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The purpose of this paper is to extend prior supply chain research by describing the process of innovation knowledge increase in supply chain network. More specifically, this study investigates the role of network density, and views the knowledge increase as the process of knowledge diffusion and knowledge innovation.

A multi-agent model, which demonstrates the process of knowledge increase in supply chain network, was established, and simulated by using NetLogo simulation platform.

The results indicate that the network density will promote the knowledge increase of the supply chain when it is high or low. In the meantime, these results show that the inhibition of knowledge diffusion and knowledge innovation will appear when network density is moderate.

Although previous research has identified the importance of knowledge increase in promoting sustainable development of supply chain, far less attention was given to the study of the effect of network structure on the knowledge increase in supply chain. This study thus fulfills the research gap by providing a description of the process of knowledge increase with the consideration of network density. The conclusion is of great significance for the choice of network density for sustainable development of supply chain.

Aims to identify the importance of segmentation both as part of the network design process and as an operational tool for correctly allocating products to appropriate supply chains.

The allocation is based upon a wide range of possible factors relating to the characteristics of the product, to the market, to the source and to the geographic/commercial context. The application of this framework is presented in a case study of a global electronics company, where large costs savings were achieved through the segmentation of supply chains.

A logical basis for segmentation is derived and an operational framework developed, which highlights the importance of product value density (PVD), throughput volume and product availability.

Demonstrates the paramount importance of throughput, demand variability/service factor and PVD as the key drivers in the segmentation process.

Rethinking how to build resilience in supply chains is once again highlighted by COVID-19. Research on supply chain resilience has established flexibility as a firm-level antecedent that contributes to supply chain resilience. However, the authors know little about how supply chain flexibility is developed within a firm. Drawing on social capital theory, the authors claim that the way supply chain managers are embedded in their social networks plays a critical role in developing this antecedent. Specifically, the authors hypothesize that supply chain managers' structural and relational embeddedness in their reference network, comprised of individuals from whom they seek advice, is instrumental to developing supply chain flexibility, which subsequently enhances the firm's supply chain resilience.

Survey data collected from 485 manufacturing firms in Australia and Hayes and Preacher's (2014) parallel multiple mediator model were employed to empirically test the hypotheses.

The findings of the study establish that supply chain managers' structural and relational embeddedness in their reference network indeed have implications for developing supply chain resilience. Furthermore, the mediator through which managers' social embeddedness influences supply chain resilience is identified in the current study.

The study contributes to the extant literature on supply chain resilience, investigating the role that supply chain managers' social capital play in developing the resilience of their firm.

The purpose of this paper is to develop a decision tool that enables supply chain (SC) architects to design resilient SC networks (SCNs). Two resilience design determinants are considered: SC density and node criticality. The effect of considering these determinants on network structures is highlighted based on the ability to resist disruptions and how SC performance is affected.

A mixed-integer non-linear programming model is proposed as a proactive strategy to develop resilient structures; design determinants are formulated and considered as constraints. An upper limit is set for each determinant, and resistance capacity and performance of the developed structures are evaluated. These upper limits are then changed until SC performance stabilizes in case of no disruption.

Resilient SCN structures are achieved at relatively low design determinants levels on the expense of profit and without experiencing shortage in case of no disruption. This reduction in profit can be minimized on setting counter values for the two determinants; relatively higher SC density with lower node criticality or vice versa. At very low SC density levels, the design model will reduce the number of open facilities largely leading to only one facility open at each echelon; therefore, shortage occurs and vulnerability to disruption increases. On the other hand, at high determinants levels, SC vulnerability also increases as a result of having more geographically clustered structures with higher inbound and outbound flows for each facility.

In this paper, a novel proactive decision tool is adopted to design resilient SCNs. Previous literature used metrics for SC density and node criticality to assess resilience; in this research, determinants are incorporated directly as constraints in the design model. Results give insight to SC architects on how to set determinant values to reach resilient structures with minimum performance loss in case of no disruption.

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework for the analysis of supply network disruptions and present a number of propositions to define a future research agenda. In doing so, it draws on a review of the literature regarding supply chain disruptions; relationship formation and evolution; and network formation and evolution.

The literature review combined traditional contextual analysis with citation analysis and co‐citation, assuming a multi‐level, multi‐theoretical perspective.

The findings highlight a paucity of empirical research regarding supply chain disruptions assuming a network perspective, highlighting the dynamic nature of networks and emphasising the difference between supply chain disturbance and disruption.

The paper stops short of testing specific hypotheses, providing a conceptual framework and a series of propositions from which testable hypotheses can be developed. The necessity of assuming a dynamic, multi‐level, multi‐theoretical perspective highlights the difficulties of empirical research in this area. However, the significance of understanding the network context of disruption and its connection to the securing of appropriate responses and ultimately reasonable mitigation is unavoidable.

The ability to understand the implications of network structure and network relational dynamics in the context of disruption will enable managers to respond appropriately to disruptive supply chain events. This capability will assume increasing importance in the vulnerable and sensitive global economy.

The paper's specific consideration of disruption (as opposed to disturbance), and the necessitated speed of response leads to the development of several disruption‐specific propositions and the development of a new research agenda.

While the literature on multitier supply chain management traditionally assumes that first-tier suppliers belong to the visible proportion of the supply base, intermediaries might limit focal firms' visible horizon already at this stage. High power asymmetries promoting centrality and complexity in the supply network are seen as a particular root cause that limits the impact of governance mechanisms for sustainability. To map the space for governance mechanisms in a network-sensitive context more comprehensively, the study analyzes supply network characteristics from a power perspective.

This research is conceptual. To better understand power imbalances and mutual dependencies from network centrality and complexity, network configurations were constructed drawing on resource dependence theory. These configurations allow deducing the impact of (non-)mediated governance mechanisms for a sustainable development in the supply network. An agenda to stimulate future empirical and model-based research is accordingly presented.

The research shows that those networks with densely interconnected first-tier suppliers promote network centrality and complexity, leading to an inverted U-shape relationship between the focal firm's exertion of coercive power and the sustainability performance in the supply network. The findings allow a more comprehensive theoretical grounding for mapping governance approaches in a network-sensitive context and provide insights on how to avoid negative effects from power asymmetries.

The findings suggest the need for accompanying, indirect governance mechanisms already at the stage of first-tier suppliers based on non-mediated forms of power, such as referent power, also promoting disintermediation. Purchasing companies may also consider using digital platform technologies that foster disintermediation, such as blockchain technology.

By studying intermediaries from a power and network perspective, the conceptualization adds to the discussion on governance in multitier sustainable supply chain networks in various industries. Furthermore, it contributes to the increasing efforts of middle-range theorizing in logistics and supply chain management. The results partially challenge previous assumptions on the moderating role of specific network characteristics.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, all business sectors have critical needs. They face multiple challenges to restructuring their operations to build a resilient, cost-effective and sustainable supply chain. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the practice and the research gaps related to supply chains.

This research paper is influenced by a literature review of the past decade. This review paper incorporates industry challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including future steps toward developing resilient supply chains in the new normal economy. The research provides a detailed framework for designing cost-effective survivable supply chains that withstand disruptions for the long term.

The proposed research focuses on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on supply chains and attempts to bridge pre and post COVID-19 research and practice gaps. Post-COVID-19 resilient supply chains need to be transformed into survivable supply chains. The survivability of the supply chain can be achieved by combining both supply chain resilience and supply chain viability measures. To the best of the authors’ belief, this is the first study that grounds a theory to provide interconnection of five critical supply chain concepts to manage supply chain risk. This study is uniquely positioned to develop a theoretical framework to design a cost-effective, resilient and sustainable supply chain by establishing the interconnection among these concepts in supply chains. This framework helps practitioners to implement the key strategies at the operational, tactical and strategic levels that enhance maturity in supply chains.

The research findings are based on secondary reports such as industry reports, cases, research papers and expert opinions. The authors tried to consult with many companies. However, they were reluctant to share the recovery plan information from COVID. Also, as COVID still exists in many places in Canada, the authors could not gather every intended information from the companies. However, the authors have successfully shared the outcomes of this research with a reputed retail company in Canada. They recognized the importance of survivability in supply chains. Going forward, business organizations need to design cost-effective, sustainable and survivable supply chains.

The study attempts to unify current research dealing with supply chain resilience. The study concludes with the limitations of the current research. It highlights the prospects of future research and bridges the supply chain practice gaps from the challenges faced by industries due to COVID-19. The study contributes to the literature by identifying gaps to bridge the supply chain practice and reiterating new research directions to develop a cost-effective, survivable and sustainable supply chain.

The purpose of this paper is to examine blockchain's roles in promoting ethical sourcing in the mineral and metal industry.

It analyzes multiple case studies of blockchain projects in the mineral and metal industry.

It gives detailed descriptions of how blockchain-based supply chain networks' higher density of information flow and high degree of authenticity of information can increase supply chain participants' compliance with sustainability standards. It gives special consideration to blockchain systems' roles in overcoming the deficits in the second party and the third-party trust. It also demonstrates how blockchain-based supply chain networks include outside actors and configure the supply chain networks in a way that enhances the empowerment of marginalized groups.

It suggests various mechanisms by which blockchain-based supply chain networks can give a voice to marginalized groups.

It demonstrates how blockchain is likely to force mineral and metal supply chains to become more traceable and transparent.

The purpose of this paper is to report a comprehensive review of supply chain resilience and identify several research issues.

The articles which have been published in international journals in the period 1980-2012 were collected by using databases like ISI Web of Knowledge, ScienceDirect and EBSCO. The articles were scrutinized based on relevance to context and value addition. The articles contributing significantly in the domain of supply chain resilience were selected for final review and various issues were identified.

The paper argues that though several conceptual to few empirical works been done on supply chain resilience in recent years, there is large scope for research to address the issues in risk management, supply chain design, sourcing strategies, green practices, sustainable competitive advantage, supply chain security, supply chain performance and supply chain resilience.

The insights deduced in the paper are primarily based on 45 articles selected for critical review and analysis in the domain of supply chain resilience and hence should be interpreted only as key concerns in the area.

The paper reports an evaluation of 45 key articles reported in the domain of supply chain resilience and indicates the research opportunities in the area.

To explore the mechanism that shapes firms' supply chain learning (SCL) practices, this study examines the relationship between firms' knowledge network embeddedness and their SCL practice in a supply chain network, as well as the moderating role of supply chain network cohesion in this relationship.

Using patent application data and supply chain partner information from 869 listed firms between 2011 and 2020 in China, this study uses fixed-effect regression models to reduce endogeneity problems by controlling for individual heterogeneity effects that cannot be observed over time.

Firms' knowledge network embeddedness has an inverted U-shaped effect on their SCL, and this non-linear relationship is conditional on supply chain network cohesion, which strengthens (weakens) the positive (negative) effect of knowledge network embeddedness on SCL.

The findings show that managers can reconcile the downsides of knowledge network embeddedness on SCL by fostering greater supply chain network cohesion.

Drawing from the network pluralism perspective, this study contributes to supply chain literature by extending the research context of the antecedents of SCL from a single-network setting to a dual-network setting. It extends the network pluralism perspective by showing that not only positive effects but also negative effects of network embeddedness can transfer from one network to another.