Introduction to thermodynamics

The agricultural supply chains (ASCs) are exposed to unprecedented risks following COVID-19. It is necessary to investigate the impact of risks and to create resilient ASC organisations. In this st...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13675567.2020.1830049

Agriculture supply chain risks and COVID-19: mitigation strategies and implications for the practitioners

The pandemic has created a restrictive working system including remote working, and flexible hours for the firms and employees all around the globe, thus transforming into a platform economy may reduce unemployment and enhance job opportunities. Therefore, firms are now trying to identify the ways for enhancing survivability of Sustainable Supply Chains (SSCs). This study has made an effort to develop a framework for enhancing survivability of SSCs to survive in and post-COVID-19 pandemic. This study has utilised Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method for identifying the significant factors for enhancing survivability of SSCs to be focused in pandemic situation. The study revealed that ‘Supply Chain Network Viability (SCV)’ is the main criterion for managing buyer–supplier relationship and enhancing survivability of SSCs during and post-COVID-19 situation. This study is helpful for firms, suppliers, and other stakeholders to focus on the identified factors for healthier future.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13675567.2020.1810213

Developing a framework for enhancing survivability of sustainable supply chains during and post-COVID-19 pandemic

Leveraging a longitudinal dataset concerning 102 inter-firm disputes, we evaluate the effects of contract structure on trust and on the likelihood of continued collaboration. We theoretically refine and empirically extend prior research by (a) distinguishing between control and coordination functions of contracts, (b) separating goodwill-based and competence-based trust, and (c) evaluating the effects of contract structure on relational outcomes in the context of disputes. We find that control provisions increase competence-based trust, but reduce goodwill-based trust, resulting in a net decrease in the likelihood of continued collaboration. Coordination provisions increase competence-based trust, leading to an increased likelihood of continued collaboration.

Trust and collaboration in the aftermath of conflict: the effects of contract structure

This paper presents the concerns in agri-food supply chain. Further the research investigates the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in agri-food supply chain and determines the impact of supply chain management (SCM) practices on firm performance.,The theoretical framework was proposed for the study on the basis of existing literature. Data for the study was collected with the help of structured questionnaire from 121 executives and officers of the public food distribution agency. Partial least square (PLS)–structured equation modeling was employed to test the framework and hypotheses.,The results indicate that ICT and SCM practices (logistics integration and supplier relationships) have a significant relationship. Furthermore, SCM practices (information sharing, supplier relationship and logistics integration) have a significant and positive impact on performance of the organization.,Further research could be carried out to test the moderation effect of SCM practices between ICT and organizational performance (OP). Extending the research study to the companies operating in other sectors can enhance the external validity of the study and improve the accuracy of parameters examined.,This study can be of interest to the agri-food industry as well as other industry practitioners interested in improving the performance of the organization from the view of supply chain.,The outcomes of this study have important implications that translate into a series of recommendations for the management of public food distribution as well as other agri-food-based supply chains.

Exploring the relationship between ICT, SCM practices and organizational performance in agri-food supply chain

Today’s supply chains are very different from those of just a few years ago, and they continue to evolve within an extremely competitive economy. Dynamic supply chain processes require a technology that can cope with their increasing complexity. In recent years, several functional supply chain applications based on artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged, yet very few studies have addressed the applications of AI in supply chain processes. Machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics are all potential enablers of supply chain transformation. Aware of the potential advantages of AI implementation in supply chains and of the paucity of work done regarding it, we explore what researchers have done so far with respect to AI and what needs further exploration. We reviewed 136 research papers published between 1996 and 2020 from the Scopus database and provided a classification of the research material according to four critical structural dimensions (level of analytics, AI algorithms or techniques, sector or industry of application, and supply chain processes). This study is the first attempt to study the AI applications in SC from a process perspective and provides a decisional framework for adequate use of AI techniques in the different SC processes.

Artificial intelligence applications in supply chain: A descriptive bibliometric analysis and future research directions

Horizontal logistics collaboration (HLC) practices have gained much attention in recent years as innovative ways for companies to improve their performance. However, literature does not reveal whic...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13675567.2019.1604646

Horizontal logistics collaboration: an exploratory study in Morocco’s agri-food supply chains

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of agri-food supply chains (AFSCs) characteristics on the antecedents of horizontal logistics collaboration (HLC). Specifically, the study compares the relationship between collaboration activities and outcomes for companies in and outside AFSCs.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a survey was used to collect data from different industries. Second, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were applied to compare the measurement and structural models from different industry categories.FindingsThe results support the premise that collaboration improves trust and commitment in the relationship, which in turn enhance satisfaction. The results also show the existence of a minor influence of AFSCs characteristics on HLC antecedents, in the form of an indirect impact of dedicated investments on commitment.Practical implicationsThe factors having a significant influence on the collaboration outcomes and their respective effects are generally similar across food and nonfood supply chains, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary and collaboration experiences.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the body of knowledge on interfirm collaboration by considering the specificities of HLC. It also highlights the importance of conducting contingency research on collaborative experiences, as firms from different industry contexts operate under distinct operational conditions.

Antecedents of horizontal logistics collaboration in agri-food supply chains

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive model for horizontal logistics collaboration (HLC), including the collaboration types, enablers, context influence and performance indicators. Design/methodology/approach: First, this study discusses the currently available typologies and their limitations and defines relevant collaboration classification dimensions. Then, a detailed analysis of each dimension is conducted, including the identification of resulting collaboration types. Next, collaboration enablers and the context influence are discussed, as well as their implications on the logistics system, with a specific focus on agri-food supply chains (AFSCs). Additionally, adequate key performance indicators (KPIs) are selected to evaluate collaboration outcomes. Finally, the horizontal logistics collaboration concept (HLCC) is applied to an illustrative case study from AFSCs. Findings: The results show that HLC is a complex strategy where several elements intervene in the creation of the collaboration scenario. The research also shows that the specific characteristics of AFSCs influence the partners' selection process and increase the importance of partners' similarity and information exchange. Practical implications: The results provide managers with practical insights into the dynamic nature of HLC both at the operational and relational levels. Originality/value: This paper provides a theoretical contribution by introducing a new comprehensive model for HLC and a practical typology that allows a deeper understanding of the mechanisms governing different HLC scenarios.

A typology of horizontal logistics collaboration concepts : an illustrative case study from agri-food supply chains

The Supply Chain (SC) represents a complex and dynamic open system characterized by a dissipative structure and positive entropy (Wang, 2008). To better understand the SC dynamic behavior, we present in this paper a conceptual framework to explain how the SC complexity can decrease the operational performance and the value-added creation. A review of the literature shows that the SC positive entropy is a source of its inherent unnecessary uncertainty and its underperformance. Indeed, the non-linear interactions between the SC actors and their incapacity to share relevant information represent a source of several entropic behaviors. To reach our research objective, and after presenting the literature review of the SC complexity, we show that the incapacity to share relevant information and the ineffective traceability information management can represent a SC positive entropy amplification source. Then, we highlight how a traceability system and automatic information sharing process can reduce the Wood SC information dissipation and improve the wood allocation. After that, we use empirical results from the European project "Indisputable Key" to highlight how Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) traceability system can create "negative entropy" in the Wood SC, and improve the wood allocation by quickly allowing companies to access relevant wood information. Since the forest-wood sector is a low economical margin sector; any wood allocation improvement would be a source of added value and a competitive lever for companies.

Ismail Badraoui

Papers

Artificial intelligence applications in supply chain: A descriptive bibliometric analysis and future research directions

Horizontal logistics collaboration: an exploratory study in Morocco’s agri-food supply chains

Antecedents of horizontal logistics collaboration in agri-food supply chains

A typology of horizontal logistics collaboration concepts : an illustrative case study from agri-food supply chains

The Forest Supply Chain Management: An Entropic Perspective