Dynamic Capabilities and Internet of Things as Predictors of Supply Chain Performance in Thailand: Mediating Role of Operational Agility

Manufacturing sector is largely relying on its supply chain performance to bring efficiency in production in terms of cost and time. Internet of Things (IOT) and Dynamic Data and Information Processing Capabilities (DDIPCs) are found as strong predictors of organizational agility which can probably play part in supply chain performance. Use of IOT and DDIPCs basically enhance flexibility in organizational operations resulting in their smooth functioning. So, this study has tried to analyze the impact of use of IOT and DDIPCs on supply chain performance of manufacturing sector in Thailand in mediating role of organizational agility. Around 67 organizations have been used as sampling frame as data has been collected from their employees through questionnaire-based survey which was subsequently analyzed through SPSS and AMOS by applying tests of CFA and SEM. Hypotheses testing has concluded that both use of IOT and DDIPCs significantly increase supply chain performance through direct and indirect paths. Organizational agility has been also found as significant mediator in respective relationship. Originality in this study lies in association between use of IOT and DDIPCs with supply chain performance which was not tested before. This study has its implications and future research indications too

A framework for the near-real-time optimization of integrated oil & gas midstream processing networks

The oil and gas industry plays a key role in the world’s economy. Vast quantities of crude oil, their by-products and derivatives are produced, processed and distributed every day. Indeed, producing and processing significant volumes of crude oil requires connecting to wells in different fields that are usually spread across large geographical areas. This crude oil is then processed by Gas Oil Separation Plants (GOSPs). These facilities are often grouped into clusters that are within approximate distance from each other and then connected laterally via swing lines which allow shifting part or all of the production from one GOSP to another. Transfer lines also exist to allow processing intermediate products in neighbouring GOSPs, thereby increasing complexity and possible interactions. In return, this provides an opportunity to leverage mathematical optimization to improve network planning and load allocation. Similarly, in major oil producing countries, vast gas processing networks exist to process associated and non-associated gases. These gas plants are often located near major feed sources. Similar to GOSPs, they are also often connected through swing lines, which allow shifting feedstock from some plants to others. GOSPs and gas plants are often grouped as oil and gas midstream plants. These plants are operated on varied time horizons and plant boundaries. While plant operators are concerned with the day-to-day operation of their facility, network operators must ensure that the entire network is operated optimally and that product supply is balanced with demand. They are therefore in charge of allocating load to individual plants, while knowing each plants constraints and processing capabilities. Network planners are also in charge of producing production plans at varied time-scales, which vary from yearly to monthly and near-real time. This work aims to establish a novel framework for optimizing Oil and Gas Midstream plants for near-real time network operation. This topic has not been specifically addressed in the existing literature. It examines problems which involve operating networks of GOSPs and gas plants towards an optimal solution. It examines various modelling approaches which are suited for this specific application. It then focuses at this stage of the research on the GOSP optimization problem where it addresses optimizing the operation of a complex network of GOSPs. The goal is to operate this network such that oil production targets are met at minimum energy consumption, and therefore minimizing OpEx and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Similarly, it is often required to operate the network such that production is maximized. This thesis proposes a novel methodology to formulate and solve this problem. It describes the level of fidelity used to represent physical process units. A Mixed Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP) problem is then formulated and solved to optimize load allocation, swing line flowrates and equipment utilization. The model demonstrates advanced capabilities to systematically prescribe optimal operating points. This was then applied to an existing integrated network of GOSPs and tested at varying crude oil demand levels. The results demonstrate the ability to minimize energy consumption by up to 51% in the 50% throughput case while meeting oil production targets without added capital investment.Open Acces

Mathematical Fuzzy Logic in the Emerging Fields of Engineering, Finance, and Computer Sciences

Mathematical fuzzy logic (MFL) specifically targets many-valued logic and has significantly contributed to the logical foundations of fuzzy set theory (FST). It explores the computational and philosophical rationale behind the uncertainty due to imprecision in the backdrop of traditional mathematical logic. Since uncertainty is present in almost every real-world application, it is essential to develop novel approaches and tools for efficient processing. This book is the collection of the publications in the Special Issue “Mathematical Fuzzy Logic in the Emerging Fields of Engineering, Finance, and Computer Sciences”, which aims to cover theoretical and practical aspects of MFL and FST. Specifically, this book addresses several problems, such as:- Industrial optimization problems- Multi-criteria decision-making- Financial forecasting problems- Image processing- Educational data mining- Explainable artificial intelligence, etc

PORT PERFORMANCE AND CRUDE OIL EXPORT LOGISTICS SYSTEM DISTRIBUTION IN NIGERIA

Port Performance and Crude Oil Export Logistics System Distribution in Nigeria. Crude oil export is a resource that provides essential building blocks for economic development and prosperity for Crude oil exporting countries (COECs). Previous research found information flow been significant for logistics and supply chains sustainability. In the current low price environment, key COECs experienced recession, especially brought by the 2014 oil price crash. Obviously, performance of export terminals is vital to maintain competitive advantage. Nigeria’s reputation in the global oil market suffers due to avoidable delay arising because cargoes for tankers are occasionally disrupted through shutdown due to pipeline leaks or sabotage. In addition, when prices are relatively high an evolving energy transition scenario reveals a global shift in demand away from traditional fossil fuel to gas, and increasingly, reducing global demand for fossil fuels. The study was guided by a pragmatic philosophy, commencing with scoping interviews and mixed methods that embraced different analytical techniques. First, a model of key strategies to model port performance. Supply chain management (SCM) concepts were not fully understood by low-cost producers’ and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). International oil companies (IOCs operate more effectively than Indigenous companies and NNPC needs to review its business model. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) group decision makers scored the information sharing and synergy between supply chain actors’ strategy to be highest at 22.85%. Investment and security are topical in Nigeria because of inadequate investment in the pipeline automation security system, dredging, security platform and capability, metering systems and information communication technology. Improved port security encompass anti-piracy laws, private maritime security companies. The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) remains a key concern for all stakeholders, particularly concerning investment and information sharing networks. Policy contribution includes the use of reliable and accurate metering systems for bill of lading figure. Theoretical contribution revealed template analysis being a rare technique. In addition, weather friendliness has been found to be effective for seamless logistics operations as a resource base view strategy for Nigeria.PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FUND (PTDF), NIGERI

Agile Capabilities for Maximising Sustainable Supply Chain Performance: Empirical Evidence from Oil and Gas Industry

Energy companies are facing rapid and unpredictable changes in their business environment. The growing competition, shifting energy demand, changing climate, technological advancements, an impending energy transition, and other social factors presented the biggest challenges for the industry. Agility capabilities and sustainability strategies have been identified as key foundations for sustained competitive advantage in new business environments. It has been established that agility could induces better operational performance, while sustainable practices could help enhance indicators of social and environmental sustainability, the interactive effects of both have not been examined. There is no empirical work investigating the role of sustainable supply chain practices in conjunction with agile supply chain capabilities. To address this research gaps, the thesis is grounded in a capability theory combined with the dynamic capability theory and contingency perspective. The purpose was to investigate if sustainable supply chain practices have performance effects that is mediated by agile supply chain capabilities (as would be the case if the central function of the former is to develop the latter). Secondly, examine how agile supply chain capabilities and sustainable supply chain strategies jointly influence organisational performance. Thirdly, explore the efficacy of sustainable practices under different contingency variables (such as, managerial experience, business age, size, industry sector, and dynamism). Finally, explore the taxonomy of agility strategies that have the greatest impact on specific competitive priorities include social and environmental sustainability priorities. For such purposes, a conceptual model was established with proposed hypotheses deriving from existing literature. A survey of high carbon and energy-intensive supply chains in the UK was carried out with a net of 311 respondent companies. The study uses structural equation modelling (SEM) to test proposed hypotheses. The taxonomy of agility strategies was developed with methods of cluster analysis and is based on the relative importance attached to eleven competitive priorities including social and environmental sustainability priorities. The underlying dimensions of agile capabilities along with the three strategy groups differ were investigated based on factor analysis and canonical discriminant analysis. The results show that sustainable supply chain practices have a significant positive effect on agile supply chain capabilities and all two dimensions of performance outcomes. Also, the results indicate that agile supply chain capabilities do have a significant positive influence on both sustainability performance and operational performance. Whilst the correlation between agile capabilities and operational performance is not new, what is new here is the connection between agile supply chain capabilities and sustainability performance. In addition, the findings show that the performance effects of sustainable supply chain practices are fully mediated by agility capabilities. Also, the results reveal a positive interaction between sustainable supply chain practices and agile supply chain capabilities, suggesting that they function as complements in affecting performance outcomes. Importantly, the results show that high carbon intensive sectors positively moderate the relationship between sustainable supply chain practices and performance outcomes, while the other managerial experience do not. In other words, the research shows that agile capabilities are important enablers/facilitators for maximising the outcome of implementing sustainable practices. As such, manager who want to maximise the outcomes of sustainability campaign should consider joint implementation of sustainable strategies and agile capabilities. Further, experts should consider market turbulence as a competitive factor in line with the complementarity effect of sustainable strategies and agile capabilities. This consideration would contribute to explain better sustainable performance. Three distinct cluster of agility strategy groups were observed across the industry surveyed: high agile companies, moderate agile companies, and less agile companies. High agile companies are characterised by high priorities on flexibility, speed, quality, innovation, social and environmental sustainability, high values attached to all performance and high importance given to flexibility and speed. Moderate agile companies are oriented towards reliability and flexibility. They do not emphasise social and environmental sustainability, and they attached low important to innovation. While less agile companies placed poor values on all performance objectives, they had the lowest percentage of the mean difference scores. At best, nonagile companies focused on benefits such as cost efficiency, quality, and delivery reliability improvements with less emphasise on flexibility and speed. They give the poorest importance to innovation and sustainability. The lack of agile capabilities could be behind the non-agile companies’ lowest focus on future performance, sustainability, and innovation. This research shows to companies that competitive priorities are replaced with sustainability priorities. While social and environmental priorities contribute to competitive performance when complementing supply chain agility strategies

Expanding the Horizons of Manufacturing: Towards Wide Integration, Smart Systems and Tools

This research topic aims at enterprise-wide modeling and optimization (EWMO) through the development and application of integrated modeling, simulation and optimization methodologies, and computer-aided tools for reliable and sustainable improvement opportunities within the entire manufacturing network (raw materials, production plants, distribution, retailers, and customers) and its components. This integrated approach incorporates information from the local primary control and supervisory modules into the scheduling/planning formulation. That makes it possible to dynamically react to incidents that occur in the network components at the appropriate decision-making level, requiring fewer resources, emitting less waste, and allowing for better responsiveness in changing market requirements and operational variations, reducing cost, waste, energy consumption and environmental impact, and increasing the benefits. More recently, the exploitation of new technology integration, such as through semantic models in formal knowledge models, allows for the capture and utilization of domain knowledge, human knowledge, and expert knowledge toward comprehensive intelligent management. Otherwise, the development of advanced technologies and tools, such as cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things, the Industrial Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, etc., have captured the attention of manufacturing enterprises toward intelligent manufacturing systems

Enhancing the supply chain collaboration model in the Nigerian oil and gas industry : a case study of performance improvement strategies

This research focuses on the issues of supply chain collaboration in the oil and gas industry, specifically in Nigeria. global inflation, geopolitical events, logistic complexity, worldwide pandemics, cultural reorientation, information system difficulties, process integration, and organisational restructuring are among the listed challenges. There is a paucity of frameworks or models in the existing literature to handle these supply chain collaboration difficulties unique to the oil and gas sector. Four supply management theories (Resource Dependency Theory, Transaction Cost Theory, System Theory, and Network Theory) were employed to support the thesis. The researcher was motivated by personal experiences and realising the importance of the oil and gas sector to Nigeria's existence, the researcher seeks to investigate how supply chain collaboration might lead to industry performance improvement. The researcher is particularly interested in comprehending supply chain dynamics in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, as well as how collaboration might reduce obstacles associated with obtaining inputs. The purpose is to provide a steady supply of oil and gas products on the market, enhance operations, and address challenges caused by poor infrastructure and unclear government policies. A qualitative research method was used to fulfil these study aims, with an emphasis on gaining insights from managers and employees at four selected companies: NNPC, A. A. Rano, Total Nigeria, and Rain Oil. The obtained data was thematically analysed to identify significant pattern about supply chain collaboration leading to performance improvement. The study contributes to existing knowledge by identifying sixteen key findings, which include goal alignment, teamwork, performance management, relationship management, timeliness and order management, quality management, infrastructure, decision making, finance, COVID-19 pandemics, infrastructure development, poor leadership, process monitoring and evaluation, business strategy management, training and development, and good planning. Moreover, this study fills a gap in the literature by integrating these sixteen findings to develop a supply chain collaboration model as an effective strategy for mitigating supply chain challenges in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The model was validated by managers from the participating companies, affirming its potential for performance improvement. In conclusion, this study helps better understand the difficulties the Nigerian oil and gas supply chain faces. It also includes a verified model that can be used to improve performance and offers insights into the advantages of supply chain collaboration. To further knowledge in this field, recommendations are provided for future studies, such as use of quantitative research method, comparative or mixed-method research, to further examine supply chain problems in the Nigerian oil and gas sector and related themes using case studies.This research focuses on the issues of supply chain collaboration in the oil and gas industry, specifically in Nigeria. global inflation, geopolitical events, logistic complexity, worldwide pandemics, cultural reorientation, information system difficulties, process integration, and organisational restructuring are among the listed challenges. There is a paucity of frameworks or models in the existing literature to handle these supply chain collaboration difficulties unique to the oil and gas sector. Four supply management theories (Resource Dependency Theory, Transaction Cost Theory, System Theory, and Network Theory) were employed to support the thesis. The researcher was motivated by personal experiences and realising the importance of the oil and gas sector to Nigeria's existence, the researcher seeks to investigate how supply chain collaboration might lead to industry performance improvement. The researcher is particularly interested in comprehending supply chain dynamics in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, as well as how collaboration might reduce obstacles associated with obtaining inputs. The purpose is to provide a steady supply of oil and gas products on the market, enhance operations, and address challenges caused by poor infrastructure and unclear government policies. A qualitative research method was used to fulfil these study aims, with an emphasis on gaining insights from managers and employees at four selected companies: NNPC, A. A. Rano, Total Nigeria, and Rain Oil. The obtained data was thematically analysed to identify significant pattern about supply chain collaboration leading to performance improvement. The study contributes to existing knowledge by identifying sixteen key findings, which include goal alignment, teamwork, performance management, relationship management, timeliness and order management, quality management, infrastructure, decision making, finance, COVID-19 pandemics, infrastructure development, poor leadership, process monitoring and evaluation, business strategy management, training and development, and good planning. Moreover, this study fills a gap in the literature by integrating these sixteen findings to develop a supply chain collaboration model as an effective strategy for mitigating supply chain challenges in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The model was validated by managers from the participating companies, affirming its potential for performance improvement. In conclusion, this study helps better understand the difficulties the Nigerian oil and gas supply chain faces. It also includes a verified model that can be used to improve performance and offers insights into the advantages of supply chain collaboration. To further knowledge in this field, recommendations are provided for future studies, such as use of quantitative research method, comparative or mixed-method research, to further examine supply chain problems in the Nigerian oil and gas sector and related themes using case studies

Safety and Reliability - Safe Societies in a Changing World

The contributions cover a wide range of methodologies and application areas for safety and reliability that contribute to safe societies in a changing world. These methodologies and applications include: - foundations of risk and reliability assessment and management - mathematical methods in reliability and safety - risk assessment - risk management - system reliability - uncertainty analysis - digitalization and big data - prognostics and system health management - occupational safety - accident and incident modeling - maintenance modeling and applications - simulation for safety and reliability analysis - dynamic risk and barrier management - organizational factors and safety culture - human factors and human reliability - resilience engineering - structural reliability - natural hazards - security - economic analysis in risk managemen

Deep Learning-Based Machinery Fault Diagnostics

This book offers a compilation for experts, scholars, and researchers to present the most recent advancements, from theoretical methods to the applications of sophisticated fault diagnosis techniques. The deep learning methods for analyzing and testing complex mechanical systems are of particular interest. Special attention is given to the representation and analysis of system information, operating condition monitoring, the establishment of technical standards, and scientific support of machinery fault diagnosis

Sustainable Industrial Engineering along Product-Service Life Cycle/Supply Chain

Sustainable industrial engineering addresses the sustainability issue from economic, environmental, and social points of view. Its application fields are the whole value chain and lifecycle of products/services, from the development to the end-of-life stages. This book aims to address many of the challenges faced by industrial organizations and supply chains to become more sustainable through reinventing their processes and practices, by continuously incorporating sustainability guidelines and practices in their decisions, such as circular economy, collaboration with suppliers and customers, using information technologies and systems, tracking their products’ life-cycle, using optimization methods to reduce resource use, and to apply new management paradigms to help mitigate many of the wastes that exist across organizations and supply chains. This book will be of interest to the fast-growing body of academics studying and researching sustainability, as well as to industry managers involved in sustainability management