Consumers expect global apparel suppliers to adhere to strict social sustainability standards following several deadly noncompliance incidents. This study provides a unique contribution to social ...sustainability governance by utilizing a causal-effect analysis to classify noncompliance antecedents into causal and effect groups and analyze the interactions. Combining a structured Delphi technique, involving thirty senior manufacturing professionals in the Indian apparel sector, with a fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory method (DEMATEL) revealed specific antecedents related to the adherence to social sustainability standards. The most influential antecedents identified were manufacturing cluster behavior, stringent regulations, multiple standards, business continuity, and buyer preference. Notably, the study theorizes that a supplier's compliance deliberations intertwine with operational considerations around business volumes, costs, inappropriate governance, and regional cultural norms. Stakeholder theory and the theory of reasoned action help explain the institutional logics underlying the interactions between antecedents and highlight the crucial need for local production hubs to adopt universal social compliance codes. To our knowledge, this research is the first to identify manufacturing cluster behavior as a leading cause of noncompliance, highlighting the need to recognize clusters as essential stakeholders. The study has notable implications for brands, suppliers, governments, manufacturing councils, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that call for coordinated action and new forms of governance to minimize the incidences of noncompliance by apparel suppliers.
Real-time monitoring, is now the integral component in smart manufacturing with the rapid application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in manufacturing. Machine Learning (ML) algorithms and Internet ...of things (IoT) make the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity world (VUCA) more reliable and resilient with the stable industrial environment. In this study, two machine learning algorithms such as K-mean clustering and support vector, are used in combination with IoT-enabled embedded devices to design, deploy and test the effectiveness of the vehicle assembly process in the VUCA context. To accomplish this, the design includes both real-time data and training vector data, which were collected from IoT-enabled devices and evaluated using ML algorithms leading to the novel element called Smart Safe Factor (SSF), a critical threshold indicator that helps in limiting different units in assembly line-ups from excess wastages and energy losses in real-time. Test results highlight the impact of AI in enhancing the productivity and efficiency. Using SSF, 21.84% of energy is saved during the entire assembly process and 8% of excess stocks in storage have been curtailed for monetary benefits. This study deliberates the applications of AI and ML algorithms in a Vehicle Assembly (VA) model, connecting critical parameters such as cost, performance, energy, and productivity.
The selection of suitable supply partners is a strategic issue for managers working in humanitarian operations and has received little attention in the literature. In humanitarian operations, ...complexity characterizes the continuous-aid procurement operations, and the selection criteria can differ from those used in commercial supply chain settings. This paper advances knowledge by introducing a supply partner selection framework for
continuous
-
aid
procurement. A proposed multi-criteria decision-making model uses selection criteria attributes verified by the extant literature and by field experts. A fuzzy
Analytic Hierarchy Process
is then used to compute criterion weights, and a fuzzy
Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution
is used to rank supply partner alternatives. Even with elevated levels of subjectivity, these techniques enable humanitarian operation stakeholders to select the best supply partner effectively. An actual case illustrates how the proposed framework efficiently identifies the most suitable continuous-aid supply partner for the prevailing situation.
The procurement of food grains from farmers is one of the biggest challenges under the COVID-19 outbreak due to country-wise lockdowns. The present study aims to reconfigure the existing food grain ...supply chain network. The study advances the extant literature by proposing a novel mathematical model that considers the government guidelines issued to procure food grains from farmers under the COVID-19 situation. The model includes personal distancing, a key parameter relevant in the COVID-19 crisis, and has remained unaddressed in the existing literature. The proposed model is tested in India. The effect of different parameters like personal distancing cost, carbon emission cost, fixed cost, and transportation cost is also investigated under a given set of procurement centers. Finally, the procurement schedule for each procurement center is generated, which is especially useful for managing its activities and is also helpful to farmers to streamline the process. Results indicate that the proposed model is highly effective under pandemic emergencies like the current COVID-19 crisis. Policymakers and the government will find this model helpful in drafting relevant policies regarding food grain procurement under emergencies such as the COVID-19 outbreak. The distribution segment of the supply chain network is not part of the present research work. In future studies, this part could be then added to the whole of the procurement process, and both procurement and distribution can be assessed together again.
Display omitted
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is widely used for assessing the environmental impacts of a product or service. Collecting reliable data is a major challenge in LCA due to the ...complexities involved in the tracking and quantifying inputs and outputs at multiple supply chain stages. Blockchain technology offers an ideal solution to overcome the challenge in sustainable supply chain management. Its use in combination with internet-of-things (IoT) and big data analytics and visualization can help organizations achieve operational excellence in conducting LCA for improving supply chain sustainability. This research develops a framework to guide the implementation of Blockchain-based LCA. It proposes a system architecture that integrates the use of Blockchain, IoT, and big data analytics and visualization. The proposed implementation framework and system architecture were validated by practitioners who were experienced with Blockchain applications. The research also analyzes system implementation costs and discusses potential issues and solutions, as well as managerial and policy implications.
•A unique measure for corporate transformation toward industry 4.0.•Corporate transformation toward I4.0 in the UK is increasing over time.•CTTI4.0 can be viewed as enablers of the circular ...economy.•Corporate transformation toward I4.0 positively affects financial performance.•ESG strengthen this relationship.•Successful CTTI4.0 practices require a proper understanding of stakeholders’ interests and expectations.•The results provide the theoretical evidence to the influence of national culture and boardrooms commitment on achieving the synergy between I4.0 and circular economy.
Despite the importance of corporate transformation toward Industry 4.0 (CTTI4.0), almost no research exists on how companies communicate CTTI4.0 information in their annual reports and how this affects financial performance. To fill this gap, this paper uses computer-aided textual analysis to explore the current practices of CTTI4.0 in the UK context. It also uses quantitative analysis to examine the impact of CTTI4.0 information on financial performance. The analysis shows that strategic investment decision-making (SIDM) practices for CTTI4.0 have accelerated over the period, and these practices vary in industry sectors. Furthermore, it finds that CTTI4.0 disclosure has a positive impact on financial performance. In addition, it finds that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices moderate the relationship between CTTI4.0 disclosure and financial performance. This indicates that firms with better ESG performance tend to be more engaged in CTTI4.0 disclosure and better financial performance simultaneously. Our findings offer insights to decision-makers and regulatory bodies regarding the current practices of CTTI4.0 and its potential economic impact.
Paper type: Research paper.
•This study focuses on identifying critical success factors (CSF’s) for AI adoption in HSC.•Results imply that TEC factors are influencing the most that impacts AI adoption.•Other factors including ...INT, HUM and ORG also plays a critical role in AI adoption.•With the outbreak of various diseases, this study assumes significance in healthcare sector.
Healthcare is one of the most critical sectors due to its importance in handling public health. With the outbreak of various diseases, more recently during Covid-19, this sector has gained further attention. The pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in the healthcare supply chain (HSC). Recent advancements like the adoption of various advanced technologies viz. AI and Industry 4.0 in the healthcare supply chain are turning out to be game-changers. This study focuses on identifying critical success factors (CSFs) for AI adoption in HSC in the emerging economy context. Rough SWARA is used for ranking CSFs of AI adoption in HSC. Results indicate that technological (TEC) factors are the most influential factor that impacts the adoption of AI in HSC in the context of emerging economies, followed by institutional or environmental (INT), human (HUM), and organizational (ORG) dimensions.
•Social sustainability demands more transparency in supply chain governance.•System architecture for blockchain based traceability of social sustainability.•Integrating blockchain technology, ...internet-of-things and big data analytics.•Effectively monitor social sustainability in multi-tier global sourcing supply chains.•System cost is quantified and solutions recommended for potential issues/challenges.
Social sustainability is a major concern in global supply chains for protecting workers from exploitation and for providing a safe working environment. Although there are stipulated standards to govern supply chain social sustainability, it is not uncommon to hear of businesses being reported for noncompliance issues. Even reputable firms such as Unilever have been criticized for production labor exploitation. Consumers now increasingly expect sellers to disclose information on social sustainability, but sellers are confronted with the challenge of traceability in their multi-tier global supply chains. Blockchain offers a promising future to achieve instant traceability in supply chain social sustainability. This study develops a system architecture that integrates the use of blockchain, internet-of-things (IoT) and big data analytics to allow sellers to monitor their supply chain social sustainability efficiently and effectively. System implementation cost and potential challenges are analyzed before the research is concluded.
Purpose
Tragic incidents such as the Rana Plaza building collapse call into question the value and effectiveness of supplier codes of conduct (SCC) used in multi-tier supply chains. This paper aims ...to investigate the barriers to sub-supplier compliance and the drivers from the perspective of suppliers that adopt a double agency role by complying with buyer-imposed SCC while managing sub-supplier compliance on behalf of the buyer.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopts a sequential, mixed-methods approach. The qualitative phase develops a conceptual model with the aid of the extant the literature and semi-structured interviews with 24 senior manufacturing professionals. The quantitative phase then uses a hierarchical regression analysis to test the conceptual model using survey data from 159 apparel suppliers based in India.
Findings
The findings reveal that sub-supplier compliance is positively impacted by effective buyer–supplier governance and by the focal supplier having a strategic partnership with the sub-supplier. Conversely, price pressure on sub-suppliers adversely impacts their compliance, while institutional pressure on them to comply is generally ineffective.
Research limitations/implications
The context of the study is limited to the garment industry in India.
Practical implications
To improve SCC compliance rates, buyers and focal suppliers should actively develop strategic partnerships with selected upstream supply chain actors; should set a reasonable price across the supply chain; and, should include specific sub-supplier compliance requirements within the supply contract. The findings also suggest the need to develop social sustainability protocols that are cognisant of regional contexts.
Originality/value
The absence of prior research on SCC implementation by sub-suppliers, this study represents a pioneering empirical study into such multi-tier sourcing arrangements. It provides strong support that sub-supplier governance arrangements differ from those typically found in the focal supplier layer. It also provides empirical evidence of the critical factors that encourage sub-supplier compliance within the apparel industry of a regionally developing economy.
This paper explores the behavioral tendencies of buyer-supplier dyads during sustainable supply chain governance (SSCG) decision-making under the complexity and uncertainty of the sustainable ...performance of their partners. In doing so, this work builds on Behavioral Decision Theory (BDT), together with the literature on dyadic buyer-supplier relationships, to develop a theoretical framework to examine factors affecting the SSCG decisions of supply chain managers and firm representatives under uncertainty of the sustainable performance of their partners. An experimental vignette methodology (EVM) is used to collect and analyze data from 374 matched buyer-supplier dyads. The findings suggest that behavioral uncertainty could lead to both contractual and relational SSCG. However, the interaction of interpersonal trust and relational experience is critical to shaping the SSCG decision. The findings of the study suggest that behavioral uncertainty does not play significant role in shaping SSCG decisions. However, the interplay with negative relational experience may lead to more contractual SSCG. Furthermore, the degree of interpersonal trust between the buyer and supplier representatives significantly encourages them to opt for more relational SSCG. The study supports that positive relational experience helps to strengthen the trust. Using our findings, supply chain managers and executives should strive to build interpersonal trust between their employees and positive relational experience with their supply chain partners to develop relational SSCG throughout the supply chains.
PDF
