Difference and similarity in perception between Green Supply Chain Management in food industry and Green Supply Chain Management in generally in Croatian companies

Nowadays, the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere is currently one of the most serious environmental treats. Due to GHG emissions we will be witnesses of climate change which will cause damaging impacts in the next few decades [1]. These will primarily affect the natural and human systems [2]. At the same time these emissions are also a limiting factor for the economic growth of some countries, especially those in the transition process [3]. One of the reasons for that is the protocol, adopted in 2012 at Doha 2012 UN Climate Change Conference COP18 CMP8, at which the industrial world agreed to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases approximately 18% below 1990 levels by 2013-2020 [4]. In the meantime, also due to the climate change and the increase in environmental awareness all over the world, the concept of Green Supply Chain Management appeared. It is often defined as integrating environmental thinking into supply chain management [5].Within that concept many greening elements aimed at the reduction of materials, energy, waste, pollution and emissions, or promoting the usage of recyclable materials and renewable energy sources, are introduced in various segments of supply chains. The proof lies in number of examples from industry, as well as in significant interest of academic community that could be seen through research papers, doctoral thesis and research projects.[...

Product Lifecycle Engineering and Management a Life Line for SMEs in Nigeria: An Appraisal

In this 21st century and beyond characterized with rapid development change in technology and innovations, organizations must relentlessly improve their product processes and systems, if they hope to outperform their competitors and maintain relevancy. Invariably, every product has 'life', starting with the design/development, followed by resource extraction, production, use/consumption, and end-of-life activities. However,, Product Lifecycle Engineering and Management (PLM), represents a very important approach for achieving a more sustainable paradigm of work and life, a more sustainable product development, manufacturing, use and dismissal. It is remarkable to note that SMEs account for 97% of all businesses in Nigeria, employs 50% of Nigeria's workforce, and produce 50% of Nigeria's industrial output, but most of these companies (SMEs) are short-lived. The sustainability of these companies and their products' lifecycle has become imperative in order to increase their contributions towards economic, social, political, environmental, and technological development of the Nigeria nation. This paper therefore, shows that effective and efficient PLM will inevitably play a vital and unprecedented role in creating sustainable product environment for SMEs in Africa and most especially fast growing economy like Nigeria. Keywords: Lifecycle, Management, Sustainability, SMEs, ICT Solution, Product Life, Developmen

Global communication part 2: the use of apparel product data management technology

Improving IT communication systems, through the evolution of future PDM applications, is a theme that has received attention due to its perceived benefits in developing global supply chain success factors. This paper discusses the developments and capabilities of such systems, found within global fashion supply chain relationships and environments. Major characteristics identified within the data suggest that PDM technology appears to be improving the speed of data transfer; however, evidence also suggest that the technologies are evolving quicker than consumer understanding, and arguably cost more to implement, train staff and maintain. Nevertheless, PDM technology increases communication efficiency and helps to enhance social economic and corporate development. The article discusses the findings and also presents the issues regarding human interaction; iconography, infrastructure necessity and individual communication enhancements using a variety of technology processes. PDM technology adoption is still a prevalent topic for the long-term developments of global strategy and communication amalgamation

The Challenges of Adopting PLM Tools Involving Diversified Technologies in Today’s Automotive Supplier Business

In order to reduce product development (PD) costs and duration, PD cycles are being accelerated in order to reduce the time to market and satisfy the end customer needs. Another key challenge in PD today, is product diversification in the technologies used, requiring improved collaboration amongst local and dispersed multi disciple PD teams. A main stream tool that aids and support engineers in PD to collaborate and share information/knowledge is Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). This research explores the benefits and requirements of implementing a PLM system for a PD and manufacturing company within the automotive supply chain. This paper first provides a brief background of the subject area, followed by an explanation of the initial industrial investigation for the implementation of a PLM system, from which investigation the resulting conclusions and recommendations are presented as the building blocks of the implementation project

Sustainable business solutions through lean product lifecycle management

In today\u27s process manufacturing environment, innovation is viewed as critical to sustainable growth and business profitability. While open innovation is regarded as the answer, the companies can effectively measure the return on R&D investment, have acceptable product success rates, achieve acceptable promotional effectiveness, or have visibility into their compliance risks or operational readiness for new product launches. While open innovation is an actual topic, capitalizing on the opportunity requires holistic strategy, not just increased collaboration. Companies must have repeatable, compliant and responsive business processes, global information infrastructure that provides a single source of the truth, alignment across departments and solutions that evolve without coding. With holistic strategy and supporting infrastructure, companies can consistently minimize the time to scale, improve product success rates and promotional effectiveness, and enjoy sustainable and profitable growth. With open innovation providing unlimited opportunities, the company should start to identify the best open innovation opportunity and deliver top and bottom line of the company\u27s benefits. The companies must first focus on the needs of their customer, continually minimize time to scale, eliminate waste, drive out costs and improve. These are core concepts of a Lean strategy. This paper will describe how Lean concept with PLM business strategy can leverage Lean with integrated compliance, continual improvement and other PLM best practices to increase the return on R&D investments and provide sustainable and profitable growth for business processes mainly manufacturing processes. The purpose of this paper is to review PLM approach linked to Lean concepts in order to achieve sustainable and innovative business processes with sustainable and profitable growth

Knowledge Management System for Cluster Development in Small and Medium Enterprises

Many countries such as Canada, Japan, Korea and France gains their competitive advantage through the utilization of clusters development. A cluster contains many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating in the same or similar industry strongly connected with each other to produce good and services.,In developing country , especially, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) take very important role to their economic. Most governments, as facilitator, support cluster through initiate help and encourage SMEs' linkage to reach the concept of industry cluster. Many literature reviewed claimed that the most difficult processes in creating a cluster is the development and sustain the collaboration to connect these SMEs together. After some investigation, the problem of creating SMEs connection is information sharing at micro-economic level.. Knowledge sharing is one of the most important key success factors of cluster management to gain collaboration among SMEs since there are abundant of explicit and tacit knowledge within each SMEs in a cluster. Naturally, most firms do not want to share their business information and knowledge. In reality, however they needs these information to successfully manage their business cluster. It is crucial and necessary we find out what kind of information or knowledge they want to know and shareable among them in order to manage cluster successfully. Many operation management techniques already existed in many firms. One of the ways to help knowledge sharing operate successfully using information technology as a tool is directed to Knowledge Management System (KMS). This methods can help facilitate the communication and information flow and needs to be investigated further to help maintain the cluster collaboration and knowledge sharing.. This paper propose framework and methodology for analyzing, industry cluster for the sustain the lifecycle of cluster.

Eco‐Holonic 4.0 Circular Business Model to Conceptualize Sustainable Value Chain Towards Digital Transition

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize a circular business model based on an Eco-Holonic Architecture, through the integration of circular economy and holonic principles. A conceptual model is developed to manage the complexity of integrating circular economy principles, digital transformation, and tools and frameworks for sustainability into business models. The proposed architecture is multilevel and multiscale in order to achieve the instantiation of the sustainable value chain in any territory. The architecture promotes the incorporation of circular economy and holonic principles into new circular business models. This integrated perspective of business model can support the design and upgrade of the manufacturing companies in their respective industrial sectors. The conceptual model proposed is based on activity theory that considers the interactions between technical and social systems and allows the mitigation of the metabolic rift that exists between natural and social metabolism. This study contributes to the existing literature on circular economy, circular business models and activity theory by considering holonic paradigm concerns, which have not been explored yet. This research also offers a unique holonic architecture of circular business model by considering different levels, relationships, dynamism and contextualization (territory) aspects

Strategies for Value Creation Through Sustainable Manufacturing

Making the business case and establishing strategic directions for sustainable manufacturing requires a collaborative effort. Strategic capabilities that can help create sustainable value for all stakeholders must be identified. Technologies and methodologies to provide these capabilities for implementation must then be developed, through public-private partnerships. This paper presents major business imperatives and strategic capabilities necessary to enable value creation through sustainable manufacturing identified based on extensive engagement with business leaders and industry professionals as well as academic experts and government agency representatives. The paper also presents a future vision for sustainable products, processes and systems that can be derived from such capabilities

The role of supply chain integration in achieving competitive advantage: A study of UK automobile manufacturers

The competitive nature of the global automobile industry has resulted in a battle for efficiency and consistency in supply chain management (SCM). For manufacturers, the diversified network of suppliers represents more than just a production system; it is a strategic asset that must be managed, evaluated, and revised in order to attain competitive advantage. One capability that has become an increasingly essential means of alignment and assessment is supply chain integration (SCI). Through such practices, manufacturers create informational capital that is inimitable, yet transferrable, allowing suppliers to participate in a mutually-beneficial system of performance-centred outcomes. From cost reduction to time improvements to quality control, the benefits of SCI extend throughout the supply chain lifecycle, providing firms with improved predictability, flexibility, and responsiveness. Yet in spite of such benefits, key limitations including exposure to risks, supplier failures, or changing competitive conditions may expose manufacturers to a vulnerable position that can severely impact value and performance. The current study summarizes the perspectives and predictions of managers within the automobile industry in the UK, highlighting a dynamic model of interdependency and interpolation that embraces SCI as a strategic resource. Full commitment to integration is critical to achieving improved outcomes and performance; therefore, firms seeking to integrate throughout their extended supply chain must be willing to embrace a less centralized locus of control