Showing papers in "Operations Management Research in 2022"
TL;DR: The main impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the manufacturing sector from the operations management perspective, the practical adaptation actions, and future research opportunities are highlighted in this article .
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected manufacturing companies and necessitated adaptations of firms’ operations. Despite the increasing interest in this subject, a scarcity of systematic analysis can be observed. The present study systematically reviews the existing research on the COVID-19 pandemic concerning the manufacturing industry. This paper aims to highlight the main impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the manufacturing sector from the operations management perspective, the practical adaptation actions, and future research opportunities. Open research questions and directions for further investigation are articulated and triangulated across organisational, process and technology perspectives.
40 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors propose a reference model by developing a conceptual data model to standardise and structure the necessary data in circular manufacturing to support manufacturers' decision-making process, providing an overview of which ones should be managed internally, and shared externally, clarifying the presence of their mutual interdependencies.
Abstract: Abstract Circular economy (CE) paradigm fosters manufacturing companies’ sustainability taking place through different circular manufacturing (CM) strategies. These strategies allow companies to be internally committed to embrace circular values and to be externally aligned with several stakeholders not necessarily belonging to the same supply chain. Nevertheless, these CM strategies adoption is limited by heterogeneous barriers, among which the management and sharing of data and information remain the most relevant ones, bounding the decision-making process of manufacturers in CM. Moreover, the extant literature unveiled the need to structure data and information in a reference model to make them usable by manufacturers. Therefore, the goal of the present work is to propose a reference model by developing a conceptual data model to standardise and structure the necessary data in CM to support manufacturers’ decision-making process. Through this model, data and information to be gathered by manufacturers are elucidated, providing an overview of which ones should be managed internally, and shared externally, clarifying the presence of their mutual interdependencies. The model was conceptualised and developed relying on the extant literature and improved and validated through academic and industrial experts’ interviews.
37 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors conducted an empirical study to better understand the current adoption rates and growth potential of emerging Industry 4.0 (I4.0) digital technologies and ascertain their potential to drive successful future sustainability initiatives amongst Vietnamese supply chain firms.
Abstract: Vietnam is a country with significant potential for growth as a global centre for manufacturing, as supply chains look to reduce their over-reliance on China in the aftermath of COVID-19. The objective of this study is to better understand the current adoption rates and growth potential of emerging Industry 4.0 (I4.0) digital technologies and ascertain their potential to drive successful future sustainability initiatives amongst Vietnamese supply chain firms. These technologies offer a wide range of sustainability benefits, from a potential to reduce waste production and lower energy consumption to increased opportunities for recycling and industrial symbiosis. This empirical study surveys 223 Vietnamese supply chain experts to learn how digital technologies are being utilized in that region, what levels of future investment are expected, what preparatory measures are being taken to leverage new technologies, and what scope for improved supply chain sustainability exists. The findings indicate a low level of I4.0 digital technology adoption amongst Vietnamese supply chain firms, with the Internet of Things (IoT) currently being the most prevalent (48 percent adoption rate). Drones, Big Data Analytics and IoT are the I4.0 digital technologies expected to have the greatest future impact on Vietnamese supply chains. Whilst I4.0 digital technology adoption is still at this early stage, that may present a greater opportunity for driving future sustainability outcomes, than interrupting and retrofitting solutions to already-established networks and infrastructure.
31 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the effect of multi-dimensional supply chain flexibility (MDSCF) in improving supply chain resilience (SCRES) under a high supply chain (SC) risk environment was empirically examined.
Abstract: Natural disasters and unexpected disruptive events have forced practitioners and researchers to build resilience capability into their systems to survive and grow in tempestuous and turbulent times. This study empirically examined the effect of multi-dimensional supply chain flexibility (MDSCF) in improving supply chain resilience (SCRES) under a high supply chain (SC) risk environment. The study incorporated a survey technique and utilized valid responses from 191 large-scale manufacturing (LSM) firms of Pakistan. PLS-SEM is employed to analyze the hypothesized relationships. The findings indicated that MDSCF significantly contributes to improving SCRES. Moreover, the study shows strong significant moderating effects of the customer-oriented and external risks and the weak moderating effect of supplier-oriented risks towards augmenting SCRES. The study contributes to the SC (SC) risk management literature by providing empirical support for the need for multi-dimensional SC flexibility measures in bolstering SCRES under the high SC risk environment.
30 citations
TL;DR: The main impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the manufacturing sector from the operations management perspective, the practical adaptation actions, and future research opportunities are highlighted in this article .
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected manufacturing companies and necessitated adaptations of firms’ operations. Despite the increasing interest in this subject, a scarcity of systematic analysis can be observed. The present study systematically reviews the existing research on the COVID-19 pandemic concerning the manufacturing industry. This paper aims to highlight the main impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the manufacturing sector from the operations management perspective, the practical adaptation actions, and future research opportunities. Open research questions and directions for further investigation are articulated and triangulated across organisational, process and technology perspectives.
29 citations
28 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the effect of multi-dimensional supply chain flexibility (MDSCF) in improving supply chain resilience (SCRES) under a high supply chain (SC) risk environment was empirically examined.
Abstract: Natural disasters and unexpected disruptive events have forced practitioners and researchers to build resilience capability into their systems to survive and grow in tempestuous and turbulent times. This study empirically examined the effect of multi-dimensional supply chain flexibility (MDSCF) in improving supply chain resilience (SCRES) under a high supply chain (SC) risk environment. The study incorporated a survey technique and utilized valid responses from 191 large-scale manufacturing (LSM) firms of Pakistan. PLS-SEM is employed to analyze the hypothesized relationships. The findings indicated that MDSCF significantly contributes to improving SCRES. Moreover, the study shows strong significant moderating effects of the customer-oriented and external risks and the weak moderating effect of supplier-oriented risks towards augmenting SCRES. The study contributes to the SC (SC) risk management literature by providing empirical support for the need for multi-dimensional SC flexibility measures in bolstering SCRES under the high SC risk environment.
27 citations
TL;DR: In this article , various factors to attain an antifragile supply chain have been identified through literature review and experts' opinions using TISM-MICMAC, structural relationships among these factors have been developed, and, then the factors were classified as drivers or dependents.
Abstract: The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has come across as an exogenous shock to the firms and their supply chains. It has led firms to rethink and rework their existing robust and resilient supply chains. The purpose of this study is to move beyond robustness and resilience and shift to an antifragile supply chain that sees disorder as an opportunity to learn and grow. In this study, various factors to attain an antifragile supply chain have been identified through literature review and experts’ opinions. Using TISM-MICMAC, structural relationships among these factors have been developed, and, then the factors have been classified as drivers or dependents. The study reveals the importance of having proactive top management as a major driving power to build an antifragile supply chain. Development of a strategy for collaboration and innovation, development of a skilled workforce for technology adoption, and resource allocation for digitalization are some other factors with strong driving power. The novelty of the study lies in its effort to drive the attention of researchers and practitioners towards thinking beyond robustness and resilience and shifting towards antifragility. The study will help firms in strategic decision-making for the adoption of additive manufacturing technology to develop antifragility in the supply chain and save itself from negative consequences in the face of disruption.
16 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors used a hybrid Delphi-interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and Fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (Fuzzy-DEMATEL) methodology to achieve these goals.
Abstract: Abstract The recent COVID-19 pandemic has caused enormous disruptions to supply chain (SCs). Border restrictions forced countless businesses to close either permanently or temporarily. However, the food industry is an essential sector that needs to be operational during a pandemic. Although the food industry has proactively worked towards fulfilling human needs, the food supply chain (FSC) faced numerous challenges, forcing SC managers to rethink their business strategy to cater to consumer demands effectively. In a pandemic situation, manufacturing operations need to repurpose and adapt to produce different high-demand products. Resilience initiatives help fight disruption phases in an uncertain environment by building capacity to resist and recover to a better position. This study identifies 14 key enablers to develop a resilient FSC and reveals the most significant enablers in India. We used a hybrid Delphi-interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and Fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (Fuzzy-DEMATEL) methodology to achieve these goals. The Delphi technique identified essential enablers, while the ISM analyzed the interrelationship among enablers and level of importance in a hierarchical structural model. Finally, the Fuzzy-DEMATEL categorized the enablers into the cause-effect group. This study helps SC decision-makers recognize the enablers and the contextual and causal relationships to improve resilience initiatives. It also helps them repurpose their manufacturing operations and shift to other highly required and high-demand production.
13 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on green practices, crisis mitigation strategies, smart technologies, and sustainable supply chain performance in the Pakistani manufacturing industry was examined.
Abstract: COVID-19 pandemic outbreak caused supply chain (SC) disruption and threatened human life across the world, which could be mitigated through innovative strategies. Based on this scenario, this study examines the impact of COVID-19 on green practices, SC crisis mitigation strategies, smart technologies, and sustainable supply chain performance in the Pakistani manufacturing industry. Data was collected from Pakistani firms and employed structural equation modeling for testing hypotheses. The empirical results found that the COVID-19 pandemic is statistically related to green practices, SC crisis mitigation strategies, and smart technologies, while it harms sustainable supply chain performance. Moreover, green practices, SC crisis mitigation strategies, and smart technologies positively contribute to sustainable supply chain performance. The results of this study also confirmed the mediating role of green practices, SC crisis mitigation strategies, and smart technologies and moderating role organizational commitment in the context of a developing economy’s manufacturing industry. This study enhances awareness and understanding and contributes to the existing literature on verifying the link between COVID-19 pandemic and green practices, SC crisis mitigation strategies, and smart technologies to increase sustainable supply chain performance during a pandemic disruption in the Pakistani context. This study supports the managers of supply chain and manufacturing firms in adopting green practices and smart technologies. Also, it helps in the formation and successful implementation of SC crisis mitigation strategies during the crisis.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , an analytical model is proposed to assess the resilience of supply chain to overcome the effect of the disruption impacts using Bayesian Network approach, which transformed the qualitative expert inputs to quantitative assessment by utilising the principles of conditional probability.
Abstract: As the world has seen the impact of COVID-19, development of resilient supply chain strategies has emerged as top priority. The inconsistent demands, product consumption and the shorter lifecycle of products during the pandemic needs appropriate planning and designing to make the supply chain more resilient. In this study, an analytical model is proposed to assess the resilience of supply chain to overcome the effect of the disruption impacts. The supply chain risks will depend on the nature of the business and therefore, besides literature review on supply chain resilience the inputs from experts were required. The interdependency among the indicators was analysed by employing Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) and demonstrated with the help of a framework. The strength of the interdependence is assessed using Bayesian Network approach. BN transformed the qualitative expert inputs to quantitative assessment by utilising the principles of conditional probability. Three cases from Indian manufacturing industries were used to demonstrate and assess the critical supply chain resilience indicators using integrated ISM-BN approach. The cases showed that the proposed approach can assist decision makers in identifying the critical indicators to be focused towards improving the supply chain resilience to overcome the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. A comparative analysis of the supply chain risk indicators has also been performed, thereby extending the practical implication of supply chain resilience.
TL;DR: In this article , a robust, applicable, and powerful integrated MCDM framework dealing with many complicated uncertainties is proposed to solve highly complex decision-making problems encountered in various fields and the retailing industry.
Abstract: The current paper aims to fill the two severe and significant gaps in the literature related to global retail chains. First, it presents the criteria set identified by performing comprehensive fieldwork together with experts highly experienced and have extensive knowledge of the retailing industry and a detailed literature review. Secondly, it proposes a robust, applicable, and powerful novel integrated MCDM framework dealing with many complicated uncertainties. As one of the significant practical and managerial implications, the current paper highlights the significance of sustainable retailing operations to better global retail chains. After the proposed model was implemented, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis was performed to test the validation of the model and its obtained results. According to the validation test results, A12 Walmart&ASDA has remained the best option for all scenarios. It has been observed that there are slight changes that did not change the overall results in the ranking performance of some decision alternatives. As a result, the analysis results prove that the proposed integrated fuzzy approach can be applied to solve highly complex decision-making problems encountered in various fields and the retailing industry.
TL;DR: In this paper , blockchain technology and business analytics techniques were critically analyzed in the context of supply chain, and the results illustrate that advanced technologies have a key role in the implementation of remanufacturing and recycling practices.
Abstract: Rising environmental concerns and globalization of supply chain made their control and management difficult. Blockchain technology, as a distributed digital ledger technology, guarantees security, visibility, traceability, and transparency promises ease for environmental and global supply chain problems. In this research work, blockchain technology and business analytics techniques were critically analyzed in the context of supply chain. Global and local governmental bodies, consumers, and communities are putting pressure to meet sustainability goals, which prompts us to investigate how these technologies can address and aid remanufacturing and recycling practices and sustainability in supply chain. The results illustrate that advanced technologies have a key role in the implementation of remanufacturing and recycling practices. The results also indicate that the remanufacturing and recycling practices substantially improve automobile firm performance. Moreover, the results also indicated that Covid-19 pandemic has positive moderating effect between advanced technology and remanufacturing and recycling practices while having insignificant effect between remanufacturing and recycling practices and automobile firm performance.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors focus on the factors that either encourage or hinder the implementation of blockchain technology in extended supply chains and highlight which drivers, barriers, and supply chain variables impact the implementation.
Abstract: Abstract The critical role of blockchain technology in ensuring a proper level of traceability and visibility along supply chains is increasingly being explored in the literature. This critical examination must focus on the factors that either encourage or hinder (i.e. the drivers or barriers) the implementation of this technology in extended supply chains. On the assumption that the blockchain will need to be adopted at the supply chain level, the enabling factors and the contingent variables of different supply chains must be identified and analysed. The appropriate identification of supply chain partners is becoming a critical factor of success since the globalization of supply chains makes their management and control increasingly difficult. This is particularly true of the fashion industry. Five blockchain providers and seven focal companies working in the fashion industry were interviewed to compare their different viewpoints on this topic. The results highlight which drivers, barriers, and supply chain variables impact the implementation of the blockchain and specific research propositions are formulated.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors present a bibliometric analysis to identify the established and evolving research clusters in the topological analysis by identifying collaboration patterns, interrelations and the studies that significantly dominate the intersection of the analysed fields.
Abstract: Abstract The Industry 4.0 (I4.0) concept paves the way for the circular economy (CE) as advanced digital technologies enable sustainability initiatives. Hence, I4.0-driven CE-oriented supply chains (SCs) have improved sustainable performance, flexibility and interoperability. In order to smoothly embrace circular practices in digitally enabled SCs, quantitative techniques have been identified as crucial. Therefore, the intersection of I4.0, CE, supply chain management (SCM) and quantitative techniques is an emerging research arena worthy of investigation. This article presents a bibliometric analysis to identify the established and evolving research clusters in the topological analysis by identifying collaboration patterns, interrelations and the studies that significantly dominate the intersection of the analysed fields. Further, this study investigates the current research trends and presents potential directions for future research. The bibliometric analysis highlights that additive manufacturing (AM), big data analytics (BDA) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are the most researched technologies within the intersection of CE and sustainable SCM. Evaluation of intellectual, conceptual and social structures revealed that I4.0-driven sustainable operations and manufacturing are emerging research fields. This study provides research directions to guide scholars in the further investigation of these four identified fields while exploring the potential quantitative methods and techniques that can be applied in I4.0-enabled SCs in the CE context.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors determined the critical factors that restrict the implementation of agile projects in emerging economies and validated the validated critical factors by using Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Laboratory (F-DEMATEL) method.
Abstract: Globally, COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than 214 countries across the world, creating uncertainty and affecting every institution and individual. The organisations recognise the need of agile projects that may offer several benefits including faster deployments, adaptability and best fit alignment to fulfill the customer needs. Implementing agile projects is the key to survive in the post pandemic situation, but emerging economies have limited scope for implementation. The present study determines the critical factors that restricts implementation of agile projects in emerging economies. The critical factors are identified from literature and validated by experts. The validated critical factors are further assessed to identify the cause-and-effect relationship using Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Laboratory (F-DEMATEL) method. The results of the study posit ‘Skepticism towards the new way of working’ is the most significant causal factor affecting other factors. This study is an attempt to help project managers to consider the significant factors for agile project implementation in post pandemic situation. The project managers may be benefitted from this study by considering these factors to manage challenges for agile project implementation in emerging economies. This study contributes to assess the influencing and the influenced challenging factors for agile project implementation.
TL;DR: In this article , blockchain technology and business analytics techniques were critically analyzed in the context of supply chain, and the results illustrate that advanced technologies have a key role in the implementation of remanufacturing and recycling practices.
Abstract: Rising environmental concerns and globalization of supply chain made their control and management difficult. Blockchain technology, as a distributed digital ledger technology, guarantees security, visibility, traceability, and transparency promises ease for environmental and global supply chain problems. In this research work, blockchain technology and business analytics techniques were critically analyzed in the context of supply chain. Global and local governmental bodies, consumers, and communities are putting pressure to meet sustainability goals, which prompts us to investigate how these technologies can address and aid remanufacturing and recycling practices and sustainability in supply chain. The results illustrate that advanced technologies have a key role in the implementation of remanufacturing and recycling practices. The results also indicate that the remanufacturing and recycling practices substantially improve automobile firm performance. Moreover, the results also indicated that Covid-19 pandemic has positive moderating effect between advanced technology and remanufacturing and recycling practices while having insignificant effect between remanufacturing and recycling practices and automobile firm performance.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors evaluated the role of Industry 4.0 during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and found that the digital skills of workers, their financing, and the efficiency of Government policies have a high probability of occurrence in the adoption of the circular economy in 2030.
Abstract: The demand for new productive factors is increasingly required, exacerbated in a scenario in which a linear economy prevails. The circular economy (CE) adoption is a proposal to guarantee environmental sustainability and redirect an obsolete process such as the linear economy. Thus, one of the main factors that allow achieving sustainability is Industry 4.0 (I4.0). In addition, the research aims to evaluate the role of I4.0 during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. The literature review process defines ten future projections with potential for the CE's adoption. The two-round Delphi approach was developed with 54 CE experts to evaluate the projections. In both rounds, the probability of occurrence up to 2030, its impact on the CE and its desirability were evaluated. Likewise, the qualitative criteria of the experts were coded to evaluate the projections. From the ten projections, four are those with the highest probability of occurrence (EP > 70%), with high impact (I > 3.5) and desirability of occurrence (I > 3.5). Expert evaluations make it possible to identify that Industry 4.0 and the digital skills of workers, their financing, and the efficiency of Government policies have a high probability of occurrence in the adoption of the CE in 2030. This research responds to the special call of papers providing evidence favouring the implementation of I4.0 in the CE from a holistic approach to draw a roadmap towards adopting the CE practices.
TL;DR: In this article , the authors identify the factors of project and stakeholder engagement that are necessary to ensure the resilience of multi-stakeholder vaccine supply chains and not be affected by disruptions such as COVID-19.
Abstract: The complexity of the supply chains and the uncertainties in the processes cause business to become more vulnerable in the face of disruptions. Pandemic situations such as COVID-19 cause sudden disruptions in supply chains, causing processes to be disrupted. Especially in multi-stakeholder supply chains, the importance of stakeholder communication, motivation, and regulations i.e. comes to the forefront in order to ensure the resilience of supply chains. As learned with the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine supply chains are also one of the multi-stakeholder supply chains and are extremely vulnerable to disruptions. In COVID-19 times, the importance of vaccine supply chain management and the resilience in vaccine supply chains increased. To have more resilient vaccine supply chains, stakeholder engagement is an essential issue. Therefore, the Graph Theory Matrix Approach has been used to determine factors of stakeholder engagement in multi-stakeholder vaccine supply chains and to specify the relationships between the factors of project and stakeholder engagement in vaccine supply chains to increase resilience in disruption times. The aim of the study is to identify the factors of project and stakeholder engagement that are necessary to ensure the resilience of multi-stakeholder vaccine supply chains and not be affected by disruptions such as COVID-19 as it is today. As a result of the study, innovativeness of stakeholders is the most important factor of stakeholder engagement in vaccine supply chains.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors identify the factors of project and stakeholder engagement that are necessary to ensure the resilience of multi-stakeholder vaccine supply chains and not be affected by disruptions such as COVID-19.
Abstract: The complexity of the supply chains and the uncertainties in the processes cause business to become more vulnerable in the face of disruptions. Pandemic situations such as COVID-19 cause sudden disruptions in supply chains, causing processes to be disrupted. Especially in multi-stakeholder supply chains, the importance of stakeholder communication, motivation, and regulations i.e. comes to the forefront in order to ensure the resilience of supply chains. As learned with the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine supply chains are also one of the multi-stakeholder supply chains and are extremely vulnerable to disruptions. In COVID-19 times, the importance of vaccine supply chain management and the resilience in vaccine supply chains increased. To have more resilient vaccine supply chains, stakeholder engagement is an essential issue. Therefore, the Graph Theory Matrix Approach has been used to determine factors of stakeholder engagement in multi-stakeholder vaccine supply chains and to specify the relationships between the factors of project and stakeholder engagement in vaccine supply chains to increase resilience in disruption times. The aim of the study is to identify the factors of project and stakeholder engagement that are necessary to ensure the resilience of multi-stakeholder vaccine supply chains and not be affected by disruptions such as COVID-19 as it is today. As a result of the study, innovativeness of stakeholders is the most important factor of stakeholder engagement in vaccine supply chains.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors evaluated the role of Industry 4.0 during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and developed two-round Delphi approach with 54 CE experts to evaluate the projections.
Abstract: The demand for new productive factors is increasingly required, exacerbated in a scenario in which a linear economy prevails. The circular economy (CE) adoption is a proposal to guarantee environmental sustainability and redirect an obsolete process such as the linear economy. Thus, one of the main factors that allow achieving sustainability is Industry 4.0 (I4.0). In addition, the research aims to evaluate the role of I4.0 during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. The literature review process defines ten future projections with potential for the CE's adoption. The two-round Delphi approach was developed with 54 CE experts to evaluate the projections. In both rounds, the probability of occurrence up to 2030, its impact on the CE and its desirability were evaluated. Likewise, the qualitative criteria of the experts were coded to evaluate the projections. From the ten projections, four are those with the highest probability of occurrence (EP > 70%), with high impact (I > 3.5) and desirability of occurrence (I > 3.5). Expert evaluations make it possible to identify that Industry 4.0 and the digital skills of workers, their financing, and the efficiency of Government policies have a high probability of occurrence in the adoption of the CE in 2030. This research responds to the special call of papers providing evidence favouring the implementation of I4.0 in the CE from a holistic approach to draw a roadmap towards adopting the CE practices.
TL;DR: In this article , the authors investigate the impacts of Covid-19 upon the use of technological innovation (T.I.), circular economy practices (CEP), and organizational performance incorporating the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
Abstract: This empirical study aims to identify the importance of Digital Technologies (DT) as an enabler in the Circular Economy (C.E.) based business model, especially during Covid-19. The concept of 'circular economy' has now been advocated as a methodology to stimulate economic growth in line with the environmental sustainability. Hence, the practices of recycling, reduction, reuse/re-manufacture, and repairing (4R's) are deemed to be the core of a circular economy. Recently, the advent of the pandemic Covid-19 has forced the nations of the world to resort to alternate resource use in their manufacturing and trading of goods and services as the supply chains have almost remained disrupted since Covid-19 appeared. We investigate the impacts of Covid-19 upon the use of technological innovation (T.I.), circular economy practices (CEP), and organizational performance (ORP) incorporating the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Our results show that Covid-19 significantly impacted the adoption of technological innovation, circular economy, which leads toward organizational performance. Moreover, the practices and operations under the circular economy framework also appear to influence organizational performance significantly. Our study findings bring forward meaningful insights into improving CEF-cum-technology based practices in developing and emerging markets in Asia, and convey significant implications for the business community, policymakers, and researchers.
TL;DR: In this article , an innovative framework on the basis of the stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) technique and the Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) approach is proposed to evaluate the challenges that may arise for supply chain 4.0 in the q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Sets (q-ROFSs) setting.
Abstract: Industry 4.0 has the potential of growing industrialization and, on the other hand, disrupting the sustainability of prevailing manufacturing supply chains through inducing great challenges such as higher resource consumption that, in turn, results in global warming and climate change. As a result, researchers working in the area of sustainable supply chain 4.0 need to make deep evaluations on the challenges arising for manufacturing supply chains contemplating the improvement of their sustainability levels and having a digital transformation toward Industry 4.0. To fill this gap, the current paper designs an innovative framework on the basis of the Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) technique and the Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) approach to evaluate the challenges that may arise for supply chain 4.0 in the q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Sets (q-ROFSs) setting. The proposed method uses an extended SWARA process to determine the criteria importance degrees considering the experts’ preferences. The performance of the proposed method was assessed by conducting an empirical case study under the q-ROFSs condition. Further, a sensitivity analysis was executed to check whether the proposed method is stable enough to be relied on parameter values. Finally, the results obtained were compared to those of currently used methods to verify the obtained results’ reliability. As revealed by the comparative results, the framework proposed in this article was of higher consistency and strength compared to other prevailing approaches.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors identify the influential dimensions of the impact of BCT adoption in SCM and discuss the synergetic and counter-synergetic effects between these dimensions.
Abstract: Abstract Supply chains around the globe are faced with difficulties and disruptions due to the worldwide pandemic situation and digital solutions are needed. There is significant research interest in the implementation of blockchain technology (BCT) for supply chain management (SCM). A challenge that remains is analyzing the interactions of BCT in different areas of SCM. This study aims to identify the influential dimensions of the impact of BCT adoption in SCM and to discuss the synergetic and counter-synergetic effects between these dimensions. Advantages, disadvantages, and constraints of adopting BCT in the SCM context are explored through a systematic literature review, which provides the foundation for identifying the dimensions of impact. The interactions between these dimensions are conceptually discussed. This study introduces three dimensions of the impact of implementing BCT in SCM: ‘operations and processes’, ‘supply chain relationships’, and ‘innovation and data access’. These dimensions are interrelated and have overlapping areas within them, which leads to synergetic and counter-synergetic effects. The overlaps and synergies of the three dimensions of impact are illustrated, and the virtuous and vicious cycles of BCT adoption in SCM cases are highlighted. This study assists scholars and practitioners by clarifying the synergetic relationships within the dimensions of the impact of BCT in SCM and by providing considerations to prevent undesirable effects and expand desired ones.
TL;DR: In this paper , various factors to attain an antifragile supply chain have been identified through literature review and experts' opinions using TISM-MICMAC, structural relationships among these factors have been developed, and, then the factors were classified as drivers or dependents.
Abstract: The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has come across as an exogenous shock to the firms and their supply chains. It has led firms to rethink and rework their existing robust and resilient supply chains. The purpose of this study is to move beyond robustness and resilience and shift to an antifragile supply chain that sees disorder as an opportunity to learn and grow. In this study, various factors to attain an antifragile supply chain have been identified through literature review and experts’ opinions. Using TISM-MICMAC, structural relationships among these factors have been developed, and, then the factors have been classified as drivers or dependents. The study reveals the importance of having proactive top management as a major driving power to build an antifragile supply chain. Development of a strategy for collaboration and innovation, development of a skilled workforce for technology adoption, and resource allocation for digitalization are some other factors with strong driving power. The novelty of the study lies in its effort to drive the attention of researchers and practitioners towards thinking beyond robustness and resilience and shifting towards antifragility. The study will help firms in strategic decision-making for the adoption of additive manufacturing technology to develop antifragility in the supply chain and save itself from negative consequences in the face of disruption.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors investigate the impacts of Covid-19 upon the use of technological innovation (T.I.), circular economy practices (CEP), and organizational performance incorporating the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
Abstract: This empirical study aims to identify the importance of Digital Technologies (DT) as an enabler in the Circular Economy (C.E.) based business model, especially during Covid-19. The concept of 'circular economy' has now been advocated as a methodology to stimulate economic growth in line with the environmental sustainability. Hence, the practices of recycling, reduction, reuse/re-manufacture, and repairing (4R's) are deemed to be the core of a circular economy. Recently, the advent of the pandemic Covid-19 has forced the nations of the world to resort to alternate resource use in their manufacturing and trading of goods and services as the supply chains have almost remained disrupted since Covid-19 appeared. We investigate the impacts of Covid-19 upon the use of technological innovation (T.I.), circular economy practices (CEP), and organizational performance (ORP) incorporating the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Our results show that Covid-19 significantly impacted the adoption of technological innovation, circular economy, which leads toward organizational performance. Moreover, the practices and operations under the circular economy framework also appear to influence organizational performance significantly. Our study findings bring forward meaningful insights into improving CEF-cum-technology based practices in developing and emerging markets in Asia, and convey significant implications for the business community, policymakers, and researchers.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors evaluate the perceptions of prospective tourists through parameters by which the tourism and hospitality service sector can withstand the widespread implications to the sector as a result of the current pandemic.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate the perceptions of prospective tourists through parameters by which the tourism and hospitality service sector can withstand the widespread implications to the sector as a result of the current pandemic. In turn this will lead to weighing up the means for recovery. The identified parameters are then classified, categorized and linked up with supply chain drivers to obtain a holistic picture that can feed into strategic planning from which the tourism and hospitality service sector could utilize to establish a resilient supply chain. This data can provide deep insight for both theorists and practitioners to utilize. It was found that reforming six supply chain drivers, whilst at the same time developing core competencies, is the central essence of a resilient supply chain within the tourism and hospitality business sector (who are at present working hard to counterbalance the many threats and consequent risks posed due to the pandemic).