Supply Chain Stakeholders Research Articles

Dominance and collaboration in logistics triads: the case studies from New Zealand

The study focuses on understanding how different supply chain stakeholders' power dynamics influence supply chain relationships' stability and dynamics in a logistics triad. The study uses a qualitative research approach (multiple case studies) to collect data from the perspectives of logistics service providers (LSPs), suppliers, and customers. Having unique resource/service capability helps the LSP dominate long-term triad relationships by controlling its partners and impeding changes in embedded dyads. The identified theoretical and empirical outcomes provide insights to academics and practitioners to understand the supply chain relationship dynamics based on LSP's dominant power. This study's originality primarily focuses on the dominant player—LSP—to influence triadic supply chain relationships, which is significantly different from the traditional view—the dominant power controlled by suppliers or customers.

Role of the Food Supply Chain Stakeholders in Achieving UN SDGs

This paper gives an overview of main food supply chain stakeholders and their role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As this supply chain is global, playing a significant role in feeding the world, a deeper analysis of 17 SDGs, their targets and indicators reveals numerous direct and indirect connections with various SDGs. To perform such an overview, the authors investigated the link between the main stakeholders of the chain (farmers, food processors, food traders and consumers) with UN SDGs. In parallel, the authors explored the roles of policymakers, inspection services, certification bodies and academia in supporting these SDGs. In spite of numerous papers, calculations and estimations, discussion and media coverage, the authors believe that only the tip of the iceberg has been revealed. Based on this overview, the authors emphasize SDG 2—Zero Hunger and SDG 12—Responsible Consumption and Production as the most dominant for the food supply chain. In parallel, the achievement of SDG 17—Partnerships for the Goals will enable deeper intertwining of the goals and all stakeholders in the food supply chain continuum. Additional efforts are needed to pave the way for fulfilling the targets of the UN SDGs and exceeding expectations of all stakeholders.

When Blockchain Meets the AEC Industry: Present Status, Benefits, Challenges, and Future Research Opportunities

Blockchain is regarded as a potential technology for transforming the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, and the number of related publications is increasing rapidly. However, a systematic review of blockchain applications in the AEC industry is lacking. The objective of this study was to review the current status of blockchain applications via a bibliometric analysis combined with a systematic literature review. According to related articles collected from databases, the present status of blockchain was analysed with regard to the distribution of articles over publication years, journals, institutions, countries, cooperation networks between authors, keyword co-occurrence networks, and research methodologies. The results indicated that research on blockchain applications is still relatively new and fragmented with regard to several topics. Five areas of benefit were identified: (i) supply chain management, (ii) contract management, (iii) information management, (iv) stakeholder management, and (v) integration management. On the basis of the technology–organisation–environment framework, nine types of challenges were identified. Future research opportunities were proposed according to the research findings. This study contributes to the current body of knowledge and provides guidelines for further research on blockchain applications in the AEC industry.

A conceptual merging of circular economy, degrowth and conviviality design approaches applied to renewable energy technology

This article explores design criteria for renewable energy (RE) technology that align with Circular Economy (CE) strategies, while considering social dimensions and enabling independence from the economic growth imperative. Technologies addressed are solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines and lithium-ion batteries. A literature review of CE and Degrowth fields culminates in a 45 CE strategies framework being merged with two ‘convivial technology’ design tools, identified in Degrowth literature, creating a ‘CE-Conviviality design tool’. This tool facilitates a CE-conviviality criteria comparison, finding weaknesses in CE design approaches; and four contributions from conviviality – power distribution, equity and autonomy; localization; relatedness; and sufficiency. These contributions are applied to RE technology and their circular systems; identifying RE designers' strategies for action to foster growth independence and social wellbeing. The article calls for balance between design for internationalized/industrial technology and localized, convivial technologies - and end-of-life systems. Designers can promote: technology distributed through open-source technology, adaptable to multiple contexts; ‘relatedness’ - bolstering social wellbeing; and low-tech and sufficiency-based business models - the ultimate balance to international/industrial supply chains. Long-term, designers can collaborate internationally/nationally with policy and supply chain stakeholders to design technology for ‘local’ production/maintenance in specific geographical areas (e.g. countries), according to locally available materials or expanding CE systems; reducing reliance on monopolistic international supply chains.

Transformational Steam Infusion Processing for Resilient and Sustainable Food Manufacturing Businesses.

Here we show how food and beverage manufacturers report more incisive sustainability and product fulfilment outcomes for their business enterprises when innovative processing technologies are used. The reported steam infusion technology heats food materials within a Vaction Pump device so that steam is directed into the food material within a much reduced volume, reducing the use of steam and processing time. This study reports how such technological interventions will enable supply chain stakeholders to demonstrate responsible consumption by connecting assessments for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with consumer-focused outcomes such as product quality. The technology reported in this research not only improves operational agility by improving processing speed, but also improves the responsiveness of factory production to changes in demand. Heating procedures are systemic processes in the food industry that can be used to pasteurize, achieve commercially viable shelf-life, and provide cleaning in place. The reported research defines how these technologies can reduce the carbon footprint of products, improve quality attributes, and lower operating costs across supply chains. They provide an important step in developing distributed manufacturing in the food system because the technologies reported here are modular and can be installed into existing operations. The specific technology can reduce energy consumption by 17.3% compared to basic direct steam heating, with a reduction of 277.8 processing hours and 8.7 tonnes GHG emissions per kettle production line each year. Food and beverage manufacturers are increasingly required to report across the sustainability, nutrition, and product quality outcomes of their business enterprises more incisively so that supply chain stakeholders can demonstrate responsible production and consumption. The steam infusion technologies assessed in this research enable alignment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG12, Responsible Production and Consumption, using in situ data logging in factory trials for novel heating procedures used to process foods.

Mapping research in logistics and supply chain management during COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Supply chains constantly face new problems that go way beyond the traditional issues of supply and demand uncertainty, particularly due to the impact of worldwide disruptive events. This paper aims at mapping academic literature examining so far issues related to the impact on supply chains of the COVID-19 outbreak based on a thorough literature review of peer-reviewed papers published in 2020. Following criteria established by the systematic approach, we build a framework based on the most recent papers of the discipline to address major disruptions that challenge SCM operations. We consider features from individual organisations, characteristics of the whole supply chain, performance metrics for long-term sustainability, and attributes from external disruptions. We derive a list of topics that deserve further investigation such as collaboration, technology adoption and knowledge creation together with their diffusion, strategies to shape and promote awareness along supply chain stakeholders.

Artificial intelligence for supply chain resilience: learning from Covid-19

PurposeMany supply chains have faced disruption during Covid-19. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one mechanism that can be used to improve supply chain resilience by developing business continuity capabilities. This study examines how firms employ AI and consider the opportunities for AI to enhance supply chain resilience by developing visibility, risk, sourcing and distribution capabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have gathered rich data by conducting semistructured interviews with 35 experts from the e-commerce supply chain. The authors have adopted a systematic approach of coding using open, axial and selective methods to map and identify the themes that represent the critical elements of AI-enabled supply chain resilience.FindingsThe results of the study highlight the emergence of five critical areas where AI can contribute to enhanced supply chain resilience; (1) transparency, (2) ensuring last-mile delivery, (3) offering personalized solutions to both upstream and downstream supply chain stakeholders, (4) minimizing the impact of disruption and (5) facilitating an agile procurement strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThe study offers interesting implications for bridging the theory–practice gap by drawing on contemporary empirical data to demonstrate how enhancing dynamic capabilities via AI technologies further strengthens supply chain resilience. The study also offers suggestions for utilizing the findings and proposes a framework to strengthen supply chain resilience through AI.Originality/valueThe study presents the dynamic capabilities for supply chain resilience through the employment of AI. AI can contribute to readying supply chains to reduce their risk of disruption through enhanced resilience.

Enhancing the Resilience of the Management of Water Resources in the Agricultural Supply Chain

Due to population growth and human activities, water shortages have become an increasingly serious concern in recent years. The agri-food industry is the largest water-consuming industry among all industries, and various efforts have been made to reduce the loss of water in the agricultural supply chain. Improving the resilience of water resource management is a key measure to reduce the risks in the agricultural supply chain. This study aims to identify the factors affecting the resilience of water management in the agricultural supply chain and to help manage the risks related to water resources use. A total of 14 factors are selected from five dimensions of society, economy, environment, institution, and crop characteristics, and an index institution is constructed. This was used to determine the level and importance of each factor. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey involving 28 experts from the agricultural industry in Northwest China, as well as a thorough literature analysis and interactions with experts. Using a combination of an interpretative structural model (ISM) and an analytical network process (ANP), a hierarchical structure model was developed, composed of direct factors, indirect factors, and basic factors. The results show that the selection of agricultural products, the establishment of a water audit control institution, the recycling of wastewater, and the investment in water-saving technologies are the main factors affecting the resilience of water resources management in the agricultural supply chain. These findings provide useful guidance for practitioners involved in the management of water resources in agricultural supply chains. These results are expected to contribute to the sustainable management and strategic deployment of water by agricultural supply chain stakeholders.

An Integrated Impact of Blockchain on Supply Chain Applications

Market conditions have become increasingly dynamic and demanding, resulting in a challenging competitive environment. To adapt to this dynamic environment, supply chains have become increasingly reliant on collaboration, integration, flexibility, and trust between stakeholders. Therefore, the importance of new technological applications in supply chains has grown even more. To improve supply chain flow control, modern specialized applications must be implemented. Blockchain technology has established itself as a necessary component of today’s competitive environment. Companies should invest in blockchain technology to respond quickly to changing market conditions and demands in today’s dynamic business environment. In this regard, this study investigates the effect of blockchain technology utilization on supply chain transparency, supply chain flexibility, and trust in suppliers. For this purpose, first, data were collected from the first 1000 exporting firms declared in 2019 by the Turkey Exporters Assembly using a survey method. Secondly, factor analyses and regression analyses were performed with the dataset obtained from 84 companies. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that blockchain technology utilization increases transparency, flexibility, and trust in supply chains. According to these results, it is suggested that companies should invest in blockchain technology to make their supply chain more transparent, flexible, and secure. Moreover, blockchain plays a crucial role in building mutual trust with supply chain stakeholders. Finally, the research includes some considerations on the positive implications and potential of blockchain in collaboration and integration.

A study of the role of guanxi for value-added supply chain innovation

ABSTRACT This paper aims to investigate the relationships between guanxi, supply chain innovation, and stakeholder’s value in a value-added supply chain innovation model, taking the empirical data from New Zealand firms. Based on the resource-based view and stakeholder theory, it proposes a research model in which guanxi is an antecedent of supply chain innovation and stakeholder value. The value-added supply chain innovation model was established through the structural equation model (SEM), which was performed to validate the measurement models and test the research hypotheses. The empirical test results shed light on value-added supply chain innovation in association with guanxi. This knowledge can help to deliver more effective innovation outcomes and generate more effective value creation in supply chains, thus benefitting all stakeholders. The study contributes by providing both theoretical expansion and empirical evidence related to supply chain innovation and by establishing a value-added supply chain innovation model.

Inter-organisational relationships for social impact: A systematic literature review

The social impact of inter-organisational relationships is a growing area of business research. This study is the first to aggregate the current body of scholarly literature on how different inter-organisational relationships are utilised to create social impact. Using systematic literature procedures, 55 relevant studies published in leading scholarly journals were identified and analysed. The findings indicate that inter-organisational relationships for social impact is an emerging and multidisciplinary field. Eight categories of social impact were identified through thematic analysis, three at the macro level (economic development, social development and political and legal development), two at the mezzo level (community development and social development of supply chain stakeholders) and three at the micro level (creation of vulnerabilities, labour practices and entrepreneurship development). Based on our findings, we provide a synthesis of the relevant body of literature and identify potential areas for future research.

Exploring the influence of supply chain collaboration on supply chain visibility, stakeholder trust, environmental and financial performances: a partial least square approach

PurposeThe need to stay competitive amidst ever-changing business environment has shifted competitive strategies from firms to supply chains. Managers are now basing competitive strategies on supply chains acknowledging that supply chains present competitive advantages among other resources. The purpose of the study is to explore the predictive relevance of supply chain collaboration and the extent to which it influences supply chain visibility, stakeholder trust, environmental and financial performances. This study focused on manufacturing firms due to their supplier relationships, consumption of resources, energy and emissions of greenhouse gasses.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a survey research design, a quantitative approach and partial least square structural equation modelling technique in making data analysis and interpretations due to its suitability for predictive research models as is the case in this study.FindingsThe study hypothesized that supply chain collaboration positively and significantly interacts with supply chain visibility, stakeholder trust, environmental and financial performances. The study results confirmed supply chain collaboration as a significant, positive and a robust influence on supply chain visibility, stakeholder trust, environmental and financial performances thereby projecting win-win scenarios for firms that engage in collaborative supply chain practices.Originality/valueThe study is among the few to indicate findings in relation to the scope of supply chain collaboration's potency in influencing performance from the perspective of manufacturing firms operational in an emerging economy. Thus, this study contributes to understanding the wider scope of supply chain collaboration, its interactions with other firm variables and how it informs decisions of managers, scholars and supply chain partners.

Gaining Acceptance of Novel Plant Breeding Technologies.

Ensuring the sustainability of agriculture under climate change has led to a surge in alternative strategies for crop improvement. Advances in integrated crop breeding, social acceptance, and farm-level adoption are crucial to address future challenges to food security. Societal acceptance can be slow when consumers do not see the need for innovation or immediate benefits. We consider how best to address the issue of social licence and harmonised governance for novel gene technologies in plant breeding. In addition, we highlight optimised breeding strategies that will enable long-term genetic gains to be achieved. Promoted by harmonised global policy change, innovative plant breeding can realise high and sustainable productivity together with enhanced nutritional traits.

Improved Aflatoxins and Fumonisins Forecasting Models for Maize (PREMA and PREFUM), Using Combined Mechanistic and Bayesian Network Modeling-Serbia as a Case Study.

Contamination of maize with aflatoxins and fumonisins is one of the major food safety concerns worldwide. Knowing the contamination in advance can help to reduce food safety risks and related health issues and economic losses. The current study aimed to develop forecasting models for the contamination of maize grown in Serbia with aflatoxins and fumonisins. An integrated modeling approach was used, linking mechanistic modeling with artificial intelligence, in particular Bayesian network (BN) modeling. Two of such combined models, i.e., the prediction model for aflatoxins (PREMA) and for fumonisins (PREFUM) in maize, were developed. Data used for developing PREMA were from 867 maize samples, collected in Serbia during the period from 2012 to 2018, of which 190 were also used for developing PREFUM. Both datasets were split randomly in a model training set and a model validation set. With corresponding geographical and meteorological data, the so-called risk indices for total aflatoxins and total fumonisins were calculated using existing mechanistic models. Subsequently, these risk indices were used as input variables for developing the BN models, together with the longitudes and latitudes of the sites at which the samples were collected and related weather data. PREMA and PREFUM were internally and externally validated, resulting in a prediction accuracy of PREMA of, respectively, 83 and 70%, and of PREFUM of 76% and 80%. The capability of PREMA and PREFUM for predicting aflatoxins and fumonisins contamination using data from the early maize growth stages only was explored as well, and promising results were obtained. The integrated approach combining two different modeling techniques, as developed in the current study, was able to overcome the obstacles of unbalanced data and deficiency of the datasets, which are often seen in historical observational data from the food safety domain. The models provide predictions for mycotoxin contamination at the field level; this information can assist stakeholders of the maize supply chain, including farmers, buyers/collectors, and food safety authorities, to take timely decisions for improved mycotoxin control. The developed models can be further validated by applying them into practice, and they can be extended to other European maize growing areas.

Measuring the Environmental Maturity of the Supply Chain Finance: A Big Data-Based Multi-Criteria Perspective

This paper presents a strategic roadmap to handle the issue of resource allocation among the green supply chain management (GSCM) practices. This complex issue for supply chain stakeholders highlights the need for the application of supply chain finance (SCF). This paper proposes the five Vs of big data (value, volume, velocity, variety, and veracity) as a platform for determining the role of GSCM practices in improving SCF implementation. The fuzzy analytic network process (ANP) was employed to prioritize the five Vs by their roles in SCF. The fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was then applied to evaluate GSCM practices on the basis of the five Vs. In addition, interpretive structural modeling (ISM) was used to visualize the optimum implementation of the GSCM practices. The outcome is a hybrid self-assessment model that measures the environmental maturity of SCF by the coherent application of three multicriteria decision-making techniques. The development of the Basic Readiness Index (BRI), Relative Readiness Index (RRI), and Strategic Matrix Tool (SMT) creates the potential for further improvements through the integration of the RRI scores and ISM results. This hybrid model presents a practical tool for decision-makers.

Exploiting digitalization for the coordination of required changes to improve engineer-to-order materials flow management

Purpose The dynamic nature and complexity of construction projects make it challenging to ensure that the engineer-to-order (ETO) materials supplied onsite match changing needs. The quick and efficient communication of required changes in material fabrication, delivery and use, due to changes in the design and construction schedules, is needed to address the challenges. This study aims to provide a novel integrated management framework with its embedded informatics to help major stakeholders efficiently absorb agility during communication to deal with required changes and improve workflows. Design/methodology/approach An integrated management framework is developed that integrates the milestones in look-ahead plans and structured iterative processes for major supply chain stakeholders to quickly disseminate information emanating from changes in design, schedules, production and transportation. A prototype system is devised including the informatics to support the framework, which consists of BIM-RFID functional modules and a central database and uses a client-server architecture. The usefulness of the prototype is illustrated using a construction of part of a fictive but realistic high-rise building. Findings The integrated management framework with the informatics provides major stakeholders with the ability to coordinate their activities efficiently and stimulate their agility (measured by process time) in planning and controlling material information. Although only a fictive example was used, it is shown that the use of the system is likely to result in a substantial reduction in the time required to deal with required changes when delivering ETO materials onsite (by 18% in the example). Research limitations/implications The functionalities of the prototype system can be easily scaled up to coordinate changes in the design and scheduling of other types of materials. More functional developments are needed to show the extent of the possible improvement for entire construction projects. Future work should focus on investigating the possible improvements for other types and sizes of construction projects, and eventually in real-world construction projects. Practical implications By fitting the look-ahead plans into structured iterative processes through digital data sharing, stakeholders increased their capability to quickly capture required change information and resolve associated problems. This is particularly useful for the management of ETO supply chain processes, where prefabricated elements such as ductwork, plumbing, and mechanical systems typically have to be modified because of last-minute design and schedule changes. Originality/value Unlike traditional information technology (IT) based supply chain management practices, this research is characterized by a process-centered management framework that provides explicit decision points over iterative planning processes for major stakeholders to manage material information. The iterations through digital data sharing allow stakeholders to quickly respond to last-minute changes on site, which fundamentally achieves workflow agility in the construction supply chain context.

Optimization of COVID-19-Free Supply Chains

The basic aim of this paper is to research the importance of supply chain optimization in the circumstances of the COVID-19 crisis. The research object is the optimum selection of active participants before and after the COVID-19 crisis. The initial hypothesis of this paper is that optimal COVID-19-free supply chains can be formed with a dynamic programming method, the costs of which will be higher than those when this restriction would not exist, but significantly lower than those formed if the optimization principle in the selection of supply chain stakeholders would be neglected. Research results in this scientific discussion paper are based on the analysis and synthesis method, comparative method, and dynamic programming method. The main findings of this paper point to the conclusion that the COVID-19 crisis affected the reduction of goods flow within supply chains, reduction of potential participants in supply chains, reduction of supply chains business safety, and increase in business costs.

Design of Evaluation Scheme for Social Responsibility of China’s Transportation Enterprises from the Perspective of Green Supply Chain Management

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the supply chain has become an increasingly popular research topic, but there are little researches on developing countries or emerging market economies as the research object, let alone providing a framework for assessing CSR in sustainable supply chains in the context of these countries. This paper will make up for these literature gaps. From the perspective of the green supply chain management, this paper integrates various authoritative standards and adopts two methods, “R clustering” and “variation coefficient analysis”, to establish a CSR performance evaluation system of China’s transportation industry. Applying the mean square error index weighting method analyzes the performance of 74 companies in China’s transportation industry in 2018 to verify the rationality of the evaluation system. The results find that this industry generally scores low and the performance of responsibilities of different sub-sectors in this industry is different, but the overall performance trend is improving. This research has implications for China’s transportation industry to improve CSR levels from the perspective of green supply chain management, for managers and stakeholders who are committed to improving China’s CSR green and sustainable development, and for the development of CSR in developing countries and emerging markets.

Truck scheduling optimization at a cold-chain cross-docking terminal with product perishability considerations

An efficient product distribution is critical for proper supply chain operations. Many supply chains handle perishable products that decay over time. Due to mismanagement of supply chain operations, a significant portion of perishable products is wasted, resulting in substantial monetary losses. Cross-docking terminals (CDTs) have been widely used in cold supply chains for the product distribution but have not received adequate attention in the scientific literature. To improve the efficiency of perishable product distribution, this study introduces for the first time a novel mixed-integer mathematical formulation for the truck scheduling optimization at a cold-chain CDT. The model explicitly captures the decay of perishable products throughout the service of arriving trucks and accounts for the presence of temperature-controlled storage areas that are specifically designated for perishable products. The objective minimizes the total cost incurred during the truck service. Considering the complexity of the proposed model, a customized Evolutionary Algorithm is developed to solve it. The computational performance of the developed algorithm is assessed throughout the numerical experiments based on a detailed comparative analysis against the other metaheuristics. The developed Evolutionary Algorithm is found to be the most promising metaheuristic, considering both solution quality and CPU time perspectives. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm demonstrates an acceptable stability of the solution quality at termination. A set of additional sensitivity analyses are performed in order to draw some significant managerial implications, which would be of potential interest to the supply chain stakeholders that are involved in the distribution of perishable products in cold supply chains.

Analisis Risiko Pada Rantai Pasok Industri Minuman Siap Saji Jus Buah Dengan Pendekatan SCOR-FMEA

The beverage industry is one of the leading national industries with high growth and a very tight level of competition. The risk supply chain management approach is one of the driving factors for the sustainability of the industrial supply chain. The purpose of this study is to analyze the risk supply chain management to support the sustainability of the beverage industry supply chain in the case of fruit juice beverage products. The data used in this study consisted of primary data and secondary data. Primary data obtained from distributing questionnaires, interviews and field observations. The respondents of this research are the beverage industry supply chain stakeholders. This research combines qualitative and semi-quantitative approaches. Qualitative analysis is conducted to describe activities and risks in the beverage industry supply chain. Risk analysis is carried out using a semi-quantitative approach. The risk evaluation in the supply chain of the fruit juice beverage industry combines the SCOR-FMEA method. The risks that are classified as High and Priority are then analyzed by using the Fishbone Diagram as a reference for formulating risk mitigation strategies for the sustainability of the supply chain for the juice beverage industry.