Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on sustainable food supply chains

PurposeThe ongoing pandemic has gravely affected different facets of society and economic trades worldwide. During the outbreak, most manufacturing and service sectors were closed across the globe except for essential commodities such as food and medicines. Consequently, recent literature has focused on studying supply chain resilience and sustainability in different pandemic contexts. This study aims to add to the existing literature by exploring the economic, environmental and societal aspects affecting the food supply chain and assessing the impact of COVID-19 on food sustainability.Design/methodology/approachA survey method has been adopted with a questionnaire instrument investigating the role of technology, government policies, geopolitics and intermediaries on sustainable organisational management. A five-point Likert scale (i.e. 1 = strongly disagree;5 = strongly agree) is used to evaluate the responses. The findings are based on 131 responses from entry-level workers and senior executives of different food supply chains across Asia and Europe. The data has been analysed to derive insights into the impacts of this pandemic.FindingsThe survey concludes with the significant impact of COVID-19 on the three pillars of sustainability, i.e. economic, social and environmental dimensions. The empirical analysis shows digitalisation and its applications help mitigate the negative effect of COVID-19 on sustainability. In addition, the supportive government policies and intermediatory interventions were helpful in improving sustainability at each level.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings have implications for businesses and policymakers. Companies can learn from the advantages of digitalisation to counter the challenges imposed by the pandemic or similar situations in the future in maintaining the sustainability of their supply chains. Managers can also learn the importance of effective organisational management in driving sustainability. Finally, policymakers can devise policies to support businesses in adopting sustainable practices in their supply chains.Originality/valueThis study adds to the limited literature exploring the impact of COVID-19 on food supply chain sustainability through the triple bottom line lens. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is also one of the first empirical studies to examine the effect of technology, government and organisational management practices on the sustainability of food supply chains.

The effects of supply chain viability on supply chain performance and marketing performance in case of large manufacturing firm in Ethiopia

Goal: COVID-19 has put the supply chain (SC) through exceptional shocks and disruptions that have never been seen before. It put existing SCs' capabilities to a severe test. Moreover, due to the pandemic, demand and supply have been imbalanced, which has led to questions about societal and SC survivability. This study examines the effects of firms' SC viability on SC and marketing performance.<br />Design/Methodology/Approach: An explanatory research design was employed to examine the relationship between the antecedents of SC viability, SC, and marketing performance using partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM). Moreover, 5-point Likert scale questionnaires are used as a data collection instrument.<br />Results: The finding shows that both SC resilience, SC agility, and sustainable SC have a positive effect on SC performance. Further, SC viability [SC resilience + SC agility + sustainable SCJ has a positive effect on SC performance. SC performance also play partial mediation between SC viability and marketing performance.<br />Limitations of the investigation: The study focused only on a limited number of large manufacturing companies in Ethiopia, which excluded other medium- and small-sized firms due to the ongoing war in the northern part of the country. Moreover, the study focused only on one dimension of sustainability (social aspect).<br />Practical Implications: The study shows firms that the traditional risk assessment methods are insufficient and will no longer be enough to overcome severe disruption. Instead, the study recommends firms work using anticipatory failure determination (AFD) and a red teaming approach to prepare for 'unknown unknown' events. Besides, the study brings a practical and holistic model that shows the relationship between SC viability and SC and marketing performance.<br />Originality/Value: None of the studies so far in SC have tested the concepts of viability systems in SCM by adopting from disciplines such as ecological modeling, biological, and cybernetics using PLS-SEM. Consequently, it contributes to existing literature by showing new empirical evidence of a strong relationship between SC viability, SC performance, and marketing performance.

Adoption of blockchain technology enabled healthcare sustainable supply chain to improve healthcare supply chain performance

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant and worldwide influence on healthcare delivery, and it has significantly increased the pace at which digital technology is being used. Blockchain, one of these developing digital technologies, is distinguished by a number of properties. This study focuses on a blockchain-enabled healthcare supply chain. The purpose of this work is to investigate how blockchain technology (BCT) benefits the performance of healthcare supply chain management (HSCM).Design/methodology/approachThe present study is based on the empirical research. Blockchain Technology (BCT), Healthcare Sustainable Supply Chain Practices (HSSCP), Healthcare Supply Chain Performance (HSCP) and Stakeholders' Involvement (SI) practices are identified from the literature review and hypotheses are framed to check their interrelationship. For testing of hypothesis, a questionnaire was developed. Data collection was done by healthcare professionals via Google docs. The IBM SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyze the data and IBM SPSS AMOS 22.0 software was used for the development of structural modal. The data was collected through the Google form from the stakeholders of healthcare sector and analyzed through Structural Equation Modelling.FindingsThis research is focused on adoption of BCT enabled Healthcare Sustainable Supply Chain to improve HSCP. From the result, it had been found that BCT is positively effecting the stakeholder's involvement (SI) and HSSCP practices. Cumulatively, they positively impact the performance of HSCP. From this study, it is found that adoption of BCT enabled Healthcare Sustainable Supply Chain succours to combat COVID-19 situation.Originality/valueThis study attempts to show the potential benefits of the adoption of BCT enabled HSSCP to improve HSCP.

Validity and reliability of sustainable supply chain management frameworks in Indian smart manufacturing industries

PurposeSustainable supply chain management (SSCM) ensures integration of socially, environmentally and economically feasible practices in entire supply chain. SSCM principles can be implemented to improve efficiency and productivity of a system by different attributes of the system. The purpose of this article is to identify the most appropriate existing (SSCM) framework that can be implemented suitably in Indian smart manufacturing industries.Design/methodology/approachValidity and reliability analysis on the existing SSCM frameworks was carried out with the help of empirical data collected using questionnaire survey methodology from various Indian smart manufacturing organizations. The empirical data were gathered from various experts from top- and middle-level management in different smart manufacturing organizations across the country. Further, factor analysis was carried on the collected data to estimate the unidimensionality of each SSCM frameworks. Cronbach's alpha value was used to assess reliability of each framework. Subsequently, the frequency distribution analysis was done to obtain familiar elements in the segregated frameworks based on validity and reliability analysis.FindingsThe work observed that only five SSCM frameworks have shown unidimensionality in terms of the elements or constructs. The work further found that these segregated frameworks have not shown sufficiently high level of reliability. Additionally, this work attempted frequency distribution analysis and observed that there were very few elements which were being repeatedly used in numerous frameworks proposed by researchers. Based on the findings of this work, the work concluded that there is acute need of a new SSCM framework for Indian smart manufacturing industries.Research limitations/implicationsThis study gathered empirical data from 388 Indian smart manufacturing organizations. Thus, before generalizing the findings of the study across the sectors, there is a possibility of some more explication.Originality/valueThe main purpose of this article is to explore the feasibility of the existing SSCM frameworks in Indian smart manufacturing sector. The study also assumes that the manufacturing managers and executives may have the complete understanding on the existing sustainable manufacturing frameworks and a chance to executing proper suitable framework in the respective manufacturing organization.

The effects of digital innovations and sustainable supply chain management on business competitive performance post-COVID-19

Purpose: Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices and green entrepreneurial preference (GEP) have gained increasing attention from academicians;however, their impacts on business' competitive performance (BCP) post-coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) remain unclear. Although SSCM is vital for supporting BCP, the previous publications indicate the absence of significant relationships among GEP, SSCM and BCP. This study tries to fill this literature gap by investigating if GEP and SSCM can shape BCP. This study also suggests the moderation effect of digital innovations such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics (AIBD) on those relationships from a COVID-19 viewpoint. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 245 Halal food firms in Yemen, and the research framework was assessed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings: The empirical findings show that there are significant impacts of GEP on SSCM and subsequently on BCP. The findings also reveal that SSCM practice mediates GEP-BCP link. Besides, digital innovations such as AIBD positively moderate the link of GEP-SSCM. Originality/value: This study is the first attempt that advises Halal food firms to formally adopt GEP, SSCM and digital innovations to boost BCP, especially in uncertain times like post-COVID-19. Unlike earlier studies that observe SSCM usage as a direct predictor of firm performance, this study delivers an innovative insight that digital innovations can assist in GEP and SSCM incorporation in the in-house operations of the firms post-COVID-19. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Supply chain resilience strategies and their impact on sustainability: an investigation from the automobile sector

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to propose a framework comprising supply chain (SC) resilience strategies to handle low-frequency high impact disruptive events. This study also evaluates the impact of SC resilience strategies' implementation on the triple bottom line of SC sustainability.Design/methodology/approachA hybrid three-phased method is proposed to meet the research objectives of this study. In the first phase, this study uses the Delphi technique to select SC resilience strategies and SC sustainability dimensions. In the second phase, the best–worst method is used to assess the relative weights of resilience strategies. Finally, in the third stage, summative Likert scoring is used to understand the impact of SC resilience strategies on the SC sustainability triple bottom line.FindingsThe outcomes reveal that firms give due importance to inter-organizational relationships and supplier nearness for supply continuity. In the sustainability context, the obtained scores proved that resilience strategies have the maximum impact on economic sustainability, followed by environmental sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that examines aspects of SC resilience strategies and quantifies their impact on the triple bottom line of SC sustainability. This study is specific to the automobile sector;sectoral diversity may expose similarities and dissimilarities in the approach.Practical implicationsThe outcome establishes that supplier–manufacturer relationships need to be strengthened further to tackle any future uncertainties. Besides, supplier location decisions may also be revisited. The strategies proposed will aid SC managers to make informed decisions to prepare for uncertain events.Originality/valueIn the face of uncertain events, often SCs trade-off sustainability in pursuit of resilience. It manifests that resilience is a prerequisite for SC sustainability. While planning SCs, organizations often choose either sustainability or resilience. Thus, this study acknowledges the need to develop effective SC resilience strategies that are in harmony with the sustainability agenda.

Optimizing firm's supply chain resilience in data-driven business environment

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of a firm's supply chain capabilities on supply chain resilience, and the impact of supply chain resilience on sustainable supply chain performance in a data-driven business environment. The study also aims to explore the function of supply chain resilience in mediating the relationship between a firm's supply chain capability and sustainable supply chain performance.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were acquired through a survey of 310 managers of small- and medium-sized businesses in a variety of industries across Bangladesh. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.FindingsA firm's supply chain capabilities include information technology, leadership and collaboration. Supply chain capability is positively associated with supply chain resilience. The resilience of a firm's supply chain is also positively correlated with its sustainable supply chain performance. Supply chain resilience plays a mediating role in the relationship between a firm's supply chain capabilities and its sustainable supply chain performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides a theoretical contribution by corroborating practical knowledge focusing on firms' supply chain capability, supply chain resilience and sustainable supply chain performance by using a resource-based view and dynamic capability theory – a relevant and unexplored subject in the supply chain literature – and proposes several opportunities for future research.Practical implicationsThe results highlight the study's managerial and social relevance from the perspective of firms in developing countries. As firms shift toward an online environment, managers and decision-makers need to make strategic decisions, as they did to overcome the challenges presented by COVID-19.Originality/valueThe study's findings demonstrate that firms' supply chain capabilities can be leveraged to increase supply chain resilience. Firms' resilience during COVID-19 allowed them to avoid losses and to improve their supply chain's sustainable performance. To the best of the authors' knowledge, their complex higher order model is a unique contribution to the literature on firms' supply chain capability and extends previous research on this topic.

Does the market value sustainable supply chain management? New evidence from the outbreak of COVID-19

This study aims to determine why a firm would ever engage in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) during a turbulent era. Combining stakeholder theory, the resource-based view, and the literature on SSCM, we argue that SSCM can alleviate negative market reactions to severe external crises. Based on analyses of a sample of firms listed in China from 2019 to 2020, the results robustly display a positive relationship between SSCM and the abnormal returns surrounding the outbreak of COVID-19. The findings of this study extend the supply chain literature by constituting an important addition in external crisis times rather than only in normal times.JEL Classification: M14

A Mixed-Method Approach to Determine the Successful Factors Affecting the Criticality Level of Intermediate and Final Products on National Basis: A Case Study from Saudi Arabia

COVID-19, Brexit, war, and some other similar cases will leave/have left us with a lesson that has had an impact on the supply chains of almost all product types. Countries have now recognized that some products cannot be sustained in a situation of uncertainty. This research covers the gap in understanding and identifying the successful factors affecting the criticality level of supply required of intermediate and final products (IFP) at the national level. It investigates the relationship between two factors: the casual factor supply risk (independent factor);and the impacted (dependent factors) political, economic, sociocultural, and technological (PEST) factors in terms of identifying critical products using the principle of Resource Dependency Theory (RDT). A literature review was conducted, followed by a mixed-method approach. Semi-structured interviews with 23 Saudi experts were carried out initially;then, a questionnaire was shared with 152 Saudi experts in different sectors. The qualitative study identified 30 key measurement variables for both factors, in which 19 variables were confirmed using the factor analysis (FA) technique. © 2023 by the authors.

Optimization of Collaborative Transport and Distribution Strategies: Trends and Research Opportunities

During the last two decades, global market competitiveness has reached higher levels between companies operating worldwide. A situation that results from the new growing trends of globalization, the effects of the COVID19 pandemic on the whole world, and sustainability challenges. So, to maintain a sustainable supply chain in the current context, many enterprises choose to invest in logistic collaborations with presumed partners. Hence, logistic collaboration seems to be an efficient solution for companies willing to share their resources in order to reduce transport costs, CO2 emissions, congestion along with traffic accidents. 73 scientific articles have been collected and studied as part of a systematic literature review about optimization of collaborative transport and distribution strategies. So, this study aims to analyze the existing literature on this topic to find gaps and opportunities for future research. The results highlight the most to the less studied types of collaboration and trending resolution techniques used. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

The COVID-19 pandemic as a window of opportunity for more sustainable and circular supply chains

The COVID-19 pandemic is a microcosm for future challenges and crises. The greatest of these challenges is the climate crisis and the potential collapse of our Earth system. However, crises may also provide opportunities to transition to more sustainable futures. In our study, we qualitatively analyze statements of a heterogeneous group of 46 experts from academia, industry, government, and organized civil society to explore inasmuch experts perceived the pandemic as a window of opportunity for more sustainable supply chains (SCs) and what they consider opportunities, challenges, and necessary actions for more sustainable circular SCs. Our study contributes to current and future studies on the opportunities in times of crisis and the actions needed to overcome SCs vulnerabilities, thereby increasing the resiliency, circularity, and sustainability of SCs. © 2023 The Authors

Using emerging technologies to improve the sustainability and resilience of supply chains in a fuzzy environment in the context of COVID-19.

In rapidly changing business conditions, it has become extremely important to ensure the sustainability of supply chains and further improve the resiliency to those events, such as COVID-19, that can cause unexpected disruptions in the value supply chain. Although globalized supply chains have already been criticized for lack of control over sustainability and resilience of supply chain operations, these issues have become more prevalent in the uncertain environment driven by COVID-19. The use of emerging technologies such as blockchain, Industry 4.0 analytics model and artificial intelligence driven methods are aimed at increasing the sustainability and resilience of supply chains, especially in an uncertain environment. In this context, this research aims to identify the problematic areas encountered in building a resilient and sustainable supply chain in the pre-COVID-19 era and during COVID-19, and to offer solutions to those problematic areas tackled by an appropriate emerging technology. This research has been contextualized in the automotive industry; this industry has a complex supply chain structure and is one of the sectors most affected by COVID-19. Based on the findings, the most important problematic areas encountered in SSCM pre-COVID-19 are determined as supply chain traceability, demand planning and production management as well as purchasing process planning based on cause and effect groups. The most important issues to be addressed during COVID-19 are top management support, purchasing process planning and supply chain traceability, respectively.

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.

Assembly process based on supply chain management of prefabricated houses using BIM

The assembly of modular containers using building information modelling (BIM) technologies was studied. The purpose of this study was to analyse the literature on prefabricated (prefab) houses and explore the concept of creating a digital prototype of a building based on Huoshenshan hospital using Autodesk Revit software. This hospital was constructed to treat Covid-19 patients in early 2020. The article describes the methodology of installing modular containers and assembly structures using BIM technologies for rapid construction. The results of this study showed that building object implementation depends directly on a proper model with a step-by-step mechanism for installation. Due to the supply of prefab structures at the construction site, both initial project cost and project time can be reduced. Prefab house technology demonstrated the high efficiency of using BIM technology in the assembly of Huoshenshan hospital, which was constructed in 10 days. The need for information modelling data exchange with modern technology and systems, which allows the team to become acquainted with the project before installation work starts at the construction site, is investigated.

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.

Sustainable and resilient e-commerce under COVID-19 pandemic: a hybrid grey decision-making approach.

E-commerce saw a paradigm shift during COVID. Consumers turned to online shopping when pandemic lockdowns caused brick-and-mortar stores to shut for extended periods. Although the pandemic drove more buyers online, it had negative impacts that affected e-commerce performance. This study assesses both positive and negative impacts and their relative significance. The findings are then used to prioritize different strategies for e-commerce development in four vibrant Middle Eastern economies: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. The study employs a hybrid approach incorporating grey analytical hierarchy process (GAHP) and grey relational analysis (GRA). The GAHP evaluates the relative significance of impacts, whereas the GRA ranks the strategies. The study is based on the responses from 36 local e-commerce specialists. The findings revealed that the supply chain disruption was a rather significant factor, and that "expanding supplier base" was a top-ranked strategy. The study suggests that increasing market share of e-commerce will necessitate the improvement of the supply chains, including the expansion of the supply base, as well as the establishment of sustainable supply chains. In addition to that, the moment has come to implement meaningful changes, such as digital transformation of supply chains, in order to fulfil customer expectations.

B2B firms' Supply Chain Resilience Orientation in achieving Sustainable Supply Chain Performance

The present research investigates the influence of B2B firms' supply chain resilience orientation on achieving sustainable supply chain performance via firms' adaptive capability. Furthermore, this research also tests the moderating role of B2B firms' customer engagement between adaptive capability and sustainable supply chain performance. The proposed conceptual model was analyzed using Partial Least Squares (PLS)-Structured Equation Modeling (SEM) by applying survey data collected from 276 samples of 138 B2B firms. Our results indicate that B2B firms' supply chain resilience orientation positively and significantly affects sustainable supply chain performance via B2B firms' adaptive capability. Based on our analysis, the positive effect of B2B firms' adaptive capability on sustainable supply chain performance is evident only in high customer engagement. Drawing from the literature and theoretical paradigm, the first contribution of this study is the formation of a conceptual model of sustainable supply chain performance in the context of B2B firms. The second key contribution is examining how B2B firms' adaptive capability is influenced by both B2B firms' supply chain resilience orientation and sustainable supply chain performance. The outcome of this study also adds further theoretical insight by analyzing the moderating effect of B2B firms' customer engagement on the relationship between adaptive capability and sustainable supply chain performance. The findings from this research play a significant role in understanding the importance of next-generation supply chains that require B2B firms to invest considerable resources in achieving sustainable supply chain performance to remain competitive in their respective industry. Therefore, B2B firms need to embrace supply chain resilience orientation to achieve sustainable supply chain performance in response to the pandemic resulting from COVID-19.

The Effect of Digital Transformation on the Pharmaceutical Sustainable Supply Chain Performance: The Mediating Role of Information Sharing and Traceability Using Structural Equation Modeling

As the global pharmaceutical market continues to expand, the demand for pharmaceutical supply chain is increasing. In the context of "Industry 4.0”, the pharmaceutical supply chain sector needs to accelerate digital construction. Pharmaceutical companies need to strengthen risk management in order to cope with supply disruptions. From the perspective of sustainable development, the pharmaceutical supply chain can achieve sustainable supply performance in social, economic and environmental dimensions through digital transformation. There is a lack of research on digital transformation of pharmaceutical supply chain management. Further research is needed on what specific digital management pharmaceutical companies need to enhance to improve supply performance. This study uses empirical analysis to examine the impact of digital transformation on sustainable supply chain performance and to explore the role of information sharing and traceability as mediators. The aim is to guide the pharmaceutical supply chain to clearly manage the development of digital transformation and obtain sustainable supply performance. This study presents hypotheses based on cutting-edge theoretical findings. In total, 298 Chinese pharmaceutical company supply chain managers were surveyed and Structural equation analysis was conducted using SPSS26.0 and AMOS24.0. The results show that digital transformation significantly and positively impacts sustainable supply chain performance. Traceability plays a mediating role. The mediating role of information sharing is not significant. However, information sharing and traceability as two separate trends can have synergistic effects that together affect sustainable supply performance. The conclusion is that the pharmaceutical supply chain should accelerate digital construction, eliminate the uneven development of digital technology among supply chain members, and reduce the impact of technological uncertainty on performance. Companies are enhancing supply chain security management through information sharing and traceability systems, and are continuously focusing on the role of digital transformation as a driver for sustainable development.

Performance Measurement of the Sustainable Supply Chain During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A real-life case study

This paper aims to introduce a framework to measure the sustainable performance of the supply chain (SC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SC stakeholders in this investigation are Suppliers, Production / Remanufacturing / Refurbishing Centers (Factories), Collection / Distribution Centers, Recycling / Landfill Centers, and Customers. The suggested sustainable supply chain (SSC) performance measurement included three pillars with 23 indicators. To evaluate the overall sustainability of the SC understudy, a composite index has been developed that combines all the indicators to reflect the sustainability performance of the SC. Four steps are involved in creating a composite index:1) measuring the value of indicators, 2) weighing indicators, 3) Using the normalization technique, and 4) Evaluating the overall SSC indicator. The real case in Iran is selected as an illustrative case. Our research contributions are: We suggested a novelty indicator of SSC to better show the economic, environmental, and social tradeoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. We have found and measured the negative and positive impacts of COVID-19 on aspects of sustainability in SC. Based on the achieved data of the real case study, a numerical example is represented to explain how to calculate the composite index. The main contribution of this paper is the development of SSC indicators during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Assembly process based on supply chain management of prefabricated houses using building information modeling

The paper analyzes the assembly process by the example of assembly-modular containers using building information modeling technologies. This paper simulates a 3D model of the Huoshenshan Hospital with a description of the assembly mechanism process based on information modeling of prefabricated buildings. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the sources on prefabricated houses and explore the concept of creating a digital prototype of a building based on Huoshenshan Hospital, using the Autodesk Revit software. The article describes the methodology of installing modular containers and assembly structures using building information modeling technologies to improve rapid construction technology. The study results showed that building object implementation directly depends on a proper model with a step-by-step mechanism for installation, which can reduce the initial project cost due to the supply of prefabricated structures on the construction site, as well as reduce the project time. The prefabricated house technology demonstrated the high efficiency of using information technology in the assembly of the Huoshenshan Hospital, with which the simulated facility was implemented in 10 days. The need for information modeling data exchange with modern gadgets and systems is investigated, which allows one to get acquainted with the object at the construction site before installation work start. © 2022 ICE Publishing: All rights reserved.