A proposal for a green supply chain strategy

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to establish a set of steps for helping companies to create a Green Supply Chain Strategy based on the reduction of their carbon footprint. The aim is to put forward a simple guideline that companies can follow and guide them in achieving their carbon emission targets, as well as obtaining attractive supply chain savings. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a literature review and benchmarking this paper proposes a methodology based on three pillars: 1) Corporate Carbon Strategy; 2) Carbon emission roadmap; and 3) Implementation and tracking. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) techniques were used in order to create a green strategy and support the decision-making processes to select the most interesting alternatives for carbon emission reduction and supply chain savings. The supply chain of a metallurgical company is used to illustrate the case study where the proposed methodology is used. The criteria used for the carbon alternatives selection was based on three factors: 1) the supply chain cost of the alternative; 2) carbon emission impact in terms of CO2 tonnes; and 3) marketing effect. Findings: The paper identifies some specific steps for developing a Green Supply Chain Strategy. The case study developed, demonstrates the importance of following a proper methodology based on a set of steps, it also demonstrates that some alternatives focus on improving the supply chain, such as the facilities location, can also improve the key performance indicator related with carbon emission. Originality/value: The study provides guidance for manufacturing companies in implementing their Green Supply Chain Strategy.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Development of sustainability indicator scoring (SIS) for the food supply chain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify mechanisms for using a quantitative benchmarking approach to drive sustainability improvements in the food supply chain. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was undertaken and then a strategic and operational framework developed for improving food supply chain sustainability in terms of triple bottom line criteria. Findings Using a sustainability indicator scoring approach, the paper considers the architecture for analysis so that strategic goals can be clearly formulated and cascade into specific, relevant and timebound strategic and operational measures that underpin brand value and product integrity. Originality/value This paper is of value to academics and also practitioners in the food industry

COMBINING SUSTAINABLE VALUE STREAM MAPPING AND SIMULATION TO ASSESS MANUFACTURING SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORK PERFORMANCE

Sustainable Value Stream Mapping (Sus-VSM) builds upon traditional VSM to capture additional sustainability aspects of the product flow, such as environmental and societal aspects. This work presents research to expand the utility of Sus-VSM to supply chain networks, develop a general approach towards improving supply chain sustainability, and examine the benefits of implementing simulation and a design of experiments (DOE) style analysis. Metrics are identified to assess economic, environmental, and societal sustainability for supply chain networks and visual symbols are developed for the Supply Chain Sus-VSM (SC Sus-VSM) to allow users to easily identify locations where sustainability can be improved. A discrete event simulation (DES) model is developed to simulate the supply chain, allowing easier creation of future state maps, which are used to identify locations for sustainability improvement. A scoring methodology and DOE-style analysis are developed to collect more information from the supply chain. Results from the case study show that the SC Sus-VSM meets the goals desired, and that the DES model aids the goals of the map. It is also indicated that interventions in the supply chain should first focus on economic improvements, followed by societal and then environmental improvements to achieve the greatest supply chain sustainability

Farm SMEs sustainability assessment based on Bellagio Principles. The case of Messinian Region, Greece

Purpose: Sufficient support of the sustainability of farm products embedded in a region (such as Products of Designated Origin / PDOs) to overcome significant obstacles to access domestic and remote markets. Main research question is how to overcome such inherent difficulties and transform them into challenges and opportunities to the new market environment. Design/methodology /approach: Combination of simplicity with the complicated issue of sustainability for awareness of small farmers SMEs and their collective representatives. Improve the understanding of the Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM), to facilitate sustainability through use of the ‘Bellagio Principles’ for assessing sustainability of local farm products and facilitating further enhancement. Use of certain PDOs farm products of the Messinian region of Greece, such as local Sfela Feta cheese, olive oil, olives and raisins, to assess sustainability and improvement. Formation of a conceptual constructive action R&D framework of broader use in building-up and performing implementation of holistic supply chain strategy. Expected Findings: Providing better understanding of the SSCM. Insights on how SMEs co-operatives can collectively apply holistic strategies concerning local farm PDOs to fulfil competitiveness and sustainability requirements, under variant product and market conditions. Originality / Value : Improving the know-how, focusing on the sustainability of regional, traditional products and its effects upon supply chain performance and market access. Practical implications for regional-based farm SMEs in the design of holistic value creation strategies to produce sustainable competitive advantage. Interactive cause and effect dynamic implications of sustainable development on social, economic and physical environment

Supply Chain Management to Improve the Distribution Efficiency of Puli Crackers in UD. Gangsar Jaya Lumajang

Purpose: Improving the Distribution of Puli Crackers in UD. Gangsar Jaya Lumajang Design/methodology/approach: The method used is an ethnographic approach starting from the collection of literature sources and supported by field data. Findings: The results of the study show that the supply chain within the company is very possible to achieve increased efficiency in the distribution process of the home industry. Research limitations/implications: This research implication of problems and solutions of supply chain distribution in UD. Gangsar Jaya Lumajang. Practical implications: This research can be used as input for stakeholders to be used as a reference in optimizing the creative industry. Originality/value: This paper is original Paper type: Research pape

Assessing and Mitigating Risk in a Design for Supply Chain Problem

Industry leaders in today's global market strive for continuous improvement in order to remain competitive. One method used by firms for cutting costs and improving efficiency is Design for Supply Chain (DFSC). The objective of this methodology is to design the supply chain in parallel to designing or redesigning a new product. Risk is an inherent element of this DFSC process. Although supply chain risk models and new product development risk models are available, there are few models that consider the combined effect of risk to product development and the supply chain. A gap in the body of knowledge could be filled by a DFSC and risk model that looks at design, supply chain and risk concurrently. This research develops such a model and tests it on two data sets. The most critical risks to incorporate in the model were found through a review of the literature and a survey of industry experts. The model consists of two components. The first component is a Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) model which makes the DFSC decisions while simultaneously considering time-to-market risk, supplier reliability risk and strategic exposure risk. The results from the MIP are then used in the second model component which is a discrete event simulation. The simulation tests the robustness of the MIP solution for supplier capacity risk and demand risk. When a decision maker is potentially facing either of these risks the simulation shows whether it is best to use an alternative solution or proceed with the MIP solution. The model provides analytical results to be used by decision makers, but also allows decision makers to use their own judgment to select the best option for overall profitability. It is shown that the DFSC model with risk is a powerful decision making tool

INFORMATION DISSEMINATION IN SUPPLY CHAIN: FACTORS AND MODELS INFLUENCING WAREHOUSING EFFICIENCY.

Purpose: Based on relationship-specific perspective and the systems of information dissemination in supply chain, this paper explores how these models facilitate the warehousing efficiency in a company that has more than two suppliers in different countries. The study examines how information flow and functioning supply chain could develop a relationship with suppliers and how those specific models and factors contribute to the firm`s inventory management. Current study is conducted from company’s point of view on supply chain management in comparison to the supplier specific requests for logistics operations. Design/methodology/approach: In order to link theoretical part with empirical research, current study uses exploratory design and due to direct number of survey participants, research method is considered as qualitative survey method with semistructured interviews. Deductive and inductive approaches were applied in the thesis. Findings: The result shows that factors of trust and collaboration along with implementation of information dissemination models between company and suppliers have significant importance in supply chain and might reduce the need for inventory. Improving information flow between parties in supply chain contributes to warehousing efficiency through more frequent deliveries and appropriate logistics planning. Research limitations/implications: Study scope is limited to a single case company as well as from companies’ suppliers were chosen only five operating in different countries. Furthermore, the research focuses on one country of the case company: Finland. However, survey was conducted with suppliers from different countries and different background; the findings cannot be generalized to all the companies working in a wide supply chain. Implications of the study are presenting that information flow and such factors as trust and collaboration should be recognized as a crucial part of developing supply chain and increasing the warehousing efficiency.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

Logistic traffic - a supply chain management factor in hospitality

The purpose – The purpose of this paper is based on the fact that managing supply chains as a separate area of business management opens up numerous possibilities for improving the competitive position of business systems. Supply chain management is increasingly often named as the key offensive factor to increasing the efficacy and effectiveness of economic systems. Design – The purpose of the paper is to point to the fact that hospitality logistics fulfils its basic mission only then when high quality products are delivered to the right place, at the right time, in the appropriate assortment, with the lowest internal and external costs, while doing their maximum to meet the wishes, needs and the demand of the customers. Methodology – The methodology is based on proving the proposed hypothesis: Modern logistics traffic represents a condition sine qua non of rational supply chain management in hospitality. Approach – The approach of the paper is based on the fact that supply chain management represents a broader, strategically significant concept which includes the entire supply chain and has the following goals: customer satisfaction, formulating and implementing appropriate strategies and effective supply chain management. Findings – Although each modality of the traffic logistic system has its own specific mission, they all have a common basic mission: to prepare material goods for manipulation, transport and distribution, the actual transport and distribution of material goods and conducting various logistic activities connected to preparing, manipulating, transporting and distributing material goods. The originality of this research – The originality of this research is revisiting the traffic logistics model as an exclusive factor of the competitive micro-hospitality industry in tourist destinations on a theoretical level, which can be set up via simple, complicated and multimodal traffic logistic models in micro-hospitality industries

Sustainable strategies for SMEs from traditional, regional industries: The case of Messinian Region, Greece

Purpose – Research questions : Products embedded in a region (such as Products of Destinated Origin / PDOs) face significant obstacles to access remote markets, even to domestic ones, since there are a number of inherent difficulties in promoting and managing, in general, such products from the point of production to the market place. This paper addresses to central research questions: • how the sustainability issue relates to regional, traditional industries • what are the prerequisites for sustainability and the corresponding barriers posed to regional food chains • how sustainability relates to the performance of SMEs, operating in a traditional, regional industry • what are the advantages of marketing sustainable products • what region-based strategies could SMEs develop to transform the challenge of sustainability to opportunities ? Design/methodology/approach : Development of a conceptual constructive action framework with reference to regional conditions. Focus on SMEs that produce and/or trade products in the region of Messinia, Greece . Messinian region is well-known for traditional products such as olive oil, olives, raisins, figs, etc. A survey study includes a questionnaire that aims at measuring sustainability, market access, and supply chain performance. Direct contact has been carried out with a number of managing directors of SMEs via semi- structured interviews. Using case study protocol there will be a combination of case analysis and cross-case analysis. Expected Findings : Results will provide insights on how SMEs strategies can achieve sustainability requirements. Originality / Value : Improving know-how by unique focus on the sustainability of regional, traditional products and its effects upon supply chain performance and market access. This study has practical implications for regional-based SMEs in the design of strategies to produce sustainable competitive advantage. Moreover, sustainability has significant direct social, economic and environmental implications

A conceptual framework to analyse supply chain designs

Objectives: Supply chain design (SCD) is a concept that forms an integral part of supply chain management (SCM). Effective SCD enhances supply chain integration (SCI) which in turn contributes towards improved supply chain performance. Therefore, organisations' supply chain designs need to be analysed. This article proposes a conceptual framework to analyse organisations' supply chain designs. The objective of this article is to determine whether the proposed conceptual framework is a workable instrument with which organisations can analyse their supply chain designs. Problem investigated: Effective SCD is a complex and demanding undertaking and has become a major challenge for organisations. Moreover, the literature suggests that organisations allow their supply chains to evolve rather than consciously designing them. Although the importance of SCD is emphasised, very little attention is given to what it entails exactly. The problem statement of this article is thus: What are the elements of SCD and how can these elements be included in a conceptual framework to analyse organisations' supply chain designs? Methodology: The methodology used in this article comprised two phases. Firstly, a literature review was conducted to identify SCD elements. The elements were used to develop a conceptual framework with which organisations can analyse their supply chain designs. Secondly, the conceptual framework was tested in 13 organisations to determine whether it is a workable instrument to analyse supply chain designs. The respondents were selected by means of non-probability sampling. Purposive, judgmental and convenience sampling methods were used to select the sample. Findings and implications: As mentioned, the conceptual framework was tested empirically within 13 organisations. The findings show that the conceptual framework is in fact a workable instrument to analyse supply chain designs. Value of the research: The research will make a contribution in the field of supply chain management and more specifically in the field of supply chain design. As mentioned, very little attention is given to the specifics of SCD. This article provides a more structured approach to analysing supply chain designs. Conclusion: SCD forms an important part of SCM and may play a role in improving performance. The conceptual framework proposed in this article will assist organisations with the analysis of their supply chain designs, which in turn may highlight potential areas in their supply chains where there may be room for improving their SCD practices