Production optimization in the time of pandemic: an SIS-based optimal control model with protection effort and cost minimization.

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc in supply chains by reducing the production capacity of some essential suppliers, closure of production facilities or the absence of infected workers. In this paper, we present three decision support models for a plant manager to help in deciding on (a) the level of protection of the workforce against the spread of the virus in the absence of regional protection measures, (b) on the duration of the protection, and (c) the level of protection of the workforce with regional protection measures enforced by health authorities. These decision models are based on a SIS epidemiological model which takes into account the possibility that a worker can infect others but also that even when recovered can be infected again. The first and third models prescribe how, in time, the protection effort in terms of prophylactic measures must be deployed. The second model extends the first one as it also determines the length the protection effort must be deployed. The proposed models have been applied to the case of a meat processing plant that must satisfy the demand of a large-scale retailer. Clearly, to achieve production targets and satisfy customers' demand, plants in this labor-intensive industry rely on the number of healthy workers and the service level of suppliers. Our results indicate that these models provide managers with the tools to understand and measure the impact of an infection on production and the corresponding cost. Along the way, this work illustrates the ripple effect as suppliers affected by the pandemic are unable to fulfill the processing plant requirements and so the retailer's orders. Our findings provide normative guidance for supply chain decision support systems under risk of pandemic induced disruptions using a quantitative model-based approach.

Identifying Risks in the Cruise Supply Chain: An Empirical Study in Shanghai, China

The increased frequency and severe consequences of risks in the cruise industry have attracted increasing attention from both academics and practitioners, especially after the 2012 ‘Costa Concordia' disaster and the 2020 coronavirus outbreak on the ‘Diamond Princess'. Although the literature on risk studies associated with the cruise industry and supply-chain risk management is growing, the extant literature lacks a study to view risks in the cruise industry associated with the supply chain. This paper addresses this gap by reviewing the literature on risks related to the cruise industry and general supply-chain risks to create a framework of cruise supply-chain risks. Then, semi-structured interviews were conducted to validate the identified risks and explore potential undiscovered risks. A novel risk typology of the cruise supply chain was then built based on the literature review and the empirical study. This includes macro risks, safety, security, and health risks, information risks, and supply risks. This framework can be applied for the purpose of systematically identifying the risks and their impacts on the cruise supply chain. This paper contributes to the development of a comprehensive cruise supply-chain risk classification with a detailed explanation of each risk in the cruise supply chain, which can be used by stakeholders in the cruise industry to identify and measure the impact of each risk. Additionally, this paper provides avenues for future research by scholars interested in assessing and managing cruise supply-chain risks. © National Academy of Sciences: Transportation Research Board 2022.

How does digitalisation influence supply chain performance? Evidence from a supply chain risk management perspective

This study explores the contribution of supply chain digitalisation (SCD) to supply chain performance (SCP) via the mediating roles of SC responsiveness, resilience, and restoration (SC 3Rs) and examines the moderating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic from a risk management perspective. We surveyed 215 Chinese companies from January to April 2021 and examined the hypothesised relationships in a moderated mediation model. We find that SCD positively affects SC 3Rs, which in turn play positive mediating roles in the relationship between SCD and SCP, and that the mediating effects are stronger when pandemic impact is higher. The results of post-hoc analyses indicate that the mediating role of SC resilience is stronger than those of SC responsiveness and SC restoration. These findings enrich our understanding of how the roles of SCD and SC 3Rs vary in a turbulent context, contributing to both academic research and practice on digitalisation for a sustainable SC.

Sourcing decisions with uncertain time-dependent supply from an unreliable supplier

Recently, an increasing number of companies have encountered random production disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we investigate a two-stage supply chain in which a retailer can order products from a low-price ("cheap”) unreliable supplier (who may be subject to an uncertain production disruption and partially deliver the order) and an "expensive” reliable supplier at Stage 1 and a more "expensive” backup supplier at Stage 2. If the disruption happens, only the products that were produced before the disruption time can be obtained from the unreliable supplier. It is found that in the case with imperfect demand information updating, the unreliable supplier is always used while the reliable supplier can be abandoned. The time-dependent supply property of the unreliable supplier reduces the retailer's willingness of adopting the dual sourcing strategy at Stage 1, compared with the scenario with all-or-nothing supply. Different from the case with imperfect demand information updating, either the reliable or unreliable supplier can be abandoned in the case with perfect demand information updating. We derive the optimal ordering decisions and the conditions where single sourcing or dual sourcing is adopted at Stage 1. We conduct numerical experiments motivated by the sourcing problem of 3M Company in the US during the COVID-19 and observe that the unreliable supplier is more preferable when the demand uncertainty before or after the emergency order is higher. Interestingly, the retailer tends to order more from the unreliable supplier when the production disruption probability is larger in some cases. © 2022 The Author(s)

Blockchain technology and vaccine supply chain: Exploration and analysis of the adoption barriers in the Indian context

The vaccine distribution system, being a bio-pharmaceutical cold chain, is a complicated and sensitive system that must be effectively managed and maintained due to its direct impact on public health. However, vaccine supply chains continue to be affected by concerns, including vaccine expiry, inclusion of counterfeit vaccines, and vaccine record fraud. The blockchain technology integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) can create a solution for global vaccine distributions with improved trust, transparency, traceability, and data management, which will help monitor the cold chain, tackle counterfeit drugs, surveillance, and waste management. Several theoretical models for vaccine management with blockchain have recently been published, and a few pilot studies for COVID-19 vaccine management using blockchain have been started in India. Still, full-scale adoption of blockchain technology in vaccine distribution and management has yet to be achieved due to underlying barriers. This study explores the adoption barriers utilizing Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework with the help of extant literature and inputs from administrators, academics, immunization, and blockchain experts and then analyzed using the Delphi and fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) techniques. The finding shows that the requirement of change in organizational structure and policies is the most prominent barrier, and the barrier related to requirement of large-scale IoT infrastructure and lack of technical expertise are the most impactful barriers. The theoretical contribution of this study lies in the identification and analysis of barriers that should be addressed to achieve blockchain technology adoption in the vaccine supply chain. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.

Reforming global supply chain management under pandemics: The GREAT-3Rs framework

The recent outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed serious threats and challenges to global supply chain management (GSCM). To survive the crisis, it is critical to rethink the proper setting of global supply chains and reform many related operational strategies. We hence attempt to reform the GSCM from both supply and demand sides considering different pandemic stages (i.e., pre, during, and post-pandemic stages). In this research paper, we combine a careful literature review with real-world case studies to examine the impacts and specific challenges brought by the pandemic to global supply chains. We first classify the related literature from the demand and supply sides. Based on the insights obtained, we search publicly available information and report real practices of GSCM under COVID-19 in nine top global enterprises. To achieve responsiveness, resilience, and restoration (3Rs), we then propose the "GREAT-3Rs” framework, which shows the critical issues and measures for reforming GSCM under the three pandemic stages. In particular, the "GREAT” part of the framework includes five critical domains, namely, "government proactive policies and measures,” "redesigning global supply chains,” "economic and financing strategies under risk,” "adjustment of operations,” and "technology adoption,” to help global enterprises to survive the pandemic;"3Rs” are the outputs that can be achieved after using the "GREAT” strategies under the three pandemic stages. Finally, we establish a future research agenda from five aspects. © 2022 Production and Operations Management Society.

Is the global supply chain hard to reverse? Understanding manufacturing strategies of Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean Firms

As the Covid pandemic underscores global supply chain risks, there is a debate on whether to bring US manufacturing back from overseas. This paper provides insights into the heated debate on the global supply chain by examining the competitive manufacturing environments of China, Japan, and South Korea. More specifically, we conduct a cross-national survey and empirically investigate the manufacturing strategies employed by manufacturing managers in the top Asian players: China, Japan, and South Korea. We examine four dimensions of the manufacturing strategies: quality, inventory, flexibility, and top management involvement. Our findings indicate that Japanese manufacturers are more committed to the cumulative approach to quality management and see enhanced flexibility as a strategic priority. While Chinese managers are also committed to achieving quality, they are more delivery-driven and thus are more likely to occasionally accept slightly off-quality components from suppliers to "save” an order. However, in all three countries, managers with a high focus on quality also focus on just-in-time management and in turn, on flexibility. There is significantly less agreement among Chinese managers, compared to their Japanese and Korean counterparts, that the top management should be involved in operational planning, goal setting, and the provision of rewards. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Supplier Risk Tower: The Vigilant Eye on Supply Chains

The disruptions in international supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the importance of considering risk in supply chain management. Using an action research approach, we examine supply chain risk management at a tier-1 automotive supplier. We focus on the inbound supply risk of this supplier and introduce the new Supplier Risk Tower risk assessment. The Supplier Risk Tower combines vulnerability indices specific to the supply chain, supplier feedback on the current risk situation, and impact assessment from the tier-1's perspective. What is novel about this approach is that risk is calculated as an absolute number which provides guidance, especially for rare but severe disruptions. This approach also expands the understanding of lean management regarding the raison d'être of buffer stocks in supply chains. Because risks materialize. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

How can banks and finance companies incorporate value chain factors in their risk management strategy? The case of agro-food firms

A value chain framework for guiding the financial firms in their credit decisions is urgent, as the current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted, but missing in the extant literature, particularly for those that lend to industries sensitive to value and supply chain bottlenecks. This study creates knowledge in value chain finance, a big untapped and un-researched market. It constructs, confirms, and validates a value chain framework for assessing risks in lending to Agro and Food Processing firms in which value chain risks are major business concerns globally. To pursue the objectives of the study, we use a novel methodology that integrates the Modified Delphi technique, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and discriminant analysis. Based on testing and analysis of primary data, including loan data, a framework comprising six factors is proposed for use in conjunction with existing risk assessment models of finance companies to improve the quality of their credit decisions, contributing to their performance sustainability. © 2022 ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effects of global shocks on the evolution of an interconnected world

As the world grows more interconnected through the flows of people, goods, and information, many challenges are becoming more difficult to address since human needs are increasingly being met through global supply chains. Global shocks (e.g., war, economic recession, pandemic) can severely disrupt these interconnections and generate cascading consequences across local to global scales. To comprehensively evaluate these consequences, it is crucial to use integrated frameworks that consider multiple interconnections and flows among coupled human and natural systems. Here we use the framework of metacoupling (human–nature interactions within as well as across adjacent and distant systems) to illustrate the effects of major global shocks on the evolution of global interconnectedness between the early 1900s and the 2010s. Based on these results we make a few actionable recommendations to reduce the negative impacts of an ongoing global shock, the COVID-19 pandemic, to promote global sustainability. © 2022, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Supply chain accountability, COVID-19, and violations of workers' rights in the global clothing supply chain

Purpose: This study aims to contribute to the debate on the efficacy of softer regulations to prevent violations of workers' rights in the global clothing supply chain. Design/methodology/approach: This study draws on value trap and adverse incorporations as a theoretical lens to understand the reasons behind the continued violations of workers' rights. The empirical findings are based on an analysis of 24 semi-structured interviews with workers and owners. Extensive documentary evidence to track the plight of workers in Bangladeshi clothing factories during the pandemic. Findings: The study demonstrates how imbalances in supply chain relationships allow retailers to take advantage of the pandemic. The authors find that some retailers worsened the working conditions by cancelling orders, demanding discounts on old orders and forcing suppliers to agree to a lower price for new orders. Large brands and retailers' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic remind us that softer regulations, such as third-party audits, are likely to be ineffective given the power imbalance at the heart of the supply chain. Practical implications: The study presents a case for regulatory frameworks and intense stakeholder activism to encourage large retailers and brands to behave responsibly. This is especially important when a supply chain is value-trapped and workers are adversely incorporated and unprotected. Originality/value: Drawing on studies on adverse incorporations, value-trapped supply chains and the plight of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study offers a broader understanding of the continued violation of workers' rights and the efficacy of softer regulations. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Covid-19, disrupted vegetable supply chain and direct marketing: experiences from India

Purpose: This paper examines the impact of the Covid-19 induced lockdown on selected vegetables to confirm if the vegetable supply chain was disrupted during that period. It attempts to see if direct marketing via FPOs/FPCs helped Indian farmers to cope with adverse situations aroused in vegetable marketing. Design/methodology/approach: This study opted for mixed methods research. First, a granular data set comprising daily observation on wholesale price and the market arrival of vegetables were analysed. Descriptive statistics and Kalmogorov-Smirnov test were used to understand the severity of disruptions in the vegetable supply chain in India during the lockdown. Then, qualitative information from different stakeholders engaged in the vegetable marketing was collected through a phone survey and assessed using content analysis to comprehend how FPOs have helped farmer's during this crisis. Findings: This paper confirms disruptions in the vegetable supply chain. Quantities of chosen vegetables arriving in the mandis were significantly lower than in the previous year for all phases of lockdown. Consequently, prices were much higher than in 2019–2020 for both the lockdown and subsequent phases unlock. Results further suggest that those farmers who are already in networks of FPOs/FPCs are able to get benefited. It was also observed that direct marketing through institutional supports is being more explored in the regions where FPOs/FPCs already exist. Research limitations/implications: Since it is an exploratory study involving a small sample, the research results may lack generalisability. Originality/value: This study provides scope for direct marketing through FPOs/FPCs in improving the food supply chain. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.

An Empirical Study on Factors Impacting the Adoption of Digital Technologies in Supply Chain Management and What Blockchain Technology Could Do for the Manufacturing Sector of Bangladesh

This paper employed an integrated model for examining behavioral intention to adopt blockchain technology in the supply chain management of manufacturing industries in Bangladesh. The proposed conceptual model was empirically tested using data collected from 189 supply chain managers working in manufacturing organizations in Bangladesh. The findings suggest that perceived usefulness, trading partners' pressure, and competitive pressure are the most important determinant of behavioral intention. © 2023 Taylor & Francis.

Formation a Sustainable Supply Chain Strategy

The functioning of existing logistics supply chains was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the consequences of which have not been overcome yet. The crisis was caused by the termination of logistics operations as a result of lack of resources, as well as long delays in the supply of products from suppliers and logistics partners. The cardinal transformations which are taking place in the supply chains are also associated with the transition of all logistics operations to the digital environment. The purpose of the study is to develop a strategy for the formation of a sustainable supply chain that more comprehensive responds and effectively overcomes external influences. Redesigning of the global network, setting of the new parameters for supply chain buffers, and proactive supplier's management are aimed to overcome external influences. Rapid response to emerging logistics chain failures is achieved through end-to-end supply management, the use of an artificial intelligence-based risk management system, and planning based on forecasting, modeling and scenario development. The application of the proposed strategy for the creating of a sustainable supply chain will improve the level and quality of customer service, increase the revenue and reduce risks through the cost savings. The developed strategy for the formation of a sustainable supply chain will allow not only to monitor ongoing processes at any time, but also to correct possible changes in order to maintain the sustainability of the supply chain. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Combating Challenges in Health Care Using Blockchain

COVID-19 pandemic has enforced the launch of vaccination campaigns worldwide. Along with it, it is equally important to guarantee that the supply chain of vaccination is accessible to all stakeholders. In this research, we look at how the COVID-19 vaccination program can aid in a variety of ways. We propose a system that ensures data integrity and efficient vaccination for beneficiaries. To guarantee, the registration is done on a first-come-first-served basis, eliminating identity theft and other forms of impersonation. Our proposed system vaccination supply chain management (VSCM) uses the Blockchain technology, where smart contracts are developed to monitor and trace the distribution supply. The technique asserts safe shipping and handling of vaccinations. Also we focus on reviving the importance of existing frameworks in supply chain management systems, its wide range of applications and the challenges faced. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Embracing change in tandem: resilience and sustainability together transforming supply chains

Purpose: This article investigates how micro-foundations of sustainability can build supply chain resilience (SCRes). Specifically, by defining supply chains as social-ecological systems, this article explores how sustainability as a supplier capability leads to the transformative development of SCRes capabilities. Design/methodology/approach: Longitudinal multi-case studies were developed over the first year of the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 52 interviews were conducted with managers and employees of 12 global supplier firms as well as associated local cooperative and consultancy managers. Secondary data were also used for triangulation. An inductive approach was used for data analysis to elaborate theory through a metaphor. Findings: Nine micro-foundations of sustainability were identified and categorised using the dynamic capabilities steps: sensing, seizing and reconfiguring. They were found to move together with the preparing, responding and transforming steps of SCRes, respectively, and thus to perform as dance partners using our dance performance metaphor. Moreover, ten supplier cases were found to be adopting a transformative social-ecological perspective as they performed all key stages of our dance performance metaphor. The transformations all resulted from either institutional or social sustainability, and the associated micro-foundations generated six main SCRes capabilities, most commonly linking visibility and organisation with institutional and social sustainability respectively. Practical implications: A deeper understanding of sustainability micro-foundations is provided for supply chain managers to enhance the development of SCRes strategies in preparation for future sustainability-related crises. Originality/value: Unlike previous research, this article explores an intertwined understanding of SCRes and sustainability during a crisis. Through the micro-foundations of sustainability we explain how sustainability capability builds transformative SCRes using a supplier perspective. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Maintaining viability by rapid supply chain adaptation using a process capability index

Unpredictable disruptions of the supply chain, as they have been caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, require a rapid adaptation of the supply chain, i.e., the reconfiguration of processes and structures to re-establish resilience and maintain viability. Promising reconfigurations need to be identified and assessed regarding anticipatable supply chain performance and costs. Nevertheless, a comprehensive comparison of all potential reconfigurations is difficult as several objectives need to be aligned. To support a rapid preselection of the most promising ones, this paper presents the novel approach of a Supply Chain Resilience Analysis (SCRA), which allows to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of supply chain reconfigurations under disruption to ensure long-term recovery. Key concept of the SCRA is the combination of all relevant metrics into a single Supply Chain Resilience Index (SCRI) that builds upon an adapted process capability index (PCI). The PCI is usually applied in quality management of production processes to assess if a process adheres to specified limits of quality characteristics. In combination with a digital twin of the supply chain, the SCRA methodology can be applied for an automatic pre-selection of supply chain reconfigurations. For verification and validation of the developed methodology and its index, the presented methodology has been applied in a use case of an automotive supply chain. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd

The role of blockchain technology in the transition toward the circular economy: Findings from a systematic literature review

The circular economy (CE) has emerged as a paradigm to protect the environment and the well-being of future generations. In parallel, Blockchain technology (BC) has emerged as a critical enabler for accelerating the transition toward a CE. In order to understand and summarize prior research on the role of BC in the CE, we conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) of 70 seminal articles published before July 2022. Six main themes emerged: a) CE approaches and practices, b) BC and the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), c) sustainable supply chain management, d) BC and the CE in the COVID-19 era, e) sector-specific BC applications, and f) barriers to BC adoption in the CE. Furthermore, we develop a comprehensive framework that integrates stakeholders, strategies and practices, industrial sectors and a BC-enabled CE. © 2022 The Author(s)

Enhancing sustainable supply chain performance by adopting sustainable lean six sigma-Industry 4.0 practices

PurposeThe Sustainable Lean Six Sigma (SLSS) adoption approach, advancements in Internet technologies and the use of Industry4.0 technologies has resulted in faster customer need fulfilment. The Industry4.0 technologies have resulted in a new paradigm where strategic and operational decisions are in favour of profitability and long-term viability. The purpose of this study is to identify Industry4.0-SLSS practices and sustainable supply chain performance metrics, as well as to develop a framework for decision-makers and managers to make supply chains more sustainable.Design/methodology/approachThe 33 Industry4.0-SLSS practices and 24 performance metrics associated with the sustainable supply chain are shortlisted based on extensive literature review and expert opinion. The Pythagorean Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (PF-AHP) approach is used to evaluate the weights of Industry4.0-SLSS practices after collecting expert panel opinions. The Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) methodology used these weights to rank performance metrics.FindingsAccording to the results of PF-AHP, "Product development competencies (PDC)" are first in the class of major criteria, followed by "Advanced technological competencies (ATC)" second, "Organisational management competencies (OMC)" third, "Personnel and sustainable competencies (PSC)" fourth and "Soft Computing competencies (SCC)" fifth. The performance metric "Frequency of NPD" was ranked first by the WASPAS method.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed paradigm helps practitioners to comprehend Industry4.0 technology and SLSS practices well. The identified practices have the potential to boost the sustainability and supply chain's performance. Organizational effectiveness will benefit from practices that promote a sustainable supply chain and the use of developing technology. Managers can evaluate performance using performance metrics that have been prioritized.Originality/valueThe present study is one of the unique attempts to establish a framework for enhancing the performance of the sustainable supply chain. The idea of establishing Industry4.0-SLSS practices and performance measures is the authors' original contribution.

Dynamic capabilities in the "new normal”: a study of organizational flexibility, integration and agility in the Peruvian coffee supply chain

Purpose: Considering the unprecedented supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the agri-food sector, the possession of dynamic capabilities (DCs) – particularly, the need for higher agility – seems to be the key to survival in highly uncertain environments. This study aims to use the dynamic capability view (DCV) theory to analyze how three key supply chain capabilities – organizational flexibility, integration and agility – should be combined to obtain the desired supply chain performance. Design/methodology/approach: The authors designed a conceptual model in which the relationships between these three key capabilities and supply chain performance were hypothesized. The model was first tested through partial least square regression using survey data collected from 98 members of the Peruvian coffee supply chain. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was conducted to uncover how DCs could be combined in successful supply chain configurations. Findings: The authors show that organizational flexibility is a driver of higher agility in agri-food supply chains, together with external and internal supply chain integration, that have a direct impact on agility, which positively affects supply chain performance. Higher levels of supply chain agility are necessary but insufficient to guarantee high performance, as sufficiency is reached when both integration (internal and/or external) and agility are present. Originality/value: This study represents a pioneering attempt to apply the DCV theory to agri-food supply chains – characterized by many sources of uncertainty. All the DCs are included within the same model and the joint use of PLS regression and fsQCA provides evidence about the relationships between DCs and how they can empower agri-food supply to obtain the desired performance. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.