Supply Chain Transformation Research Articles

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.

Information disclosure strategies of live‐streaming supply chains in the digi‐economy era

AbstractLive e‐commerce is one of the important forms of digital transformation of supply chain, which has become increasingly popular in recent years as a powerful tool for internet advertising, interaction, and merchandising. We propose two pricing models to examine the strategies of information disclosure and pricing within the live‐streaming supply chain. One model revolves around the agency framework, wherein the manufacturer determines the price while the streamer decides the level of information disclosure. The other model pertains to a self‐implementing framework, wherein the manufacturer determines both the level of information disclosure and the price. To evaluate the robustness of our findings, we extend our models to encompass three significant scenarios: (i) the platform involvement model, where a live‐streaming support platform becomes part of the supply chain; (ii) the fixed price model, which externalizes the manufacturer's pricing decision; and (iii) the dual‐channel operations model. Our analysis reveals that the cost associated with information disclosure impacts the streamer's profits in a nonlinear manner within the agency model. Interestingly, expanding the revenue‐sharing parameter does not invariably favor the manufacturer. Moreover, we observe that none of the live‐streaming sales models exhibits a clear advantage over the others. Additionally, we demonstrate that the platform's involvement limits the manufacturer's ability to utilize the agency model for live‐streaming sales. In situations with fixed pricing, the manufacturer is advised to disclose more production information during live‐streaming sales.

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.

Platform economy and missing entrepreneurship: Evidence from E‐commerce development policy in China

AbstractThis paper utilises the staggered county‐level rollout of China's E‐commerce entering villages policy to examine the effect of policy‐driven platform economy development on local entrepreneurship. Exploiting county‐level variations in yearly new business registration with a difference‐in‐differences strategy, we find that policy‐driven platform economy development decreased the number of new business registrations and business entry rates by approximately 4.6% and 0.6%, respectively. The reduction effect is more prominent in business registration in micro‐small scale, tertiary industries, eastern regions, and rural areas. Microfinance plays a positive role in this association. Mechanism analysis shows that the platform‐driven supply chain transformation could rule out entrepreneurial opportunities, and the platform‐enabled gig work opportunities could weaken entrepreneurial motivation. Loss of entrepreneurial opportunities and motivation leads to less entrepreneurship.

Strategy for sustainable supply chain transformation: a resource orchestration perspective

PurposeWith the popularization of sustainable concepts, how to transform into a sustainable supply chain has received widespread attention in practice. Under this circumstance, this paper aims to propose a theoretical framework of sustainable supply chain transformation (SSCT) from a perspective of resource identification and utilization, investigates resources/capabilities that can be used to promote SSCT and explores how to use resources/capabilities to achieve SSCT effectively.Design/methodology/approachAn inductive multi-case analysis is applied to this paper. Four state-owned/non-state-owned enterprises from the manufacturing sector are selected as the research objectives, which are all leaders in the industry based on the 2022 China TOP 500 Enterprises Ranking. Meanwhile, to guarantee the diversities of enterprises, the four selected enterprises are respectively positioned in upstream and downstream of the supply chain.FindingsA theoretical framework of SSCT is proposed with following research findings: (1) Technology resources, facilities and equipment resources, and business process reengineering capability are the key resources/capabilities to promote SSCT. (2) From the supply chain structure perspective, there exists a leader-participant structure in SSCT. The enterprise with dominant resources/capabilities should actively transfer to a SSCT leader. From the supply chain function perspective, specific sustainability assessment indicators and special teams are two necessary settings for SSCT. From the supply chain lifecycle perspective, SSCT should be promoted in a phased manner and dynamically adjusted in each stage. (3) Digital transformation degree and enterprise ownership play a moderating role in the implementation of strategies.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a conceptual framework of SSCT based on the resource orchestration perspective, which provides decision support for enterprises in practice.

Resilient Supply Chains in Industry 5.0: Leveraging AI for Predictive Maintenance and Risk Mitigation

This integrative literature review investigates the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on supply chain management, addressing the pressing need for efficiency and robustness through AI-driven predictive maintenance, machine learning (ML), and decision support systems. By examining current literature, the study highlights AI's potential to automate and revolutionize supply chain operations, enhancing speed, accuracy, and risk management capabilities while identifying significant challenges such as bias mitigation, algorithmic transparency, and data privacy. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of scholarly articles, reports, and academic publications, focusing on AI applications in predictive maintenance, risk mitigation, and decision-making processes. The analysis reveals significant improvements in operational efficiency and accuracy due to AI, alongside concerns about biases, transparency, and implementation issues. The findings confirm AI's transformative potential in supply chain management but emphasize the necessity for ongoing supervision, regular audits, and the development of AI models capable of detecting and rectifying operational anomalies. The study proposes creating roles such as AI Supply Chain Oversight Officer (AISCO), AI Supply Chain Compliance Officer (AISCCO), and AI Supply Chain Quality Assurance Officer (AISQAO) to ensure responsible AI utilization, maintaining the integrity and efficiency of supply chain operations while addressing implementation challenges. The review concludes that AI is promising for transforming supply chains; however, careful implementation is crucial to uphold operational integrity and resilience. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to evaluate AI's long-term impact, focus on addressing implementation concerns, and ensure fair and transparent integration of AI technologies. These findings have significant implications for practice and policy, underscoring the need for robust frameworks and regulatory measures to guide the effective use of AI in supply chains.

BLOCKCHAIN-POWERED ACCOUNTABILITY IN PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLY CHAINS

A healthcare supply chain is made when an organization and businesses work together to increase and manage supply related to healthcare products, equipment, and drugs for the patients' lives. The complexity of these networks can make it challenging to circulate healthcare supplies. This is because their structure is not transparent, and they are involved in unauthorized pharmaceutical activities. Technology can improve the pharmaceutical supply chain sector by increasing transparency and establishing oversight mechanisms. Integrating technology can strengthen drug traceability and security measures, enhancing safety and system efficiency. The objective is to leverage technology solutions to implement traceability methods for drug distribution. In addition, we employ sophisticated tools to incorporate blockchain technology into the pharmaceutical supply chain seamlessly. Through rigorous experimentation, our methodology enhances transparency, accountability, and security across pharmaceutical supply chains. The results of our study highlight the significant impact of blockchain technology in addressing critical challenges within the pharmaceutical industry. Our research contributes to theoretical knowledge and practical implications, paving the way for the transformation of pharmaceutical supply chains. This transformation will ensure the integrity and security of the entire system.

The Confluence of Digital Twin and Blockchan Technologies in Industry 5.0: Transforming Supply Chain Management for Innovation and Sustainability

The Confluence of Digital Twin and Blockchan Technologies in Industry 5.0: Transforming Supply Chain Management for Innovation and Sustainability

Toward Industry 4.0: A Study of China's Industrial Internet Industry and Its Readiness for Supply Chain Transformation

Toward Industry 4.0: A Study of China's Industrial Internet Industry and Its Readiness for Supply Chain Transformation

How does supply chain digitization affect green innovation? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China

Digital technology will profoundly impact green innovation by enabling deep supply chain transformation through cost reduction and efficiency gains. Based on a quasi-natural experiment of China's supply chain innovation and application pilot policy, this paper investigates the impact of supply chain digitization on green innovation using data from 1836 listed companies from 2013 to 2021. The results find that: (1) Supply chain digitization significantly promotes firms' green innovation level, a finding that still holds under placebo and other tests. (2) Mechanism tests indicate that supply chain digitization enhances firms' green innovation level mainly through optimizing innovation resource effect, enhancing internal control effect and expanding external demand effect. (3) The green innovation effect of supply chain digitization is greater in regions with low supply chain concentration, capital-intensive, non-polluting industries, and higher digitization degree. (4) Supply chain digitization significantly improves environmental performance through the green innovation effect.

Interaction Between Automation and Humans in Supply Chain Planning

Automation is transforming supply chain planning (SCP) processes, replacing human tasks with technological solutions. While automation offers efficiency gains, the interaction between humans and automated systems presents behavioral challenges. This study investigates how decision-makers in SCP processes learn to correct errors when interacting with automated demand forecasting systems versus human planners. Drawing from psychology and behavioral theories, we examine the effects of interaction type (automated system vs. human) on learning, operationalized as performance improvement over time. Further, we analyze whether this relationship is moderated by cognitive psychological traits (positive attitude towards technology, technology anxiety/dependence) and socio-psychological traits (social influence based on subjective norms, social influence based on image) of the human decision-maker. Our article contributes to supply chain management research by introducing automation-human interaction, providing a temporal learning perspective on performance, and integrating cognitive and socio-psychological moderators. Insights are offered on how to facilitate effective human-automation collaboration by managing socio-psychological influences. Limitations and future research opportunities, including cultural contexts and artificial intelligence, are discussed.

Blockchain-enabled smart contracts for supply chain transformation

Blockchain-enabled smart contracts for supply chain transformation

The role of IoT in boosting supply chain transparency and efficiency

This review paper explores the pivotal role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in enhancing transparency and efficiency within supply chains. As global industries increasingly demand sustainability and streamlined operations, IoT emerges as a key enabler, providing unprecedented visibility and control. This paper synthesizes findings from a broad range of literature, including case studies and empirical research, to assess the impact of IoT on supply chain dynamics. The analysis reveals that IoT facilitates real-time tracking of goods and data flow, significantly increasing transparency across all supply chain tiers. This enhanced visibility aids in proactive decision-making, compliance with regulatory standards, and adherence to sustainability criteria. Additionally, the integration of IoT is shown to streamline operations, reduce costs, and elevate customer satisfaction through more reliable and responsive service delivery. The paper concludes that while the adoption of IoT drives considerable improvements in supply chain management, it also introduces challenges such as the need for substantial infrastructure investment and ongoing concerns regarding data security and privacy. Recommendations for practitioners include adopting a phased IoT integration strategy and prioritizing robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive information. This review provides a comprehensive overview of IoT's capabilities and outlines strategic approaches to harness its full potential for transforming supply chain operations.

The potential of IoT to transform supply chain management through enhanced connectivity and real-time data

This review paper examines the transformative potential of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in supply chain management (SCM). It elucidates how IoT-enabled solutions enhance visibility, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and risk management across supply chain processes. Despite promising benefits, challenges such as data security, integration complexity, scalability, and technological dependencies are identified. Emerging trends in edge computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain and recommendations for successful implementation are discussed. The paper underscores the significance of IoT adoption for businesses, consumers, and society, envisioning a future marked by interconnected, intelligent, and sustainable supply chains.

Digitalization drives green transformation of supply chains: a two-stage evolutionary game analysis

Digitalization drives green transformation of supply chains: a two-stage evolutionary game analysis

The use of AI to uncover the supply chain dynamics of the primary sector: Building resilience in the food supply chain

Despite the fact that artificial intelligence (AI) techniques are increasingly influencing economic and societal dynamics, certain aspects of AI's role in structural change, such as enhancing the resilience of supply chains, have not been thoroughly explored in academic research. Thus, we first identify thirteen variables that are influential in shaping the structural transformation of food supply chains. These variables are chosen based on the financial, technological, social, and organizational challenges to building resilience within the food supply chain. Then, we generate an interval-valued T-spherical fuzzy Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo)'B model to uncover the role of AI in the supply chain dynamics and structural change of the food sector. After that, we explore the role of AI in alleviating the factors in building resilience within the food supply chain through the generated decision model and expert interview. The result also reveals that the AI advantageAd2“Enhancing information sharing among nodes” (1.983) has the most potential to influence organizational adoption behavior. The outcomes of the present study can provide a new decision-support technique for uncovering the effects of AI on supply chain dynamics and structural change in the food sector.

Digital transformation and resilience of supply chain in manufacture listed firms: A backward spillover effects in the vertical supply chain relationship

Enhancing supply chain resilience is crucial for promoting high-quality economic development, and the application and innovation of digital technologies play a significant role in achieving this resilience. Based on the vertical relationship theory of industrial organization, this paper investigates the impacts and transmission mechanism of corporate digital transformation on supply chain resilience, demonstrating that digital transformation facilitates the optimization of supply-demand alignment, stabilization of the supply-demand connection, provision of supplier innovation capabilities, and, ultimately, the enhancement of supply chain resilience. The primary impact is achieved by improving the firms' total factor productivity and reducing resource mismatch.