Vertical Supply Research Articles

Turbulence and vertical nitrate flux adjacent to the Changjiang Estuary during fall

Turbulent microstructure and nitrate measurements from one repeated sampling station and two transects were analyzed focusing on the internal-wave (IW) induced turbulence and vertical nitrate flux adjacent to the Changjiang Estuary during fall. The repeated sampling station has a subsurface nitrate maximum zone locating within the stratified interior layer. The subsurface nitrate maximum is clearly separated from the periodic hydrographic changes at the bottom boundary layer which is induced by tidal advection of the intruded Taiwan Warm Current. Turbulence in the stratified interior layer is largely driven by the local velocity shear which shows a semidiurnal cycle. The driving mechanism is suggested as the periodic occurrence of IWs with a period of ~2.5 h and an amplitude of ~8 m. Consecutive turbulence casts demonstrate the occurrence of large turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate ε (10−6 Wkg−1) at the trailing edge of the wave which is the first observational evidence of the IW-induced internal turbulence in this region. The calculated turbulent vertical nitrate flux at the base of the surface boundary layer reveals a daily-mean value of 1.0 (0.4, 2.9) mmolm−2d−1, capable of supplying about half of the nitrate required for new production there during fall. Calculations also suggest that the vertical supply of nitrate is dominated by episodic strong mixing events driven by IWs which have increased the eddy diffusivity and thus the nitrate flux by one order of magnitude. The presented results provide important implications for understanding the nutrient cycling and new production off the Changjiang Estuary.

Assessment of Nutrient Supply by a Tidal Jet in the Northern Strait of Georgia Based on a Biogeochemical Model

AbstractWe present a coupled three‐dimensional biological‐physical model for the Salish Sea and evaluate it by comparison to nitrate, silicate, and chlorophyll observations. It accurately reproduces nitrate concentrations with Willmott skill scores, root‐mean‐square error, and bias ranging from 0.84–0.95, 4.02–6.5 μM, and −2.33–1.84 μM, respectively, compared to three independent discrete sample data sets. A prominent feature of the model output is a tidal jet emanating from Discovery Passage producing a downstream plume of elevated surface nitrate. The signal is present from April to September, when surface nitrate is otherwise drawn down. It has a weak but statistically significant correlation to Discovery Passage tidal velocity (R=0.37, p<0.01). Within the turbulent jet and associated plume, the average rate of vertical nitrate supply due to mixing and advection across a depth of roughly 6 m is 0.46 μmol m−2 s−1 between 15 May and 20 August 2015, compared to 0.10 μmol m−2 s−1 for the northern Strait of Georgia as a whole. Close to Discovery Passage, where velocities and shear are strongest, the majority of the vertical nitrate flux is due to mixing. As velocities weaken downstream, vertical advection becomes more important relative to mixing, but vertical velocities also decrease. The tidal pulses out of Discovery Passage drive waves that contribute net upward nitrate flux as far south as Cape Lazo, 40 km away. The nitrate supply drives new production, consistent with existing observations. Similar dynamics have been described in many other tidally influenced coastal systems.

Anatomical assessment by cone beam computed tomography with the use of lateral cephalograms to analyse the vertical bone height of the anterior palate for orthodontic mini-implants.

Lateral cephalograms (LC) should be usable to evaluate the vertical bone height of the anterior maxilla for planning the placement of orthodontic mini-implants (OMI). The purpose of this study is to determine the usability of LC for examining the real vertical dimension of the anterior palate. Lateral cephalograms and corresponding cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were employed for examining 30 fresh cadaver heads. The minimum (distance A) and maximum (distance B) vertical palatal bone heights on LCs at the level of first premolars were measured, whereas the corresponding measurements were taken via CBCTs on the median, and 2-, 4- and 6-mm paramedian planes. Additionally, the overall minimum vertical palatal height on CBCT was recorded. Distance A and B on LC were about 8.3±2.5mm and 9.9±2.5mm, respectively. The median palatal height on CBCT was significantly higher than both measurements on LC (P<.01). Furthermore, the bone supply on the paramedian planes was similar or higher on CBCT compared to Distance A and similar or less compared to Distance B. The strongest correlation at the level of the premolars was found in the comparison of the maximum vertical palatal height via LC with the vertical palatal height on the median plane via CBCT (r=.84, 95% CI: 0.69-0.92, P<.001). In order to make the best possible use of the vertical bone supply of the anterior palate and to avoid injuries to the nasal floor, Distance A should be taken into account for planning paramedian OMI placements and distance B for median OMI insertion.

Particle–Seawater Interaction of Neodymium in the North Atlantic

Dissolved neodymium (Nd) isotopes (expressed as εNd) have been widely used as a water mass tracer in paleoceanography. However, one aspect of the modern biogeochemical cycle of Nd that has been sparsely investigated is the interplay between dissolved and particulate phases in seawater. We here present the first regional data set on particulate Nd isotope compositions (εNdp) and concentrations ([Nd]p) from five stations in the western North Atlantic Ocean along the GEOTRACES GA02 transect, in conjunction with previously published dissolved Nd isotope compositions (εNdd) and concentrations ([Nd]d)1. Key observations and interpretations from our new particulate data set include the following: (1) Low fractional contributions of [Nd]p to the total Nd inventory per volume unit of seawater (∼5%), with significant increases of up to 45% in benthic boundary layers. (2) Increasing Nd concentrations in suspended particulate matter ([Nd]SPM) and fractions of lithogenic material with water depth, suggesting the removal of Nd poor phases. (3) Different provenances of particulates in the subpolar and subtropical gyres as evidenced by their Nd isotope fingerprints reaching from εNdp ≈ −20 near the Labrador Basin (old continental crust), over εNdp ≈ −4 between Iceland and Greenland (young mafic provenance), to values of εNdp ≈ −13 in the subtropics (similar to African dust signal). (4) Vertical heterogeneity of εNdp as well as large deviations from ambient seawater values in the subpolar gyre indicate advection of lithogenic particles in this area. (5) Vertically homogeneous εNdp values in the subtropical gyre, indistinguishable from εNdd values, are indicative of predominance of vertical particulate supply. The process of reversible scavenging only seems to influence particulate signatures below 3 km. Overall, we do not find evidence on enhanced particle dissolution, often invoked to explain the observed increase in dissolved Nd in the North Atlantic.

Market Integration and Price Transmission in the Vertical Supply Chain of Rice: An Evidence from Bangladesh

As a staple food, rice has an enormous market in Bangladesh in terms of market participants and the volume of the product. As the price of rice is always a sensitive factor for producers, poor consumers and policy makers, this paper investigates market integration and price transmission along the vertical supply chain of rice. Johansen’s test of co-integration confirmed that farm, wholesale and retail prices are co-integrated in the long-run. A causality test revealed that prices were found to be at wholesale levels for both the upstream and downstream markets. The asymmetry error correction model (ECM) has discovered short-run and long-run asymmetry in price transmission in the vertical supply chain where both producers and consumers were being affected due to positive and negative asymmetry. Threshold autoregressive (TAR) and momentum threshold autoregressive (M-TAR) models have confirmed threshold co-integration as well as threshold effect on asymmetry in price transmission. The results highlight the inevitability of policy implementations and increased public interventions to reduce asymmetry for engendering greater pricing efficiency in Bangladesh rice markets.

Precipitation recharges the shallow groundwater of check dams in the loessial hilly and gully region of China

Check dams affect regional hydrological cycles and ecological environments. We conducted a field monitoring experiment in the Liudaogou Catchment on the Loess Plateau in China to determine the spatiotemporal response of shallow groundwater recharge and base flow by precipitation in check dams of this loessial hilly and gully region. The amount and seasonal distribution of precipitation directly affected the changes in shallow groundwater and base flow. The shallow groundwater was recharged by in situ vertical infiltration and lateral underground movement. Precipitation >30.0 mm d−1 recharged the shallow groundwater by piston flow when the water table in the check dam was <4.0 m. When the water table varied from the head (>4.0 m) to the middle and tail (<4.0 m) of the check dam, the influx of precipitation was by runoff in the catchment above the trench head, replenishing the groundwater vertically through the trench head and then moving laterally underground to the end of the dam. The response of the base flow and groundwater lagged the precipitation by a certain period. The lag time of the base flow was about 5–16 days, in which the response was more sensitive than for shallow groundwater. The lag time of the vertical supply for the response of the precipitation to the shallow groundwater was about 12–54 days, whereas the lag time for the lateral supply was about 72–93 days. The lag time may be associated with precipitation, temperature, solar radiation, vegetation water consumption and soil porosity. These findings will help elucidate the processes of groundwater recharge and provide new insight for managing the water balance in this loessial hilly and gully region.

Business Models’ Innovations to Overcome Hybridity-Related Tensions in Sustainable Entrepreneurship

This paper aims to investigate how sustainable entrepreneurs innovate in business models to overcome their hybridity-related tensions to achieve environmental, social, and financial goals. A case study was conducted on 12 organizations in seven countries from October 2018 to June 2019 through observation visits, interviews, and secondary data collection. To analyze the data, a content analysis was applied with the help of NVivo Software. The analysis category is based on the definition of the pillars of business models: (1) Value proposition, (2) value creation/delivery, and (3) value capture. Concerning value proposition, organizations engage various stakeholders on developing emotions related to sustainable behaviors. They use the idea of community to promote it, fostering the sharing of intangible values. Associated with these actions, organizations offer more convenience accessing these products or services, home deliveries, facilitating access by geo-location, price reduction, and promoting consumers’ education. Regarding value creation/delivery, companies promote partnerships with other stakeholders as part of the main business strategy. They run the business while promoting a social movement. One is dependent on the other. In their engagement in sustainability discussion forums and practical activities, they put together consumers, suppliers, and also other agents outside their vertical supply chain. Operations of all companies are highly internet-based. Social media and transparency are also relevant to their operations. The main characteristic of value capture is that organizations integrate sustainability into their strategy in a way that, just by doing business, they fulfill their social, environmental, and economic missions. Therefore, through innovation in business models, these organizations overcome hybridity-related tensions and achieve financial stability while positively impacting society. The contribution to the literature was achieved by identifying business model innovations in sustainable entrepreneurship, analyzing their characteristics and mechanisms to overcome hybridity-related tensions, and providing empirical evidence about how business models can create and capture different and multiple forms of value.

Motivating innovation alliance’s environmental performance through eco-innovation investment in a supply chain

Although eco-innovation has been practiced in business for years, few studies have investigated eco-innovation decisions when both horizontal and vertical supply chain relationships exist. This paper fills this gap in the literature by analysing firms’ eco-innovation investment strategy in a supply chain with a buyer and two suppliers in the presence of knowledge spillovers and technology gaps among suppliers. To encourage improvements in the eco-innovation performance of suppliers, the buyer allocates a greater market share to the supplier with the lower wholesale price. Both suppliers decide whether to determine their eco-innovation levels unilaterally (Noncooperative innovation strategy) or coordinate in an innovation alliance (Innovation alliance strategy). To determine the relative efficiency of the two innovation schemes, we study a game theoretical model that captures the interactions among three parties. It is demonstrated that knowledge spillovers and technology gaps have a significant impact on suppliers’ eco-innovation levels, the economic benefits, and the total social welfare. We also identify the conditions under which an innovation alliance is better than noncooperative innovation from the perspectives of both the suppliers and social welfare. In particular, both suppliers choose to formalize an innovation alliance under a low-level technology gap, and social welfare benefits more under an innovation alliance than under noncooperative innovation.

Design of experiments and analysis of dual fluidized bed gasifier for syngas production: Cold flow studies

Biomass gasification is a thermo-chemical process widely accepted as a future technology for syngas production. Numerous types of gasification systems have been proposed and studied in the past. Recent developments have shown that Dual Fluidized Bed (DFB) gasifier are commercially more attractive for production of the hydrogen-rich syngas as compared to others. DFB gasification system is very complex in construction and operation. Hence, a detailed understanding of hydrodynamics in such systems is essential for optimum design and scale-up. Hydrodynamics of DFB gasifier mainly depends on the Solid Circulation Rate (SCR). SCR is governed by riser velocity, gasifier velocity, and loop seal velocities. In present work, Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) based Response Surface Method (RSM) was employed to determine the effect of riser velocity, gasifier velocity, recycle chamber velocity, supply chamber velocity, and vertical supply chamber velocity and their interaction on the SCR. Adequacy of regression model developed from RSM was confirmed using ANOVA analysis. The value of coefficient of determination (R2) of the model was 0.9729, which confirms model represents the experimental results satisfactorily. Riser and recycle chamber velocity were found to be most significant parameters, plays an important role in SCR in DFB gasifier.

Price and Content Platform Parity: A Tale of Two Industries

This paper surveys the most recent contributions on the competitive effects of parity provisions in vertical industries. We explain that those effects depend on the scope of parity, the complexity of the vertical supply chain, the business model operated by sellers and distributors, and the strength of competition between direct and indirect distribution channels. We explain why ‘price’ parity agreements (contractual provisions mandating equal end-prices across distribution channels) are almost always anti-competitive. Yet, in complex supply chains, ‘content’ parity agreements (contractual provisions preventing upstream suppliers from offering different products through different platforms) may have positive effects on consumer welfare. This is more likely when distributors act as resellers and when direct and indirect distribution channels are close substitutes. To demonstrate the relevance of our analysis of the literature for competition policy, we apply our findings to two seemingly similar but, it turns out, very different distribution industries: hotels and airlines.

The impact of meltwater discharge from the Greenland ice sheet on the Atlantic nutrient supply to the northwest European shelf

Abstract. Projected future shoaling of the wintertime mixed layer in the northeast (NE) Atlantic has been shown to induce a regime shift in the main nutrient supply pathway from the Atlantic to the northwest European shelf (NWES) near the end of the 21st century. While reduced winter convection leads to a substantial decrease in the vertical nutrient supply and biological productivity in the open ocean, vertical mixing processes at the shelf break maintain a connection to the subpycnocline nutrient pool and thus productivity on the shelf. Here, we investigate how meltwater discharge from the Greenland ice sheet (GIS), not yet taken into account, impacts the mixed layer shoaling and the regime shift in terms of spatial distribution and temporal variability. To this end, we have downscaled sensitivity experiments by a global Earth system model for various GIS melting rates with a regionally coupled ocean–atmosphere climate system model. The model results indicate that increasing GIS meltwater discharge leads to a general intensification of the regime shift. Atlantic subpycnocline water masses mixed up at the shelf break become richer in nutrients and thus further limit the projected nutrient decline on the shelf. Moreover, the stronger vertical nutrient gradient through the pycnocline results in an enhanced interannual variability of on-shelf nutrient fluxes which, however, do not significantly increase variations in nutrient concentrations and primary production on the shelf. Due to the impact of the GIS meltwater discharge on the NE Atlantic mixed layer depth, the regime shift becomes initiated earlier in the century. The effect on the onset timing, though, is found to be strongly damped by the weakening of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. A GIS melting rate that is even 10 times higher than expected for emission scenario Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 would not lead to an onset of the regime shift until the 2070s.

The impact of carbon emissions tax on vertical centralized supply chain channel structure

This paper studies the supply chain channel structure which is considered choosing either centralization or decentralization in both a single chain system with a single product and a two chains system with competition in the two substitutable products under carbon emissions tax, respectively. In the two cases, each chain consists of a retailer, who acts as a follower and a manufacturer who acts as a leader. Our analytical results show that: (i) When decentralization is practicable, the government is willing to set a lower carbon tax. (ii) In a single-chain system, the monopolistic manufacturer is better off under decentralization than under centralization when its product emissions pollution is high enough. (iii) In the two chains system, two manufacturers can benefit from decentralization when their product is more emissions polluting. Under certain conditions, comparing with centralization, decentralization enhances two manufacturers’ profits through carbon emissions tax reduction and keeps consumer surplus and social welfare at the first-best level. (iv) The manufacturer’s product quantity under decentralization is lower than that under centralization due to double marginalization effect, which also results in the lower environmental pollution. Our study also suggests that for the seriously emissions polluter, when it utilizes decentralization, the government have to introduce a lower carbon emissions tax in the consideration of abating environmental pollution and of maximizing its profits. The result can also benefit policy-makers in instructing firms to choose decentralization for promoting social development and environmental protection.

Mathematical modeling the thermal processes during cassette crystallization of chalcogenides

An original modification of the directed crystallization method is considered as a multi-cassette process, which has comparative simplicity and high productivity. The basis of this research was domestic patents and technological research carried out at the National University of Science and Technology MISIS. As a result, mathematical models of the multi-cassette method were developed that allow both a three-dimensional radiative — conductive analysis of thermal processes in the entire volume of the hot zone and a two-dimensional analysis of convective — conductive heat transfer in a separate cassette. The parametric calculations carried out on their basis were aimed to the identifying an influence of locations and sizes of the hot zone components to a thermal field in the cassette unit; the establishing an influence of vertical heat supply equability to the cassette unit and an influence of heating power decrease during the plate crystallization, as well as to the determining an influence of small cassette design distortions and violation of cooling uniformity in its bottom part on the occurrence of convection and asymmetrical thermal field. By means of the conductive-radiative heat transfer model for the entire hot zone there were carried out parametric calculations and it was analyzed an influence of hot zone components (their locations and temperatures) on the heat exchange conditions at the cassette unit boundaries. By means of the conductive-convective model for a cassette it was determined that the boundary thermal conditions asymmetry, as well as an unstable vertical temperature gradient, result in the convective vortices and a significant deviation of the crystallization front from a flat shape. The calculations with using the convective mass transfer model showed that an increase of the crystallization rate by an order significantly increases a tellurium flux into the crystal, thereby substantially changing a melt composition near crystallization front and, thus, being a potential cause of dendritic growth. The reliability of the calculation results was checked on a number of tests, in which the influence of heat and mass transfer on the crystallization front shape was analyzed at cassette cooling rates corresponding to the growth processes of bismuth telluride polycrystals.

Impact of the positive list system (PLS) on the banana market in Korea

This paper investigates the impact of new food safety regulations, a positive list system (PLS), on the vertical supply chain for bananas in Korea using monthly price data from January 2012 to February 2018. To analyze the impact of the PLS on imported, wholesale, and retail banana prices in Korea, this paper utilizes directed acyclic graphs, granger causality tests, and historical decomposition methods. We find that imported banana prices are caused by retail or wholesale banana prices in terms of predicted or contemporaneous causation. These findings suggest that banana wholesalers and retailers have market power over banana importers in terms of price leadership. The results of the historical decomposition show that the PLS shock has a positive effect (a non-tariff effect) on wholesale and retail banana prices. The size of the price shock is larger at the wholesale level compared to retail level, which implies the relatively a larger market power of wholesalers on retailer. Therefore, policymakers in Korea can use the PLS as a tool to protect domestic food market as well as a means of control on possible overuse of market power.

РАЗВИТИЕ ИНФРАСТРУКТУРЫ И ЛОГИСТИЧЕСКОГО ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ ЭКСПОРТНЫХ ПОСТАВОК РОССИЙСКОГО ЗЕРНА

The article reveals the main reasons that hinder the development of infrastructure and logistics of Russian grain exports. These include, first of all, the underdevelopment of production, transport and market infrastructure; traditional discrepancy between the placement of grain production volumes and the capacities of elevators and granaries; significant stretching of rail and road communications, as well as shortcomings in the use of vehicles; the imperfection of the logistics schemes for the promotion of grain cargo and the relatively high cost of the services provided during their storage and transshipment. Therefore, the accelerated development of infrastructure and transport and logistics support for grain export deliveries in the country should include: an increase of almost one and a half times the nominal grain transshipment capacity; priority development of port infrastructure in the Baltic and Azov-Black Sea basins; increase in throughput capacity of port railway stations, access roads and highways; improving the management of grain commodity flows, the basis of which should be the introduction and development of the principles, forms and methods of logistics, the development and implementation of logistics schemes; reduction of infrastructure and logistics costs within the vertical grain supply chain.

ON THE SPECIFICS OF ELIMINATING DEEP-SEA HYDROCARBON LEAKS ACCOMPANIED BY HYDRATES FORMATION

The work is devoted to the features of deep-water leak elimination that occur during the development of oil and gas fields. The main ways to eliminate leaks are considered, the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches are analyzed, and special attention is paid to one of the most promising methods of mechanical collection of hydrocarbons - a dome separator that can be installed directly above the spill site. The installation of a dome separator can not only eliminate the leakage of hydrocarbons, but also continue the development of the field, pumping out the accumulated hydrocarbons using pipes. A special feature of the work is the considered case of the receipt of hydrocarbons from a damaged well or pipeline at an angle to the horizon. Previously, only the case of vertical supply of hydrocarbons was considered. For the case of hydrocarbon flow at an angle to the horizon, the thermophysical parameters of the jet and the jet trajectory are analyzed. For the considered case, the possibility of installing a domeseparator is considered. The process of accumulation of hydrocarbons in the dome is considered, and the dependence of oil temperature on time is obtained. The process of propagation of a submerged jet and accumulation of hydrocarbons is considered taking into account the possible formation of hydrates. The process of hydrate formation will be characterized by the following dynamics of changes in the bubble: first, it will be completely gas, then a hydrate shell (composite bubble) will begin to form on its surface, then the bubble will completely become hydrated, which will be the final stage. To model the dynamics of hydrocarbon jet propagation, the integral Lagrangian control volume method is considered, according to which the jet is considered as a sequence of elementary volumes. The method is supplemented with ratios corresponding to the process of hydrate formation. When modeling the jet flow, the laws of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy for the components included in the control volume are taken into account.

Contract Manufacturer’s Encroachment Strategy Considering Advertising Effort

This paper investigates a vertical supply chain consisting of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and a contract manufacturer, who performs production function for the OEM. The contract manufacturer decides whether to encroach the OEM’s market and build her own private brand. The advertising effort of two members is considered. The results show that the contract manufacturer’s encroachment decreases the profit margin of the OEM and increases the wholesale price. When the substitution effect is sufficiently small, the introduction of the private brand slightly harms the benefit of the OEM. However, when the substitution effect is sufficiently large, the introduction of the private brand can significantly benefit the OEM which is counterintuitive. The introduction of the private brand is beneficial for the contract manufacturer and the whole supply chain. The management insight is that: For the contract manufacturer, it is better to introduce a highly substitutable brand with the OEM, which can significantly benefit both the contract manufacturer and the OEM.

Monitoring bio-optical response of coastal waters surrounding the Indian subcontinent to atmospheric dust deposition using satellite data.

The paper investigates the impact of atmospheric dust deposition on ocean biological productivity in association with oceanic supply of nutrients over specific regions of the Arabian Sea (20°N, 69°E) and the Bay of Bengal (20°N, 87°E) during wintertime (November-March) from the year 2012 to 2017 using satellite-based observations. During winter, selected regions are characterized by higher Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and major oceanic vertical supply of nutrients. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer onboard Aqua space-platform is used to obtain Chl-a and aerosol optical depth (AOD) data. Blended Chl-a daily product from various satellite sensors is also used. There are a total of nine cases (seven cases of the Arabian Sea region and two cases of the Bay of Bengal region) where episodic Chl-a enhancements following high AOD values are observed. Chl-a maxima lag behind AOD maxima by 1 to 4days. Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (Version-2) is used for AOD and dust deposition flux estimation. Estimated dust deposition flux ranges between 0.44 and 27.68mgm-2day-1.

Investigating broker centrality in innovation-driven networks

PurposeIn contrast to the vertical supply chain structure, firms are increasingly engaging in horizontal inter-firm collaborations to develop new technologies, products and services, yet, little is known about factors that influence the governance mechanism and performance of such collaborative projects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how different factors affect the role or the centrality of the governing mechanism (the broker) in inter-firm collaborative networks.Design/methodology/approachUsing a case study method approach, this paper studies three dynamic networks comprising firms that are not in a traditional supply chain relationship. The networks comprised firms engaged in the development of different aspects of an innovative automotive technology.FindingsThe study finds that broker’s centrality varies over time and is directly related to project performance; network structure and perceived broker power are related to broker centrality in dynamic networks. The more loosely connected a network is (open network), the more the degree of broker centrality. The higher the degree of expert power that a broker is perceived to possess, the higher is the degree of broker centrality.Originality/valueInvestigating governance mechanism and determinants of network outcomes in inter-firm collaboration for new product development represents a departure from the traditional studies on similar phenomena in vertically structured supply chain arrangements; thus, contributes to the literature on innovation in inter-firm arrangements. Understanding how the salient factors contribute to performance at the network level builds on firm level and dyadic level of analysis or focus of previous studies.

Coping with rising Supply Chain Complexity: Conceptualizing a Supply Network Map Structure Model to address that challenge

The complexity in supply networks is increasing and influences the competitive position of the focal company. Traditional approaches like supply chain mapping only show the focal company's relationships with suppliers and customers along the vertical supply chain, but are not capable to map any horizontal buyer-supplier relationships with other companies. Hence, this paper introduces a new supply network map structure model that extends the multi-tier view towards suppliers and customers along the vertical supply chain also to the complementors and competitors across the horizontal supply chain. Thus, the model enables the development of the existing supply chain mapping theory further into a holistic supply network mapping method. The model has been conceptualised with the help of 13 semi-structured interviews and is based on relevant models from the strategic management and the purchasing and supply management (PSM) literature. According to design science, it has been refined in several iterations.