Supply Chain Transformation Research Articles

The Impact and Challenges of Digital Transformation on Supply Chain Resilience in Physical Enterprises

Abstract: In the digital era, supply chain resilience (SCR) has become a key pillar of the real economy. Enterprises face various challenges, including cybersecurity threats, market volatility, technological change and changing global conditions. A strong SCR not only ensures continued business operations but also maintains market stability and consumer well-being. Digital transformation helps businesses anticipate market changes, optimize inventory management, improve operational efficiency, and assist in management decisions when necessary by providing unprecedented data transparency and real-time insights. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of digital transformation in the supply chains of physical firms globally through a literature review, to identify the factors influencing the resilience of digital transformation in the supply chains of physical firms, and to discover the barriers to digital transformation in the supply chains of physical firms. The study finds that the digital transformation of physical firms' supply chains is still in its infancy, and there are barriers at both managerial and physical levels. Solutions to address these barriers include enhancing employee training, correctly introducing appropriate digital technologies, and improving information security.

Circular supply chain transformation: leveraging evolving technologies for enhanced performance

ABSTRACT Circular supply chains (CSC) and evolving technologies work together to enhance supply chain performance. To assess this, we examine the integration of technologies, such as Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, and smart logistics in a CSC setup. The study focuses on two product types: smart and normal (non-smart) products. Smart products feature sensing, connectivity, networking, and monitoring capabilities, while normal products lack these features. Using a multi-objective optimisation technique, we analyse the CSC network to estimate the benefits of evolving technologies. The study aims to maximise profits and minimise carbon emissions across the supply chain. Eleven models are examined based on varying demand percentages of smart and normal products. The gamultiobj algorithm (a variant of NSGA II) is used to generate Pareto frontiers. The findings show that a 2-5% increase in technology adoption costs can boost profits by 15-30% and reduce emissions by 20-30% for smart products.

FreshSense: Transforming Supply Chains with Low-Cost and Dynamic Food Quality Sensing at the Pallet-Level

Food wastage is a pervasive issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Approximately 40% of produced food goes to waste after harvest[1], while 10% of the world's population goes to bed hungry each night[2]. The food industry is also known to have some of the highest emissions, and the environmental impact from produce that gets wasted post-harvest is a significant overhead to the industry's carbon footprint. On these accounts, there is an imminent need to detect and reduce food loss. In an effort to reduce such loss, in this work, we ask the question: Can we use wireless technology to track the change in food quality and nutrition, post-harvest, as it travels through the global supply chain? Current methods for monitoring food quality are sparse and prone to manual error. Literature shows that moisture content in produce is a good proxy for quality and nutritionnutrition[3,12]. However, the inability to accurately and efficiently track moisture content at scale leads to substantial loss. To address this challenge, we propose FreshSense, a novel wireless sensing system that enables real-time, non-invasive monitoring of moisture content in produce as it moves through the supply chain.

Analysis of Green Supply Chain Construction and Driving Factors in the Context of New Retail: Case Study of JD.com

The retail industry occupies an important position in the national economy and is a fundamental industry. With the development of the Internet, retail is constantly innovating, and online retail is developing rapidly. Retail enterprises under the new retail model represented by JD.com have embarked on a new journey in the retail industry. With the further development and acceleration of industrialisation, reducing resource waste and environmental pollution has become a problem that retail enterprises must face. This paper introduces the case of JD.com in building a green supply chain in the context of new retail and analyses. It summarises the driving factors of JDs establishment of a green supply chain by combining the interdisciplinary perspectives of new retail and green supply chains. At the same time, specific case evidence is provided from the perspective of each link in the supply chain. It aims to provide multi-dimensional guidance for the green supply chain transformation of new retail enterprises, which can help improve their market competitiveness, provide better consumer experience, enhance consumer trust, and help avoid potential legal risks.

Green logistics: Transforming supply chains for a sustainable future

In the face of escalating climate change and the increasing significance of sustainability, companies are shifting towards green logistics solutions. This article explores the various sustainable practices within logistics, the implementation of green logistics solutions, and the strategies for reducing carbon footprints. The logistics sector, a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, is under increasing pressure to adopt environmentally friendly practices. By examining case studies and industry data, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the current trends and future directions in sustainable logistics. Our study highlights the importance of integrating eco-friendly transportation, energy-efficient warehousing, sustainable packaging, and advanced inventory management systems. Additionally, we discuss the challenges companies face in adopting green logistics, such as high initial costs, technological limitations, and regulatory compliance. Through this analysis, we aim to shed light on the transformative potential of green logistics in mitigating climate change and promoting long-term sustainability in the supply chain industry.

The Role of Neural Networks in Transforming Supply Chain Resilience for Low - Income Communities

The Role of Neural Networks in Transforming Supply Chain Resilience for Low - Income Communities

Research on Supply Chain Optimization and Management Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning

This research introduces a groundbreaking approach to supply chain optimization and management, termed as Deep Reinforcement Learning based Supply Chain Optimization and Management (DRL-SCOM). At the core of this approach is the utilization of advancements in Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL), specifically through the integration of Randomized Ensembled Double Q-learning (REDQ) and Trust Region Policy Optimization (TRPO). DRL-SCOM is designed to effectively tackle the inherent complexities and dynamic challenges that are characteristic of supply chain management. One of the key strengths of DRL-SCOM lies in its use of REDQ, which plays a crucial role in mitigating the overestimation bias commonly associated with traditional Q-learning methods. This results in more accurate value estimation and policy improvement, a critical factor in the effective management of supply chains. Additionally, the integration of TRPO into the framework brings the advantage of safe and stable policy updates. Such stability is vital for maintaining the robustness required in the fluctuating environment of supply chain operations. The combination of REDQ and TRPO in DRL-SCOM creates a powerful synergy. REDQ’s ensembled learning approach, when fused with TRPO’s trust-region method, enables the framework to efficiently navigate the complex and high-dimensional decision space typical of supply chains. This allows for real-time optimization of decisions while staying within operational constraints. The DRL-SCOM methodology shows significant potential in addressing various aspects of supply chain management, from demand forecasting and inventory management to logistics, adeptly handling the nonlinearities and uncertainties that are prevalent in these areas. Thus, the DRL-SCOM framework emerges as an innovative solution, pushing the frontiers of traditional supply chain management. It paves the way for a more agile, responsive, and intelligent system, equipped to adapt to changing market demands and operational challenges. This approach represents a significant stride towards transforming supply chain management into a more advanced, data-driven, and adaptive field.

The role of agricultural extension workers in transforming agricultural supply chains: enhancing innovation, technology adoption, and ethical practices in Nigeria

Agricultural extension workers play a pivotal role in transforming supply chains by bridging the gap between research, innovation, and on-the-ground farming practices. In Nigeria, where agriculture serves as a backbone for economic development and food security, the adoption of modern technologies and ethical farming practices remains critical. This article explores how agricultural extension workers contribute to enhancing productivity, promoting sustainability, and encouraging the diffusion of innovative technologies within Nigeria's agricultural sector. By serving as catalysts for the adoption of advanced tools such as precision agriculture, mobile-based information systems, and climate-smart practices, extension workers help improve efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure farmers’ access to markets. The study highlights the challenges faced by these workers, including resource constraints, technological barriers, and policy limitations. Furthermore, the article delves into the ethical dimensions of farming, emphasizing the need for environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practices. Through case studies and a detailed examination of Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, this paper provides insights into the future direction of agricultural extension services and their role in ensuring food security and rural development. The article concludes with policy recommendations to strengthen extension services and their capacity to drive innovation and sustainability in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.

Market of transport and logistics services in the context of global transformation of supply chains

The article examines the market of transport and logistics services in the Russian Federation and provides an analysis of key trends and changes caused by the transformation of supply chains associated with political and economic factors. The analysis examines the quantitative characteristics of the transport and logistics services market and identifies current trends and their impact on the transformation of logistics systems. An analysis of the development of the multimodal transportation segment and the role of cargo containerization in the development of this segment is provided. When discussing the results, the classifications of transport and logistics services proposed by various researchers and their applicability in studying of the market of transport and logistics services in the Russian Federation are analyzed. The impact of supply chain transformation is examined using the example of the oil and gas complex of the Russian Federation. The main problems faced by oil and gas enterprises in the context of changing supply chains and the orientation of the economy are highlighted. The article presents the main ways to solve some of the problems identified by researchers, for example, the reorientation of oil transportation to the Northern Sea Route and the Siberian pipelines, leading material flows to the east and to the countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

Strategic Training Executive Program 2.0: A Leadership and Change Management Program for Health Supply Chains in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

People that Deliver's vision is "a world where health supply chain workforces are empowered and equipped to optimize health outcomes by improving access to health commodities." However, health supply chain management (HSCM) is not a recognized profession in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). HSCM professionalization efforts are essential if health outcomes are to be significantly improved in these countries; this means transforming supply chain management into a recognized profession of the highest integrity.The Strategic Training Executive Program (STEP) was created in 2016 to address prevailing leadership style gaps. Since then, STEP has undergone rigorous revisions to improve its applicability, scalability, and usefulness in LMICs. To date, STEP-in all its forms-has been delivered to 30 countries and contributed to building the supply chain capacities of more than 600 health supply chain professionals.This case study discusses the evolution journey of designing and sustaining the second generation of STEP (STEP 2.0). This journey is an innovative illustration of how diverse yet motivated organizations collaborated during a global lockdown and health emergency to reimagine a program recognized by all as essential for post-pandemic supply chain systems.

The transformative potential of blockchain technology in developing green supply chain: An evolutionary perspective on complex networks

Distrust is the main obstacle to the green transformation of the supply chain. Blockchain can rebuild trust among multiple participants by employing distributed information technologies. Based on complex network evolutionary game models, this paper tries to reveal the transformative potential of blockchain in promoting the green transformation of the supply chain. Simulation experiments with real electric vehicle data show that if adopting blockchain technology: i) the greenness of the supply chain can increase by 200% even without government policy intervention; by 75% when jointly optimizing the intensity of rewards and penalties; by 40% when exclusively adjusting the reward or penalty intensity; ii) the profits of both suppliers and manufacturers can be improved when they adopt green investment strategies, creating a “win-win” scenario. Besides, optimal government rewards and penalties are provided to accomplish various high levels of greenness in a blockchain supply chain network. This study not only quantifies the significant impact of blockchain technology on enhancing the greenness of supply chains, but also reveals the decision-making mechanisms of enterprises and government under varying degrees of greenness, providing theoretical guidance for enterprises and government to manage green blockchain supply chains.

A Research on Identifying Intertwined 4IR Technologies in the Supply Chain Context

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is the conversion of industries, economies, and so supply chains by a fusion related to technological, business, and social disruptive forces. The disruptive forces that cause the conversion discourse are the technologies it has enabled. This industrial revolution has a crucial impact on all industries, especially the manufacturing industry, and this effect sustains exponentially. The utilisation of The Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and the digital transformation of supply chains is a pivotal step today towards enhancing their competitiveness and their supply chain performance and being able to follow the supply chains of the future. However, implementing them alone is not enough; new ways to get the most benefit from them must be inquired. The combined utilisation of certain industrial revolution technologies boosts their efficiency and their contributions to companies and supply chains. This study investigated the correlational relationships of the eight most used The Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in the supply chain context and determined the technologies with the highest relationship with each other and called them intertwined technologies. The sample size consists of 393 companies. The study is a guide for companies and supply chains that will implement these technologies or invest in a novel one.

Human factors in supply chain change management: Strategies for overcoming resistance and boosting engagement

Supply chain change management is a critical area of study, particularly focusing on human factors that significantly impact the success of these changes. This review paper examines the strategies for overcoming resistance and enhancing engagement among stakeholders during supply chain transformations. It explores the role of human factors, identifies common challenges, and evaluates various strategies to mitigate resistance and foster a collaborative environment. Through an extensive literature review, this paper provides insights into effective change management practices, offering recommendations for practitioners and highlighting areas for future research.

Supply chain digitization and corporate maturity mismatch: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment

This paper examines the impact of supply chain digitization on corporate maturity mismatch by exploiting a quasi-natural experiment in China. We find that the digital transformation of supply chain effectively reduces corporate maturity mismatch, with mitigating information asymmetry and optimizing business decisions being the primary mechanisms. The effect is more significant when firms are facing more severe financing constraints and are in the downstream of the supply chain. Overall, this study contributes to the existing literature on corporate debt structure and the digital supply chain practices.

Suppliers 4.0 digital capabilities development in support of digital supply chains: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Digital transformation of Supply Chains (SCs) is imperative to remain competitive. Suppliers must adapt and digitally integrate into the emerging Digital Supply Chains (DSCs). This review examines how to develop the next-generation Supplier Development Programs (SDPs) in the context of DSCs in terms of the requirements to digitally transform a SC, and the emerging Digital Capabilities (DCs) needed by their members. A PRISMA scoping review was conducted to analyse existing research on DSC transformation frameworks and relevant DCs for the next-generation suppliers to digitally transform into “Suppliers 4.0” and support their emerging DSCs. Findings point out that there is no conclusive evidence in the scientific literature of a well-established Digital Transformation Framework (DTF) supporting the development of DCs in the current supplier base. An outlook is presented on the fundamental enablers for developing DSC capabilities and their alignment with the DCs required by suppliers.

A Research on Identifying Intertwined 4IR Technologies in the Supply Chain Context

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is the conversion of industries, economies, and so supply chains by a fusion related to technological, business, and social disruptive forces. The disruptive forces that cause the conversion discourse are the technologies it has enabled. This industrial revolution has a crucial impact on all industries, especially the manufacturing industry, and this effect sustains exponentially. The utilisation of The Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and the digital transformation of supply chains is a pivotal step today towards enhancing their competitiveness and their supply chain performance and being able to follow the supply chains of the future. However, implementing them alone is not enough; new ways to get the most benefit from them must be inquired. The combined utilisation of certain industrial revolution technologies boosts their efficiency and their contributions to companies and supply chains. This study investigated the correlational relationships of the eight most used The Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in the supply chain context and determined the technologies with the highest relationship with each other and called them intertwined technologies. The sample size consists of 393 companies. The study is a guide for companies and supply chains that will implement these technologies or invest in a novel one.

Improving the enterprise performance: An empirical analysis of digital supply chain transformation in Guangxi manufacturing industry

This study investigates how digital supply chain transformation affects enterprise performance in Guangxi’s manufacturing sector, with a focus on Electric Vehicle (EV) enterprises. Utilizing the quantitative research approach, data was collected through a questionnaire survey from 197 respondents including the manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers of the Guangxi Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Industry. To test the reliability, correlation, regression, and discriminant validity assessments the structural equation modeling is used by applying the SmartPLS 3.0. The results revealed that there is a strong correlation between agile capability, digital transformation, innovation capability, and enterprise performance. All the structured hypotheses tested significantly positive, though, digital supply chain transformation positively influences enterprise performance in Guangxi’s manufacturing industry, emphasizing the importance of agile capability, digital transformation, and innovation capability. This study highlights the importance of digital supply chain transformation in improving business performance in the Guangxi manufacturing sector. It serves as a guide for policy decision-makers and investors while they are planning their future investments, especially on issues about the optimization of supply chain operations.

How big data analytics and artificial intelligence facilitate digital supply chain transformation: the role of integration and agility

How big data analytics and artificial intelligence facilitate digital supply chain transformation: the role of integration and agility

Unleashing the role of knowledge absorptive capacity and relationship quality: exploring the outcomes of digital supply chain transformation in new norms

PurposeThis study aims to explore the potential role of supply chain digital transformation on collaborative knowledge creation, supply chain innovation, and value co-creation in new norms. It also examines the impact of collaborative knowledge creation and supply chain innovation on value co-creation. Furthermore, the study examines the impact of collaborative knowledge creation on supply chain innovation. Finally, it investigates the possible mediating role of knowledge absorptive capacity and relationship quality in shaping these interactions.Design/methodology/approachTo establish the empirical part of this study, the collection of data involved distributing a questionnaire to 247 managers working in manufacturing companies. The measurement model assessment and hypothesis testing were performed employing the PLS-SEM approach.FindingsThe findings indicate that supply chain digital transformation significantly impacts collaborative knowledge creation, supply chain innovation, and value co-creation. This study also confirms the significant impact of collaborative knowledge creation on supply chain innovation and value co-creation. Furthermore, it reveals that knowledge absorptive capacity mediates the impact of supply chain digital transformation on collaborative knowledge creation. It also shows that the impact of collaborative knowledge creation on supply chain innovation and value co-creation is mediated by relationship quality among participants.Originality/valueThe findings of this study make significant contributions to academic theory, existing literature, and the scholarly community within the realms of supply chain management, innovation, knowledge management, and value co-creation. It also offers practical implications for managers to strategically navigate the evolving norms of supply chain management. Companies can use these insights to improve their innovation processes and knowledge management, while policymakers can consider the study's findings when developing supportive frameworks for the manufacturing sector.

Blockchain Technology for Secure and Transparent Supply Chain Management

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to explore blockchain technology for secure and transparent supply chain management. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to blockchain technology for secure and transparent supply chain management. Preliminary empirical review revealed that blockchain technology had the potential to transform supply chain management by enhancing security and transparency. It emphasized the benefits of decentralization, immutability, and real-time visibility, which could reduce fraud and improve traceability. However, the study also highlighted challenges such as scalability, interoperability, and regulatory hurdles, which needed to be addressed for widespread adoption. Ultimately, the study suggested that companies investing in blockchain could gain a competitive advantage through increased efficiency and consumer trust, positioning blockchain as a crucial future component in supply chain management. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Transaction Cost Theory, Social Exchange Theory and Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory may be used to anchor future studies on blockchain technology. The study made significant contributions to theory, practice, and policy. It integrated blockchain into existing supply chain theories, highlighting its role in reducing transaction costs and fostering trust. Practically, it recommended businesses invest in blockchain for enhanced transparency and efficiency, and leverage smart contracts to automate processes. It emphasized the need for supportive regulatory frameworks and addressed legal and ethical implications. The study advised a phased implementation approach and stakeholder collaboration, and suggested future research explore blockchain's long-term impacts and integration with IoT and AI. It underscored the broader implications for global trade and economic development.