Sustainable Supply Chain Operations Research Articles

Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning Applications in the USA for Sustainable Supply Chain Operations and Carbon Footprint Reduction

Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning Applications in the USA for Sustainable Supply Chain Operations and Carbon Footprint Reduction

Integrating virtual power plants for sustainable supply chain operations in production-climate nexus

ABSTRACT This paper aims to design and integrate virtual power plant (VPP) into a geographically dispersed production-distribution network for attaining environmental sustainability goal. The VPP is comprised wind turbines, photovoltaics, combined heat and power, and energy storage units. The proposed VPP-based supply chain design model makes strategic allocations on renewable capacity as well as scheduling production, inventory, transportation, and energy generation and trading decisions. The model represents a first-of-its-kind in planning a multi-layer supply chain network in which renewable-based electric-thermal cogeneration is coordinated in production-climate nexus. The study yields the following findings. First, products with larger energy use opt to be made in locations with stronger sunshine or wind profile despite higher transportation costs. Second, the time-of-use rate greatly stimulates the installation of onsite photovoltaics and energy storage. Third, under flat utility rate, reducing energy storage cost has limited benefit to the cost savings of the supply chain operations.

Green supply chain management and firm sustainable performance: unlocking the role of transactional and transformational leadership in firm sustainable operations

AbstractCompanies are adopting innovative and environmentally friendly methods and technologies to mitigate the adverse effects of their products and services on the natural environment. Various internal and external factors influence a company’s ability to comply with such sustainability standards. This study specifically examines the connection between a company’s sustainable supply chain operations and a crucial internal factor, namely leadership. It focuses on comparing and contrasting the impacts of transformational and transactional leadership on green supply chain management (GSCM) and the overall sustainable performance of the company. Using a quantitative approach, the author conducted surveys among employees and managers and utilized structural equation modeling to analyze the model. The findings indicate that transformational leadership significantly impacts GSCM practices and sustainable organizational performance (OSP). However, the association between transactional leadership and GSCM is relatively weak. Additionally, it is observed that GSCM positively contributes to OSP. The results emphasize the importance of upper-level management involvement in green initiatives, particularly GSCM, to enhance the company’s environmental performance and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Sustainable supply chain operations driven by ‘remanufacturing + product sharing’: operation mode selection and decision optimisation

Consumers’ attention to sustainable production and consumption is promoting innovation in sustainable supply chain operations. We build an extended sustainable supply chain with remanufacturing (and/or) product sharing, and consider three operation modes: Sustainable supply chain operation with remanufacturing but No product Sharing mode (SNS), Sustainable supply chain operation with product sharing but No Remanufacturing mode (SNR), and Sustainable supply chain operation with both product Sharing and Remanufacturing mode (SSR). How does sustainable consumption (i.e. product sharing) affect sustainable production decisions and how to choose the optimal operation mode? Our findings: The SSR mode positively reinforces the sustainability-oriented market segmentation and can be globally optimal with an integrated value-added effect of ‘remanufacturing + product sharing’. From the perspective of total benefit optimisation, when the commission rate of a sharing platform and the proportion of service consumers are higher (lower), the transformation from the SNS mode to the SSR mode (from the SNR mode to the SSR mode) can be the best operational strategy. Maximising total benefits may have a compression effect on product sharing, which can be effectively adjusted by improving consumers’ perceived value of remanufactured products. This study provides guidance for selecting combination strategies for sustainable supply chains in the context of carbon emission reduction.

Environmental Factors and Adoption of Green Supply Chain Management among SMEs in Nigeria: Moderating Role of Environmental Uncertainty

Environmental regulations and policies have been recognised as significant factors influencing the adoption of Green Supply Chain Management. However, the importance of these factors in influencing sustainable practices within supply chains has been emphasized in recent research as global environmental challenges continue to worsen. As a result, adopting Green Supply Chain Management practices is crucial for ensuring sustainable supply chain operations in Nigeria, as SMEs significantly contribute to economic growth and development in the country. Therefore, this study examines the effect of environmental factors on the adoption of GSCM in the Nigerian SMEs. To measure all the variables, validated items were adapted from prior studies. Thus, 412 copies of questionnaires were retrieved from the selected managers/owners of SMEs after testing for the validity and reliability of instruments through a pilot study. The findings of the study indicated that the environmental factor is a very good predictive faction for the GSCM adoption of SMEs business in Nigeria, most especially in the area of customer demand, environmental regulation, environmental uncertainty, and supplier relationships. Furthermore, the introduction of environmental uncertainty as a moderating effect influence the relationship between an environmental factor and the adoption of GSCM practices in the area of environmental regulation and supplier relationship. The study findings are useful for decision-makers in the SMEs sector so they may build methods to enhance the adoption of GSCM. These findings are also useful for academicians’ future research endeavors. Managers can use those environmental factors concretely as a reference for the companies that intend to support the United Nation SDG-2030 agenda and to find new business opportunities for the implementation of sustainable development. The findings have a number of managerial implications that could contribute to SMEs for planning and development a GSCM strategy through the internal of the green supply chain perspective. This study's recommendations can help Nigeria's SME sector achieve its sustainable development goals and lead global climate change and environmental protection initiatives.

Armed conflict as an underappreciated driver of conservation outcomes in frankincense (Boswellia spp.)

Frankincense (Boswellia spp.) resin is an internationally renowned non-timber forest product (NTFP), generating more than $1 billion USD annually for its use in aromatherapy, incenses, perfumery, cosmetics, and medicines. However, many Boswellia species that produce commercially traded frankincense resins grow in arid, resource-poor environments where human conflict and warfare are common, such as the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. Despite this, the impacts of violent conflict on frankincense or other NTFP production systems have been underexplored in the literature. Drawing on anecdotal reports in frankincense and case studies from other species and geographies, we discuss the likely impacts of both acute warfare, such as the recent Tigray war in Ethiopia, and chronic, low-level conflict, such as the ongoing insurgencies by ISIS and Al-Qaeda-linked groups in Somalia and the Sahel. The effects of conflict are wide-ranging and may include direct damage to forests, disruptions of land tenure, management, and governance systems, reduced monitoring capabilities, and limited capacity for sustainable supply chain operations. We explore these potential impacts, outline an agenda for further research, and urge that further attention be given to conflict as an important driver of forest management and conservation outcomes.

AI’s Role in Sustainable Business Practices and Environmental Management

This paper delves into the critical role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in fostering sustainable business practices and enhancing environmental management. At the heart of this study is the exploration of how AI technologies are revolutionizing the approach towards sustainability in the business world, addressing environmental challenges with innovative solutions. This study aims to comprehensively understand AI’s integration, impact, and challenges in sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship. Through a methodological approach grounded in an extensive literature review, this study eschews fieldwork and statistical analysis, focusing instead on a qualitative synthesis of existing research. This approach facilitates a deep understanding of the historical evolution of AI in business, its response to global sustainability challenges, and the theoretical frameworks guiding its application in this domain. The findings reveal that AI significantly enhances energy efficiency, waste management, and sustainable supply chain operations. AI’s ability to process large datasets and provide actionable insights is instrumental in optimizing resource utilization and minimizing environmental impacts. However, the study also identifies key barriers to AI implementation, including data integration challenges, a lack of AI literacy, and resistance to technological change. Conclusively, AI emerges as a potent tool in achieving environmental sustainability goals. However, its full potential can only be realized by overcoming implementation barriers through collaborative efforts, robust governance, and ethical considerations. Future research is recommended to explore AI’s role in emerging sustainability areas and assess its long-term environmental impacts. The study concludes with a call for proactive engagement with AI technologies, advocating for their strategic adoption in pursuit of a sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

Energizing Inventory Management to Optimize Energy Consumption of Handling Shortages by Neutrosophic Fuzzy Trapezoidal Number

Embarking on the exploration of integrating environmental sustainability principles and neutrosophic fuzzy theory in inventory management, this study aims to effectively tackle shortages. It underscores the vital balance between economic efficiency and ecological responsibility in contemporary inventory management practices. Neutrosophic fuzzy theory emerges as a robust tool for navigating the inherent uncertainties in inventory optimization, offering a versatile framework for modelling intricate problems. Strategies for optimizing resource consumption and minimizing waste generation within inventory management are scrutinized, emphasizing the imperative of harmonizing economic objectives with environmental concerns. Introducing a novel framework that melds neutrosophic fuzzy with environmental metrics, the research aims to optimize inventory management processes while mitigating environmental impacts. Furthermore, it delves into the challenges of managing energy consumption, advocating for innovative approaches to address fluctuating energy prices, data limitations, and evolving regulatory requirements. Neutrosophic sets are introduced for energy consumption analysis and cost evaluation, showcasing their efficacy in managing uncertainty and variability in real-world scenarios. The study concludes with a Python-based analysis of neutrosophic mean in energy consumption, offering insights into central tendencies and uncertainties associated with energy-related costs. Utilizing visualization techniques to enhance comprehension and decision-making in energy management, this research contributes to advancing inventory management practices by integrating environmental sustainability principles and sophisticated mathematical techniques, thereby fostering more resilient and sustainable supply chain operations.

Promoting healthcare technologies through sustainable supply chain operations: an empirical analysis of key success factors using the ISM-MICMAC approach

Promoting healthcare technologies through sustainable supply chain operations: an empirical analysis of key success factors using the ISM-MICMAC approach

Implementing IoT Technology in Practice: Monitoring the Supply Chain for Sustainable Operation

The Internet of Things (IoT) is proliferating, with thousands of new sensors and equipment going live each month. Despite its lengthy evolution, the Internet of Things has only recently begun to take off in the mass market due to low-cost, reduced-power elements, ubiquitous web access, and high business and consumer interest. The Internet of Things includes anything from intelligent kitchen appliances to smart buildings, smart lighting on streets to automated manufacturing processes, and adaptive home heaters to autonomous vehicles. This research concerns studying and applying Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor the supply chain and achieve more sustainable operations by ensuring accurate and real-time data monitoring. In this context, an experimental device is developed to read the values of selected physical quantities from the wine supply chain environment through appropriate sensors. The values are then sent to an IoT platform to facilitate the remote monitoring of the above physical quantities and extract valuable insights from the large volume of data generated. The results show that crucial information can be gathered in real-time, enabling quick decision-making and ensuring safer and more sustainable supply chain operations.

Collaborative closed-loop supply chain framework for sustainable manufacturing: Evidence from the Indian packaging industry

Businesses reeling from the impact of COVID are struggling to achieve sustainability, amidst many other challenges, including finance and capacity shortfalls. One of the pathways to achieving 3BL in businesses is to create closed-loop supply chains (CLSC) covering the entire lifecycle of products. CLSC have proven to be important for sustainable supply chain (SC) operations, given the shortage of materials and labour globally following the COVID-19 pandemic. While it is widely acknowledged that the success of CLSC depends on successful collaboration between SC members, factors for successful CLSC collaboration are not sufficiently understood from the literature. Employing an observation-based case study and a survey of SC members, we develop our contribution in the context of an Indian packaging company, to delineate and verify a collaborative CLSC framework. The results confirm that the success of CLSC collaboration lies in the involvement and commitment of SC members. Collaboration for forward and reverse SC operations also facilitate the involvement of SC members in CLSC collaborations. Our research suggests that SC collaborations are enhanced by explicit incentive-sharing schemes and having the same SC members for both forward and reverse SC operations.

Demand Management for Sustainable Supply Chain Operations

Demand Management for Sustainable Supply Chain Operations

Application of blockchain and smart contracts in autonomous vehicle supply chains: An experimental design

With the rise of digital sustainable business models in the Autonomous Vehicles (AV) industry, the traditional automakers are undergoing a major restructuring in their key performance areas and associated supply chains processes. Focusing on an innovative AV design (AD) concept, this paper investigates how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain-based Smart Contracts can enhance sustainable supply chain operations. A novel design element, Margin Indicator (MI), is developed to obtain reliable predictive analytics results from the mainstream machine learning algorithms. The proposed approach supports a robust control of costs and energy, while maintaining a high level of transparency in managing decentralized AV supply chain processes, monetary impacts, and environmental sustainability. Testing the developed concept through a preliminary case study, we observed a reduction in energy wastage and hidden financial transactions by 12.48% and 11.58%, respectively. Supported by the rapid advancement in the blockchain and AI technologies, the developed framework is expected to improve product traceability, transaction transparency, and sustainable economic growth for the AV supply chains.

An integrated framework for the assessment of environmental sustainability in wood supply chains

Nowadays, sustainability is one of the critical factors for the success of supply chains in organizations and firms that strive to maintain a competitive edge in the market. In wood industry, due to the need for integrating several business units such as forest entrepreneurs, carriers, pulp and paper mills and sawmills, such industries encounter various difficulties in maintaining effective supply chain collaborations. Literature on wood furniture industry seems to be lagging in terms of research on sustainable supply chain operations. To fill this gap, this study aims at identifying the critical factors that stand as a barrier between manufacturing and environmental sustainability in wood furniture industries. To achieve this aim, an integrated framework based on the triplet of Hierarchical Clustering, Analytical Hierarchy Process and Best-Worst Method has been proposed and implemented in a leading furniture manufacturer in UAE. The results show that waste management is the primary concern when an organization wants to pursue manufacturing environmental sustainability. Resources come in the second place where non-renewable resources should be substituted by renewable ones. The results were supported by a sensitivity analysis which confirms that higher attention should be directed to recycling of wood waste. Findings of this study provide recommendations to managers and decision makers on how to improve the manufacturing environmental sustainability in wood furniture industries to achieve the Triple Base Line (TBL) concept of sustainability and integrate sustainably in industry 4.0 context.

Application of Industry 3.5 approach for planning of more sustainable supply chain operations for tourism service providers

ABSTRACT This paper addresses a tourist trip design problem and a tour route planning problem to improve the competitiveness of community tourism. The problem was investigated with the objective to maximise the total number of tourists interested in visiting multiple points of interest and several specific activities to receive a satisfactory service by matching their preferences. The problem was formulated as . To solve this problem, a mixed-integer linear programming model was developed for small-size problems, while the modified differential evolution with K-variable moves and random variable neighbourhood search (MDE–RVNS) was developed to determine near-optimal solutions for real problems. To assist the tourism service provider to schedule and sequence the trip and route planning for the tourists, a tourism service provider scheduling and sequencing software based on the MDE-RVNS was designed and developed. A mobile application using the software has been planned for launching to assist tour route planning decision-makers. This can help local tourism businesses to manage demands and ensure that the tourism revenue is evenly distributed in a tourism supply chain to enhance the well-being of local communities.

A Review and Classification Framework of Traceability Approaches for Identifying Product Supply Chain Counterfeiting

Counterfeiting is found today in many industries and in various forms with severe consequences for supply chain operations. Products counterfeiting can be detected in consumer goods such as clothing, food and beverages, accessories, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and luxury goods. The continuous violations in the supply chain have led to the need for mobilization of all involved stakeholders to overcome counterfeiting challenges. Effective traceability seems to be the only way to combat this phenomenon, ensuring safe and sustainable supply chain operations. This paper presents a structured literature review on traceability approaches for combatting the product supply chain counterfeiting phenomenon that led to forming a structured classification framework. The performed analysis aims to identify trends and good practices and can be used as a guideline for real-life projects against supply chain counterfeiting. The results show that traditional traceability methods are not effective as they can be easily falsified using today’s technological advancements. However, these same advancements also present valuable technologies such as blockchain and the internet of things to ensure safe and sustainable supply chain operations.

Supply Chain Inventory Sharing Using Ethereum Blockchain and Smart Contracts

Information sharing is essential for coordination and stakeholder integration and is crucial to achieving sustainable supply chain operations. Furthermore, improved information sharing assists retailers by reducing the time spent looking for alternative suppliers to meet the unexpected demand surge during pandemics. Recent advances in networking and distributed ledger technologies have enabled secure, improved information communication and broader connectivity. However, due to system interoperability, information quality, confidentiality, and trust, information cannot be exchanged seamlessly, resulting in the inefficiency of managing supply chain operations. In this paper, we propose a blockchain-based inventory sharing approach based on smart contracts using a private Ethereum network to link suppliers and retailers. Our approach combines blockchain technology with decentralized storage to increase transparency, trust, and security of supply chain transactions. We present a generalized mechanism for secure information sharing that includes comprehensive algorithms to capture supply chain stakeholder interactions that enhance trust among participating entities. The smart contract was developed and validated using the Remix IDE, and the code is made publicly available on Github. We analyze the solution for various security vulnerabilities and provide a detailed cost analysis for various stakeholder transactions in the supply chain. Our solution demonstrates that a blockchain-based approach reduces inefficiencies, is economical, commercially viable, and provides improved information connectivity among supply chain stakeholders in a trusted and secure way.

Application of Industry 4.0 tools to empower circular economy and achieving sustainability in supply chain operations

This study considers how effective South African manufacturing enterprises have used Industry 4.0 tools and applications to achieve sustainability in supply chain operations. Organization Information Processing Theory (OIPT) suggests Industry 4.0 tools should enhance operational capabilities. South African manufacturers were surveyed and 200 responses were received. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the conceptual model. We provide evidence that using Industry 4.0 tools to improve resource consumption rate and reduce waste and pollution is most likely to enhance sustainable supply chain operations. Both the control orientation and the flexible orientation of the production team enhance their ability to generate positive sustainable outcomes from Industry 4.0 use. The results may not be generalizable to other, less developed nations, which struggle with Industry 4.0 implementation but should generalize to other developing nations. This study has a clear implication that there are viable pathways to sustainable supply chain operations, driven by Industry 4.0 applications, through improving resource consumption and reducing waste and pollution.

Analysis of critical success factors for implementing Industry 4.0 integrated circular supply chain – moving towards sustainable operations

Many threats, such as scarcity of sources and climate change, are forcing the business community to examine their commitment towards the environment and society. Because of this pressure, companies have started to implement long term sustainable practices into their operations. An example of this is the adoption of circular supply chain (CSC), Industry 4.0. How the integration of Industry 4.0 and CSC can be implemented to achieve sustainable supply chain operations is an important question for research. Very little discussion is available in current literature in this regard. This study objective is to analyze the critical success factors (CSFs) for this integration. A three-phase study framework has been utilized to achieve the objective. In the first phase, CSFs are identified through literature review and experts’ inputs; in the second phase, an empirical research is conducted for finalization of CSFs and in the last phase, influencing and influenced factors are identified by using Hesitant based Fuzzy DEMATEL. The analysis shows that in the adoption of CSC integrated with Industry 4.0 to achieve sustainability in supply chain operations, ‘knowledge of CSC and Industry 4.0’ is the most important factor followed by ‘top management commitment’. With the help of this research study’s findings, both theoretical and practical contributions are provided which further help the operation. This will assist supply chain managers in achieving sustainability in supply chain operations through an effective adoption of the integration of CSC and Industry 4.0.

Framework for a sustainable supply chain to overcome risks in transition to a circular economy through Industry 4.0

Transition from a linear to a circular economy (CE) is a challenging process for a sustainable supply chain, and innovative process approaches and technologies are needed to deal with the risks involved. Industry 4.0 principles have great potential to achieve optimal sustainable supply chain solutions and are expected to add value to sustainable supply chain operations by increasing efficiency and resource utilisation. Therefore, Industry 4.0 supports companies transitioning to a CE through improving the efficiency and sustainability of their supply chain management. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential risks of the transition from a linear to a CE, with proposed Industry 4.0-based responses from an operations management perspective within the sustainable supply chain. Implementation of the study was conducted in a logistics company in Turkey. An integrated MCDM (Multi-criteria Decision Making) approach was based on Fuzzy AHP, and TODIM was used to analyse the association between risks and responses. According to the findings, the most important Industry 4.0-based responses are the integrated business processes for cross-functional collaboration, modular processes for simplification and standardisation, and continuous monitoring of the cost and performance throughout the supply chain by big data and analytics. This study may assist managers in managing risks in supply chain operations during the transition from a linear to a CE through Industry 4.0 based responses. The main contribution of this study is a greater understanding of the risks related to the transition from a linear to a circular economy, and proposals for Industry 4.0-based responses as a means of overcoming these risks in a sustainable supply chain context.