INTEGRATING CLOUD-BASED LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS: A STRATEGIC APPROACH FOR E-COMMERCE EFFICIENCY

Background: Within highly complex supply chain networks, driven by the trend of digitalization, supply chain relationship management becomes one of the central enablers in increasing supply chain performance. While the influences of globalization and digitalization on the supply chains are increasing, the power allocation within several markets is centralized to a small number of companies. The objective of this paper is to investigate the research gap concerning the impact of power asymmetries on the supply chain, in addition to the trend of digitalization. Methods: A literature review on power, in the research area of supply chain management and logistics, is used to synthesize the current state of the art in this research field and to provide a comprehensive definition of the concept of power. Conclusions: While this paper provides an overview of the impact of power allocations, according to supply chain digitalization and in the present research of supply chain management, it also develops a definition of Power in Supply Chain Management in general. Linked to this definition, this research elaborates on the research gap between power allocations and the digitalization of the supply chain.

Supply chain management (SCM) is an area that offers organizations significant opportunities for both cost reductions and revenue enhancement. In their article, "Supply Chain Management: Implementation Issues and Research Opportunities," Lambert, Cooper and Pagh defined SCM as the "integration of key business processes from end user through original suppliers that provides products, services, and information that add value for customers and other stakeholders." Adopting and implementing appropriate technology has emerged as a source of competitive advantage for supply chain member firms through the integration of business processes with suppliers and customers. It is important to understand the factors influencing an organization's decision to acquire such technology. In the context of this study, connective technologies are defined as wireless communication devices and their accompanying infrastructure and software which may enhance coordination among supply chain partners. Building on previous literature in the areas of supply chain management, marketing strategy, and organizational innovation, a model was developed to test the relationships between organizational, interorganizational, and technology-related factors and the adoption of advanced connective technology, using radio frequency identification (RFID) as the test case, in the supply chain. A Web-based survey of supply chain professionals was conducted resulting in 224 usable responses. The overall model was statistically significant with four of the predictors significantly influencing the adoption of RFID in the supply chain. Size, centralization, new product advantage and time to achieve targeted ROI were significantly related to adoption of connective technology (RFID). Interorganizational related factors were not significant predictors of connective technology adoption. The study contributes to theory by testing scales from marketing and management in a supply chain context in order to better understand behavioral dimensions of supply chain management and logistics. The conceptualization and measurement of market orientation at the interfirm level advances the market orientation literature. Finally, the study contributes to the technology adoption literature by considering organizational-related, interorganizational-related, and technology-related factors that influence adoption of connective technology in the supply chain.

As a subfield of artificial intelligence, genetic algorithm (GA) was introduced in the 1970s to tackle various types (both continuous and discrete) of combinatorial decision problems facing many business enterprises. These problems include routine but complex managerial challenges associated with supply chain activities of sourcing, making, selling, and delivering goods and services. With the emergence of supply chain principles in today's business world, GA has increased its role in improving managerial decision-making processes and subsequently enhancing supply chain efficiency by avoiding the sub-optimisation of problem solutions. Despite its application potentials, we have seen the limited use of GA for supply chain management. To make the best use of GA for supply chain management, this paper introduces the theoretical underpinning of GA and then explains how effectively it works for solving difficult supply chain problems. In so doing, this paper reviews the past record of success in GA applications to supply chain fields and then identifies the most promising areas of supply chain management in which to apply GA.

Social Media Networks (SMNs) are collaborative tools used in an increasing rate in many business and industrial environments. These are often used in parallel with dedicated Collaborative Technologies (CTs) which are specifically designed to handle dedicated tasks. Within this research project the specific area of supply chain management is the focus of investigation. Two case studies where CTs are already extensively employed have been conducted to evaluate the scope of SMN usage and to confirm the particular benefits provided and to identify limitations. The overall purpose being to provide guidelines on joint CT/SMN deployment in developing supply chains. The application of SMNs to supply chain operations is fundamental to addressing the emerging need for increased P2P (peer-to-peer) type communication. This type of communication is between individuals and is typified by increased relationship type interaction. This is in contrast to traditional B2B (business-to-business) communication which is typically conducted on a transactional basis especially where it is confined by the characteristics of dedicated CTs. SMNs can be applied in supply chain networks to deal with unexpected circumstances or problem solving, capture market demands and customer feedback, and in general provide a medium to react to unplanned events. Crucially, they provide a platform where the issues can be addressed on a P2P basis in the absence of confrontational, transactional type interactions. The case studies reported in this paper concern EU based companies, one being a major national aluminium profile extruder, the second being a bottling plant for a global soft drinks manufacturer. In both cases the application of CTs to their supply chains is well established. However whilst both companies could readily identify the strengths of their CT systems (information and data sharing, data storage and retrieval) they could also identify limitations. These limitations included the lack of real time interaction at a P2P level and, interestingly, the lack of a common language used between different CT systems in B2B communication. Overall, the comments of the case study companies was that the SMN provided valuable adjuncts to existing CT systems, but that the SMNs were not integrated with the CT systems. There was a strongly perceived need for a better understanding of the contrasting and complementary capabilities of CTs and SMNs so that in future fully integrated systems could be implemented. Future work in this area will focus on the development of guidelines and procedures for achieving such complementarity in international collaborative supply chains.

Contributors

PurposeIdentifying and prioritizing the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) critical success factors (CSFs), based on the supplier integration and process integration factors in the supply chain of the home appliance industry.Design/methodology/approachThe literature has been reviewed and the viewpoints of 20 experts in the relevant industry have been studied. The Pareto principle has also been used to select the most important factors obtained. Finally, to prioritize the most important selected factors of DFSS, a model has been developed with a two-stage Fuzzy House of Quality (FHoQ). To perform this research and consider that Polar Heating and Cooling Manufacturing Company (PHCMC) is one of the pioneers of the home appliance industry in recent decades in Iran, the supply chain of its chimneyless gas heater product has been considered as the case study.FindingsFindings indicated that the priorities of the CSFs of DFSS based on the definite weights obtained from the results of the research model are linking Six Sigma to suppliers, project management, linking Six Sigma to business strategy, linking to organizational learning, considering customer needs and management commitment, respectively. Also, the priorities of supplier integration factors based on the definite weights obtained from the model are suppliers’ partnership, information sharing, top management commitment and support, supplier strategic integration, cost, and supplier evaluation and selection, respectively.Practical implicationsAccording to the findings, it is recommended that the design, research and development unit focus more on the processes and opinions of suppliers and with the special use of data categorization software such as MATLAB, it is also possible to improve the processes and optimize them in further integration of the supply chain. It is also possible to improve the suppliers’ integration in the supply chain with the help of correction analysis and improvement tools in the field of quality management.Originality/valueSupplier integration, process integration and DFSS are three strategic areas in supply chain management that have been addressed in this research, simultaneously. The use of two-stage FHoQ, in obtaining the priority design for the CSFs of DFSS, is one of the significant innovations of this study, which can be used for greater supplier integration and also to improve supply chain integration.

Over the last decade, researchers and practitioners have recommended a myriad of information and communication technologies to operationalize the notion of a virtual enterprise. Among the business process transformations enabled through these new technologies, companies are using wireline and wireless technologies in redefining their interactions with suppliers, customers, and business partners. It is hoped that this move towards a truly collaborative supply chain environment will help the firm achieve a sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace. Towards that end, supply chain planners are emphasizing the need for information exchange anytime, anywhere as a compelling driver for organizations to adopt mobile technologies in their intra- and inter-organizational business practices. This paper discusses the applications of mobile technologies in various areas of supply chain management, and the potential benefits along the dimensions of reduced replenishment times, and transactions and billing cycles. Among other applications, we highlight the role of these technologies in improving processes such as inventory management, product identification, mobile procurement, package tracking, and sales force and field service. To substantiate the basis for adopting mobile technologies for supply chain management, different market drivers for mobile applications are exemplified and applied to the three macro level processes of supplier relationship management, internal supply chain management, and customer relationship management. Several types of legacy, third generation (3G) and emerging mobile services and applications are discussed, and a resulting taxonomy of bearer technologies is presented to explicate their use in upstream and downstream supply chain processes.

Post-emergencies opportunities for green supply chain management and urban supply chains’ robustness; the moderating influence of blockchains as a sustainable urban resources management technique

Supply chain challenges require not only effective management, but also a new innovative strategy to reduce costs and maximize its efficiency. Traditional problem-solving methodologies specific to the areas of supply chain management (SCM) find their limits when confronted with an inventive problem or a problem containing a contradiction. TRIZ (theory of inventive problem solving) is an effective theory for systematizing innovation and solving complex problems containing contradictions. Thus, the use of the theory TRIZ can be considered as a way to meet future challenges in SCM fields and get innovative solutions. This paper presents a method for solving supply chain problems and achieving a low-cost, based on complementarities between TRIZ and discrete event simulation and specific methods for solving supply chain problems. In the proposed model, a witness simulation model of the initial problem is developed to optimize the problem and find the system limits. Then, specific problem solving methods are applied to change the original description of problem and move towards a space in which a solution can be found. The discrete event simulation allows for experiments on the system to be created and analyzed. Thus, an experimental design was developed to establish the cause-and-effect relationships between the parameters of the system in order to formulate a generalized system of contradictions. And finally, ARIZ 85C, the most mature meta-methods of TRIZ, is used to address related contradictions for searching for an innovative solution, which must be subsequently implemented and evaluated in the discrete event simulation. The suitability of this new approach is finally proven through an industrial case study conducted in a company specialized in the manufacture of electronic devices for automobiles.

The study explores the transformative role of blockchain technology in enhancing transparency and traceability within the agricultural food supply chain. By leveraging blockchain's inherent characteristics of decentralization, immutability, and security, stakeholders can significantly improve information sharing and visibility from farm to consumer. The study delves into how blockchain addresses longstanding transparency and traceability issues that have plagued the agricultural sector. Real-world examples illustrate blockchain's successful application in agriculture, showcasing its capacity to boost transparency, operational efficiency, and trust among supply chain participants. These case studies demonstrate how blockchain creates tamper-proof records, enhances end-to-end visibility, and provides reliable, real time data. The technology's potential to combat fraud, promote sustainability, and ensure product authenticity is also explored. Furthermore, the research investigates blockchain's impact on food safety, particularly when integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) devices and smart contracts. These synergies enable automated, secure data collection and the execution of predefined agreements, further streamlining supply chain processes. Successful implementations across various areas of supply chain management, including logistics, inventory tracking, and quality control, are highlighted to demonstrate the practical benefits of blockchain adoption. By providing an in-depth analysis of blockchain's potential, this study underscores its pivotal role in building consumer trust regarding food safety, quality, and origin. The research concludes by discussing the challenges and opportunities for widespread blockchain adoption in agriculture, offering insights into its future trajectory and potential to revolutionize the global food supply chain.

Benefits of using hybrid business models within a supply chain

This paper describes the application of System Dynamic in supply chain management's area. Analyzing the systematization and dynamics' character on Supply Chain, it shows feasibility of applying System Dynamic and research method of Supply Chain System based on System Dynamic. Through analyzing SD model it showed that human resources and fixed costs perturbed lowly for performance, but fluctuation of demand effects superiorly to finance performance. This Dynamic location method melts SD model, therefore, which can deal with some soft variables, at the same time overcome limitation of traditional statistical method. The paper summarizes system dynamic conclusion for supply chain management issue and bonding point of the two, and sums up the existing study based on SD model application.

The rapid growth of e-commerce has led to an increased demand for efficient logistics systems, with particular emphasis on enhancing last-mile delivery (LMD) efficiency. Last-mile delivery is the final leg of the supply chain, where goods are delivered from a distribution center to the end consumer. This phase is crucial in ensuring timely deliveries, cost-effectiveness, and overall customer satisfaction. Gati All Cargo, a leading logistics player in India, operates in a highly competitive market, especially in urban areas like Madnayakanahalli, Bangalore. This study investigates the challenges faced by Gati All Cargo in last-mile delivery and explores potential strategies to enhance delivery efficiency. The Analysis that I have used in the report is Chi square statistics test where by using the Primary data of the project like current efficiency of last mile delivery at the branch where its Efficient, very Efficient neutral in efficient and we have found that it rejects the Chi Square Statistics. challenges faced in last mile delivery for this also the same I have done Chi Square Statistics and it Rejects. Keywords: Last-mile delivery, e-commerce logistics, efficiency, route optimization.

Purpose – This article aims to focus on raising awareness of the limitations of traditional “enterprise‐centric” views of enterprise risk management that ignore the risks that are inherited from key business and supply chain partners. In essence, enterprise systems implementations have allowed organizations to couple their operations more tightly with other business partners, particularly in the area of supply chain management, and in the process enterprise systems applications are redefining the boundaries of the entity in terms of risk management concerns and the scope of financial audits. Design/methodology/approach – The prior literature that has begun to explore aspects of assessing key risk components in these relationships is reviewed with an eye to highlighting the limitations of what is understood about risk in interorganizational relationships. This analysis of the prior research establishes the basis for the logical formation of a framework for future enterprise risk management research in the area of e‐commerce relationships. Findings – Conclusions focus on the overall framework of risks that should be considered when interorganizational relationships are critical to an enterprise's operations and advocate an “extended‐enterprise” view of enterprise risk management. Research limitations/implications – The framework introduced in this paper provides guidance for future research in the area of interorganizational systems control and risk assessment. Practical implications – The framework further highlights areas of risk that auditors and corporate risk managers should consider in assessing the risk inherited through interorganizational relationships. Originality/value – The paper highlights the need to shift from an enterprise‐centric view of risk management to an extended‐enterprise risk management view.

Purpose – This paper aims to give a comprehensive review, summary, and discussion on inventory models that have appeared in the literature. During these past ten decades, no seminal paper reviewing the field of inventory lot sizing has even been published. This limitation has been identified in the literature by several researchers over the years, with the sheer volume of the number of published inventory lot sizing models acting as a factor which has limited a research endeavor to review the literature on inventory lot sizing models. Design/methodology/approach – This article reviews research on inventory lot size models and provides a review of previously published literature review papers on inventory models. Based on this initial review, the literature extending current research practices on inventory modeling in supply chains and in sustainable practices is presented. Directions for expanding research in these two areas are examined in light of concerns expressed in the historical use of inventory models and in light of a new inventory research paradigm. Findings – In our paper, we have adopted a novel strategy to overcome this limitation by focusing our review on a review of inventory lot sizing review papers. Originality/value – By adopting the methodology of reviewing published inventory review papers, we can contribute a comprehensive review of the inventory lot sizing literature that serves to provide in one paper a consolidation of inventory research that can serve as a single source to keep researchers up to date with the research developments in inventory lot sizing models. We also identify gaps in the field which could stimulate new research agendas in the areas of supply chain management and sustainable inventory practices.