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1 – 10 of over 65000
Book part
Publication date: 17 May 2024

José G. Vargas-Hernández and Omar C. Vargas-González

This chapter aims to critically analyse the implications that the national protectionist policies have on the global supply and value chains and the relocation of production. The…

Abstract

This chapter aims to critically analyse the implications that the national protectionist policies have on the global supply and value chains and the relocation of production. The analysis is based on the assumptions that the global economy is facing the possibility of decoupling of many trade connections, and this trend favours de-globalisation processes that have long been promoted by populism, nationalism and economic protectionism. It is concluded that global supply, production and value chains although being economically efficient are no longer any more secure under national protectionist policies, and therefore, the relocation of production processes is mainly due to the increase in the level of income and wages of the developing countries that are the destination and which reduce the advantages to relocate.

Details

International Trade, Economic Crisis and the Sustainable Development Goals
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-587-3

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 June 2021

Marlene M. Hohn and Christian F. Durach

Focusing on the apparel industry, this study extends current knowledge on how additive manufacturing (AM) may impact global supply chains regarding structures of…

2485

Abstract

Purpose

Focusing on the apparel industry, this study extends current knowledge on how additive manufacturing (AM) may impact global supply chains regarding structures of interorganizational governance and the industry's social-sustainability issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an exploratory research design, two consecutive Delphi studies, with three survey rounds each, were conducted to carve out future industry scenarios and assess AM's impact on supply chain governance and social sustainability.

Findings

The implementation of AM is posited to reinforce existing supply chain governance structures that are dominated by powerful apparel retailers. Retailers are expected to use the increased production speed and heightened market competition to enforce faster fashion cycles and lower purchasing prices, providing a grim outlook for future working conditions at the production stage.

Social implications

Against the common narrative that technological progress increases societal well-being, this study finds that new digital technologies may, in fact, amplify rather than improve existing social-sustainability issues in contemporary production systems.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the nascent research field of AM's supply chain impact as one of the first empirical studies to analyze how AM introduction may impact on interorganizational governance while specifically addressing potential social-sustainability implications. The developed propositions relate to and extend the resource dependence and stakeholder perspectives on governance and social sustainability in supply chains. For managers, our results enrich the discussion about the potential use of AM beyond operational viability to include considerations on the wider implications for supply chains and the prevailing working conditions within them.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 41 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 March 2008

Pekka Koskinen and Olli‐Pekka Hilmola

Owing to the consolidation and globalization of the paper industry, manufacturing units have keen interest to focus on particular product groups. While this specialization will…

5274

Abstract

Purpose

Owing to the consolidation and globalization of the paper industry, manufacturing units have keen interest to focus on particular product groups. While this specialization will create opportunities for scale economics in production, management of supply chains becomes increasingly challenging, as one particular manufacturing unit serves a number of different sales locations. The aim of this paper is to identify improvement areas in the new supply chain context of paper production, and possibly give further support for the general discipline development.

Design/methodology/approach

Research work is based on two different case studies completed for one major North‐European paper manufacturer, which is mostly serving its customers in Europe and the USA. The first case study (a preliminary one) started when supply chain challenges were recognized at the end of the 1990s, and a manufacturing unit was seeking managerial remedies – this investigation only concerned one manufacturing unit, while not singling cut any particular supply chain in the analysis. During the most recent years a more detailed case‐study was conducted with this paper manufacturer, which concerned lead time performance of four different strategically important supply chains. These supply chains were championed by two different large manufacturing units (the preliminary analysis concerned one of these two paper mills). The objective of this research work is to identify whether general lead time and response studies, mostly completed in the automotive industry, are applicable to paper production.

Findings

According to the analysis North‐European paper manufacturers hold approximately 45 days of distribution inventory. Interestingly, in the case study it was found that in distribution this does not result in high efficiency–on the contrary different parties involved (railway, port operations and vessels) need to have a considerable amount of free and unused capacity in their operations to ensure the smooth flow of materials.

Research limitations/implications

The case studies were conducted in the factories of one large North‐European multinational. Therefore, the observations are limited to this company. However, in order to generalize the results further, the authors have analysed North‐European paper producers through macro data and financial reports in any research environment. To cover a mismatch between company level quantitative analysis and macro data, the authors consulted several key persons in the case company concerning the research results. Therefore, triangulation in the empirical data was achieved.

Practical implications

It is argued that four reasons, namely: scale emphasis in production, IT systems to support supply chains, sea shipment, and outsourced distribution, play a vital role in the forthcoming performance improvement initiatives. At the moment this results in long supply chain lead times, whatever the distance to the actual market. Decision makers in practice need to find solutions for these in order to improve performance further.

Originality/value

Supply chains are rarely analyzed in research works through more than one supply chain – here analysis of four different supply chains concerning lead time is provided. The analysis is based on the enterprise resource‐planning database, and findings are verified with interviews with the managers and directors of the case company.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 108 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 20 October 2015

Mohammad Shamsuddoha

Contemporary literature reveals that, to date, the poultry livestock sector has not received sufficient research attention. This particular industry suffers from unstructured…

Abstract

Contemporary literature reveals that, to date, the poultry livestock sector has not received sufficient research attention. This particular industry suffers from unstructured supply chain practices, lack of awareness of the implications of the sustainability concept and failure to recycle poultry wastes. The current research thus attempts to develop an integrated supply chain model in the context of poultry industry in Bangladesh. The study considers both sustainability and supply chain issues in order to incorporate them in the poultry supply chain. By placing the forward and reverse supply chains in a single framework, existing problems can be resolved to gain economic, social and environmental benefits, which will be more sustainable than the present practices.

The theoretical underpinning of this research is ‘sustainability’ and the ‘supply chain processes’ in order to examine possible improvements in the poultry production process along with waste management. The research adopts the positivist paradigm and ‘design science’ methods with the support of system dynamics (SD) and the case study methods. Initially, a mental model is developed followed by the causal loop diagram based on in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observation techniques. The causal model helps to understand the linkages between the associated variables for each issue. Finally, the causal loop diagram is transformed into a stock and flow (quantitative) model, which is a prerequisite for SD-based simulation modelling. A decision support system (DSS) is then developed to analyse the complex decision-making process along the supply chains.

The findings reveal that integration of the supply chain can bring economic, social and environmental sustainability along with a structured production process. It is also observed that the poultry industry can apply the model outcomes in the real-life practices with minor adjustments. This present research has both theoretical and practical implications. The proposed model’s unique characteristics in mitigating the existing problems are supported by the sustainability and supply chain theories. As for practical implications, the poultry industry in Bangladesh can follow the proposed supply chain structure (as par the research model) and test various policies via simulation prior to its application. Positive outcomes of the simulation study may provide enough confidence to implement the desired changes within the industry and their supply chain networks.

Details

Sustaining Competitive Advantage Via Business Intelligence, Knowledge Management, and System Dynamics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-707-3

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2017

S.C. Lenny Koh, Angappa Gunasekaran, Jonathan Morris, Raymond Obayi and Seyed Mohammad Ebrahimi

In response to calls for conceptual frameworks and generic theory building toward the advancement of sustainability in supply chain resource utilization and management, the…

3108

Abstract

Purpose

In response to calls for conceptual frameworks and generic theory building toward the advancement of sustainability in supply chain resource utilization and management, the purpose of this paper is to advance a circular framework for supply chain resource sustainability (SCRS), and a decision-support methodology for assessing SCRS against the backdrop of five foundational premises (FPs) deduced from the literature on resource sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking a conceptual theory-building approach, the paper advances a set of SCRS decision-support criteria for each of the theoretical premises advanced, and applies the theory of constraints to illustrate the conceptual and practical applications of the framework in SCRS decision making.

Findings

This study uses recent conceptualizations of supply chains as “complex adaptive systems” to provide a robust and novel frame and a set of decision rules with which to assess the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and social capital of supply chain resources from pre-production to post-production.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to theory building in sustainability research, and the SCRS decision framework developed could be applied in tandem with existing quantitative hybrid life-cycle and input-output approaches to facilitate targeted resource sustainability assessments, with implications for research and practice.

Originality/value

The novel SCRS framework proposed serves as a template for evaluating SCRS and provides a decision-support methodology for assessing SCRS against the five theorized FPs.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 37 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 January 2020

Gleriani Ferreira, Jacques Marcovitch and Adalberto Luis Val

The development of the Amazon region depends on the organisation and improvement of production chains able to benefit forest species and animals. The purpose of this paper is to…

Abstract

Purpose

The development of the Amazon region depends on the organisation and improvement of production chains able to benefit forest species and animals. The purpose of this paper is to map and categorise the studies developed on the Arapaima gigas, a commercialisable fish native to the Amazon, responding to the following research questions: first, which links of the production chain have most of the studies on the pisciculture of the Amazon region? Second, is environmental performance being approached in studies on production chains in the Amazon region? To reach the objective, the authors used the systematic literature review (SLR) method. The authors analysed a sample of 121 articles published in 95 journals between 1981 and 2018. The research contains bibliometric and contents analyses. The main conclusions include the identification of various possibilities of studies throughout the different production chains in the Amazon region; the multidisciplinarity of research on a single species in the Amazon region; the importance of empirical studies in the construction of knowledge about the natural behaviour of the species; the need for integration and sharing of knowledge to create an efficient and competitive production chain. As a limitation, this study encompasses a broad spectrum of issues in the literature, therefore, it was only possible to offer a general overview of these issues. At the same time, this broad and intentional approach presents a comprehensive framing of the themes and phenomena that occur at each link of the production chain of Amazon fish farming.

Design/methodology/approach

This research consists in an SLR with organised, transparent and replicable procedures as recommended in the literature (Littell et al., 2008). The SLR is suited to the mapping of areas where there is a high level of uncertainty and new studies are necessary (Petticrew and Roberts, 2006). This research method is especially useful when dealing with a large volume of information (Tranfield et al., 2003). The use of SLR limits researcher bias by trying to evaluate and select relevant studies on the study theme (Petticrew and Roberts, 2006).

Findings

There are a number of possibilities for studies of the different production chains in the Amazon region; the results of mapping the production chains help to prioritise “what” should be researched in the Amazon region to promote more effective impacts for all stakeholders; research on pisciculture in the Amazon region can be used as a diagnostic tool for public policy formulators; the development of corporate environmental management is intrinsically linked to the process of analysis and understanding of the operations and costs that arise in different links of the production chain.

Research limitations/implications

As a limitation, this study encompasses a broad spectrum of issues in the literature, therefore, it was only possible to offer a general overview of these issues.

Practical implications

In terms of practical implications, it is possible to note that the dispersion of themes found in this study confirms the plurality of the richness of the Amazon and suggests that research institutions should be able to commit to the drafting of integrated planning of science, as well as compilation of the results reached. It is also important to highlight Brazil’s role in the leadership of research in the Amazon region compared to other countries.

Originality/value

The aim of the paper was twofold: to supply a focussed review of the literature on the production chain of a species in Amazon pisciculture and to identify a research agenda capable of overcoming the gaps that impede the development of this chain. More specifically, this study reviewed the available research on the chain in question to analyse the links that have the largest volume of studies and to orient future research.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 November 2022

Marije Renkema and Per Hilletofth

Intermediate short food supply chains (SFSC) have been presented as a possible solution to unsustainable global food supply chains. There is currently a knowledge gap about…

2241

Abstract

Purpose

Intermediate short food supply chains (SFSC) have been presented as a possible solution to unsustainable global food supply chains. There is currently a knowledge gap about intermediate SFSC. Thus, this review synthesizes the available literature to identify prominent themes and their main considerations.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on a systematic literature review including peer-reviewed journal articles until December 2021. Inductive data coding resulted in the identification of four themes related to intermediate SFSC.

Findings

The identified themes illustrate the complex landscape intermediate SFSCs operate in and focus on the key relationships within these supply chains. The established relationships have implications for the governance of intermediate SFSCs. The organization of intermediate SFSCs affects numerous sustainability indicators.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should focus on the position intermediate SFSCs have in food systems and the roles intermediaries have in intermediate SFSCs. There is furthermore an opportunity for researchers to investigate different types of intermediaries and explore the factors influencing them.

Originality/value

Creating sustainable food supply chains is one of the major societal challenges of today. The current state of the art suggests that intermediate SFSCs could play an important role in achieving this. So far, this area is underdeveloped and this review highlights knowledge gaps in the literature and suggestions for a future research agenda are proposed.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 124 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 June 2020

Elizabeth Carter

The purpose of this paper is to understand why the quality markets are expanding in some areas of food production, while struggling in others. Across agricultural markets in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand why the quality markets are expanding in some areas of food production, while struggling in others. Across agricultural markets in advanced industrialized economies, there are movements toward quality production and consumption. The author argues that the quality turn in beer, coffee, wine and other transformed artisanal food production are fundamentally different from the quality movements in primary food products. The heart of that difference lies in the nature of the supply chain advantages of transformed versus primary agricultural products.

Design/methodology/approach

The author applies convention theory to explain the dynamics within transformed agricultural quality markets. In these producer-dominant markets, networks of branded producers shape consumer notions of product quality, creating competitive quality feedback loops. The author contrasts this with the consumer-dominant markets for perishable foods such as produce, eggs, dairy and meat. Here, politically constructed short supply chains play a central role in building quality food systems.

Findings

The emergence of quality in primary food products is linked to the strength of local political organization, and consumers have a greater role in shaping quality in these markets.

Originality/value

Quality beer, coffee, wine and other transformed products can emerge without active political intervention, whereas quality markets for perishable foods are the outcome of political action.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2020-0001.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 48 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 January 2020

Fabricio Pini Rosales, Pedro Carlos Oprime, Annie Royer and Mario Otávio Batalha

The purpose of this paper is to identify the risks to which agrifood supply chains are exposed and to analyze how these risks impact the degree of coordination of the chain.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the risks to which agrifood supply chains are exposed and to analyze how these risks impact the degree of coordination of the chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The present investigation was executed in two steps. Initially, a literature review and interviews with slaughterhouse managers were carried out to identify the main risks to which agrifood supply chains are exposed. The second step consisted of a survey involving 66 Brazilian slaughterhouses to identify how the perception of risks influences the degree of coordination in the examined chains.

Findings

The study revealed that risks, transaction costs and creation of collaborative advantages are determining factors in defining the degree of coordination in the analyzed agrifood supply chains.

Practical implications

The results allow slaughterhouse managers to more easily recognize the risks to which the supply chains are exposed and evaluate in more detail strategies for relationships with their suppliers. These strategies may be able to avoid conflict and create value for the supplier by stimulating longer relationships and facilitating animal purchase transactions for slaughter. This can lead to quality improvements, lower costs and reduced risk.

Originality/value

Studies of risks in agrifood supply chains are rare in comparison with those developed in other sectors. The present investigation is innovative in identifying the main risks specific to agrifood supply chains and associating those risks with a degree of coordination that minimizes them.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2021

Carina Acioli, Annibal Scavarda and Augusto Reis

The purpose of this paper is 1) to investigate the effects on the crucial Industry 4.0 technological innovations that interact between the real and virtual worlds and that are…

4617

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is 1) to investigate the effects on the crucial Industry 4.0 technological innovations that interact between the real and virtual worlds and that are applied in the sustainable supply chain process; 2) to contribute to the identification of the opportunities, the challenges and the gaps that will support the new research study developments and 3) to analyze the impact of the Industry 4.0 technologies as facilitators of the sustainable supply chain performance in the midst of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Design/methodology/approach

This research is performed through a bibliographic review in the electronic databases of the Emerald Insight, the Scopus and the Web of Science, considering the main scientific publications on the subject.

Findings

The bibliographic search results in 526 articles, followed by two sequential filters for deleting the duplicate articles (resulting in 487 articles) and for selecting the most relevant articles (resulting in 150 articles).

Practical implications

This article identifies the opportunities and the challenges focused on the emerging Industry 4.0 theme. The opportunities can contribute to the sustainable performance of the supply chains and their territories. The Industry 4.0 can also generate challenges like the social inequalities related to the position of the man in the labor market by replacing the human workforce with the machines. Therefore, the man-machine relationship in the Industry 4.0 era is analyzed as a gap in the literature. Therefore, as a way to fill this gap, the authors of this article suggest the exploration of the research focused on the Society 5.0. Also known as “super-smart society,” this recent theme appeared in Japan in April 2016. According to Fukuda (2020), in addition to the focus on the technological development, the Society 5.0 also aims at the quality of life and the social challenge resolutions.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the analysis of the Industry 4.0 technologies as facilitators in the sustainable supply chain performance. It addresses the impacts of the Industry 4.0 technologies applied to the supply chains in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it analyzes the research gaps and limitations found in the literature. The result of this study can add value and stimulate new research studies related to the application of the Industry 4.0 technologies as facilitators in the supply chain sustainable performance. It can encourage the studies related to the COVID-19 impacts on the sustainable supply chains, and it can promote the research development on the relationship among the man, the machine and the labor in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 70 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 65000