Supply Chain Management Research Articles

Enabling supply chain agility through process integration and flexibility for operational performance

This research is based on the emphasis on undergoing processes which, if corrected, will help companies perform much better, achieve more, and be effective in most of their operations as suppliers. This study is conducted. This study focuses on improving firms' ability to excel in their supply chain processes; it is necessary to investigate the influential components of process integration, flexibility of supply line and dynamic view of products on supply chain agility and how these components impact the firm's effectiveness. Survey data from a sample of supply chain managers working only on emphasising supply line performance enhancement. These findings show that a flexible supply line with a mixture of dynamic products is a mediator that draws the effects of the firm's PI and supply chain agility. Moreover, this automatically influences the firm's business performance. Moreover, the firm's overall framework is competent, yet it needs to be consistently effective regarding the complex structure of its goods for sale. This nature of a firm's framework usually impedes the effect of a flexible supply line on supply chain agility. However, on the other hand, it adds details about the impact of PI on supply chain agility. Other conditionally implemented indirect effects show that the indirect effect of PI on supply chain agility, given the flexible supply line, proves to be vigorous when a complex product mix is identified. This study will be a guide to emerging economies, leading the idea towards supply chain managers to improve their performance in the shape of their competent framework to stabilize their market worth.

Differentiating “must–have” and “should–have” supply chain capabilities for enhanced performance: a necessary conditions analysis

Purpose This study aims to identify the “should have” and “must have” capabilities required to boost a supply chain’s robustness and operational performance. Research on supply chain capabilities and their impact has long been central to the supply chain discipline. However, empirical studies continue to report mixed results regarding the relationship between integration and performance or agility and robustness. Using a novel methodological approach, this study explores how supply chain integration, agility and supply chain risk management activities influence the operational performance and robustness of supply chains. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected through surveys and analyzed using SmartPLS 4 and necessary condition analysis (NCA). This combined approach shifts focus from average trends to identifying the required levels of capabilities, offering insights into the necessity logic of supply chain strategies. Findings The study reveals that supply chain risk management and internal integration significantly influence operational performance and robustness. It also supports agility as a precursor to enhancing supply chain robustness, aligning with contemporary theoretical perspectives. Practical implications The findings suggest the importance of integrating risk management and internal processes to enhance supply chain performance and robustness. Additionally, agility emerges as a critical strategy in navigating disruptions, emphasizing the need to prioritize it in supply chain management. Originality/value By adopting a holistic approach grounded in dynamic capability theory, this study contributes to understanding the interplay of supply chain strategies amid unprecedented challenges. The combined use of SmartPLS 4 and NCA offers a novel perspective, shedding light on the necessary logic of supply chain capabilities.

Review of current digital technologies for material passports to enhance circularity towards net zero

PurposeNeed of circular economy (ce) practices for net-zero and sustainability in construction sector is well known, and thus the need for information flow between current and potential users about materials and processes. Material passports (MPs) are the tool for this information flow. This study aims to examine the research trend about digitalisation and MPs in construction, explore the application of digital technologies (DTs) for information management required for MPs and provide further research directions.Design/methodology/approachSystematic search and review of literature was conducted adopting both qualitative and quantitative approach for analysis. Firstly, quantitative bibliometric analysis of 201 papers was conducted to get the context from ongoing research around the area and qualitative content and thematic analysis of selected 14 papers were then done to further explore the literature.FindingsBibliometric analysis suggested building information modelling (BIM) as the most widely studied topic for digitalisation and MPs, which has been studied together with other DTs, whereas blockchain is niched within supply chain and waste management. Qualitative review observed BIM as the most prevalent technology, providing platform for information generation and management for MPs, and most other DTs are applicable mostly for information generation. Artificial intelligence (AI) is useful for information generation, but more suiting for information analysis. Blockchain, on the other hand, is for decentralised and reliable information management.Originality/valueThis study has tried to explore the digitalisation for circularity in construction with focus on information management for MPs. As the ce in construction boils down to information flow and MPs, this study provides the idea about possible applications of DTs for MPs and suggests further research directions for development and use of MPs for ce in construction.

Pricing decisions and fairness concerns: supply chain power structures

PurposeThis paper divides the dyadic supply chain into three power structures according to the relative channel power of the supply chain members and consequently examines the optimal supply chain pricing decisions when both suppliers and retailers are concerned with fairness issues.Design/methodology/approachThree models are constructed, namely the Stackelberg game model with the supplier as the leader, the Nash game model with the balance of power and another Stackelberg game model with the retailer as the leader. The equilibrium solutions are solved, and their results are analyzed.FindingsThe retail price of a product increases with an increase in the fairness concerns of the leader in a supply chain in which the supplier or retailer is the leader, while the fairness concerns of the member with less channel power have no effect on the retail price. In a power-balanced supply chain, both suppliers and retailers increase their retail prices as their fairness concerns increase. The relative size of the members’ fairness concerns affects member profits and total supply chain profits.Originality/valueThe main contributions are as follows: First, this paper proposes a new approach to studying supply chain pricing strategy, considering fairness concerns and power structure. Secondly, three game models are constructed. The Nash equilibrium solution is introduced to study the fairness of supply chain participants in pricing decisions and overall supply chain profitability. Finally, the supply chain management theory is expanded by this study on pricing decisions and supply chain performance.

Supply Chain Management Control in the Aerospace Sector: An Empirical Approach

Introduction: The aerospace industry has been significantly disrupted by recent economic downturns, underscoring the need for robust supply chain management. This is especially important given the complexity of aircraft manufacturing, the globalization of supply chains, and the requirement to meet stringent regulatory standards. While outsourcing is widely adopted to improve cost competitiveness, it also introduces risks, such as compromised product quality, inefficiency, and delays. Methods: This study explores how aerospace firms manage outsourcing relationships using control mechanisms. Data were gathered through seven semi-structured interviews with supply chain managers from contracting and supplier firms focusing on both formal and informal controls in supplier selection and relationship management. Results: Supplier selection is primarily guided by trust, past performance, and delivery reliability. Firms employ formal controls, such as KPIs and certifications, alongside informal practices, including embedding internal staff within supplier operations. This dual approach ensures quality, mitigates risks, and maintains compliance with regulatory standards. Conclusions: This study concludes that combining formal and informal controls is vital for balancing outsourcing efficiency with risk mitigation, offering valuable insights into supply chain management practices in regulated industries like aerospace.

Optimizing Carbon Capture Supply Chains with AI-Driven Supplier Quality Management and Predictive Analytics

As the need for sustainable practices grows, carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems have become critical in mitigating environmental impact by reducing carbon emissions. This study explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the CCS supply chain, with a specific focus on supplier quality management and predictive analytics. By integrating AI technologies, companies can optimize their supply chains, minimize operational costs, and improve supplier quality performance. Supply chain managers can better forecast disruptions, identify potential risks, and enhance decision-making using predictive analytics. This paper synthesizes recent research on AI applications in CCS, assessing its impact on supplier quality management and operational efficiency. Key findings indicate that AI-driven supplier management systems significantly enhance carbon capture efficiency, reducing overall emissions and facilitating more streamlined CCS operations.

Supply Chain Finance in India: Driving Growth and Business Transformation

Supply chains are often understood to include and integrate the movement of goods, data, and money from one company to another. Supply chain management theory and practice as it pertains to the movement of materials and data has a long and fruitful history of study, with an ever-expanding list of topics to cover. However this area of study has received little attention, the management of monetary flows across the supply chain and their interplay is known as supply chain finance (SCF). The article's goal is to shed light on India's supply chain financing which is done with the help of various papers published in prestigious journals and data collected from various relevant websites. Companies in any sector may be able to leverage emerging trends and technological advancements to their advantage, the article suggests, opening up new avenues for growth and enhancing the effectiveness of their supply chain operations. Businesses striving to traverse the complexities of the modern supply chain will undoubtedly continue to rely on supply chain management (SCF) as it evolves further.

Digital supply chain: An industrial perspective

AbstractThis perspectives article outlines and discusses the future of supply chains. The existing challenges and flaws in supply chains design and management are described, motivating the need for the next‐generation supply chains. We present a holistic paradigm for viewing and analyzing supply chains as networks of networks with various dimensions, hierarchies, and players with their various forms of decision‐making. Cyber‐Physical Systems is offered as a key enabler to obtain a digital supply chain exhibiting the features of heterogeneity, interoperability, modularity, customizability, decentralization, autonomy, and cooperativity. The role of virtual assistants is described, along with research directions to create the technology for establishing true digital supply chains. The role of Process Systems Engineering (PSE) is outlined with the hope that the ideas discussed will motivate the PSE community to become active participants in attaining the next‐generation supply chains.

The Role of Digital Supply Chain Management Practices in the Relationship between Organizational Culture and Customer Development

Through Digital Supply Chain Management Practices (DSCMP), this study investigates the relationship between organizational culture (OC) and customer development (CD), taking into account both direct and indirect influences. Data from 214 respondents who have registered in Indonesia's Riau Islands Province were analysed statistically. The results showed that CD was positively impacted by OC and DSCMP. Additionally, the connection between OC and CD was found to be mediated by DSCMP. Two crucial facilitators for growing a company's clientele in digital supply chains (SC) are DSCMP and OC. Using the Resource Dependency Theory (RDT) as a basis. This study discovered that in order to increase the firm's efficiency, digitalization-related SCMP capabilities need to be developed internally. Organizational leaders (OL), organizational glue (OG), dominating characteristics (DC), and strategic focus (SE) should all be integral parts of DSCMP in organizations.

Exploring Environmental, Social, and Governance Factors Affecting Supply Chain Resilience: From Employees’ Perspectives

In the domain of supply chain resilience (SCR), research has disproportionately emphasized the environmental dimensions of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, leading to an oversight regarding the roles played by social and governance factors. To address this gap, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 313 employees from five Chinese supply chain enterprises. Through factor analysis, this study identified four latent variables associated with environmental factors, three with social factors, and four with governance factors. A structural equation model was then developed to present a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of the three ESG dimensions and digital intelligence on SCR, while also examining the interplay among these ESG factors. The findings reveal that environmental factors positively influence SCR, whereas social and governance factors exert a negative impact. This study further observes that digital intelligence enhances ESG factors but does not directly influence SCR. These results underscore the intricate dynamics between ESG indicators, digital intelligence, and SCR, highlighting the imperative for supply chain entities to make balanced decisions. This research offers novel insights into the effects of ESG factors from the employees’ viewpoint, providing implications and recommendations for supply chain management.

A study on inventory control system for a supply chain using Markov decision processes

This paper examines the application of Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) for controlling supply chain inventories. MDPs effectively simulate decision-making problems related to uncertainty, facilitating the determination of optimal inventory policies. The MDP framework addresses various inventory management challenges, including demand fluctuations, lead times, and holding costs. The study investigates the modeling of inventory management as a Markov decision process, detailing the states, actions, and transitions within the MDP model, along with their respective advantages and disadvantages. The research employs policy and value iteration techniques to evaluate and optimize inventory management policies. The paper assesses the proposed MDP-based inventory control system through simulations that utilize supply chain data, aiming to identify optimal policies using the MDP model. A comparative analysis of the MDP approach against conventional inventory management methods is conducted to demonstrate its efficacy in reducing costs and enhancing service levels. Additionally, the paper proposes the incorporation of multiple commodities, multi-echelon supply chains, and perishability considerations into the MDP model. The findings indicate that MDPs facilitate improved optimization of inventory policies, cost reductions, and enhanced customer service, thereby emphasizing the significance of computational complexity and the necessity for accurate data. This research provides a comprehensive investigation into the role of MDPs within inventory control systems, contributing valuable insights to the field of supply chain management. Ultimately, this study lays the groundwork for advancements in MDP-based inventory control methodologies.

CARBONLY

This project focuses on the development and implementation of a Carbon Footprint App designed to empower individuals and organizations to track and reduce their carbon emissions. By providing real-time tracking, personalized recommendations, and engaging features such as gamification and community challenges, the app aims to foster sustainable practices and raise awareness about the environmental impact of everyday activities. The methodology involves collecting user data on energy use, transportation, food consumption, and waste management, converting this data into carbon dioxide equivalents, and offering actionable advice to lower emissions. The app is applicable across various sectors, including personal use, corporate sustainability, policy support, education, supply chain management, urban planning, and environmental certification. The results demonstrate that informed individual actions, such as skipping a weekly cup of coffee or reducing chocolate consumption, can collectively lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions. This project underscores the importance of individual responsibility in combating climate change and promotes a community-driven approach to achieving a more sustainable future. Key Words: Carbon Footprint, Real-time Tracking, Gamification, Personalized Recommendations, Sustainability

Pharmaceutical Resilience

Supply chain resilience involves creating diverse and redundant sources for raw materials, optimizing logistics, and employing advanced forecasting techniques to anticipate and mitigate potential shortages. Manufacturing resilience focuses on adopting scalable and adaptable production technologies, enhancing quality control measures, and establishing contingency plans for production disruptions. Regulatory resilience entails the capacity to navigate and comply with evolving regulatory landscapes swiftly, fostering collaborations with regulatory agencies to expedite approval processes during emergencies. Innovation and research resilience are crucial for sustaining drug development and responding to emerging health threats. This involves investing in cutting-edge technologies, fostering partnerships for collaborative research, and maintaining a pipeline of new therapies and treatments. Pharmaceutical resilience also requires effective communication and coordination among stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, governments, and international organizations. By enhancing these components, the pharmaceutical sector can better withstand and recover from disruptions, ensuring continuous access to essential medications and safeguarding public health. This abstract emphasizes the multifaceted approach needed to build and sustain resilience within the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring its capacity to meet both current and future challenges effectively. Keywords: Supply Chain Management, Regulatory Framework, Research and Development (R&D), Manufacturing Capabilities, Healthcare System Integration, Innovation

AI-DRIVEN BRIDGING LOCAL SELLERS AND GLOBAL BUYERS

This project aims to create an accessible digital platform tailored for small-scale businesses, enabling them to engage in cross-border e-commerce and global trade with minimal complexity. By leveraging the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express, React, Node.js), the platform provides a responsive and scalable solution that connects local producers with a global customer base. Small-scale industries often face barriers in reaching international markets, from supply chain complexities to payment processing challenges.This platform addresses these obstacles by simplifying logistics, incorporating multi-currency support, and securing transactions through integrated payment gateways.The core features, such as real-time order tracking and streamlined supply chain management, empower small businesses to operate with the same efficiency as larger enterprises. Buyers can browse products from local producers, pay in their currency, and track shipments globally, making cross- border shopping more accessible. This project bridges the gap between local and international markets, fostering growth for small-scale industries and expanding their reach to a worldwide audience. By reducing the traditional costs and complications associated with global trade, this platform offers an efficient pathway for small businesses to scale their operations beyond local borders. Keywords: AI-Driven Solutions, Cross-Border E- Commerce, Small-Scale Industries, Global Buyers and Local Seller, MERN Stack, Inventory Management, Real-Time Order Tracking, Secure Payment Gateways, Logistics Simplification, Customer Engagement, Customer Trust and Satisfaction.

Green Supply Chain Management Practices and Sustainability Performance: A Review and Future Perspectives

Green Supply Chain Management Practices and Sustainability Performance: A Review and Future Perspectives

Processed Seafood Sustainability Supply Chain Management Practices: A Comparison of Community Enterprises and SMEs

The purpose of this study was to empirically examine current manufacturing practices of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in processed seafood supply chain management, looking at the size difference between specific manufacturing organizations: community enterprises and SMEs. A survey was undertaken to collect data from processed seafood producers in the Rayong and Chonburi provinces, which are the main areas of processed seafood production in Thailand. The final 32 valid responses provided a response rate of 54.24%. The Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test, a nonparametric test statistic, was utilized to compare the mean difference between the Rayong and Chonburi groups of processed seafood producers. The results indicated that SMEs have a significantly higher potential than community enterprises in terms of plan, source, make and delivery. Semi-structured interviews highlighted issues regarding SSCM practices, such as a lack of knowledge of how to achieve sustainable benefits, a lack of technology use, and the instability of raw material supply from the sea, related to weather conditions, leading to difficulties in production planning and sourcing. The results of this study can be used to reflect the current status of SSCM practices. Therefore, the findings should assist both community enterprises and SMES implement more efficient processes, leading to higher performance.

Greening the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

ABSTRACTThe pharmaceutical sector is critical from a life‐saving perspective. However, it also poses significant environmental challenges due to large consumptions of non‐renewable materials and energy, as also extensive by‐product and waste generation. Addressing these issues is paramount, though surprisingly, research on it has largely been theoretical, fragmented and incomplete. These shortcomings are sought to be addressed in this work where a comprehensive green supply chain management (GSCM) framework for the sector is first developed through a systematic literature review. It is then empirically assessed and validated for UK's pharmaceutical sector through 47 interviews and analyses of 112 corporate environmental reports that covered all key stakeholders. Innovative and Bio‐pharma players were found to be at the forefront of the greening efforts with generic players lagging behind. High levels of solvent recycling, AI‐based drug design, and emphasis on Ecopharmacovigilance were observed for the Innovative players. The key drivers for greening were found to be regulatory pressures (e.g., f‐gas, ERA, IED) and cost saving potential, with their influence being particularly greater for the Innovative players. Similarly, complex marketing authorization process, high investment requirements, lack of green culture and time pressure were revealed as the key barriers to greening. On the downstream side, lack of environment‐related regulatory guidance on prescribing and contradictory regulatory guidance on disposing unused/expired drugs were identified as factors having a significant impact on the environmental loading of drugs. Overall, the study findings can help assess the green readiness of the sector, as also develop stakeholder‐specific policy interventions and support mechanisms to increase green adoption.

Tracking Unique Device Identifiers (UDIs) of Mini Fragment Implants with a Novel Optical Imaging System

Background Small and mini fragment implantable medical devices (0.5 – 4.4mm) such as plates and screws that are placed into surgical trays pose a challenge to unique device identification (UDI) and tracking because they are difficult to directly mark, and often separated from labeling prior to reaching the point of care. Our objective was to demonstrate a novel optical system’s ability to track the unique identities of these small implants. Methods We performed a series of simulated craniotomy surgeries involving implants as small as 1.5mm in size, representing 13 different products from two manufacturers, to test whether a commercially available optical system (QuanTEK, Covisus, Inc.) could accurately track all implants through these simulations. The system was used to capture the unique surface texture of 236 implants at a micrometer scale and convert this to a unique “fingerprint” (vTag) for each item. Implants were placed in surgical trays, and these trays were subjected to a series of 16 simulated surgeries. After each surgery, trays were scanned and identified to determine which had been used, moved, or added. Results Post-surgical scans accurately identified the location and unique identity of 100% of implants (953 out of 953 times; 853 screws, 62 plates, 38 burr hole covers scanned; 95% confidence interval = 99.6 to 100%). Conclusions Results demonstrate that under simulated conditions, the system was able to register and verify the unique identities of mini fragment implants through surgical procedures with 100% accuracy. This technology could therefore be used to finally fulfill the goal of providing hospitals and supply chain management a solution to tracking the full UDI of all implantable medical devices used in the operating room, including the very smallest devices.

Special Issue on “Managing Supply Chain Resilience in the Digital Economy Era”

Special Issue on “Managing Supply Chain Resilience in the Digital Economy Era”

COVID-19 and SMEs: An umbrella review of systematic literature (2020–2024) and future directions for entrepreneurship

AbstractThis special issue addresses the impact of COVID-19 on entrepreneurship. It builds on insights shared at the dedicated session – supported by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences' Post-COVID research grant (MTA PC-II-17/1/2022) – of the 2nd Danube Cup Conference in Belgrade in November 2023, featuring three papers presented there, along with four additional contributions. The goal of this issue is to advance scholarly understanding of post-COVID dynamics in entrepreneurship and share valuable findings with a broad academic audience. To provide a comprehensive overview of current research on this topic, we include an umbrella review examining the COVID-19 crisis' impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from 2020 to 2024. Drawing on 26 systematic literature reviews identified through Scopus, Google Scholar, and Elicit, this review captures key challenges, strategies, and emerging trends affecting SMEs. Major research themes identified include resilience, supply chain management, digitalization, crisis management, and the financial impact of COVID-19.