, capital leverage, altruistic preference, and uncertain environment, on dynamic risk profiles and the performance in SCC, and explore the feasibility of constructing strategies from these dimensions. The results provide valuable insights for risk management and decision-making within the supply chain context.

Strategic Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Supply Chain Innovation from the Perspective of Collaborative Advantage

This study aims to investigate the mechanisms by which firms’ strategic entrepreneurship (SE) impacts the achievement of their collaborative advantage (CA) for sustainable supply chain innovation. It includes a comprehensive analysis of the direct effect of SE on CA, the contingent effects of organizational structure and collaborative networks on this impact and the interaction effect of exploration and exploitation strategies under SE. An integrated conceptual model is proposed and the hypotheses are tested by structural equation modeling (SEM) using survey data from 432 manufacturing firms in China. The results confirm the positive impact of SE on CA, which is moderated differently by decentralized, formalized and specialized organizational structures. Meanwhile, vertical and horizontal collaborations lead to different types of advantages, and firms need to balance exploration and exploitation strategies across functional domains to achieve strategic ambidexterity, which further improves CA and facilitates sustainable supply chain innovation. Theoretically, this study is original in applying SE to the collaborative advantage in a supply chain context, while taking into account the high complexity of supply chain collaboration with a contingency approach. Practically, this study provides important managerial implications and specific recommendations for different firms to achieve sustainability in supply chain collaboration and innovation.

Does Management Accounting Lose Relevance Again? Supply-Chain Perspective

The purpose of this paper is to explore how supply chain has pose new challenges for management accounting regarding costing and performance measurement issues and whether management accounting contend with these challenges. The development of management accounting and how it regained its relevance will be discussed in general. Then, the new challenges rose as a result of the introduction to the notion of supply-chain in the areas of costing and performance measurement will be clarified. Although current management accounting practices are perceived by many researchers as useful in the context of supply chain, the new challenges rose by supply chain have now propelled the management accounting researchers to realise a “condition for possibility” for revisiting the “relevance lost” thesis and its post-relevance-lost era in which a number of management accounting innovations have been introduced. The major contribution of this paper is that it paves the way for researchers to commence in re-testing the ideas embodied in management accounting and its relevancy to supply-chain context.

Unveiling Supply Chain Nervousness: A Strategic Framework for Disruption Management under Fuzzy Environment

Supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to disruptions due to the complex and interconnected nature of global business operations. Supply chain nervousness (SCN) leads to inefficiencies and disruptions in the flow of goods and services. Managing SCN is critical for sustaining the continuity of business operations in today’s dynamic and uncertain business environment. To address this issue, this study proposes a strategic framework that integrates key components of supply chain nervousness management and establishes a robust framework that prioritizes these factors based on their relative importance. By incorporating the fuzzy-ELECTRE methodology into the analysis, the proposed framework acknowledges the inherent uncertainties and imprecisions present in supply chain disruptions. It offers a systematic and comprehensive approach to prioritizing and managing SCN factors, considering both qualitative and quantitative assessments. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework, a case study is conducted in a real-world supply chain context. The results highlight demand variability as the factor with the greatest impact on SCN. Moreover, the results demonstrate the framework’s ability to effectively manage SCN by providing valuable insights for practitioners and researchers seeking to understand the causes of supply chain nervousness and mitigate its impact. The contributions of this research lie in providing decision-makers with a strategic framework for disruption management under fuzzy environments. The proposed approach enhances the understanding of SCN and enables proactive decision making to mitigate its negative consequences.

Digital transformation along the supply chain

In the last two decades, digital transformation has been critical for firms' survival and development. Thus, it is important to understand what factors might help facilitate firms' digital transformation. We investigate this problem in the supply chain context by examining whether and how a supplier's major customers influence its digital transformation. Using a sample of Chinese public firms from 2007 to 2020, we document that major customers' level of digital transformation is positively associated with their supplier's level of digital transformation, and the effect is more pronounced when customers are of greater importance to suppliers. The finding holds to a battery of robustness tests. Cross-sectional tests reveal that the impact of customers' digital transformation on suppliers' digital transformation is stronger for suppliers with technology-experienced executives, more high-skilled labor, fewer financial constraints, and narrower digital gap. Moreover, suppliers headquartered in regions with more digital infrastructure also show a more pronounced effect. Further analyses show that the underlying channels through which customers impact their supplier's digital transformation are knowledge transfer and market competition. Finally, we show that suppliers' digital transformation helps increase innovation outcomes. Overall, our paper extends prior literature on the real effects of customer-supplier relationships on suppliers' digital investment decisions.

Effects of Internet of Things, supply chain collaboration and ethical sensitivity on sustainable performance: moderating effect of supply chain dynamism

PurposeThe survival and growth of the ready-made garments (RMGs) sectors in Bangladesh depend on sustainable supply chain performance (SSCP). The purpose of this study is to analyse the effects of Internet of Things (IoT), supply chain collaboration and ethical sensitivity on SSCP. Also, supply chain dynamism was tested as a moderator.Design/methodology/approachThe framework of this study has been developed to enrich the understanding of technology usage in the supply chain. In developing the framework, previous studies in the supply chain context were considered. The model was tested by using data collected from 290 executives that were employed by different RMG companies in Bangladesh. This study used a 29-item structured questionnaire measured on a 6-point Likert scale to collect the data. Covariance-based structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to test the data.FindingsThe results showed that there were statistically significant and positive relationships between IoT and supply chain collaboration, social performance, economic performance and environmental performance. Ethical sensitivity also influenced social and economic performance. Supply chain collaboration was found to be related to social, economic and environmental performance. However, no link was found between ethical sensitivity and environmental performance. The result also showed that supply chain dynamism acted as a moderator.Research limitations/implicationsBy considering theories and interpreting the results, this study provides some theoretical and practical implications which will enhance the SSCP. The results can also facilitate strategic planning by companies.Originality/valueThis research has identified and analysed the effect of IoT on SSCP in the RMGs industry in Bangladesh where this industry serves as the main economic contributor.

Multi-tier supply chain network design: A key towards sustainability and resilience

The inescapable need for sustainable supply chains has fascinated controversial attention, in the last two decades, due to increasing governmental regulations and societal awareness. But, facilities and their linkages, within the supply chain network, are subject to perturbations due to natural or human-made events (e.g., strikes and floods). Therefore, managers are concerned about re-engineering a supply chain network that is simultaneously sustainable and resilient. Hence, there is an inevitable need to embrace sustainability and resilience at a strategic level for the supply chain management. Motivated by this necessity, this paper presents a new panacea methodology towards a sustainable and resilient (susilient, henceforth) two-tier supply chain network design (S-2TSCND). To this end, an extended exploration regarding the relationship and completeness between sustainability and resilience, in the supply chain context, was explored and discussed. It presents a new term for “susilient” supply chain due to the strong correlation found between these two paradigms. Then, a holistic framework was developed to identify dimensions, enablers, and criteria towards susilient development. Next, a fuzzy four-objective optimization model (FFOOM) was developed to (1) solve the susilient facility location problem; (2) assign the optimal order quantities among the selected facilities considering the susilience aspect; and (3) derive a trade-off between sustainability and resilience. The susilience values of nominated facilities were quantified via a hybrid AHP-OCRA method. These values were then merged into the FFOOM to consolidate susilience performance into the strategic and tactical decisions. A set of trade-offs was then derived via the ε-constraints method. Finally, each trade-off was examined via the global criterion approach to measure its distance from the ideal solution aiming to select the final supply chain network design. The validity of the developed methodology was proved on a re-configuration of an existing real 2TSCND.

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.