Ammar Mohamed Aamer

Bio: Ammar Mohamed Aamer is an academic researcher from University of Tennessee. The author has contributed to research in topics: Supply chain & Computer science. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 19 publications receiving 123 citations.

Data Analytics in the Supply Chain Management: Review of Machine Learning Applications in Demand Forecasting

Abstract: In today’s fast-paced global economy coupled with the availability of mobile internet and social networks, several business models have been disrupted. This disruption brings a whole list of opportunities and challenges for organizations and the domain of supply chain management. Given big data availability, data analytics is needed to convert data into meaningful information, which plays an important role in supply chain management. One of the disruptive data analytics techniques that are predicted to impact growth, employment, and inequality in the market is automation of knowledge work, better known as machine learning. In this paper, we focused on comprehensively overviewing machine learning applications in demand forecasting and underlying its potential role in improving the supply chain efficiency. A total of 1870 papers were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science databases based on our string query related to machine learning. A reduced total of 79 papers focusing on demand forecasting were comprehensively reviewed and used for the analysis in this study. The result showed that neural networks, artificial neural networks, support vector regression, and support vector machine were among the most widely used algorithms in demand forecasting with 27%, 22%, 18%, and 10%, respectively. This accounted for 77% of the total reviewed articles. Most of the machine learning application (65%) was applied in the industry sector, and a limited number of articles (5%) discussed the agriculture sector. This paper's practical implication is in exposing the current machine learning issues in the industry to help stakeholders and decision-makers better plan transformation actions.

The internet of things in the food supply chain: adoption challenges

Abstract: Purpose: The food supply chain (FSC) challenges coupled with global disruptions, such as the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, exacerbate its vulnerability The Internet of things (IoT) is one of the disruptive technologies being adopted in food supply chain management (FSCM) This study aims to address the challenges of IoT adoption in the FSC by systematically analyzing the prior pertinent literature Design/methodology/approach: A structured literature review was used to collate a list of peer-reviewed and relevant publications A total of 72 out of 210 articles were selected for the final evaluation Findings: The literature review findings suggest five themes: technical, financial, social, operational, educational and governmental related challenges A total of 15 challenges were devised from the review related literature of IoT adoption The study concludes with future research recommendations for scholars and practical implications for practitioners Research limitations/implications: While this study focuses on the overall FSC, further research should address other domains in the FSC such as cold supply chain, agriculture and perishable food to gain a better contextual understanding of the specific case Originality/value: The topic of IoT adoption in the FSCM is still considered emerging Therefore, the present work contributes to the limited studies and documentation on the level of IoT implementation in the FSCM This study should help organizations to assimilate how to adopt and manage the IoT application by addressing the factors and challenges presented in this research © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

Outsourcing in non-developed supplier markets: a lean thinking approach

Abstract: The benefits organisations can gain from outsourcing include cost savings and higher levels of innovation. On the other hand, outsourcing drawbacks include potential operations and performance issu...

TQM implementation in a least developed country: an exploratory study of Yemen

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the TQM readiness level of Yemeni Organizations. In addition, this study compares the level of readiness between the various Yemeni organizations. Design/methodology/approach Based on the TQM literature, related and relevant information had been gathered to develop an assessment tool used in this research. The main content of the assessment focused on statements related to the most common TQM principles. Data were collected by an assessment team and analyzed using quantitative methods to answer the related research questions. Findings The analysis results showed some of the TQM principles were being practiced by Yemeni organizations, to some extent, and with variant levels. The most widely practiced principle was customer focus, and the lowest principle practiced was continuous improvement. Also, the data showed the level of TQM readiness in Yemeni organizations was 58.93 percent. This level of TQM readiness indicates there is a potential for successful adoption of quality management standards and models in Yemeni organizations. Research limitations/implications This study extends previous limited research in TQM readiness level measurement. It also adds to the body of TQM knowledge within the context of Yemen. In addition, this study contributes to the understanding of TQM implementation in an least developed countries (LDC) environment, where LDC organizational culture has its particularities on implementing TQM. Originality/value This paper contributes to a better understanding of TQM in an LDC country, which is Yemen. The paper points out which of the TQM principles are important to potential adoption of quality management standards and models. This study could further expand research, regarding the TQM in Yemen.

A Theory/Experience Description of Support Effects in Carbon-Supported Catalysts.

Abstract: The support plays an important role for supported metal catalysts by positioning itself as a macromolecular ligand, which conditions the nature of the active site and contributes indirectly but also sometimes directly to the reactivity. Metal species such as nanoparticles, clusters, or single atoms can be deposited on carbon materials for various catalytic reactions. All the carbon materials used as catalyst support constitute a large family of compounds that can vary both at textural and at structural levels. Today, the recent developments of well-controlled synthesis methodologies, advanced characterization techniques, and modeling tools allow one to correlate the relationships between metal/support/reactant at the molecular level. Based on these considerations, in this Review article, we wish to provide some answers to the question "How and why anchoring metal nanoparticles, clusters, or single atoms on carbon materials for catalysis?". To do this, we will rely on both experimental and theoretical studies. We will first analyze what sites are available on the surface of a carbon support for the anchoring of the active phase. Then, we will describe some important effects in catalysis inherent to the presence of a carbon-type support (metal-support interaction, confinement, spillover, and surface functional group effects). These effects will be commented on by putting into perspective catalytic results obtained in numerous reactions of thermal catalysis, electrocatalysis, or photocatalysis.

Analysis of the innovation strategies for green supply chain management in the energy industry using the QFD-based hybrid interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy decision approach

Abstract: This study aims to analyze the innovation strategies for the green supply chain management with QFD (quality function deployment) multidimensionally. The novelty of the study is to define the criteria of green supply chain for each stage of QFD and propose a hybrid model by IVIF (interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy) DEMATEL (decision making trial and evaluation laboratory) and IVIF MOORA (Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis) respectively. The results demonstrate that understanding the customer expectations with customer relation management is the most important innovation strategy for the green supply chain management in energy industry with the consecutive stages of QFD whereas benchmarking the competitive market environment has relatively the last seat in the ranking. Hence, it is recommended that energy companies should have an effective customer relationship management. In this context, these companies should make a detailed analysis to learn what their customers directly expect from them. With the help of this issue, these companies should generate their product and services based on these expectations. Additionally, it is also stated that new service and product development is also essential for energy companies to improve their innovativeness. For this purpose, a research and development department should be created, and the qualified people should be employed. Additionally, different opinions should be collected from various parties, such as customers, employees, and suppliers. Since customers who are satisfied will prefer these companies, the energy companies can catch the opportunity to increase their market share.

Graphane: a two-dimensional hydrocarbon

Abstract: We predict the stability of an extended two-dimensional hydrocarbon on the basis of first-principles total-energy calculations. The compound that we call graphane is a fully saturated hydrocarbon derived from a single graphene sheet with formula CH. All of the carbon atoms are in $s{p}^{3}$ hybridization forming a hexagonal network and the hydrogen atoms are bonded to carbon on both sides of the plane in an alternating manner. Graphane is predicted to be stable with a binding energy comparable to other hydrocarbons such as benzene, cyclohexane, and polyethylene. We discuss possible routes for synthesizing graphane and potential applications as a hydrogen storage material and in two-dimensional electronics.

Prioritizing the barriers of TQM implementation from the perspective of garment sector in developing countries

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relative importance of different total quality management (TQM) implementation barriers in the context of Readymade Garment (RMG) industries in Bangladesh. Present study has developed a hierarchical framework of several TQM barriers to assess their importance. Expert opinions from RMG industries have been taken to evaluate the importance of one barrier over another.,Methodology adopted in this study to find out the rank of different TQM barriers is fuzzy analytic hierarchy process.,The study shows that, according to order, inappropriate planning of TQM implementation program, lack of financial support, lack of employee training, lack of empowerment of employees, lack of sufficient physical resources, etc. are critical barriers and hampering the successful implementation of TQM program in this sector.,This study has both theoretical and practical implications. It has found out strong and weak contribution of different barriers during TQM implementation. Therefore, this finding will strengthen the knowledge of successful implementation of TQM and will further enrich the existing literature in the context of manufacturing industries in developing countries. Moreover, this finding will also help the decision makers in preparing an effective plan for successful implementation of TQM by utilizing limited resources.,Moreover, our results will aid the managers of RMG sector to find the weight of importance of different barriers. Accordingly, they will make a plan to overcome the major TQM barriers which will increase the success rate of TQM implementation. Every Successful program will bring business excellence. These findings could be a guideline for TQM implementation program in developing countries.,Present study possesses some significant values. First, so far our knowledge go, no other study has developed a hierarchical structure of TQM barrier on the basis of overall change needed within the organization for TQM implementation. Second, this study could be a good guideline for TQM implementation program in RMG sector in developing countries.