Supply Management Research Articles

Identification of optimal waste-to-energy strategies for sustainable development in Iran: SWOT analysis, hybrid MCDM methods, and game theory

The growing global focus on environmental sustainability and the pressing need for efficient waste management and energy crisis mitigation have prompted extensive investigations into sustainable waste management strategies. Given Iran's economic development and population growth, the country faces challenges in energy supply and waste management, making waste-to-energy (WtE) applications a promising solution for sustainable waste management. This study employs a combination of SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approaches, and game theory to explore WtE technologies and processes, evaluate their applicability within Iran's context, and identify the most effective WtE strategies for the country. Furthermore, game theory and fuzzy Shapley value analysis were utilized to determine the optimal combination of WtE development strategies. The strategy player “SO” held the highest position of power, with a fuzzy Shapley value of (0.391, 1.744, 3.264), resulting in the identification of the optimal strategy combination of SO2ST2WO1WT2, with a value of (0.429, 0.679, 0.893). The recommended combination emphasizes landfill with gas capture, development of incineration power plants, and integrated resource recovery through residue-derived fuel (RDF) implementation. Achieving these objectives necessitates energy policy reforms, pricing adjustments, improvements in the energy subsidy system, and infrastructure and market development.

Using the Evolution of a River Technology System to Compare Classification-Based and Citation-Based Technology Networks

With the increasing complexity of societal and environmental problems in the Anthropocene, the use of both classification-based approaches, which provide in-depth understanding within disciplinary boundaries, and citation-based approaches, which provide interdisciplinary research, has been encouraged. However, there are limited comparisons of the knowledge networks produced between these two approaches, which compromises our capacity to manage technological development. This paper aims to investigate the similarities and differences of river technology networks produced using classification-based and citation-based approaches. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) database from 1863 to 2020 was used as the data source. River technology systems contained three interactive subsystems: water demand, water supply, and water management, and the structure was measured using network-based metrics. It was found that river technology systems constructed using the classification-based and the citation-based approaches developed similarly in terms of their temporal, spatial, and compositional features. The structural differences were attributed to the addition of an external system that draws upon interdisciplinary knowledge beyond water resources. Both approaches can be used for guiding technology management, with the classification-based approach being more effective for understanding the content of innovations and the citation-based approach being more effective in gathering information beyond the water resource discipline. Technologies from more diverse disciplines should be encouraged to address increasingly complex water challenges.

Enhancement of Inventory Management System of State Universities and Colleges in Mountain Province

This qualitative research critically investigates the inventory management systems utilized by State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Mountain Province, revealing a significant gap in operational efficiency due to outdated processes and technologies. Employing a descriptive research design, the study systematically evaluates the limitations and challenges within the current framework of the Supply and Property Management Office (SPMO). The analysis uncovers substantial inefficiencies caused by manual procedures and obsolete technological tools, which hinder the institution's ability to effectively manage and allocate resources. The research identifies the urgent need for a modernized approach, advocating for integrating advanced digital technologies to optimize procurement, inventory tracking, and resource distribution. The proposed interventions aim to minimize errors, reduce operational delays, and enhance overall cost-efficiency, resulting in a more responsive and sustainable inventory management system tailored to the evolving needs of SUCs.

Forced randomization: the what, why, and how.

When running a randomized controlled trial (RCT), a clinical site may face a situation when an eligible trial participant is to be randomized to the treatment that is not available at the site. In this case, there are two options: not to enroll the participant, or, without disclosing to the site, allocate the participant to a treatment arm with drug available at the site using a built-in feature of the interactive response technology (IRT). In the latter case, one has employed a "forced randomization" (FR). There seems to be an industry-wide consensus that using FR can be acceptable in confirmatory trials provided there are "not too many" instances of forcing. A better understanding of statistical properties of FR is warranted. We described four different IRT configurations with or without FR and illustrated them using a simple example. We discussed potential merits of FR and outlined some relevant theoretical risks and risk mitigation strategies. We performed a search using Cortellis Regulatory Intelligence database (IDRAC) ( www.cortellis.com ) to understand the prevalence of FR in clinical trial practice. We also proposed a structured template for development and evaluation of randomization designs featuring FR and showcased an application of this template for a hypothetical multi-center 1:1 RCT under three experimental settings ("base case", "slower recruitment", and "faster recruitment") to explore the effect of four different IRT configurations in combination with three different drug supply/re-supply strategies on some important operating characteristics of the trial. We also supplied the Julia code that can be used to reproduce our simulation results and generate additional results under user-specified experimental scenarios. FR can eliminate refusals to randomize patients, which can cause frustration for patients and study site personnel, improve the study logistics, drug supply management, cost-efficiency, and recruitment time. Nevertheless, FR carries some potential risks that should be reviewed at the study planning stage and, ideally, prospectively addressed through risk mitigation planning. The Cortellis search identified only 9 submissions that have reported the use of FR; typically, the FR option was documented in IRT specifications. Our simulation evidence showed that under the considered realistic experimental settings, the percentage of FR is expected to be low. When FR with backfilling was used in combination with high re-supply strategy, the final treatment imbalance was negligibly small, the proportion of patients not randomized due to the lack of drug supply was close to zero, and the time to complete recruitment was shortened compared to the case when FR was not allowed. The drug overage was primarily determined by the intensity of the re-supply strategy and to a smaller extent by the presence or absence of the FR feature in IRT. FR with a carefully chosen drug supply/re-supply strategy can result in quantifiable improvements in the patients' and site personnel experience, trial logistics and efficiency while preventing an undesirable refusal to randomize a patient and a consequential unblinding at the site. FR is a useful design feature of multi-center RCTs provided it is properly planned for and carefully implemented.

Assessing Information Technology in Hospitals in Tehran: Challenges and Opportunities for Performance Improvement

Purpose: This research aimed to investigate the maturity level of information technology (IT) within hospitals in Tehran. Method: The study was applied in purpose and survey-based in method. The statistical population comprised 27 experts in urban management and IT within hospitals in Tehran. A revised standard questionnaire, based on Gartner’s IT management process maturity model, was used to measure IT maturity. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 23). Findings: The study revealed that several aspects of IT maturity within hospitals in Tehran were generally favorable. Specifically, leadership and IT management activities, customer-oriented service, control and evaluation, configuration and asset management, security management, change management, service level management, accessible management, service and support documentation, capacity management, and strategic trends were positively evaluated. However, operations management, human resource management, supplier management, and certain IT service management components were found to be below the average level of 3. Conclusion: Overall, the research indicates that the IT maturity level in hospitals in Tehran is largely favorable. Nevertheless, improvements are needed in specific areas, such as operations management and human resource management, to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of IT operations.

Over 6 billion liters of Canadian milk wasted since 2012

Canada's dairy supply management system provides milk year-round but unnecessarily disposes of overproduction. A lack of transparent data on discarded milk means that the scale of this issue is unknown. This hinders actions to mitigate the potentially large environmental, economic and nutritional costs of avoidable, on-farm milk waste. Here we estimate the volume of surplus milk discarded on farms using a material flow analysis approach, and assess the related environmental and nutritional costs. By our estimates, over 6.8 billion liters of raw milk vanished from Canadian dairy farms since 2012 (totaling a value of $14.9 billion CAD). We calculate this is equivalent to 8.4 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and enough milk for 4.2 million people (11 % of the Canadian population) annually. We suggest increasing transparency on the volume overproduction, reducing incentives for farmers to overproduce, and updating quotas to reflect shifting dietary needs as actions to align the Canadian dairy sector with broader food-system sustainability objectives.

Efficient energy management and cost optimization using multi-objective grey wolf optimization for EV charging/discharging in microgrid

The depletion of conventional energy sources coupled with the rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has significantly underscored the necessity for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with advanced energy supply management within microgrids. Effective energy management of EVs and EVSEs is imperative to satisfy EV owners and stabilize microgrids. This paper introduces multi-objective grey wolf optimization (MOGWO) to optimize EVSE and EV charging costs. MOGWO achieves substantial cost savings through dynamic pricing based on time of day, state-of-charge and hour-based scheduling which promotes off-peak charging thereby enhancing system efficiency and reducing costs. The algorithm also provides flexibility for trip interruptions and outperforms other optimization algorithms in minimizing EV charging/discharging costs by achieving reductions of up to ₹488 and obtaining average grid efficiency up to 76.41 % during charging and 87.41 % during discharging. Integrating Vehicle-to-Grid and Grid-to-Vehicle systems enhances microgrid resilience and delivers economic benefits to EV owners. The cost optimization for EV charging/discharging has been executed using MATLAB 2023a software to determine the most cost-effective charging paths by considering energy availability and grid conditions. The evolving sustainable energy landscape combined with MOGWO paves the way for smarter and more resilient microgrids in the era of electrified transportation.

Implementasi Next.Js, Typescript, Dan Tailwind Css Untuk Pengembangan Aplikasi Frontend Sistem Inventory Perusahaan Apar (Studi Kasus: CV Indoka Surya Jaya)

This research succeeded in developing an internal management system using Next.js for the integration of key features such as customer, supplier, category, unit, product, purchase and invoice management. The use of TypeScript increases code security and clarity, and ensures the system is verified through Black Box Testing. Implementing Tailwind CSS in creating company landing pages strengthens online representation with a responsive and modern design. It is hoped that this system can significantly increase operational efficiency and be adaptive to changes in company needs in the future.

From Teaching with Cases to Teaching through Case Development: Making Purchasing Managers and Students the Designers of Learning Journeys

The prevailing approach to producing and teaching case studies in purchasing and supply management (PSM) education involves faculty members’ creating and providing finished cases for course participants to work with. This traditional approach still has merit; but PSM education also must evolve to meet the increasing and changing demands that PSM executives face in practice. We offer an advanced and experiential learning method, wherein participants both in degree courses and in executive education programs develop a case study and the accompanying teaching material based on their engagement with real-life PSM challenges. In particular, the process of crafting a teaching note requires participants to adopt a teacher’s mindset and competencies, enhancing their effectiveness in practice as facilitators of ecosystems and as change managers. We also encourage faculty members to broaden the application of case studies beyond working on past situations. Case studies can be the end-product of field projects (consulting cases), and their development and use can be an integral part of a change management process when they become the means to gain employee commitment for ongoing strategic initiatives (implementation cases). The latter approach is particularly fruitful when case development is used in customized executive education programs because it allows the participants’ learning to feed directly into major ongoing change projects in their company. As such, cases and the case development process have the potential to develop participants’ competencies and to create direct business impact in far broader ways than traditional case study pedagogy allows.

Bioefficacy of Methanolic Leaf Extracts from Coleus amboinicus and Mentha spicata against Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) pose significant public health challenges globally, with India and Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for the majority of cases. Aedes aegypti, a primary vector of dengue fever, thrives in an environment with inadequate water supply and poor waste management. The increasing resistance of mosquito population to chemical insecticides necessitates the exploration of alternative control strategies, such as botanical extracts. This study evaluates the adulticidal efficacy of methanolic leaf extracts of Coleus amboinicus and Mentha spicata against the adults of Ae. aegypti. Fresh leaves of both plants were collected, dried, and extracted with methanol. Phytochemical screening revealed a moderate presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and glycosides in C. amboinicus, while phenols are highly prevalent, indicating significant biological activity. In contrast, M. spicata displayed a high concentration of alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, though saponins, phenols, and glycosides were less abundant. Adulticidal bioassays demonstrated that C. amboinicus achieved higher mortality rates across all concentrations compared to M. spicata. The LC50 value for C. amboinicus was 202.00 ppm, while M. spicata exhibited an LC50 of 230.00 ppm. Similarly, the LC90 values were 428.51 ppm and 457.40 ppm for C. amboinicus and M. spicata, respectively. These findings suggest that C. amboinicus has a more balanced and diverse phytochemical profile, which likely contributes to its superior adulticidal activity against Ae. aegypti. This study highlights the potential of C. amboinicus as a natural alternative for mosquito control, warranting further exploration and development for effective vector management.

Prevalence of problem drinking in the Swedish workforce: differences between labour market industries based on gender composition and main job activity

BackgroundIdentifying problem drinking patterns across industries is essential for addressing drinking problems in the workforce. Still, it is not well understood how problem drinking differs across industries and whether it is associated with industry gender composition. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of problem drinking (PPD) across Swedish industries and investigate possible associations between gender-typed industries and problem drinking.Methods9,155 current workers were selected from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) data collected in 2020. Participants’ work industries were identified through the Swedish Standard Industrial Classification (SNI) codes. Seven gender-typed industry categories were created based on gender composition and main job activity in each industry. Self-reported problem drinking was measured using a slightly modified Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilt, Eye-opener (CAGE) questionnaire and a cut-off score 2 was used to determine problem drinking. Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to investigate the association between gender-typed industries and problem drinking.ResultsPPD in the workforce was 6.6%. Men (8.5%) had a higher prevalence than women (5.3%). Across industries, PPD varied from 2.3% in Water supply and waste management to 15.4% in Mining and quarrying. The highest prevalence for men was in Mining and quarrying (18.2%), whereas for women it was in Construction (11.1%). Within gender-typed industries, the highest PPD was in male-dominated Goods and Energy Production (7.7%), and the lowest was in female-dominated Health and Social Care (4.7%). In the regression analysis, both Education (aPR: 1.39, p = 0.03) and Labour-intensive Services (aPR: 1.39, p = 0.02) had higher adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) compared with Health and Social Care. However, there was no significant difference in aPR among gender-typed industries when considering the gender composition of industries only.ConclusionsPPD in the Swedish workforce varied significantly across industries, with differences observed between men and women. Problem drinking differed between industries when categorized by gender composition and main job activity, but not when categorized by gender composition only. Future research should investigate how industry-specific psychosocial factors influence individual alcohol consumption.

INDICADORES DE SALUD EN BOVINOS DE UNIDADES DE PRODUCCIÓN DOBLE PROPÓSITO EN TRÓPICO SECO

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Beef ranks third in consumption in the Mexican market, where the diversity in supply sources and management systems used in production units is notable. This diversity is reflected in the health and welfare conditions of cattle. <strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate health indicators of dual-purpose cattle in Michoacán, Mexico, aiming to promote quality in the meat industry. <strong>Methodology:</strong> Data were collected using the protocol adapted from UC Davis Cow-Calf Health and Handling. Bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) were applied to analyze the data. <strong>Results:</strong> Six factors explain the cattle's current and past health conditions. From these, three groups of cattle were obtained with statistically significant differences in eight key indicators. Group 1 (G1) was characterized by good body condition and favorable past health status. Group 2 (G2) showed recent health problems, skin lesions, wildlife attacks, and parasitosis. Group 3 (G3) presented moderate conditions regarding past and recent health. <strong>Implications:</strong> This study provides a foundation for designing tools to enhance livestock living conditions by identifying and addressing individuals with poor health and welfare. These actions benefit livestock and directly improve the quality of meat derived from them. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Group 2 (G2) was identified as having the greatest health problems, while G3 showed intermediate conditions and G1 grouped cattle with better health indicators. These findings underscore the importance of implementing improved animal health and welfare practices in production units to enhance the quality of meat produced.</p>

Enhanced Data Processing and Machine Learning Techniques for Energy Consumption Forecasting

Energy consumption plays a significant role in global warming. In order to achieve carbon neutrality and enhance energy efficiency through a stable energy supply, it is necessary to pursue the development of innovative architectures designed to optimize and analyze time series data. Therefore, this study presents a new architecture that highlights the critical role of preprocessing in improving predictive performance and demonstrates its scalability across various energy domains. The architecture, which discerns patterns indicative of time series characteristics, is founded on three core components: data preparation, process optimization methods, and prediction. The core of this architecture is the identification of patterns within the time series and the determination of optimal data processing techniques, with a strong emphasis on preprocessing methods. The experimental results for heat energy demonstrate the potential for data optimization to achieve performance gains, thereby confirming the critical role of preprocessing. This study also confirms that the proposed architecture consistently enhances predictive outcomes, irrespective of the model employed, through the evaluation of five distinct prediction models. Moreover, experiments extending to electric energy validate the architecture’s scalability and efficacy in predicting various energy types using analogous input variables. Furthermore, this research employs explainable artificial intelligence to elucidate the determinants influencing energy prediction, thereby contributing to the management of low-carbon energy supply and demand.

Increasing the efficiency of logistics for the area of storage and picking of special materials

The article deals with increasing the efficiency of logistics flows for the area of storage and picking. The aim of the processed study was to focus on the analysis of logistics activities and processes, the state of supply and inventory management. An assessment of the effectiveness of the introduced information system at the selected warehouse was carried out, which led to changes in a positive direction in the very process of storage and management of special products. The study presents the design of variants, the selection of the optimal one using selected decision-making methods and the introduction of a new warehouse system, which leads to the efficiency of the entire storage process in the NPI (New Product Introduction) warehouse. The output of the study is also the implementation of the selected variant into industrial practice, which is declared by the elaborated project of the introduction of the selected variant. The article is a contribution related to the process of implementing a warehouse and picking system for specialized material items.

Plan for Improvement of Legal System for Efficient Management of Property for Public Use of Government Office Buildings of Central Administrative Agency: Focusing on Security Management under Legislative Bill Concerning Supply and Demand and Management of Government Office Building of Central Administrative Agency

Plan for Improvement of Legal System for Efficient Management of Property for Public Use of Government Office Buildings of Central Administrative Agency: Focusing on Security Management under Legislative Bill Concerning Supply and Demand and Management of Government Office Building of Central Administrative Agency

Analysis of Educational Needs of Home Care Nurses: Utilizing Borich’s Needs Assessment and the Locus for Focus Model

Purpose: This study analyzed educational needs of home care nurses to improve the quality of home care service and identify priority educational subjects. Methods: This study analyzed the training priorities of 54 home care nurses working at community service centers or public health centers in Seoul, Korea, using the Borich Needs Assessment and the Locus of Focus model. The home care nurses’ tasks were categorized into 21 tasks and 85 task elements. Results: Six priority educational subjects were identified: 1) health assessment and monitoring, 2) nursing records and information management, 3) health education and counseling techniques, 4) home care supplies management, 5) recipient identification and communication skills, and 6) care recipient classification and management. Activities related to one-on-one health management, such as health screening, measurements, and disease management counseling, were found to be high priorities. In contrast, small group program planning and operation were rated as a low priority. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of incorporating identified educational needs into training curricula for home care nurses. Regular assessment and integration of these needs into educational programs are crucial for enhancing nursing competence and service quality.

Infrastructures of power: Governance by energy systems and infrastructure

This paper suggests a synthetization of three classic approaches to analyze infrastructures as interconnected compositions that subtly distribute power and governance. We draw upon conceptualizations within large technological systems (LTS), Internet governance, and information infrastructures (II), and connect them to our own extensive research in energy infrastructure and systems spanning over a decade. This combination serves as the bedrock for our methodological work, which we establish here as pivotal signposts for the study of governance by infrastructures. Rooted empirically in energy research, we advocate for scholars to expand these methodologies to other infrastructures, such as the Internet and II, to illustrate how governance operates across diverse infrastructural networks and their intersections. Our empirical examples draw from studies in smart grids and smart energy technologies, electricity supply management and markets, and energy computer modeling. These diverse cases are utilized to inform the proposed methodological approach.

A geospatial assessment of the resilience of municipal water supply to flooding in Nowshera District, Pakistan

Post-disaster functionality of the potable water supply infrastructure is crucial for maintaining public health and safety. The failure of the water supply system may harm inhabitants and significant users, which can impact other services and various types of infrastructures. It is vital to assess climate change impacts on water resources to ensure resilience and sustainable management. The study assessed the resilience of 22 municipal water schemes using an indicator-based framework, How Tough is Wash (HTIW), across six domains: environment, infrastructure, community governance, water supply management, supply chains, and institutional support. The sites of municipal water supply were purposively selected based on specific criteria to include those water supply schemes which have been directly affected by flooding or are vulnerable to the impact of the flood. The resilience scores ranged from (6 to 7.5) for schemes with very low resilience, (7.5 to 10.5) for those classified as poor, and (10.6 to 16.5) for schemes considered moderately resilient. It was discovered that protective measures against the risk of flood were negligible. Community engagement governance and water supply management needed to be stronger. Local governments can pinpoint current advantages and disadvantages by utilizing these metrics and their impact on the public water supply's resilience and strategically allocate resources for optimal outcomes. Furthermore, the metrics that have been suggested simplify and unify the multiple dimensions of the elements, enabling decision-makers to optimize the measures.

Integrated design and performance optimization of three-electrode sliding discharge plasma power supply

The three-electrode sliding dielectric barrier discharge (TES-DBD) plasma actuator significantly enhances the ionization rate and momentum exchange between charged particles and neutral particles by incorporating a parallel DC electrode into the standard DBD design. This design improves the body force and induced jet velocity while allowing flexible control of the induced jet angle, overcoming the limitations of discharge extension and uncontrollable direction in traditional DBD plasma actuators. An integrated plasma power supply has been designed specifically for TES-DBD plasma actuators, streamlining the power supply management. The methodology involves designing the circuit topology for the TES-DBD power supply, followed by simulating and validating its operating principles using Multisim software. The operational performance of the power supply is evaluated through a comprehensive analysis of its electrical, thermal, and aerodynamic properties specific to TES-DBD plasma actuation.

E-Procurement Systems and Organizational Performance in Germany

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the e-procurement systems and organizational performance in Germany. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The implementation of e-procurement has streamlined procurement processes, reducing costs and improving efficiency through automation and better supplier management. Organizations adopting e-procurement systems report enhanced transparency, reduced procurement cycle times, and improved compliance with procurement regulations. Additionally, the data-driven nature of e-procurement allows for better decision-making and strategic sourcing, contributing to overall organizational effectiveness and competitiveness in the market. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Technology acceptance model (TAM), resource-based view (RBV) & institutional theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the e-procurement systems and organizational performance in Germany. Establish regular and comprehensive training programs tailored to the needs of procurement staff to ensure effective utilization of e-procurement systems. Develop a national policy framework that encourages e-procurement adoption in both public and private sectors.