Worldwide Supply Chain Research Articles

A system dynamics gamification tool to enhance supply chain resilience in times of disruptions

AbstractIn recent years, significant disruptive events have stressed the global business environment and supply chains worldwide, and these events have become more disturbing and frequent. Consequently, organisations have been facing many troubles in different echelons of their supply chains, such as high inventory stockouts or unplanned supply and recovery costs, significantly affecting their performance and stability. Accordingly, strategists must acknowledge enterprise and supply chain resilience as a vital competence in organisational strategies and ploys to guide decision-makers when dealing with disruptive events. This work aims to help organisations develop a powerful approach for testing and improving a decision-making process to minimise stockouts, through a simulation game that considers essential supply chain components, such as suppliers, products, and disruptive events, coexisting in a dynamic system. Upon implementing the proposed game within an organisation, the main expected outcomes include: (i) enhanced decision-making capabilities; (ii) increased awareness and preparedness to address disruptive events; (iii) improved practical understanding of resilient supply chain management practices; (iv) cost-effective training and awareness-building; and (v) repetitive learning opportunities, thereby enhancing supply chain management and resilience. The game’s simplicity is crucial to ensure that this tool remains accessible and practical for its intended audience, as excessive complexity may potentially discourage its use.

Social media usage and sustainable performance in manufacturing supply chains: exploring dynamic capabilities

Due to the global impact of COVID-19, businesses and supply chains worldwide have been disrupted, leading to challenges for manufacturing firms and customers. Social media usage (SMU) is a vital and valuable tool that builds customer-centric supply chains by effectively communicating large volumes of valuable data. This study examines the influence of social media usage on the development of dynamic capabilities, including supply chain sensing capabilities (SCSC), knowledge sharing capability (KSC), and social capital (SC), which are crucial for constructing agile and resilient supply chains that can effectively respond to dynamic and turbulent environments, ultimately enhancing sustainable business performance. To assess the proposed investigation model, data was gathered through a structured questionnaire administered to supply chain members currently engaged with manufacturing firms. The evaluation of the proposed hypotheses is carried out through the application of structural equation modeling (SEM). The results of this study offer empirical evidence supporting the proposition that SMU within manufacturing firms promotes the development of sensing capabilities, knowledge-sharing capability, and social capital. Furthermore, this study tests the moderation role of environmental dynamism in the relationship between social media use and sustainable business performance. This underscores the pivotal role played by SMU in facilitating the adaptation and responsiveness of the supply chain to dynamic and uncertain environments, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of organizations.

Climate winners: Adapting to shifting species in the New England supply chain

AbstractObjectiveClimate change is driving shifts in marine species' distributions, affecting resource availability for fishery supply chains worldwide. While research and governance have been in step with fishing impacts, consequences to the downstream supply chain are not generally considered. In this project, we identify how and to what extent New England seafood supply chains are capable of navigating anticipated shifts in species distributions. The study was especially concerned with the degree to which suppliers would consider incorporating "climate winners": species that are predicted to become more abundant in New England waters.MethodsUsing indicators derived from climate resilience and adaptive fisheries frameworks, we characterized supply chain adaptability for 27 seafood businesses across New England.ResultThe results revealed a range of adaptability linked to particular supplier characteristics, including diversity of services, processing infrastructure, and market diversity. External factors such as consumer preference, regulatory policy, and employment in the industry also indicated climate vulnerabilities. Despite these limiting factors, however, most businesses appeared to be not only capable but also willing to incorporate climate winner species into their portfolio.ConclusionOur conclusions support the idea that New England seafood suppliers adopt different strategies for climate resilience based on their business model, with considerable potential to take advantage of species shifts given the right incentives. To reduce vulnerabilities in the face of unprecedented change, it is critical that managing practitioners and partnering organizations encourage portfolio diversification with market incentives and adaptive management measures.

Optimization of production, distribution, natural resources and capacity planning throughout process sector worldwide supply chains with various goals

This study delves into the intricate dynamics of green transformation within global mining and other process industries, focusing on production, distribution, and capacity planning under the framework of the Asian Mineral Vision. By addressing sustainability, resource efficiency, and cost reduction, the research highlights the multifaceted challenges faced by industry participants in achieving green objectives. In addition to financial efficiency, the study emphasizes the importance of customer service quality and responsiveness. To tackle these challenges, we propose a novel multiobjective mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) approach. The model incorporates key goals such as minimizing total cost, total flow time, and total missed sales, reflecting the interconnected nature of financial efficiency, operational agility, and customer satisfaction. To further enhance the model's flexibility, we integrate discrete strategies for plant capacity expansion, recognizing the crucial role of capacity management in responding to evolving demand dynamics. The multiobjective optimization problem is addressed using the lexicographic minimax technique and the ε-constraint method. A comprehensive numerical example illustrates the practical relevance and effectiveness of our proposed model and solution methods, providing valuable insights into improving the resilience and performance of green supply chain networks in the process industry.

The power of mineral: Shock of the global supply chain from resource nationalism

State intervention has long affected the stability of the global mineral and raw material markets. Global energy transition has continued to boost demand for copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel. It has exacerbated the global prevalence of resource nationalism. Research on resource nationalism has focused on the interaction of economic, political, cultural, and social elements within countries. The lack of understanding of the global economic effects of resource nationalism limits our flexibility in responding to upheavals in the global resource order. We combine time series counterfactual analysis and input–output modeling to advance our understanding of the worldwide supply chain effects of resource nationalism. We analyze the impacts of resource political behavior on global supply chains based on several representative episodes of resource nationalism. While major industrialized countries suffer more absolute welfare losses, formerly developed countries in the Global South face higher price effects. Moreover, nationalist resource shocks are not the only cause of welfare losses in the metals supply chain sector. Still, they are also harming various industries and groups, from food and energy to services. Such differences in price and welfare effects depend on the type of mineral and the resource power of the event-initiating country, on the one hand, and are influenced by the global industrial division of labor, on the other. More losses in developing countries come from the agricultural sector and primary manufacturing than from the severity of the losses suffered by the manufacturing and service sectors in industrial and rich countries. This is a reminder to pay more attention to the unequal distribution of economic pressures across countries and sectors in the global energy transition.

Remanufacturing in global supply chains: Self-operating or licensing?

Nowadays, globalization and decarbonization have emerged as new normals for supply chains worldwide. In this paper, we investigate remanufacturing strategies within a global supply chain, aiming to provide managerial insights through the research to assist businesses in better integrating into the new normals. Within the global supply chain, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) located in the home country sells its products to a foreign country through a local retailer. To establish a closed-loop supply chain, the OEM faces two strategic choices, i.e., self-operating remanufacturing in its home country (Strategy A) or licensing remanufacturing to a local remanufacturer (LR) in the foreign country (Strategy B). Utilizing game-theoretical models, our study first explores the operational decisions regarding quantities and prices made by the OEM, the retailer, and the LR. The analysis reveals that a higher cost disparity between the new and remanufactured products or lower cross-border recycling costs for used products can potentially stimulate firms’ incentives for recycling and remanufacturing. Second, upon comparing the equilibrium profits under the two strategies, we demonstrate that lower cross-border recycling costs consistently encourage the OEM to opt for self-operating remanufacturing. Interestingly, we find that the impact of the production cost disparity on the OEM’s strategic choice is non-monotonic; that is, either a low or high disparity of cost can incentivize the OEM to choose licensing remanufacturing, whereas a moderate cost disparity leads to self-operating remanufacturing. We also explored the impact of remanufacturing strategies on sustainability. Furthermore, we have examined governmental preferences regarding firms’ adoption of remanufacturing strategies. Our findings indicate that both countries can benefit from the OEM’s self-operating remanufacturing, providing an explanation as to why cross-border recycling and remanufacturing are not entirely prohibited by governments worldwide.

Developing an IoT-enabled probabilistic model for quick identification of hidden radioactive materials in maritime port operations to strengthen global supply chain security

Uncovering hidden radioactive materials continues to be a major hurdle in worldwide supply chains. Recent research has not adequately investigated practical Internet of Things (IoT)-based approaches for improving and implementing efficient data fusion techniques. Current systems often misuse resources, leading to security vulnerabilities in typical settings. Our research delves into the fundamental principles of detection using both single and multiple sensor configurations, adopting a probabilistic method for merging data. We introduce a model aimed at accelerating the detection of radiation emissions in actual port operations. The results highlight the model’s effectiveness in rapid identification and determine the best conditions for its application in scenarios involving stacked containers, whether they are on ships or positioned in storage areas.

Supply Chain Resilience: Adapting To Global Disruptions and Uncertainty

In an increasingly interconnected world, supply chain resilience has emerged as a critical factor for businesses to navigate disruptions and uncertainty. This paper delves into the dynamic landscape of supply chain management, emphasizing the need for organizations to adapt and fortify their operations against a myriad of challenges, ranging from natural disasters to geopolitical tensions and pandemics. Drawing on a comprehensive review of existing literature and real-world case studies, this research explores the key components of supply chain resilience and identifies best practices for building robust systems. It examines the role of technology, collaboration, and risk management strategies in enhancing resilience across various industry sectors. Furthermore, this paper sheds light on the impact of recent global disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on supply chains worldwide, highlighting both the vulnerabilities exposed and innovative responses adopted by organizations. A nuanced analysis elucidates the lessons learned and opportunities for improvement in supply chain resilience frameworks. By synthesizing insights from academia and industry, this study offers practical recommendations for executives and policymakers to bolster supply chain resilience in an era characterized by volatility and complexity. It underscores the imperative for proactive measures, agile strategies, and continuous monitoring to mitigate risks and ensure operational continuity in the face of uncertainty. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of supply chain resilience as a strategic imperative, empowering organizations to thrive amidst global disruptions and safeguard the flow of goods and services in an interconnected global economy.

Is Globalization Over?

Globalization has experienced an incredible acceleration following the conclusion of the Cold War. However, during the last 20 years, it has received increasing threats, and there have been several declarations of its death. Globalization has endured, nevertheless, despite the Great Financial Crisis, Brexit, and the bitter trade dispute between the U.S. and China during Donald Trump's presidency. Worldwide supply chains could have finally collapsed because of the COVID-19 outbreak, but globalization managed to endure. The global systems of production, trade, finance, and human globalization, linked to the mobility of people and communication, have resisted all these threats. Most likely, globalization is too rooted in the contemporary international system to be reversed. However, security threats and possible worldwide armed conflicts appear more severe than in the past, threatening to undermine its survival. The purpose of this paper is to present an explanation of the evolution of globalization. In order to achieve this, a comparative methodology is used between different authors analyzing the activities related to globalization.
 
 Received: 22 February 2024 / Accepted: 14 March 2024 / Published: 23 March 2024

Analysis of the enablers to deal with the ripple effect in food grain supply chains under disruption: Implications for food security and sustainability

Because of the massive globalization process, market volatility, and today's ever-changing business environment, managing grain supply chains (GSCs) is becoming increasingly challenging. In addition, the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict is causing significant disruptions in global supply chains, adding to the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the last couple of years. The ongoing socio-economic disruptions have created a ripple effect in the global supply chains worldwide, especially in emerging economies, which also happen to be the major global exporters of food grains. In this regard, the key enablers of the GSC must be identified to address the impact of the ripple effect and ensure sustainability and food security. This paper addresses these challenges and amalgamates the knowledge on ripple effects, sustainability, and food security. The study aims to identify, prioritize, and delineate the systemic interrelationships among enablers to address the ripple effect of GSC in emerging economies like Bangladesh. A multi-method approach integrating Pareto analysis, total interpretive structural modeling (TISM), and matrice d'impacts croisés multiplication appliquée à un classement (MICMAC) was employed for this purpose. The findings of this study indicate that geological sourcing diversification, governing cash flow to avoid the liquidity crisis, and supplier clustering according to disruptive risks are the most significant enablers. The insights from this study can potentially assist industry leaders and GSC practitioners in making strategic decisions to achieve sustainability in the grain management sector and thus improve future food security in emerging economies.

Analysis of world trade data with machine learning to enhance policies of mineral supply chain transparency

The increasing integration of supply chains worldwide and the establishment of resilient material flows emphasize the significance of transparency. As regulations and policies around mineral supply become more stringent, organizations are actively seeking effective tools to assess the transparency of their supply chains. Ensuring supply chain transparency plays a vital role in international trade data since it addresses the issue of inconsistent reporting by two parties involved in a transaction, sometimes referred to as bilateral asymmetries. Nevertheless, bilateral asymmetries might be utilized as a proxy to examine discrepancies in the transparency of supply chains.This paper presents a methodology to evaluate supply chain transparency using bilateral asymmetries as a proxy and provide insights into policy changes. We used a machine learning-based methodology on UN Comtrade data to study asymmetry trends in 116 million trade transactions over 30 years. The analysis demonstrates different levels of asymmetry among commodities and countries, suggesting differences in the transparency of supply chains. We exemplified the implementation of the methodology by analyzing 14 commodities associated with lithium batteries and their primary resources. The findings identify seven commodities that exhibit good (reliable) reporting practices, while two commodities (Cobalt and Lithium Primary Batteries) demonstrate bad (unreliable) reporting patterns. This indicates specific areas that should be examined and improved through policy changes. The paper presents a succinct and practical approach to measuring and strengthening supply chain transparency, giving actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders for future actions.

A Neutrosophic Decision-Making Methods of the Key Aspects for Supply Chain Management in International Business Administrations

The importance of supply chain management in the field of international business administration is investigated in this study. Global businesses rely heavily on effective supply chain management, which coordinates the international transfer of materials, data, and money. The paper illuminates the critical nature of supply chain management on a worldwide scale. Distance, cultural differences, legal constraints, and logistics are only some of the problems and complexity of international supply chain management that are explored in this article. Topics covered include supplier selection and management, demand forecasting, inventory control, transportation, and distribution network design, as well as other techniques used by businesses to improve their worldwide supply chains. The study also discusses how international supply networks are affected by globalization, free trade agreements, and geopolitical considerations. Organizational strategies for overcoming hurdles such as tariffs, quotas, and political instability in international commerce are discussed. This paper used the neutrosophic sets (NSs) to deal with uncertainty in assessment factors of supply chains in international business. The NS is integrated with the DEMATEL method. The neutrosophic DEMATEL is used to show relationships between factors.

Using a 5P Strategic Medical Stockpile model to build an optimal and resilient supply chain in health emergencies

Background: The healthcare sector witnessed the occurrences and impacts of disruptions on supply chains during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Consequently, it is essential to strengthen institutional medical supply chain systems by addressing the key attributes of strategic stockpile plan renewal: flexibility, traceability and transparency, perseverance and responsiveness, global independence, and equitable access. Aim and objective: To establish a resilient supply chain integrated into the emergency management cycle by proposing a sustainable 5P Strategic Medical Stockpile model. Settings: Online evidence, available literature, and lessons learned during the COVID-19 response in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Methods: This review employed a systematic methodology of identification, selection, assessment, synthesis, and interpretation of data from peer-reviewed articles, review reports, and response frameworks spanning the years 2012 to 2020. Additionally, media reports and announcements were analyzed to determine the implications of COVID-19 on the supply chain from 2020 to 2022. Recommendations are formulated in response to the identified shortcomings revealed during the review process, as well as considering experiences and lessons resulting from responses to address COVID-19 in the Abu Dhabi Health Sector. Results: Our analysis revealed a deficiency in effective operational protocols for building a robust supply chain. The experience gained from responding to COVID-19 has highlighted deficiencies such as unclear issues with stockpiles, inadequate resources, insufficient planning, the absence of established procedures, and a lack of performance monitoring. The pandemic had a tremendous impact on health systems and medical supply chains worldwide. Our suggested model necessitates aligning responses with national contingency protocols. Accountability may fluctuate during each phase of an emergency, depending on decision-making authority and jurisdictional capabilities. Conclusion: The proposed 5P model can support policymakers, health regulators, institutions, and professionals in formulating strategies to establish a resilient stockpile system that serves as a medical supply chain buffer when supplies are not instantly accessible.

Using a 5P Strategic Medical Stockpile model to build an optimal and resilient supply chain in health emergencies

Background: The healthcare sector witnessed the occurrences and impacts of disruptions on supply chains during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Consequently, it is essential to strengthen institutional medical supply chain systems by addressing the key attributes of strategic stockpile plan renewal: flexibility, traceability and transparency, perseverance and responsiveness, global independence, and equitable access. Aim and objective: To establish a resilient supply chain integrated into the emergency management cycle by proposing a sustainable 5P Strategic Medical Stockpile model. Settings: Online evidence, available literature, and lessons learned during the COVID-19 response in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Methods: This review employed a systematic methodology of identification, selection, assessment, synthesis, and interpretation of data from peer-reviewed articles, review reports, and response frameworks spanning the years 2012 to 2020. Additionally, media reports and announcements were analyzed to determine the implications of COVID-19 on the supply chain from 2020 to 2022. Recommendations are formulated in response to the identified shortcomings revealed during the review process, as well as considering experiences and lessons resulting from responses to address COVID-19 in the Abu Dhabi Health Sector. Results: Our analysis revealed a deficiency in effective operational protocols for building a robust supply chain. The experience gained from responding to COVID-19 has highlighted deficiencies such as unclear issues with stockpiles, inadequate resources, insufficient planning, the absence of established procedures, and a lack of performance monitoring. The pandemic had a tremendous impact on health systems and medical supply chains worldwide. Our suggested model necessitates aligning responses with national contingency protocols. Accountability may fluctuate during each phase of an emergency, depending on decision-making authority and jurisdictional capabilities. Conclusion: The proposed 5P model can support policymakers, health regulators, institutions, and professionals in formulating strategies to establish a resilient stockpile system that serves as a medical supply chain buffer when supplies are not instantly accessible.

Determine the impact of COVID-19 on the textile supply chain management

The textile supply chain is also affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, as thousands of supply chains worldwide. The textile industry is labour-intensive in structure and interconnected globally. The COVID-19 epidemic resulted in order cancellation and delays in manufacturing orders in the textile supply chain. The shortage of raw materials is another issue due to the closing of international seas and airports. During this epidemic, the textile industry became less important for the world's people as their 1st priority was to survive by purchasing only essential items. Data was collected from employees and industries primarily related to the textile industry. Data analysis was done using factor analysis and regression models. It was also found that most organizations and businesses faced the radical consequences of COVID-19 on textile supply chain management, including working capital, customer demand, and future marketing drives to pursue new customer orders. However, most companies have adopted digitalized systems to run out of production and purchasing.

Predicting and understanding long-haul truck driver turnover using driver-level operational data and supervised machine learning classifiers

Truck drivers are essential to modern supply chains. However, the companies that employ them are having trouble keeping them. At many trucking firms, annual turnover rates approach 100 percent or higher. This paper develops a method for predicting individual truck driver turnover events before they happen by applying supervised machine learning classifiers to a new source of operational truck driver data. Our paper uses Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data, which comprise newly federally-mandated, time-stamped work logs collected from approximately 1200 American long-haul truck drivers over 3 years. We train three supervised machine learning classifiers (logistic regression, random forests, and support vector machines) on this data and achieve 60 to 70 percent prediction accuracy and 50 to 60 percent recall across two 5-fold cross-validated experiments. We observe that the quantity and consistency of week-day driving assignments explain most of our models’ predictive power. We offer these results as both a new technical tool, as well as novel managerial insights for improving global truck driver retention problems for the benefit of supply chains worldwide.

Impact of Global Supply Chain Crisis on Chinese Forest Product Enterprises: Trade Trends and Literature Review

The global supply chain crisis caused by COVID-19 and the trend of “anti-globalization” continuously impact international trade. As one of the central processing centers of global primary products, China’s forest product enterprises import raw materials and export manufactured products, which are vulnerable to the worldwide supply chain crisis. This article reviews research on the influence of the pandemic and the Sino–US trade war on the international trade of wooden products and China’s forestry enterprises that import raw timber materials and export wooden products. Furthermore, with the analysis of trade data, we found that China’s forest product enterprises are facing a shortage of wood materials and rising import prices. Regarding export, they face the problems of increased trade costs and fluctuating product demand. Moreover, the influence of the global supply chain crisis causes China’s trade diversion effect. This article comprehensively analyzes how the global supply chain crisis affects wood-based product enterprises and offers suggestions for further developing China’s forestry enterprises.

A multi-objective economic production quantity model for deteriorating items with impact of the pandemic, social and environmental concerns

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 outbreak has posed significant challenges to the worldwide supply chain. As result, there is an urgent need to develop a model for the manufacturer that includes multi-phase manufacturing with fluctuating demand during various levels of pandemic and a supply system that takes into account the environmental benefits of the product and production. This study recommends inventory model to the company for estimating optimal production amount and replenishment cycle in order to reduce overall cost and maximize profit along with green product pricing and carbon tax. The current study considers models with and without shortages for instantaneously deteriorating commodities. Because of the social awareness concern, firms can avoid the suffering from labor shortage during the pandemic crisis. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the model’s use. A sensitivity analysis of crucial factors was performed in order to uncover more sensitive parameters that offer a clear portrayal of current concerns.

Digitizing global supply chains through blockchain

The objective of this paper is to understand the industry perspective towards the benefits of embedding blockchain technology (BCT) in global supply chains (GSC). A qualitative approach with the view of transaction cost economics (TCE) and diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory is applied. Semi-structured interviews with 23 industry experts showcased the benefits of application of BCT into GSC and this yielded interesting themes and sub-themes using the thematic analyses first yielding, the critical issues and challenges in traditional supply chains (TSC) and second, how BCT can contribute to overcome these challenges to support digital GSC; and third, possible challenges adapting BCT. This study advances the supply chain decision making complemented with elements of TCE and DOI theory through the application of BCT. GSC managers can deploy BCT integrated with the Internet of Things to effectively meet worldwide supply chain demands and complex situations.

PO-03-164 FEASIBILITY OF GADOLINIUM CONTRAST FLUOROSCOPY TO FACILITATE WATCHMAN FLX IMPLANTATION USING INTRACARDIAC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

In patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is an alternative to oral anticoagulation for stroke-risk reduction. The standard imaging used during LAAC procedures is transesophageal echocardiography with iodinated contrast media. The recent worldwide supply chain shortage in April 2022 resulted in a global shortage of these contrast agents, limiting the ability to perform LAAC. Alternatives to iodinated contrast agents are needed to combat the impact of the contrast shortage on patient care. Limited published experience has shown effective use of IV gadolinium contrast for coronary angiography. We sought to validate the use of gadolinium contrast for LAAC in lieu of iodinated contrast agents. Thirty consecutive patients referred for LAAC underwent Watchman FLX implant with intracardiac echo (ICE) using gadolinium (Gadovist) for intra-procedural LAA angiography and device assessment prior to device release. Ultrasound imaging was performed with an 8 Fr. ICE catheter (AcuNav). Light sedation was used. Patients were managed with antithrombotic therapy for 12-weeks post implant with CT imaging at 4 months. Of the total cohort of 32 patients, two were excluded for creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min. The 30 remaining patients had successful closure of the LAA with no peri-device leaks (PDL) using an average of 11 mL (10-15) gadolinium contrast and ICE imaging. The workflow consisted of a pigtail angiogram of the LAA using 5 mL gadolinium with the remainder used through the Watchman delivery sheath post-deployment to visualize the tug test and assess for PDL. ICE verified Watchman FLX position at multiple angles. Procedure time was 42 min (30-59) with an average of 1.5 deployments per case (1-3). At 4 months, 26 (87%) had complete closure (20 by CT, 6 by TEE). Four patients had a PDL of 1.5 mm (1-3 mm) by CT. No device-related thrombus was noted. There were no complications noted during the first 4 months post implant. Gadolinium contrast may be used as an alternative to iodinated contrast agents for LAA angiography to facilitate Watchman FLX implantation with ICE with both efficacy and safety. Operators should have sufficient experience with Watchman FLX LAAC to minimize the need for multiple angiographic views and use ultrasound imaging to assess for PDL. Gadolinium contrast can be a valuable option during efforts to conserve IV iodinated contrast, but also for patients with iodinated contrast allergy.