Sustainable Supply Management Research Articles

Drivers of Sustainable supply chain for sustainable development in industry

This analysis explores the different elements that constitute sustainable supply chains used by companies as genre on the road to sustainable development across different industries. The analysis of a body of literature and empirical data is carried out by a critical objective to determine the fundamental aspects of sustainability practices. The research suggests that we should have the necessary knowledge of these drivers for the stage to be raised of the environmental responsibility, social equity and economic development. Strategies are detailed to enable stakeholders throughout industries in adopting sustainable supply chain methods. Through this process, the long-term resilience of supply chains and the sustainability of the profitable position are promoted. The results are of this type, clarifying the crucial role of sustainable supply chain in reaching the global sustainability targets and promoting sustainability model for the companies and societies all over the world. Through this research we strive to add to the already established supplies chain management literature and aid the change process management in the pursuit of sustainable development in the different industries. Result of the cocreation with this domain has brought up meaningful implications to the literature. One of the new concepts we are proposing is a dynamic setting for a three-level model serving as a tactical plan for strategic sustainable supply management. Our study has contributed a theoretical framework that distinguishes practical facts of supply chain management and is for the purposes of future research and appraisals in terms of UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals

A decision-making framework for automating distribution centers in the Retail supply

Warehouse/distribution center (DC) automation technology for the retail industry promises to reduce operational costs, improve flexibility and response time for customers, and help improve network productivity, thus making it very relevant for omni/multichannel (OC/MC) settings. However, the investment required to acquire the DC automation technology is high, and hence, the investment decision must be operationally and financially comprehensive. In fact, an automated DC has a network-wide impact: it can benefit players in the network, but in turn is exposed to network risks and the investment must be safeguarded. While the need for a comprehensive decision-making framework and safeguarding strategy is stressed by scholars, such a framework is lacking. Further, corresponding integrated sub-frameworks for key elements in the OC/MC value chain are also missing. In this paper, we address these gaps and contribute by providing a) generalized and integrated three-part framework, b) corresponding sub-frameworks, c) discrete event, economic, and math programming models, d) rapid-sizing/analysis tools based on: i) analysis at the DC-level, ii) network level, iii) economic/business level, and iv) contract level (sustainable supplier/distribution relationship). In this reference, we investigate a new generation ‘full-case’ technology that has been recognized as a key to warehouse automation. The insights from our research inform several strategic tradeoffs (extent of automation, investment in labor vs. capital, response vs. efficiency, and sustainable supplier management) relevant for decision-making and safeguarding an expensive asset such as an automated DC. Our analysis is based on interviews (retailers, automated and conventional DCs, and DC equipment suppliers), on-site observations, secondary data, and learning from analytical models. We also present an illustrative real-life application/case study of the framework and the modeling details in the E-component.

Assessment of Factors Impacting Water Supply Services in Lusaka District: A Case of Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company

The water supply situation in Lusaka district faces numerous challenges related to reliability, accessibility, and sustainability of water supply services. Despite a population of 3,079,964, only 134,807 household connections were established by LWSC in 2022. With a record 4.5% population increase from 2022 to 2023, the demand for water stands at over 420,000 cubic meters per day, while LWSC produces 250,000 cubic meters per day. Groundwater, accounting for 57% of LWSC's water, is threatened by land development and pollution. Meanwhile, 45% of the population relies on site sanitation, contributing to groundwater pollution, the very source LWSC is dependent upon. Lusaka faces low or no water supply, an average of 18 hours per day. Despite existing research on the peri-urban water supply, a gap remains in addressing the challenges of rapidly growing urban areas like Lusaka. This study aims to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive analysis focusing on the unique challenges faced by LWSC, such as land development, population growth, and climate change. The research will offer practical solutions for sustainable water supply management in Lusaka and similar contexts. The research philosophy employed for this study is interpretivism, as it allows for a deep understanding of the subjective experiences and perceptions of experts involved in the water supply sector in Lusaka. This approach aligns with the qualitative nature of the research, which aims to explore and understand the complex interactions between various factors influencing water supply services in the district. The findings of the study reveal that climate change, population growth, and land development are significant factors influencing water supply services in Lusaka. Erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts have led to challenges in water availability and quality, while rapid population growth has increased the demand for water supply services, putting pressure on the existing infrastructure. Unplanned land development has also led to challenges in water supply services, particularly in areas with shallow water tables that are vulnerable to groundwater pollution. The study recommends investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, diversifying water sources, enhancing water conservation practices, and strengthening land use planning regulations to address these challenges and ensure the sustainability of water supply services in Lusaka.

Empirical-singular-wavelet based machine learning models for sea level forecasting in the bosphorus strait: A performance analysis

Forecasting sea level is significant for sustainable water supply management, flood mitigation, shoreline maintenance, ecological sustainability, and economic advancement. In this study, a novel approach that incorporates decomposition methods with machine learning algorithms is presented. The objective is to enhance the accuracy of sea level predictions by tackling the challenges associated with sea level modelling, which arise from its complex characteristics and influence of various factors. This study introduced predictive frameworks incorporating Wavelet Decomposition (WD), Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA), Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) with XGBoost (XGB), Decision Trees (DT), k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Support Vector Machines (SVM). The study conducted predictions for time spans of 1, 7, and 30 days, evaluating the accuracy of the model's predictions using performance metrics. For the first day prediction, the XGB model achieved highest NSE value of 0.86, whereas the hybrid model (SSA-XGB) attained NSE value of 0.99. The hybrid model (EMD-XGB) produced remarkable results, attaining NSE value of 0.70 for the 7 day prediction time horizon. Additionally, the hybrid models (EMD-XGB and EMD-KNN) remarkably achieved NSE values exceeding 0.60 for 30-day time horizon. The results demonstrate that the hybrid models accurately predict daily sea levels with a lead time of up to 7 days. Additionally, the hybrid models demonstrated satisfactory prediction performance for time spans of up to 30 days. The hybrid models presented enhancements in both prediction accuracy and extended lead time predictions.

A novel approach integrating IF-AHP, IF-DEMATEL and CoCoSo methods for sustainability management in food digital manufacturing supply chain systems

PurposeFood manufacturing supply chain systems are the most relevant wheels of the world economy since they provide essential products supporting daily life. Nevertheless, various supply inefficiencies have been reported to compromise food safety in different regions. Sustainable supplier management and digitalization practices have become cornerstone activities in addressing these shortcomings. Therefore, this paper proposes an integrated method for sustainability management in digital manufacturing supply chain systems (DMSCS) from the food industry.Design/methodology/approachThe Intuitionistic Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (IF-AHP) was used to weigh the criteria and subcriteria under uncertainty. Second, the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (IF-DEMATEL) was applied to determine the main DMSCS sustainability drivers whilst incorporating the expert's hesitancy. Finally, the Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) was implemented to pinpoint the weaknesses hindering DMSCS sustainability. A case study from the pork supply chain was presented to validate this method.FindingsThe most important criterion for DMSCS sustainability management is “location” while “manufacturing capacity” is the most significant dispatcher.Originality/valueThis paper presents a novel approach integrating IF-AHP, IF-DEMATEL, and CoCoSo methods for sustainability management of DMSCS pillaring the food industry.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management practices in food industry: professionals’ perspective

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the impact of sustainable practices in food supply chains. Practices are identified from the literature and their implementation maturity level by companies is assessed. Through a systematic literature review, current best sustainable practices about supply chain management in the food industry are identified. Then, a questionnaire survey is administered to professionals, and the results are quantitatively analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Twenty-five best sustainable supply chain management practices are considered. Among these, some practices appear to be well established on both the academic and industrial sides, such as sustainable supplier management practices. On the contrary, other practices widely discussed in the literature, such as green shipping and distribution, or collaborative practices are still rarely adopted. Moreover, some practices appear to have a direct influence on the economic, environmental, and social dimensions a business should be accountable for. This work includes the point of view of professionals that are increasingly dealing with the sustainability issue.

Climate stress impacts on the reservoir inflows: a decision-scaling and IHACRES modeling approach in South Korean basins

Abstract This study employed the Decision-Scaling (DS) approach and the IHACRES (Identification of unit Hydrographs And Component flows from Rainfall) long-term runoff model to investigate the impact of composite changes in rainfall and temperature on dam inflows at Chungju dam, Yongdam dam, Hapcheon dam, and Seomjingang dam basins. By analyzing flow regimes, rainfall scenarios, and temperature scenarios, the study revealed crucial insights into dam inflow and its response to climate stressors. The findings demonstrated that the rate of inflow increase in the study basins exceeded the rate of rainfall increase, indicating the significance of basin storage effects in contributing to runoff generation. The analysis of rainfall changes by quantile highlighted the dominant influence of the upper-high (UH) rainfall quantile, which led to higher flood inflow compared to other quantiles. Furthermore, scenarios with different rainfall patterns were compared, showcasing the predominant impact of UH quartile rainfall on the total inflow variation. The study also analyzed the runoff ratio, finding that changes in precipitation proportionally affected the runoff ratio. Overall, these insights contribute to understanding the sensitivity of dams to changes in rainfall and temperature, facilitating the development of strategies for sustainable water supply and flood management in dam systems.

Linking Sustainable Supplier Selection to Firm’s Sustainable Performance: The Moderated Mediating Role of Supplier Development and Leadership for Functional Integration

This study aims to investigate the moderated mediation model in which leadership support for functional integration complements sustainable supplier selection to enhance a firm’s sustainability performance by promoting sustainable supplier development practices. We tested the proposed hypothesis using 289 data collected from multiple sources of manufacturing firms. Our results reveal that sustainable supplier selection indirectly enhances a firm’s sustainability performance via sustainable supplier development practices. In addition, our results highlight that leadership support for functional integration strengthens this indirect relationship. This study contributes to the sustainability management literature by providing insights into how firms promote sustainability performance by combining leadership with sustainable supplier management.

Introducing digital tools for sustainable food supply management: Tackling food loss and waste in industrial canteens

AbstractReducing food waste is essential if we want to create a more sustainable food system, which is why halving per capita food waste by 2030 has been included in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The main aim of this paper is to demonstrate that by using digital tools to monitor food provisioning and management within canteens, it is possible to achieve a more sustainable food service management within industrial companies and to reduce the overall quantity and environmental impacts of food preparation and consumption thus achieving economic benefits. Longitudinal 2018 and 2019 data collected from the canteen of a major Italian food production company were analyzed. The results showed that the amount of food lost and wasted has decreased over time, reaping important environmental benefits and illustrating specific differences between the food lost in meal preparation and the food left on employees’ plates. It is therefore important to implement education initiatives and to use digital tools to share food‐related data collected within companies among both employees and kitchen and catering staff in order to raise awareness of their behavioral strengths and weaknesses. From this perspective, new interventions at both kitchen and customer/worker levels are introduced and discussed.

Sustainable halal food supply chain management in a small rentier halal market

PurposeThere is limited knowledge of the sustainable halal food supply management in Brunei Darussalam (Brunei), although it is reputable in the halal economy and advocates the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, this paper highlights issues faced in a small, rentier halal market and proposes sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) initiatives for halal-certified food companies in Brunei.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws data from published academic research and employs a normative and narrative assessment of SSCM and halal supply chain literature.FindingsFour normative SSCM initiatives and propositions that could be implemented by Brunei halal-certified food businesses in achieving the SDGs are highlighted: responsible sourcing, environmental purchasing, sustainable packaging and green transportation.Practical implicationsThis viewpoint paper provides a basis for achieving the “Brunei Vision 2035” through a sustainable supply chain lens that may increase well-being and develop a productive and sustainable economy. It also lays a foundation for realising the SDGs, specifically Goal 12 of Sustainable Consumption and Production.Originality/valueThe dedicated attention to smaller halal markets, such as Brunei, would enrich the literature, reveal unforeseen issues or address gaps in the domains of SSCM and halal food supply chains.

A Literature Review on System Dynamics Modeling for Sustainable Management of Water Supply and Demand

Water supply and demand management (WSDM) is essential for developing sustainable cities and societies. WSDM is only effective when tackled from the perspective of a holistic system understanding that considers social, environmental, hydrological, and economic (SEHEc) sub-systems. System dynamics modeling (SDM) is recommended by water resource researchers as it models the biophysical and socio-economic systems simultaneously. This study presents a comprehensive literature review of SDM applications in sustainable WSDM. The reviewed articles were methodologically analyzed considering SEHEc sub-systems and the type of modeling approach used. This study revealed that problem conceptualization using the causal loop diagram (CLD) was performed in only 58% of the studies. Moreover, 70% of the reviewed articles used the stock flow diagram (SFD) to perform a quantitative system analysis. Furthermore, stakeholder engagement plays a significant role in understanding the core issues and divergent views and needs of users, but it was incorporated by only 36% of the studies. Although climate change significantly affects water management strategies, only 51% of the reviewed articles considered it. Although the scenario analysis is supported by simulation models, they further require the optimization models to yield optimal key parameter values. One noticeable finding is that only 12% of the articles used quantitative models to complement SDM for the decision-making process. The models included agent-based modeling (ABM), Bayesian networking (BN), analytical hierarchy approach (AHP), and simulation optimization multi-objective optimization (MOO). The solution approaches included the genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). The key findings for the sustainable development of water resources included the per capita water reduction, water conservation through public awareness campaigns, the use of treated wastewater, the adoption of efficient irrigation practices including drip irrigation, the cultivation of low-water-consuming crops in water-stressed regions, and regulations to control the overexploitation of groundwater. In conclusion, it is established that SDM is an effective tool for devising strategies that enable sustainable water supply and demand management.

Streamflow Prediction Utilizing Deep Learning and Machine Learning Algorithms for Sustainable Water Supply Management

Streamflow Prediction Utilizing Deep Learning and Machine Learning Algorithms for Sustainable Water Supply Management

Improvement of water utility management in Tajikistan: reduction in water wastage using a metered tariff system

AbstractTajikistan is a country in Central Asia with rich water resources. However, drinking water is used for agriculture and other non-drinking purposes owing to the fixed tariff system. Consequently, the overall level of water services has deteriorated and generated revenue is insufficient for operation and maintenance costs. Therefore, a project aimed to improve the quality of water supply services by providing hardware support, such as construction of wells and renewal of water distribution pipes, was conducted. However, because hardware improvement alone cannot sufficiently enhance water supply services, software support to improve the capacity of Vodokanal (utility) staff, including preparation of a metered tariff system, was implemented through a technical cooperation project. The project successfully raised customer awareness of water conservation, and the water consumption rate was reduced to two-thirds of that before implementation of the project. Additionally, the water quantity, quality, pressure, and supply hours in the target area were significantly improved. Despite the resulting increase in financial burden, customer satisfaction regarding the water supply was enhanced from 51% before the project to 100% in the second half of the project. Simultaneously, the water supply revenue increased by 24% and this increase contributed to sustainable water supply management.

Planting Age Identification and Yield Prediction of Apple Orchard Using Time-Series Spectral Endmember and Logistic Growth Model

In response to significant shifts in dietary and lifestyle preferences, the global demand for fruits has increased dramatically, especially for apples, which are consumed worldwide. Growing apple orchards of more productive and higher quality with limited land resources is the way forward. Precise planting age identification and yield prediction are indispensable for the apple market in terms of sustainable supply, price regulation, and planting management. The planting age of apple trees significantly determines productivity, quality, and yield. Therefore, we integrated the time-series spectral endmember and logistic growth model (LGM) to accurately identify the planting age of apple orchard, and we conducted planting age-driven yield prediction using a neural network model. Firstly, we fitted the time-series spectral endmember of green photosynthetic vegetation (GV) with the LGM. By using the four-points method, the environmental carrying capacity (ECC) in the LGM was available, which serves as a crucial parameter to determine the planting age. Secondly, we combined annual planting age with historical apple yield to train the back propagation (BP) neural network model and obtained the predicted apple yields for 12 counties. The results show that the LGM method can accurately estimate the orchard planting age, with Mean Absolute Error (MAE) being 1.76 and the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) being 2.24. The strong correlation between orchard planting age and apple yield was proved. The results of planting age-driven yield prediction have high accuracy, with the MAE up to 2.95% and the RMSE up to 3.71%. This study provides a novel method to accurately estimate apple orchard planting age and yields, which can support policy formulation and orchard planning in the future.

The management of sustainable energy sources in the mechanical sector

<abstract> <p>In order to increase energy security in the face of rising energy demand and declining funding for fossil fuels, energy supply must be diversified and a shift to renewable energy must occur. Sustainable energy supply management aims to achieve a low-carbon intensity of production, particularly in energy-intensive industries such as mechanical engineering. The article investigates the possibility of transitioning the current mechanical-engineering enterprise system, as well as the technical, environmental and economic indicators of production, to the new concept of the "green economy", which will serve as an alternative to the industry's continued sustainable development. This article examines key energy-saving strategies. An observational 40-point model for calculating the energy risk of the mechanical-engineering enterprise has been developed, as has a sequence diagram of production and technology that takes into account the impact on the environment and the possibility of energy industrialization. This allows the setting of strategic objectives to ensure the sustainable development of energy production in the mechanical-engineering industry and developing the main principles of efficient enterprise activity. It has been demonstrated that one of the criteria for increasing the profitability indicator is the adaptability of enterprises to external conditions and the expansion of alternative energy sources from our own various information sources.</p> </abstract>

Sustainable Supplier Evaluation in an Automotive Company Using Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods

Sustainable supplier management literature is mainly on sustainable supplier selection but sustainable supplier performance monitoring & evaluation studies are scarce. Furthermore, the studies do not differentiate the sustainability evaluation criteria between the supplier selection and monitoring & evaluation stages. To bridge this gap, this study aimed to monitor & evaluate sustainability performance of the suppliers of a focal manufacturing company in automotive sector with the TBL approach. Toward that end, we questioned and tried to identify first the sustainable supplier selection and monitoring & evaluation differentiating criteria, and then, how we can rank and rate the sustainable suppliers for developmental purposes in the monitoring & evaluation phase. 21 criteria were determined for sustainable supplier performance in monitoring & evaluation by a detailed literature review and taking the opinions of the focal company. Then, decision makers assessed sustainability dimensions and determined criteria related to these dimensions. The weights of dimensions and criteria were calculated by Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy AHP method. Then, sustainability performances of selected suppliers from the focal company’s portfolio were ranked by using Fuzzy EDAS, Fuzzy CODAS and Fuzzy MOORA methods. The results show that sustainable supplier monitoring & evaluation criteria involve a mix of external criteria (rules and regulations) and internal criteria (suppliers’ values). This finding helps us understand how we can have a more relaxed criteria set involving basic external criteria while selecting suppliers to have access to a more innovative and diverse supplier space and then have more challenging internal and external criteria to monitor & evaluate those suppliers toward true sustainability.

Assessing the Role of Water Resources Protection Practice for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A Review

Water resource protection is central to sustainable water supply management for human wellbeing and for the ecological ecosystem to flourish. This review paper focuses on highlighting the role of groundwater and surface water protection practice to improve their sustainable utilization in South Africa. Using an integrative approach, this paper initially reflects on the history of water resources utilization, and it examines what is understood by the term “water resources protection”. This review paper then continues by providing an analysis of the current practice at global and local levels. The study found evidence of water resource utilization in the ancient times with limited challenges despite unavailability of regulation mechanisms. However, in recent times water resource availability challenges linked to water availability and water quality deterioration are evident globally despite having policies and regulation in place. Based on the findings of the study, a novel conceptual results-oriented policy monitoring framework is proposed, and it was distinctively designed to address challenges identified in practice in the South African context. The framework is configured on (1) the vision of the catchment protection and sustainable use, (2) water resources protection practices, (3) the state of water resources, and (4) policy evaluation and review processes as the key elements to drive success in policy implementation and monitoring practice. Therefore, this paper provides a foundation for results-oriented policy monitoring for water resources protection to improve sustainable water resources utilization in the country. The proposed framework can be considered as a reference guide that can be used to monitor policy practice for water resources protection by following a result-oriented monitoring approach

Open innovation as a practice to enhance sustainable supply chain management in SMEs

ABSTRACT Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can take advantage of existing market limitations by offering new sustainable technologies and business models. The literature on open innovation examines the capabilities of firms to integrate external actors in order to create value. In this context, the research highlights the need to understand practices, the processes implemented and the interfaces between certain internal functions and suppliers of SMEs. Our study is based on SMEs in the textile industry and allows us to observe the practices of sustainable purchasing and supply management in a type of organisation and an industry that are not often addressed in the literature. Our results highlight open innovation as a practice within a sustainable supply chain that offers opportunities for mutual gain and learning without creating imbalance between customer and supplier and by developing sustainable purchasing.

Stakeholder engagement for sustainable water supply management: what does the future hold?

Abstract Sustainable water supply and water resource management relies on effectively engaging stakeholders in decision making. With water conflicts increasing due to stressors such as population growth, climate change, and aging infrastructure, stakeholder engagement holds the promise to improve decisions, save time and money, and improve relationships between governing bodies and stakeholders. This opinion paper reviews the benefits of engaging stakeholders in water supply management decision-making, assesses the current state of the practice, and predicts future trends in the North American setting. The current use of technology will undoubtedly continue, allowing water managers to engage more stakeholders and engage them more substantively. We predict increased roles for the private and nongovernmental sectors in stakeholder engagement, taking place at different scales, but with a focus on the local level. Evaluating the benefits and effectiveness of engagement processes will help justify the investments, and also support practitioners to determine the most appropriate tools and techniques. Finally, foundational principles of open communication, building and maintaining trust, and ethical decision-making must be placed front and center. We see continued growth in the importance, tools, and application of stakeholder engagement as water managers and the communities they serve to strive towards sustainability.

A critical content-analysis of sustainable supplier development literature and future research directions

Sustainable supplier development (SSD) deals with how partner firms help their suppliers improve sustainable performance. Recently, SSD has received increased attention in academia and practice. In line with the emergence of supply chain sustainability , SSD evolved from being a primarily environmental perspective to a perspective incorporating corporate social responsibility and business ethics, and eventually a holistic sustainability perspective. This evolution led to a gap in theory as to the lack of a clear boundary between SSD and other sustainable supplier management practices, and a gap in practice on understanding how such practices help buying firms improve their supplier sustainability capabilities. A content-analysis based literature review is used to develop a framework for understanding the foundations of past research to address the above two important concerns and to come up with promising avenues for future research. For this purpose, a total of 47 SSD articles published in recognized academic journals during the decade 2010–2021 (August) are selected, categorized, analyzed and identified to highlight the current research status and opportunities. This article introduces a structural framework to critically examine past articles within four categories – concepts, practices, problems and solutions. The framework provides a general roadmap for future research opportunities. The review presented offers academicians and practitioners a better understanding of SSD towards a more coherent evolution of future research and practice in this area.