Supply Chain Management Processes Research Articles

Resilience in supply chain management: lessons learned from disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic

The ravaging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global supply chains and its exposures of the vulnerabilities of the supply chain process has been examined in this paper. Importantly, the failure of supply chain resilience and the post-COVID-19 lessons necessitated the need to examine the need for resilience in supply chain management process. The paper examined the concept of resilience and its application in supply chain management, and covered strategies for developing resilience in supply chain management, which includes: identification and assessment of associated risks, diversification of supply chain channels, enhancing collaborations and effective communication among stakeholders, inventory management and supply chain flexibility, technology adoption and digitalization, scenario planning and simulations, as well as robust continuity planning. The paper also identified the challenges of supply chain resilience building. The paper provides valuable insights into how organizations can better handle future supply chain operations by considering the intrinsic development of resilience, which will enable them to better withstand and quickly recover from future disruptions.

The Trace of Professionalization in the South African Public Service Amendment Bill and Public Administration Management Bill: A Comparative Analysis

The South African public sector has over the years seen erosion of professionalization and proliferation of corruption which is perpetuated largely through supply chain management processes. Politicians, officials, and business people are equally involved in the corrupt practices and more than anything it is driven by greed and indifference to the needs of the poverty-stricken communities. What is even worse is that the money stolen is meant to serve poor people and is stolen by relatively rich people. Erosion of ethical governance in the public sector has directly affected professionalization of the public service. Employees who do not qualify or meet the requirements are appointed to positions of authority so that they can pay back to those who appointed them through tenders. These corrupt officials become untouchable and cannot be disciplined even if there are proven allegations on financial misconduct. Corruption also erodes professionalization by chasing away true professionals from the public sector. That is the reason why many South African professionals are leaving the country and relocating to countries like Australia, New Zealand, etc. The South African government has tried through legislation to combat corruption in the public service and promote professionalization, but it is still too early to see if these attempts are successful or not. It is for this reason that this study focused on tracing professionalization in the Public Service Bill and Public Administration Management Bill. The comparative analysis revealed that the Public Service Bill can identify and address strategic and systemic challenges that will inhibit professionalization of the public sector and put some mechanisms to deal with those challenges. Whilst the Public Administration Management Bill is not necessarily criticised for not being upfront with the reforms that will help professionalization, its focus by its very nature is the administration and management of the provisions of the Public Service Act. It therefore remains to be seen if there will be any changes brought about by these amendments when they are accented into law by the President. The research was able to trace the elements that promote and support professionalization in the two Bills. However, it remains to be seen if, once these Bills are accented into law, they are implementable and can achieve the objectives of the respective amendments. On the main the two Bills aim to eradicate political interference from administration. The recommendation is that all parties involved (politicians and officials) should respect these two pieces of legislation and implement them as they are for the benefit of the public service.

Reviewing predictive analytics in supply chain management: Applications and benefits

Supply chain management (SCM) is a critical component of modern business operations, and the integration of predictive analytics has emerged as a transformative force in enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and overall performance. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the applications and benefits of predictive analytics in supply chain management, exploring its role in demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and supply chain visibility. The literature review provides a historical perspective on the evolution of predictive analytics in SCM, delving into key concepts and definitions. Drawing upon existing research, the paper analyzes real-world applications, case studies, and successful implementations in areas such as demand forecasting, inventory management, and supply chain visibility. Methodologically, the paper outlines the criteria for selecting relevant studies, details the search strategies employed, and highlights the sources contributing to the comprehensive understanding of predictive analytics in SCM. The exploration of applications focuses on how predictive analytics is revolutionizing demand forecasting, optimizing inventory levels, and enhancing supply chain visibility. Through case studies and examples, the paper illustrates the practical implications of implementing predictive analytics in these key areas. Real-world examples and data-driven insights underscore the transformative impact of predictive analytics on SCM processes. Despite its numerous advantages, challenges and limitations exist in the implementation of predictive analytics. This paper examines common hurdles and proposes strategies to overcome these challenges, offering a balanced perspective on the practical implications of integrating predictive analytics into supply chain management. Looking towards the future, the paper discusses emerging trends and technologies in predictive analytics, anticipating advancements that will further shape the landscape of SCM analytics. It summarizes key findings, outlines implications for practitioners and researchers, and suggests avenues for future research in the dynamic field of predictive analytics in supply chain management.

Blockchain Technology Implementation in Supply Chain Management: A Literature Review

This paper aims to comprehensively review the main benefits, limitations, and challenges associated with the uptake of Blockchain technology in supply chain management (SCM). The study utilizes the literature review method, examining articles published from 2016 to 2022 and exploring the factors influencing the adoption and implementation of Blockchain in SCM. Multiple scholarly insights have shown no more hacking or cherry picking of options given for presenting data with high confidence and, therefore, reliability, as well as an ability to see everything in a highly limited way. An SCM looking at these multi-party evolutionary models shows that for Blockchain, the key advantages center on significantly increased security, confidentiality, traceability, transparency, data accuracy, privacy, efficiency, accountability, and trust. In contrast, the review has also detailed several limitations and challenges that must be overcome by firms and industries looking to adopt Blockchain within their SCM processes, which include problems with scaling, lower performance as a result of interoperability issues, legal and regulatory matters, very high initial implementation and ongoing maintenance costs, a struggle with standardization of the technology and the needed surveillance of this space, avoidance of technology adoption because of trust, the substantial energy used, low awareness, complexity of integrating with existing systems, being in its last mile in partnerships, and privacy. Even with this potential to transform and be disrupted across industry and its sectors, there are still very significant challenges for Blockchain. For those looking to actually utilize SCM and other sectors, understanding this from a variety of perspectives is of great interest to understand if the technology is fit for that sector and what strategies or networks need to be established or linked into with existing firms. Regardless, if these challenges can be overcome and responded to, then the greater protection and efficiency of current and future SCM processes will not only occur, but it can be the first significant node for broader industry-wide innovation and gains in efficiency.

A multicriteria model for assessing item importance and risk using operational data from military supply chains

PurposeThis paper is motivated by the need to assess the risk profiles associated with the substantial number of items within military supply chains. The scale of supply chain management processes creates difficulties in both the complexity of the analysis and in performing risk assessments that are based on the manual (human analyst) assessment methods. Thus, analysts require methods that can be automated and that can incorporate on-going operational data on a regular basis.Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken to address the identification of supply chain risk within an operational setting is based on aspects of multiobjective decision analysis (MODA). The approach constructs a risk and importance index for supply chain elements based on operational data. These indices are commensurate in value, leading to interpretable measures for decision-making.FindingsRisk and importance indices were developed for the analysis of items within an example supply chain. Using the data on items, individual MODA models were formed and demonstrated using a prototype tool.Originality/valueTo better prepare risk mitigation strategies, analysts require the ability to identify potential sources of risk, especially in times of disruption such as natural disasters.

Nurturing family business resilience through strategic supply chain management

PurposeThe study aspires to enhance comprehension of the intricate interplay between supply chain management (SCM) and resilience in family businesses, thereby offering valuable insights to managers and policymakers endeavouring to foster resilience in uncertain environments.Design/methodology/approachCommencing from the premise that family businesses (FBs) prioritize the preservation of socio-emotional wealth (SEW) when formulating strategic decisions, this study endeavours to advance understanding of supply chain practices adopted by FBs and their direct impact on resilience during crisis situations or economically challenging periods. Through an exploratory case study of nine FBs, the present research reveals four pivotal strategies in SCM that contribute to their resilience: (i) reorganization of inventory management; (ii) cultivating close relationships with suppliers; (iii) emphasizing product quality and customer retention; and (iv) implementing cost reduction measures to bolster resilience. The aim of the study is to provide an in-depth understanding of the intricate interplay between SCM and resilience in FBs, thereby offering valuable insights to managers and policymakers endeavouring to foster resilience in uncertain environments.FindingsOur approach offers a theoretical framework for SCM aligned with prior research on the interplay between characteristics of family businesses and resilience strategies. Furthermore, this paper illustrates how factors such as the emphasis on high-quality products and services by family businesses contribute to achieving non-economic objectives that owners adopt to reconcile family and business needs, creating intrinsic added value for the company. It reveals various challenges in SCM, including inventory organization changes, supplier closures and the significance of customer retention. Family businesses are implementing product and technology enhancements and leveraging digitization to enhance supply chain processes.Originality/valueThis paper contributes significantly to the field of FBs by highlighting the crucial role of SCM in enhancing business resilience during crises. It empirically examines how the SEW characteristics of FBs influence the reconfiguration of their supply chains to enhance resilience, presenting a theoretical model for this context. Our theoretical framework employs an SEW perspective to elucidate how FBs respond to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting their SCM processes to safeguard their social and emotional legitimacy, organizational visibility and reputation. These adaptations gain particular relevance during crises or turbulent conditions, potentially leading to alterations in how FBs formulate their supply chain strategies and manage supply chain-related processes.

Nanosensors from Logistics and Supply Chain Perspective: A Literature Review

Introduction: Nanosensors are one of the most recent technologies obtained from the nanoworld. They have enhanced properties with potential applications in a wide spectrum of sectors. They exhibit exceptional properties in temperature monitoring, hazardous gas and vapor detection, humidity detection, as well as pathogens, toxins, and chemical contaminant detection. Among various nanosensor applications, one of the most recent usages of nanosensor technology is in logistics and supply chain management (SCM). Aim: This study aims at investigating the potential of nanosensor technology from logistics & SCM perspective, and specifically questions how can this technology contribute to food supply chains. Method: A systematic comprehensive literature review was conducted with the keywords: nanosensors & logistics, nanosensors & supply chain, nanosensors & smart packaging, and nanosensors & food logistics for the date range 2001-2022, covering a broad set of references. Findings revealed that nanosensors have significant potential in providing smart packaging, and improving traceability and visibility across all the logistics and SCM processes including end-to-end transportation and storage activities Result: Hybrids of different types of nanosensors with the existing material identification systems provide new levels of traceability and visibility in SCM, enabling accurate tracking of a variety of parameters. The study has shown that the intersection of nanotechnology and logistics & SCM domains is still immature. Conclusion: This intersection is especially critical for food supply chains for meeting their special traceability requirements, and for serving food safety and organic food traceability across all stages of logistics.

A Preliminary Study of Role and Challenges of IOT in Supply Chain Management

Abstract: This paper delves into research on the Internet of Things (IoT) within the context of supply chain management (SCM). It comprehensively addresses the definition of IoT, key technology enablers, various SCM processes, and applications. The Internet of Things has the potential to address limitations in certain aspects of SCM, such as monitoring, production management, logistics operations efficiency, information exchange and communication, supply chain modeling, intelligent information collection, and security. The advent of IoT technology has ushered in a new era in logistics. The paper examines the current application areas and future prospects of this technology. Challenges encountered in implementation underscore the need for further refinement of IoT technology. Despite these obstacles, experts contend that the crux lies not in issues of costs, standards, and techniques, but in the establishment of a viable business model in the SCM and logistics industries.

Retracted: Optimization of E-Commerce Supply Chain Management Process Based on Internet of Things Technology

Retracted: Optimization of E-Commerce Supply Chain Management Process Based on Internet of Things Technology

Research on the Innovation Strategy of Regional Logistics Supply Chain System Under the Background of Digital Economy

Based on the continuous application and development of digital information technology, the digital economy has gradually become an important growth pole of China's economic development. Digital development has also provided new opportunities for the transformation and upgrading of logistics and supply chains, and the coordinated development of the digital economy and regional logistics supply chains has achieved remarkable results. However, in the process of promoting the development of the logistics supply chain, the digital economy has problems such as the imbalance in the digitization of the logistics supply chain system, the lag in the global response speed, and the lack of trust mechanism, so it is necessary to optimize the logistics supply chain management process, strengthen the information interaction and integration between the upstream and downstream node enterprises of the logistics supply chain, and connect up and down, strengthen the elasticity and resilience of the logistics supply chain, and establish and improve the trust mechanism of the logistics supply chain system, so as to accelerate the development of the digital economy and the logistics supply chain.

Evaluating the Impact of Green Supply Chain Management Processes on New Products in Saipa Automotive Company

Objective: The development of new products is a strategic activity for many automotive companies to gain a competitive advantage. This requires the examination of variables that affect the performance of new product development. This article evaluates the impact of green supply chain management processes on new products at Saipa Automotive Company. Methodology: The research method is descriptive and survey-based. The research population includes managers from various departments at Saipa Automotive Company. Data were collected using a field method and a questionnaire with a convenience sampling technique. For data analysis, the Structural Equation Modeling approach with Partial Least Squares and the PLS software were used. Findings: Findings indicate that internal processes positively impact green practices. Furthermore, the impact of variables such as green supply chain actions, environmental characteristics, and supply chain agility on supply chain value creation was positive. Additionally, the results showed that supply chain value creation significantly impacted the development of new (green) products. Conclusion: Therefore, it is recommended that automotive industry companies use customer ideas in developing green products and seek their opinions on products and their modifications to enhance supply chain value creation and product quality.

4IR 시대의 식품 콜드체인 3PL 서비스품질과 공급체인 성과에 관한 실증연구

Recently, the cold chain market in the food industry has been rapidly advancing with the application of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as Big Data, IoT, RFID, enhancing both information technology and logistics systems. Consequently, in the support of food cold chain systems, physical quality and logistics information quality have improved during the distribution and logistics processes. Therefore, there is a need for distribution and logistics companies to derive and examine service quality factors that impact relationship maintenance and performance in the supply chain management process with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food industry during the Fourth Industrial Revolution era. This study aims to identify the cold chain service quality factors of third-party logistics (3PL) companies based on expert in-depth interviews and a three-dimensional service quality model. Additionally, it seeks to understand the influence of relationship orientation in Korean food SMEs on supply chain performance. To achieve this, a systematic survey was conducted through preliminary investigations, distributing structured questionnaires, and collecting a total of 240 responses, excluding 9 unreliable responses, for empirical analysis. The collected survey data were analyzed using SPSS version 28.0 for frequency analysis to understand the general characteristics of respondents. Furthermore, Smart PLS version 4.0 was employed to test the internal consistency reliability, concentration, and discriminant validity of the measurement model. After evaluating the structural model, hypotheses were verified. The results of the analysis indicate that all three-dimensional service quality factors of cold chain services provided by 3PL companies (data processing expertise, digital-based customer responsiveness, and smart logistics information accuracy) positively influence relationship orientation. Additionally, the relationship orientation of food SMEs toward 3PL companies was confirmed to have a positive impact on supply chain performance. Therefore, the significance of this study lies in providing service quality factors for distribution and logistics companies to maintain relationships with food SMEs in South Korea and confirming the causal relationships affecting supply chain performance.

Optimizing Power Plant Availability and Reliability Excellence through End-to-End Asset Healthiness Monitoring Dashboard

PT Indonesia Power Semarang PGU, a sub-company of PT PLN that Operating power plants with a total capacity of 1,409 MW, has a way to manage assets using a web-based asset management which based on ISO 55001:2014. Our asset management’s pillars such as Work, Planning, and Control (WPC), Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Reliability should be incorporated by risk management to make decision easier. The system is called the end-to-end asset healthiness dashboard. Prior to the implementation of this system, there were increases in the backlog of Work Orders (WO) due to delays in receiving materials (WMATL). From the WO backlog, there were 45.47% WMATL WO in 2018 and 78.47% in 2020. Real-time asset wellness, follow-up tasks related to asset wellness, and Asset Criticality Ranking (ACR) are displayed on the dashboard. When WPC and SCM are integrated as good as possible, ACR selects the assets’s follow-up task related to asset wellness, maintenance is completed quickly and when needed, and the SCM process is accurately linked to maintenance execution and listed in the 52-week planning. By keeping our power plants availability, this condition also makes it easier to maintain the highest priority assets first. In 2021, it successfully reduces WMATL WO by 14.65%. Ultimately, our assets are effectively managed, consistently meeting the reliable electric power needs of our consumers.

An Integrated Methodology for Enhancing Reverse Logistics Flows and Networks in Industry 5.0

Background: This paper explores the potential of Industry 5.0 in driving societal transition to a circular economy. We focus on the strategic role of reverse logistics in this context, underlining its significance in optimizing resource use, reducing waste, and enhancing sustainable production and consumption patterns. Adopting sustainable industrial practices is critical to addressing global environmental challenges. Industry 5.0 offers opportunities for achieving these goals, particularly through the enhancement of reverse logistics processes. Methods: We propose an integrated methodology that combines binary logistic regression and decision trees to predict and optimize reverse logistics flows and networks within the Industry 5.0 framework. Results: The methodology demonstrates effective quantitative modeling of influential predictors in reverse logistics and provides a structured framework for understanding their interrelations. It yields actionable insights that enhance decision-making processes in supply chain management. Conclusions: The methodology supports the integration of advanced technologies and human-centered approaches into industrial reverse logistics, thereby improving resource sustainability, systemic innovation, and contributing to the broader goals of a circular economy. Future research should explore the scalability of this methodology across different industrial sectors and its integration with other Industry 5.0 technologies. Continuous refinement and adaptation of the methodology will be necessary to keep pace with the evolving landscape of industrial sustainability.

Measures that may assist non-performing municipalities in improving their performance

Background: Municipalities’ non-performance in terms of service delivery is often considered to be a significant concern that affects the community. Municipalities constitute the most important sphere of government as they operate at grassroot level and are mandated to provide essential services to communities. A lack of governance, poor financial management reporting, poor supply chain and asset management processes are some impediments that affect the service delivery.Aim: This study aimed to identify performance enhancing measures that non-performing municipalities in South Africa could apply.Setting: The article focused on all 44 district municipalities and identified the best performing ones from the period 2017 to 2020 financial years before examining measures that assisted well-performing municipalities.Method: A sequential exploratory research design was used in the study. The municipal performance measures were identified from the literature, confirmed, and validated through the content analysis of performing municipalities’ annual reports. The performance of these municipalities was based on the audit outcomes from the Auditor General South Africa (AGSA).Results: Forty-two measures were recommended to enhance non-performing municipalities’ performance.Conclusion: The overall view of all district municipalities and the identification of measures to focus on may assist municipalities in reflecting and implementing the suggested measures.Contribution: Most of the available literature focuses on metropolitan municipalities and tends to focus on corporate governance. This study examined change drivers in district municipalities and focuses on governance, financial management, supply chain management, and asset management. Areas for improvement were flagged and improvement measurements were put in place to enhance performance.

Exploring Simple Addictive Weighting (SAW) for Decision-Making

The Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method is a well-known and widely utilized approach for decision-making in various disciplines. The SAW method involves a step-by-step process that enables decision-makers to evaluate and rank alternatives based on their respective attribute values and assigned weights. Within this context, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of SAW for decision-making. This study demonstrates the utilization of the SAW method in supplier selection, which aims to streamline and optimize the supply chain management process for organizational business.The resultsderived from the study have revealed its practicality, effectiveness, and adaptability in handling multi-criteria decision problems, by examining its principles, advantages, limitations, and application based on real situations. It's important to note that the method's reliance on accurate weight assignment to criteria poses a challenge. This process can be subjective and intricate, especially when faced with conflicting objectives. However, SAW stands as a valuable addition to the decision-maker's toolkit, providing a structured and transparent framework for making well-informed choices amidst complexity.

Value Innovation in Enterprises under Digital Transformation: An Empirical Study Based on Managerial Economics

The evolution of digital technology in the past decade has propelled a sweeping wave of digital transformation, enveloping businesses across the globe. As enterprises are hastening to adapt and evolve, there is a profound metamorphosis in traditional business models and the very fabric of market structures. With digital interfaces becoming the forefront of customer interactions, supply chain management, product innovation, and organizational processes, there arises a pivotal question: How does this seismic shift influence value innovation? This study embarks on an exploration to decipher the impacts of digital transformation on value innovation, delving deep into the intricacies through the lens of managerial economics. By scrutinizing empirical data and employing analytical tools, we aim to unfold the synergies and discrepancies between digital strategies and economic value creation in the contemporary business milieu.

Supply Chain Management Process of Textile Industry: A Case Study on Bangladesh

This research examines a descriptive analysis of Bangladesh's textile industry's process of export, import, and logistic system for yarn dyeing. Bangladesh's industrial sector, which includes the textile industry, is vital to the country's economic growth. In addition to meeting a significant portion of Bangladesh's foreign demand for clothes and apparel, the textile industry provides for about 100% of the country's internal demand. The textile industry is a complex supply chain that manufactures garments, complements, raw materials, and other items. As a traditional management tool, SCM enables manufacturers to work toward increasing the quality of their products, lowering the cost of their products and services, and speeding up product delivery and reaction times in a highly competitive market. Based on primary data of an organization which is Union Limited, a well-reputed and big textile base organization as well as secondary data from internet databases, journals, review articles, etc., this study was constructed. reduced stocks, reduced costs, increased productivity, more agility, shorter lead times, higher profitability, and increased customer loyalty are all aspects of the textile industry's successful supply chain management. This study discusses the overall processing of how a textile industry imports yarn, and how they deliver the final product to the consumer. This research paper will give the concept of the overall processing of the textile industry of Bangladesh.

Creating a greener future: the crucial role of green innovation and supply chain management in corporate sustainability.

One of the most pressing concerns today is how to improve green innovation and supply chain management for company sustainability. It has been discovered that inefficient supply chain management is a major barrier limiting eco-friendly innovation. The supply chain management process is crucial to a company's long-term viability, yet previous research barely scratched the surface of its significance. This article uses a resource-based view to investigate how integrating green innovation and organizational agility into the supply chain management process contributes to the long-term success of businesses. This study used a cross-sectional approach. Structured equation modeling was used to examine data collected through convenience sampling from 475 employees of Chinese multinational manufacturing enterprises. Green innovation helps smooth over the bumps on the road between supply chain management and sustainable business results. Green innovation and business sustainable performance also benefit from organizational agility, which was not shown to moderate this relationship. The study teaches that in today's knowledge-based economy, firms that invest in novel technologies and adopt greener strategies are better able to address sensitive issues like supply chain management and organizational agility and achieve long-term success. This research aims to provide light on the complex interconnections between supply chain management, green innovation, and the sustainable performance of businesses. The theoretical framework for the present research was validated by the occurrence of a positive association between these variables.

IoT platforms assessment methodology for COVID-19 vaccine logistics and transportation: a multi-methods decision making model

The supply chain management (SCM) of COVID-19 vaccine is the most daunting task for logistics and supply managers due to temperature sensitivity and complex logistics process. Therefore, several technologies have been applied but the complexity of COVID-19 vaccine makes the Internet of Things (IoT) a strong use case due to its multiple features support like excursion notification, data sharing, connectivity management, secure shipping, real-time tracking and monitoring etc. All these features can only feasible through choosing and deploying the right IoT platform. However, selection of right IoT platform is also a major concern due to lack of experience and technical knowledge of supply chain managers and diversified landscape of IoT platforms. Therefore, we introduce a decision making model for evaluation and decision making of IoT platforms that fits for logistics and transportation (L&T) process of COVID-19 vaccine. This study initially identifies the major challenges addressed during the SCM of COVID-19 vaccine and then provides reasonable solution by presenting the assessment model for selection of rational IoT platform. The proposed model applies hybrid Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach for evaluation. It also adopts Estimation-Talk-Estimation (ETE) approach for response collection during the survey. As, this is first kind of model so the proposed model is validated and tested by conducting a survey with experts. The results of the proposed decision making model are also verified by Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) technique which indicates higher results accuracy and reliability of the proposed model. Similarly, the proposed model yields the best possible results and it can be judged by the precision, accuracy and recall values i.e. 93%, 93% and 94% respectively. The survey-based testing also suggests that this model can be adopted in practical scenarios to deal with complexities which may arise during the decision making of IoT platform for COVID-19 SCM process.