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The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has resulted in international, cross‐border supply chains returning to a new prominence. The BRI presents opportunities for cross‐border supply chain collaboration (SCC) research. Assessing the influencing factors of cross‐border SCC is beneficial for understanding and improving this evolving, globally influential international trade policy. The BRI is quite complex so that subjective assessment methods are useful but need to be improved. To address this issue, this paper initially develops a cross‐border SCC factor framework based on synergetic theory. A vague set and DEMATEL methods are integrated to form a unified model to support the assessment. A combination weighting that uses analytic hierarchy process and an entropy weighting method, that is, a data crawler for BRI‐related documents, to ensure that objective importance weights of the factors in the Belt and Road context are achieved. The results show that information sharing, profit allotment, the degree of trust, and goal congruence as common drivers of SCC are not driving factors in the Belt and Road cross‐border context. They are core issues that do not affect cross‐border SCC directly. Senior manager support and customs regulation are two important drivers of cross‐border SCC. The practitioners of cross‐border SCC should not only focus on the support from senior managers and customs regulation but also attempt to improve performance, such as information sharing and trust, to obtain more support from senior managers and policy makers to promote cross‐border SCC indirectly.
This article presents a tactical supply chain planning model that can be used to investigate tradeoffs between cost and environmental degradation including carbon emissions, energy consumption and waste generation. The proposed model also incorporates other aspects of real world supply chains such as multiple transport lot sizing and flexible holding capacity of warehouses. A solution methodology, the Nested Integrated Cross-Entropy (NICE) method, is developed to solve the proposed mixed-integer nonlinear mathematical model. The application of the model and solution method is investigated in an actual case problem. Analysis of the numerical results focuses on investigating the relationship between lean practices and green outcomes. We find that (1) not all lean interventions at the tactical supply chain planning level result in green benefits, and (2) a flexible supply chain is the greenest and most efficient alternative when compared to strictly lean and centralized situations.
This book chapter introduces the principles of designing cryptocurrencies and outlines the key characteristics expected from future currencies. The chapter provides an overview of the foundational components of cryptocurrency networks and emphasizes scalability, security, and sustainability as pivotal characteristics for the next-generation currencies. It begins by introducing the fundamental elements involved in designing cryptocurrency networks, which include hash functions, data structure, and digital signatures. It further explains the primary processes necessary for achieving decentralization, and the procedure of mining and verifying transactions. In addition, the chapter describes the environmental sustainability aspects of crypto networks, with a specific focus on three key areas: (1) energy consumption, (2) electronic waste generation, and (3) opportunities for sustainable practices through decentralized transactions. Finally, the chapter highlights the potential for sustainable practices and the social benefits that can be derived from future cryptocurrency technology.
The United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs) are now entering their decade of action. We are supporting this decade by further encouraging the International Journal of Production Research (IJPR) and its scholarly community to lead on contributing to global SDGs through research, knowledge development, and dissemination. There are islands of excellence that are evident from the past 60 years of IJPR research – especially in ecologically sustainable production-related SDG. There are also serious SDG gaps – for example, general environmental, gender, and inclusiveness research – that can provide additional insights that can greatly advance the IJPR disciplines. This thematic analysis ends with a number of recommendations that seek to expand our experiences and knowledge.
This paper focuses on extending the analysis of an efficiency and productivity study on a cellular manufacturing system (CMS) as first introduced by Shafer and Bradford. Shafer and Bradford's initial study introduced a methodology that utilized simulation and data envelopment analysis (DEA) for a multiple performance measure analysis of a CMS. This paper presents an extension to their methodology by incorporating cross-efficiency measures and cluster analysis. One important contribution of this research is in identifying "overall" efficient and "false positive" layouts that are of high managerial significance, Another contribution is in selecting more appropriate targets for poorly performing layouts to use as a benchmark. An interesting managerial insight that emerged from this study is that, in general, cellular layouts with six cells have outperformed hybrid layouts and other cellular layouts. Also, this study concludes that "overall" efficient layouts must be considered by manufacturing engineers and managers in the design of a CMS. Last, the practical problems associated with the improvement of the "false positive" layouts are addressed.
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce a methodology to help evaluate, select, and monitor sustainable supply chain performance measurement that can be integrated into a performance management system (PMS). Design/methodology/approach – Grey‐based neighborhood rough set theory is used to help arrive at a core set of important business and environmental performance measures for sustainable supply chains. The supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model is used to develop both business and environmental measures for supply chain sourcing. Findings – A case illustration shows the applicability of the methodology. A sensitivity analysis shows that variations in outcome considerations may greatly influence the set of key performance measures for a sustainable supply chain PMS. Research limitations/implications – The methodology and presentation is conceptual, yet the tool can provide very useful interpretations for both researchers and practitioners. Practical implications – The tool can be valuable for companies that are trying to identify key environmental and business performance measures for their supply chains. It helps save resources by not requiring the management of a burdensome and complex set of performance measures. Originality/value – This is one of the few approaches that helps to clearly identify and narrow the set of performance measures for sustainable supply chains. It attempts to do so with minimal information loss. It is also the first time that grey techniques have been integrated with neighborhood rough set methodology.
In this perspective paper we introduce the concept of social credits and a circular and social credit exchange. The proposal is to develop an credit exchange where individuals, organizations, and policymakers can help finance socially and environmentally beneficial programs and projects.
The modern supply chain is characterised by an ill-defined and porous perimeter, allowing entry points for potential adversaries to intercept sensitive information and disrupt operations. Such supply chain attacks are increasing in frequency and their impacts can be costly to an organisation. Trust between supply chain partners is commonly thought to be a risk management tool, where increasing trust results in reduced risk. However, increased trust may actually expose the supply chain to more risk, not less. In this paper, we propose the concept of the zero trust supply chain. Originating in the field of information technology and cybersecurity, a zero trust philosophy assumes that all actors and activity are untrusted. In contrast to perimeter-based security, which attempts to keep adversarial actors out, a zero trust-based security posture assumes that adversaries are already inside the system, and therefore imposes strict access and authentication requirements. In this paper, we map zero trust concepts to the supply chain, and discuss the steps an organisation might take to transition to zero trust. We set forth a research agenda by examining zero trust through the lens of several organisational theories and propose a number of research propositions.
Ecoefficiency is critical for organizations that seek to be both environmentally conscious and profitable. Ecoefficiency supports and aids in determining "win-win" strategies for organizations. Studying and managing organizations from this perspective requires an evaluation of ecoefficiency. To aid researchers and managers develop measures for ecoefficiency we review the use of data envelopment analysis (DEA) for this purpose. DEA theory and application have gone through major growth. Yet, its use as a tool for environmental performance evaluation has been limited. In this paper we provide a number of DEA models and some extensions and how they can be utilized from both the practitioner and researcher perspective. An illustrative example from published data helps to gain insight into the various models, their capabilities and limitations.
The consideration of whether to adopt rapid prototyping (RP) technology in general or a specific system in particular is not a trivial issue for most organizations. This technology has influences and has implications for a variety of intra-organizational functions...
ABSTRACT Circular economy practices can provide co‐benefits beyond resource utilization that potentially result in climate mitigation. Drawing on co‐benefits theory and using a panel of 1599 manufacturing companies for the period 2014–2021, this study investigates the relationship between circular economy practices and carbon emissions, evaluating two hypotheses. The first hypothesis speculates a negative association between circular economy and Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions—meaning greater circular practices relate to fewer emissions. We then turn to legitimacy theory to evaluate this relationship within sustainability‐ sensitive and non‐sensitive industries. The results show that only the product redesign strategy is associated with lower levels of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. No circular economy practice is related to improvements in Scope 3 emissions. Industry‐specific characterizations are also evaluated. The work provides interesting and sometimes counterintuitive results that require greater investigation to further understand the phenomena. From a theoretical perspective, the study contributes to the literature on organizational antecedents of carbon emission intensity and extends the application of co‐benefits theory to the firm level, linking it to a legitimacy theoretical perspective. Practically, the study provides managers with insights into the effects of individual CE practices on the three emissions scopes, complemented by industry‐contingent findings.
With increasingly severe environmental risks deriving from electronic and electrical and other products, China has recognized RoHS (the restriction of the use of [certain] hazardous substances [in electrical and electronic equipment]) legislation as a necessity. However, the implementation of China's RoHS has faced a variety of challenges. Some literature has explored the barriers to implementing RoHS in Chinese context. Nevertheless, formal modeling tools to aid a systematic analysis of barriers to implementing China RoHS from a multiple stakeholder perspective can also provide insights. Using the perspectives of three stakeholders: local government, professional associations and a manufacturer in Dalian, China, we acquire multi-faceted managerial inputs to evaluate the barriers to implementing China's RoHS. The managerial inputs further are evaluated by a grey-based DEMATEL with a similarity analysis between the various stakeholders. The contributions include a further understanding of RoHS regulations and responses in China as well as a methodological contribution advancing evaluation and interpretation of DEMATEL. Managerial implications of the presented study and application, limitations and future research directions are also discussed.
Organizations are facing various evolving pressures to green their practices. These pressures range from obligatory forces to voluntary measures. Environmental pressures traditionally influenced organizations to seek reactive and internal practices. The adopted environmental management (EM) practices have evolved to be more proactive and external as the focus has shifted to supply chains. This paper aims to further understand the driving mechanisms for EM practices under various external pressures. To meet this research goal, this study extends the theory of dynamic incentives of environmental policies and institutional theory to develop environmental pressures. Using an empirical study of 422 Chinese manufacturers covering all 31 provinces and provincial cities, an exploratory factor analysis reveals four EM practices factors and four pressures (drivers) factors. Results of a hierarchical regression analysis show that coercive pressures positively relate to more reactive, internal EM practices. Less coercive pressures positively relate to more proactive, external, and green supply chain management practices. The empirical findings provide further support that voluntary regulatory measures can help motivate companies in extending their EM efforts to supply chains. The work also provides insights into how organizations may respond to evolving regulatory regimes, dynamic incentives of environmental regulatory policy, and various institutional pressures.
Product management activities by operations, marketing, and finance functions have typically focused on the innovation, acquisition, growth, and management of product lines and products. The same is true when considering product management for green products. The latter stages of critical strategic decisions related to product deletion or discontinuation have received less emphasis. In this conceptual paper, the focus is on green product deletion implications for supply chain management and operations. Organisations may view green product deletion as evolving from a deep green to a paler shade of green in their product offerings. A proposed strategic framework pays particular attention to the implications of the green product deletion decision for supply chain processes and operational competencies. In this situation, lessened organisational greenness needs to be weighed against other organisational and operational competencies. The strategic and inter-organisational relationships associated with this decision help set the stage for future research on this critical, yet neglected, organisational and operational supply chain issue.
This chapter presents a case study of an overview of the efforts of Texas Instrument's (TI's) internal and external ERP implementation, with a focus on linking its ERP system in a global e-commerce setting. This linkage is especially important since it had been stated in TI's strategic plan as an objective of this project to provide visibility of the ERP system to external constituents via Web linkages along with the objective of standardizing internal processes and important information technology systems to support market needs. Thus, its ERP system is central to managing its supply chain and B2B e-commerce linkages from both a customer and supplier perspective. Issues faced by TI are clearly outlined with future questions also posed in the final section.Request access from your librarian to read this chapter's full text.
The food industry and its supply chains have significant sustainability implications. Effective supply chain management requires careful consideration of multiple tiers of partners, especially with respect to sustainability issues. Firms increasingly approach their sub-suppliers to drive compliance with social and environmental efforts. A number of complexities make sub- supplier management more difficult than direct supplier management. The literature has not investigated from either a sustainability or standards perspective the critical success factors for firms' sub-supplier management. Using data and information from a one-year field study in two food supply chains, our research identified 14 critical success factors (CSF) that potentially influence the success of the sub-supplier management outcome of sub-suppliers' compliance with corporate sustainability standards (CSS). The identified CSF can be classified into (1) focal firm-related, (2) relationship-related, (3) supply chain partner-related, and (4) context-related CSF. We expand on the theory of critical success factors by expanding the theory to sustainability and sub-supplier management. For each CSF we provide a foundational definition and analyze them with respect to existent literature. CSF's unique importance to sub-supplier management success was highlighted and exemplified by field study insights from practitioners. Respective research avenues are highlighted. [http://www.clarku.edu/departments/marsh/news/WP2012-25.pdf Link]
