The adoption of blockchain technology (BCT) in a supply chain holds great potential for textile industries by executing transactions among stakeholders in a most reliable and verifiable way. Textile industries in emerging economies, like Pakistan, confront severe economic pressures and uncertain environment and strive to achieve sustainable supply chain excellence through blockchain implementation. This study is an initiative to analyze the key barriers in adopting BCT-related practices within the textile industry. This study conducts an extensive review of the literature using fuzzy Delphi approach for finalizing the barriers and applied fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) for prioritizing the barriers under uncertain environment. Based on the extensive review of the literature and panel discussions with experts, a total of five main barriers and 21 sub-barriers were categorized and ranked. The results and findings prioritize technological and system-related barriers (TSB) first, and human resources and R&D (HRB) barriers second among the other barrier dimensions. This paper highlights the need for an inclusive understanding of the various technological, environmental, and socio-economic perspectives to create blockchain applications that work for the textile sector. This study’s key findings and policy guidelines can assist concerned stakeholders in making strategic decisions for adopting BCT within the textile supply chain. The managerial implications are provided for the industrial decision-makers and policymakers aiming to integrate BCT into the supply chain processes. Presently, there exists no research in the context of Pakistan that highlights the challenges faced during the adoption of BCT in the supply chain. For this purpose, an approach in the form of an integrated model based on fuzzy set theory is developed. Finally, the robustness of the proposed model is checked through sensitivity analysis.

/pdf/devising-a-mechanism-for-analyzing-the-barriers-of-3p4fmbom.pdf

Devising a Mechanism for Analyzing the Barriers of Blockchain Adoption in the Textile Supply Chain: A Sustainable Business Perspective

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.106969

Unleashing the circular economy in the electric vehicle battery supply chain: A case study on data sharing and blockchain potential

The spread of blockchain technology is gaining ground worldwide, including in the supply chain and logistics sector. Its proliferation is expected to transform supply chains. Academic research is needed to investigate the reasons for and barriers to adoption. The objective of this study is to explore the blockchain (BC) platform and its inputs as technological solutions. In addition, the application of blockchain technology in managing supply chain (SC) business processes like shipment tracking, authenticity, and identification is also a focus of research. This research was carried out in three ways to explore the issue. Expert interviews were used to develop a research framework for the comparative analysis of BC platforms to find out the benefits and the barriers of blockchain adoption. In association with the diffusion of the technology, a qualitative comparative analysis was applied to benchmark blockchain platform providers. We analysed the blockchain-supply chain market by component, provider, type, and the conditions of usage. As part of this research, the Forbes TOP 50 companies were analysed by business area, country of origin, application area, and benefits in order to see in which area they applied blockchain technology and what improvements they have achieved. The results revealed that blockchain use in supply chains of selected industries has outstanding benefits of transparency, trustworthiness, traceability, and cost efficiencies which give businesses an advantage in terms of implementation costs, technology needs, human resources, legal environments, volatile costs, and security. In the supply chain, Hyperledger Fabric and Ethereum are the most widely used blockchain platforms. For practical implication, the application and benefits of BC in SC were analysed, and the results indicate the traceability, sustainability-related, cost, and time-saving benefits.

/pdf/exploratory-analysis-of-blockchain-platforms-in-supply-chain-du9dtd99.pdf

Exploratory Analysis of Blockchain Platforms in Supply Chain Management

The aim of most manufacturing and production factories can be defined as achieving smart and sustainable long-term production systems, which means moving towards strategies defined by zero-defect manufacturing strategies with many areas of improvement, such as: lowering overall cost and energy consumption, amount of scrapped output and wasting raw material and improving overall lead times, production status overview, and planning abilities. These facts were the motivations behind the writing of this paper. The authors considered if the classical architecture of Zero-Defect Manufacturing can be improved by additional tools conventionally used in modern manufacturing. The authors have selected Advanced Planning and Scheduling software tools. To prove that different scheduling methods can have a serious impact on overall production results, we prepared a simple case base comparing different scheduling rules. The theoretical basis for writing this manuscript was prepared by studying classical ZDM methodology and defining the industry gap. The methodology is based on the Zero-Defect Manufacturing architecture, which is essential for high-level implementation in industrial practice. Adding new tools, such as Scheduling and the Industrial Internet of Things, to the classic ZDM architecture improves overall methodology. The impact of different scheduling strategies, which is also described in this study, depends on industry and working conditions. The scheduling rules were compared by several key performance indicators, such as lead time and the number of late/unfinished orders. The study realized, with the practical accent shown this challenge, further research in connection with digitalization.

/pdf/comparing-modern-manufacturing-tools-and-their-effect-on-8sgodbrm.pdf

Comparing Modern Manufacturing Tools and Their Effect on Zero-Defect Manufacturing Strategies

Present and future perspectives of blockchain in supply chain management: a review of reviews and research agenda

Scholars are increasingly examining how the distributed blockchain technology can counter specific supply chain and operations management challenges. Various research approaches emerge from different scholarly backgrounds, but the interrelation of research areas and current trends has not been adequately considered in a systematic review. We employ a data-driven content analysis approach to examine previous research on blockchain technology in operations management and supply chain management. We investigate the extent to which blockchain technology was considered in scholarly works, structure the research efforts, and identify trends, interrelated themes, and promising research opportunities. Quantitative and qualitative content analysis is conducted on an extensive literature sample of 410 articles. Results indicate an optimistic attitude due to potentials such as tracking and tracing abilities, efficiency increases, and trust-building. Conceptual studies dominate the literature set, with increasing qualitative research efforts. Grand theories are seldomly addressed in the studies. Blockchain technology is outlined as particularly useful when combined with other technologies like IoT. We also identified sustainability implications of the technology, such as enabling transparency for SC stakeholders. Cryptocurrencies can facilitate further efficiency gains if legal uncertainties are reduced. The study is concluded with managerial and theoretical implications and future research opportunities.

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/10/6192/pdf?version=1657873213

Blockchain Technology in Operations & Supply Chain Management: A Content Analysis

/pdf/combining-simulation-and-data-analytics-for-oee-improvement-2aar8p8s.pdf

E. Ribeiro da Silva

Papers

Blockchain Technology in Operations & Supply Chain Management: A Content Analysis

Combining Simulation and Data Analytics for OEE Improvement

Plug & Produce robot assistants as shared resources: A simulation approach

Unleashing the circular economy in the electric vehicle battery supply chain: A case study on data sharing and blockchain potential

Modeling production disorder: Procedures for digital twins of flexibility-driven manufacturing systems