Virtual Supply Chain Research Articles

A supply-chain perspective on producing and upscaling bioplastic from cultivated brown seaweed

Plastic pollution is an environmental emergency and finding sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics has become a pressing need. Seaweed-based bioplastic has emerged as a promising solution, as it is biodegradable and made from renewable biomass, while seaweed cultivation itself provides various environmental benefits. However, the feasibility of implementing a brown seaweed-based bioplastic supply chain in a realistic setting remains unclear, as previous research focused either on single processing steps or on virtual supply chains aggregating data from different studies. This study describes a case study for seaweed-based bioplastic within the PlastiSea research project: from seaweed cultivation to biomass processing and bioplastic and composite material development at the lab and pilot scale, thus providing insights into its feasibility. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the study employs multiple methods to characterize each stage in the supply chain and provides an overall life cycle assessment (LCA) as well as lessons learned throughout the process. The analysis showed potential for producing and utilizing multiple co-products from the same seaweed source, including biopolymer extracts with varying degrees of refinement for use in low-cost (bioplastic films) and high-cost (microfiber composites) applications. The use of residual biomass as a source of alginates for producing bioplastics offers a low-cost and sustainable biomass supply currently not competing with other markets. The LCA results indicate the potential for reducing the environmental impact of seaweed-based bioplastic production through upscaling and increasing process efficiency.

A dual-level multi-attribute group decision-making model considering interaction factors based on CCSD and MARCOS methods with R-numbers

The current body of research on multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) exhibits some limitations, namely the utilization of the single attribute hierarchy and the assumption of attribute independence. This paper presents a novel approach, referred to as the R-DLMAGDM (R-numbers Dual-Level Multi-Attribute Group Decision-Making) model with interaction factors, which integrates the advantages of R-numbers in risk evaluation. The proposed model aims to address the limitations related to attribute hierarchies and the assumption of attribute independence. The first step in the new model involves establishing the entropy model with R-numbers to determine the expert weights. Subsequently, the R-numbers generalized weighted arithmetic average (RNGWAA) operator and the R-numbers generalized weighted geometric average (RNGWGA) operator are introduced to combine the information provided by the experts. Next, the application of the enhanced correlation coefficient and standard deviation (CCSD) method is utilized to ascertain the relative weights of the dual-level attributes using the inverse order concept. Then, the fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) is employed to evaluate the interrelationships among components in order to derive the final attribute weights. Additionally, the paper discusses the implementation of the R-DLMAGDM model for the assessment of risk in a virtual supply chain in the metaverse. The evaluation process entails the prioritizing of five different alternatives based on four Level 1 criteria and seven Level 2 criteria. The model’s flexibility and validity are showcased through the execution of comprehensive sensitivity analysis and three-dimensional comparative analysis.

Simulation-Based Optimization Using Virtual Supply Chain Structured by the Configuration Platform

This study develops a decision support system for optimizing the performance of virtual supply chains. In the proposed framework, an exhaustive search algorithm is developed to search for all the possible solutions. For each candidate solution that is generated by the algorithm, a configuration platform is used to generate a virtual supply chain and evaluate its performance. The performance of the proposed decision support system is examined on a small size supply chain optimization problem. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can find the optimal solution for the optimal manufacturer selection and lot size problem.

Blockchain and IoT embedded sustainable virtual closed-loop supply chain in E-commerce towards the circular economy

Blockchain and the internet of things (IoT) have accelerated e-commerce growth and empowered online businesses to create value even in a globally competitive environment. The goal of this study is to develop a framework for the virtual closed-loop supply chain (VCLSC) that is based on novel blockchain and IoT technologies, as well as the concepts of sustainability and circular economy. This study integrates the normal and virtual supply chains into a single framework. To maximise the total expected revenue (TER) from the VCLSC, the costs of getting raw materials and parts, transporting them with a carbon emission tax, handling, processing, and making final products, refurbishing, recycling, and virtualization are all taken into account. These include running blockchain and IoT facilities, buying RFID tags, ensuring security, and storing data in blockchain in a way that cannot be changed. The above costs are captured in a single mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) model. The main objective is to maximise the TER by minimising the cost of the VCLSC network. For the solution purposes, the global solver in LINGO 19 software package is used. The obtained results and performed sensitivity analysis are used to make some implications for business organisations and government administrators to create some important policies in favour of the environment, end-users, and the development of the organisation along with the nation.

Revealing Virtual Water Transfers and Imbalanced Economic Benefits Hidden in China’s Interprovincial Trade

Interprovincial trade has expanded China’s virtual water consumption and economic development. This study uses an environmental–economic inequality index to calculate the virtual water and economic benefit transfer imbalances in interprovincial trade and applies a structural path analysis (SPA) model to find the imbalances on the key virtual water supply chain paths between provinces. The findings are fourfold. (1) The developed provinces, such as Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Shandong, had more virtual water on the consumption side from 2002 to 2017 and had the most value added on the consumption and production sides. (2) The developing provinces in northwest and central China suffered from net virtual water outflows and negative value-added gains in bilateral trade with developed provinces. (3) The developed provinces, such as Beijing, acquired more virtual water from other provinces in 0–5 production tiers, but only a small part of the value added was transferred out. (4) All of the four top ranking virtual water supply chain paths of Beijing came from other provinces, accounting for 28.22% of the total virtual water flowing to Beijing, but their value added only accounted for 1.44%. It is suggested that provinces adopt differentiated water-use systems to reduce virtual water transfer imbalances and provide subsidies to the nodes to compensate the economic benefits on key virtual water supply chain paths.

Optimization of virtual closed-loop supply chain under uncertainty: application of IoT

PurposeSupply chains (SCs) have been growingly virtualized in response to the market challenges and opportunities that are presented by new and cost-effective internet-based technologies today. This paper designed a virtual closed-loop supply chain (VCLSC) network based on multiperiod, multiproduct and by using the Internet of Things (IoT). The purpose of the paper is the optimization of the VCLSC network.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed model considers the maximization of profit. For this purpose, costs related to virtualization such as security, energy consumption, recall and IoT facilities along with the usual costs of the SC are considered in the model. Due to real-world demand fluctuations, in this model, demand is considered fuzzy. Finally, the problem is solved using the Grey Wolf algorithm and Firefly algorithm. A numerical example and sensitivity analysis on the main parameters of the model are used to describe the importance and applicability of the developed model.FindingsThe findings showed that the Firefly algorithm performed better and identified more profit for the SC in each period. Also, the results of the sensitivity analysis using the IoT in a VCLSC showed that the profit of the virtual supply chain (VSC) is higher compared to not using IoT due to tracking defective parts and identifying reversible products. In proposed model, chain members can help improve chain operations by tracking raw materials and products, delivering products faster and with higher quality to customers, bringing a new level of SC efficiency to industries. As a result, VSCs can be controlled, programmed and optimized remotely over the Internet based on virtual objects rather than direct observation.Originality/valueThere are limited researches on designing and optimizing the VCLSC network. This study is one of the first studies that optimize the VSC networks considering minimization of virtual costs and maximization of profits. In most researches, the theory of VSC and its advantages have been described, while in this research, mathematical optimization and modeling of the VSC have been done, and it has been tried to apply SC virtualization using the IoT. Considering virtual costs in VSC optimization is another originality of this research. Also, considering the uncertainty in the SC brings the issue closer to the real world. In this study, virtualization costs including security, recall and energy consumption in SC optimization are considered.HighlightsInvestigates the role of IoT for virtual supply chain profit optimization and mathematical optimization of virtual closed-loop supply chain (VCLSC) based on multiperiod, multiproduct with emphasis on using the IoT under uncertainty.Considering the most important costs of virtualization of supply chain include: cost of IoT information security, cost of IoT energy consumption, cost of recall the production department, cost of IoT facilities.Selection of the optimal suppliers in each period and determination of the price of each returned product in virtual supply chain.Solving and validating the proposed model with two meta-heuristic algorithms (the Grey Wolf algorithm and Firefly algorithm).

Use cases of the platform for structuring a smart supply chain in discrete manufacturing

It has been proposed a method of constructing a supply chain in the cyber space as a multi-agent system by linking enterprise agents which is generated from each model of the component enterprise in a supply chain, by authors. Based on the proposed method, a prototype of the CPS platform for smart supply chain configuration has been implemented for discrete manufacturing. By using this platform, it is possible to register models of retailer, manufacturer and supplier enterprises with different behavior types, as an enterprise e-catalog. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure various virtual supply chains by changing the combination of enterprises. On the configured supply chain, it can simulate the behavior from the viewpoints of each enterprise and an entire supply chain. Several use cases of the platform have been executed. These use cases and their considerations are provided useful findings towards construction of a further practical CPS platform for a smart supply chain configuration.

Use of virtual supply chain constructed by cyber-physical systems concept

This research project aims to provide a common methodology for constructing a virtual supply chain as a field to determine more appropriate action for each component enterprise. Describing method for an enterprise model including behavior description and sharing them as an enterprise e-catalog have been proposed. In this paper, the agent program codes for each enterprise are automatically generated from the retailer, manufacturer and supplier models selected from the e-catalogs, and the virtual supply chain is configured as a multi-agent system by connecting them. Test simulations are performed to verify whether this virtual supply chain operates correctly and produces appropriate results.

Proactive risk assessment via fuzzy approach in a decisional process of consignment stock program adoption

The idea of adopting the consignment stock concept has enriched the landscape of efficient supply chains and their organizations, due to its major benefits in reducing inventory, compressing delivery time and increasing flexibility towards achieving agility and enhanced market responsiveness. The decision making process is a complex one, as besides the benefits and the economical and administrative aspects, there are also risks that must be identified, measured, assessed and managed. There is little research in the literature concerning the risks and constraints of consignment inventory implementation, while consignment contracts are widely applied in both physical and virtual supply chains. This paper introduces a model of proactive risk assessment via a fuzzy approach, allowing a sensitivity analysis of the identified risks in the matrix, in terms of probability to happen, degree of severity, impact and potential consequences, as well as mitigation. A fuzzy inference system is used to serve as assessment instrument, to fairly and more rigorously evaluate the risks, in order to avoid critical situations during or after program adoption, or even implementation failure. Fuzzy logic theory has been chosen to capture the uncertainty that usually occurs when dealing with risks and decision making. We believe that having these risk assessment insights at hand, managers and practitioners can achieve a better understanding of the challenges that come along with a new consignment program adoption, while allowing them to make the right and justified decision, in accordance with both benefit and risk considerations.

Enhancing digital transformation towards virtual supply chains: a simulation game for Dutch floriculture

Supply chains are increasingly being virtualized in response to globalization and emerging market challenges. Virtualization requires technical innovation using IoT technologies such as smart sensors, and it allows to transmit quality information across the chain. Associated organizational innovation is complex, especially in SME-dominated supply chains, and relies upon intensive knowledge exchange, discussions and negotiation. However, the development of solutions to address socio-institutional barriers to virtual supply chains has been under-researched up to now. This study analyses barriers to virtualization faced in SME-dominated supply chains, that is, the Dutch floriculture. The second step is developing a solution to core barriers in the form of a dedicated simulation game, the ‘Virtual Flower Chain’. Design and experiences are shown. The barriers that the game addresses are a sector-wide lack of cooperation, consumer focus, and sense of urgency, as well as a limited understanding of virtualization. The validation through game sessions shows that 87% of the participants gained more insights about the benefits of virtualization technologies and the willingness to collaborate, rather than blaming others, increased to 89% after the game. Game participants achieved more awareness of their position in a larger system, rather than as an isolated business.

Supply Chain Strategies in Virtually Distributed Supply Chain Project Teams During and Post-COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of employees transitioned into virtually distributed supply chain project team environments for the first time in their careers due to shelter-in-place and social distancing mandates that impacted industries around the world. With project managers implementing processes and procedures remotely to employees fielding calls from home while caring for children, the world entered into an unprecedented time and an unknown unknown. As the pandemic required organizations to implement agile practices, project managers within various industries had to adjust operational processes, while at the same time had to ensure project team needs were addressed. In an effort to mitigate the risk of transitioning back to conventional management approaches, a qualitative survey method was performed in this study to understand supply chain project team member experiences during this transition period. The results of the survey uncovered that the creation of a supply chain uncertainty management plan, demonstrating the benefits of virtual supply chain project teams, and the continuous integration of collaborative technology tools may contribute positive outcomes from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supply Chain Strategies in Virtually Distributed Supply Chain Project Teams During and Post-COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of employees transitioned into virtually distributed supply chain project team environments for the first time in their careers due to shelter-in-place and social distancing mandates that impacted industries around the world. With project managers implementing processes and procedures remotely to employees fielding calls from home while caring for children, the world entered into an unprecedented time and an unknown unknown. As the pandemic required organizations to implement agile practices, project managers within various industries had to adjust operational processes, while at the same time had to ensure project team needs were addressed. In an effort to mitigate the risk of transitioning back to conventional management approaches, a qualitative survey method was performed in this study to understand supply chain project team member experiences during this transition period. The results of the survey uncovered that the creation of a supply chain uncertainty management plan, demonstrating the benefits of virtual supply chain project teams, and the continuous integration of collaborative technology tools may contribute positive outcomes from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supply Chain Strategies in Virtually Distributed Supply Chain Project Teams During and Post-COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of employees transitioned into virtually distributed supply chain project team environments for the first time in their careers due to shelter-in-place and social distancing mandates that impacted industries around the world. With project managers implementing processes and procedures remotely to employees fielding calls from home while caring for children, the world entered into an unprecedented time and an unknown unknown. As the pandemic required organizations to implement agile practices, project managers within various industries had to adjust operational processes, while at the same time had to ensure project team needs were addressed. In an effort to mitigate the risk of transitioning back to conventional management approaches, a qualitative survey method was performed in this study to understand the supply chain project team member experiences during this transition period. The results of the survey uncovered that the creation of a supply chain uncertainty management plan, demonstrating the benefits of virtual supply chain project teams, and the continuous integration of collaborative technology tools may contribute positive outcomes from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Automatic Construction of Virtual Supply Chain as Multi-Agent System Using Enterprise E-Catalogues

In Industry 4.0, a network of enterprises and factories is constructed collaboratively and dynamically according to the cyber physical system (CPS) paradigm. It is necessary to build smart supply chains according to this concept. A network of component enterprises in a supply chain would be modeled as a virtual supply chain in the cyber world. From the viewpoint of Industry 4.0, virtualizing a supply chain is the foundation for constructing a CPS for a supply chain. The virtualization of a supply chain makes it easier for companies to study their integrating and expanding opportunities. By using this CPS, comprehensive and autonomous optimization of the supply chain can be achieved. This virtual supply chain can be used to simulate the planning phase with negotiation, as well as the production phase. In this paper, instead of specific mathematical modeling for each supply chain, a general configuration method of a virtual supply chain is proposed. The configuration method of a supply chain model is proposed as a virtual supply chain using enterprise e-catalogues. A virtual supply chain is constructed as a multi-agent system, which is connections of software agents that are automatically created from each selected enterprise model in the e-catalogues. Three types of component enterprise models are provided: manufacturer model, part/material supplier model, and retailer model. Modeling templates for these three types of enterprises are prepared, and each template is a nominal model in terms of enterprise’s behavior. Specific component-enterprise models are prepared by filling the appropriate template. Each component enterprise agent is implemented using the enterprise model selected from the catalogues. Manufacturer, retailer, and supplier e-catalogues, as well as an automatic construction system of a virtual supply chain, are implemented. Methods for developing templates for the manufacturer, retailer and supplier were provided, and the construction system for specific enterprise models (as e-catalogues) is implemented as a trial.

Construction of a virtual supply chain using enterprise e-catalogues

A virtual supply chain is constructed based on the concept of smart manufacturing which is a network of collaborative and dynamic factories based on the CPS (Cyber Physical System) paradigm. On a virtual supply chain, it is expected that a simulation-based optimization copes with supply chain planning and control. In this paper, it is proposed that a virtual supply chain is constructed as a multi-agent system of software agents which are automatically generated from each selected enterprise model in the e-catalogue. Manufacturer, retailer and supplier e-catalogues, and an automatic construction system of a virtual supply chain are implemented as a trial.

An overview of food supply chain virtualisation and granular traceability using blockchain technology

The integration of sensors and internet to the supply chain has created a new window in the supply chain management called as virtual supply chain which bears the features such as real-time tracking and monitoring of goods flow in the physical supply chain. The food supply chain is one of the delicate supply chains due to perishability, which can be due to various physical and biological factors, also the stringent safety and sustainability requirements of the product. The use of sensors and IT technology enables real-time data collection of the changes that take place in the food supply chain. The paper presents the integration of blockchain to the current virtual supply chain thus eliminating or changing the roles of intermediaries in the virtual supply chain and facilitating transparency, integrity, and authenticity of the data in the food supply chain.

Виртуальные цепи поставок как система бизнес-функций

Виртуальные цепи поставок как система бизнес-функций

Additive Manufacturing Cyber-Physical System: Supply Chain Cybersecurity and Risks

Additive Manufacturing (AM) methods have become increasingly efficient and industrially viable in the past ten years. These methods offer the freedom of complexity to the designers and choices of localized and pull-based production system to the managers. These propositions of AM have been enabling custom manufacturing and are catalysts for rapid growth of additive manufacturing (AM). This paper analyzes the general characteristics of AM supply chain and proposes three AM supply chain models based on the specific nature of the industry. Our description of the models emphasizes on adopting an holistic view of the AM supply chain and therefore includes raw material, printer hardware and the virtual supply chain. Throughout the product life cycle of additively manufactured products, the interlacing of the virtual supply chain ( digital thread ) with the physical supply chain and their operations fundamentally make the AM process a cyber-physical system (CPS). Therefore, the technology brings along with it benefits of a CPS as well as a new class of attack vectors. We discuss the possible attacks (printer, raw material and design level), risks (reverse engineering, counterfeiting and theft) and provide an enhanced risk classification scheme. We contend that the traditional cybersecurity methods need to evolve to address the new class of attack vectors that threaten the AM supply chain and also discuss the nature of existing solutions that help in addressing the risks and attack threats. In providing an holistic view of the AM supply chain the interdependencies of the processes in the AM supply chain are presented and we elucidate the effects of local attack vectors on the entire supply chain. Further, we discuss the existing security measures to mitigate the risk and identify the existing gap in AM security that needs to be bridged.

Virtualization of a supply chain from the manufacturing enterprise view using e-catalogues

Virtualization of a supply chain is a basis for constructing a Cyber-Physical System (CPS) for a smart supply chain. Total optimization and furthermore autonomous optimization of the supply chain will become possible using this CPS system. Models of component enterprises are divided into three types: manufacturer model, part/material supplier model and retailer model, and models are cataloging based on these types. Each enterprise is modeled in terms of its behavior. Each component enterprise agent which shows each enterprise’s behavior, is implemented from selected enterprise models in catalogues. An enterprise model is constructed as integrated model of data model and mathematical model. A virtual supply chain is structured as a multi agent system based on balanced cooperation of enterprise agents. A virtual supply chain which is automatically structured using enterprise catalogue, could be used to simulate the various phases including negotiation between enterprises.

An overview of food supply chain virtualization and granular traceability using blockchain technology

The integration of sensors and internet to the supply chain has created a new window in the supply chain management called as virtual supply chain which bears the features such as real-time tracking and monitoring of goods flow in the physical supply chain. The food supply chain is one of the delicate supply chains due to perishability, which can be due to various physical and biological factors, also the stringent safety and sustainability requirements of the product. The use of sensors and IT technology enables real-time data collection of the changes that take place in the food supply chain. The paper presents the integration of blockchain to the current virtual supply chain thus eliminating or changing the roles of intermediaries in the virtual supply chain and facilitating transparency, integrity, and authenticity of the data in the food supply chain.