Designing a ‘concept of operations’ architecture for next-generation multi-organisational service networks

Networked service organisations are increasingly adopting a ‘smarter networking’ philosophy in their design of more agile and customer-focused supply models. Changing consumer behaviours and the emergence of transformative technologies—industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, the Internet of Things—are driving a series of innovations, in terms of ‘products’ and business models, with major implications for the industrial enterprise, in their design of more ‘digitalised’ supply chains. For B2B systems, emerging ‘product-service’ offerings are requiring greater visibility, alignment and integration across an increasingly complex network of multiple partners and collaborators, in order to deliver a better service and customer ‘experience’. To support the design and operation of these multi-organisational service networks, we outline a concept of operations architecture here, underpinned by the literature and network theory, and demonstrate application using a series of exemplar case studies. Focusing on relational elements and the processes key to network integration within service supply networks, the cases inform a set of operating principles and protocols—applicable to all stakeholders ‘cooperating’, within a ‘shared’ environment. Equally critical is to understand how digital technologies may influence future operating philosophies. This article extends our theoretical understanding of network organisations, from a traditional ‘product’ perspective to that of ‘services’, and presents the case for developing a common, unified approach to designing diverse forms of multi-partner service networks.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Springer via https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s00146-016-0664-

Urban Logistics and Transportation - Defining a B2B Concept of Operations for Urban Construction Consolidation Centres

The challenges facing the UK construction industry reflect many inefficiencies in current practice: 60% of planned vehicle deliveries do not arrive on time. The Urban Construction Consolidation Centre (UCCC) concept aims to promote a more efficient flow of construction materials through the supply chain, reducing vehicle deliveries and the impact of urban congestion. New B2B relationships have emerged and multi-partner service model concepts need to be developed, in order to aid partners understand roles and inter-relationships in service delivery. A B2B Concept of Operations (ConOps) to define the key elements, operating philosophy and design and operation of UCCCs is presented

Phytoestrogens modulate hepcidin expression by Nrf2: Implications for dietary control of iron absorption

Hepcidin is a liver-derived antimicrobial peptide that regulates iron absorption and is also an integral part of the acute phase response. In a previous report, we found evidence that this peptide could also be induced by toxic heavy metals and xenobiotics, thus broadening its teleological role as a defensin. However it remained unclear how its sensing of disparate biotic and abiotic stressors might be integrated at the transcriptional level. We hypothesized that its function in cytoprotection may be regulated by NFE2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), the master transcriptional controller of cellular stress defenses. In this report, we show that hepcidin regulation is inextricably linked to the acute stress response through Nrf2 signaling. Nrf2 regulates hepcidin expression from a prototypical antioxidant response element in its promoter, and by synergizing with other basic leucine-zipper transcription factors. We also show that polyphenolic small molecules or phytoestrogens commonly found in fruits and vegetables including the red wine constituent resveratrol can induce hepcidin expression in vitro and post-prandially, with concomitant reductions in circulating iron levels and transferrin saturation by one such polyphenol quercetin. Furthermore, these molecules derepress hepcidin promoter activity when its transcription by Nrf2 is repressed by Keap1. Taken together, the data show that hepcidin is a prototypical antioxidant response or cytoprotective gene within the Nrf2 transcriptional circuitry. The ability of phytoestrogens to modulate hepcidin expression in vivo suggests a novel mechanism by which diet may impact iron homeostasis

Nrf2 transcriptional derepression from Keap1 by dietary polyphenols

The liver expresses batteries of cytoprotective genes that confer cellular resistance to oxidative stress and xenobiotic toxins, and protection against cancer and other stress-related diseases. These genes are mainly regulated by Nrf2, making this transcription factor a target for small molecule discovery to treat such diseases. In this report, we identified dietary polyphenolic antioxidants that not only activated these genes but also relieved Nrf2 repression by Keap1, a Cul3-dependent ubiquitin ligase adaptor protein that mediates its degradation. Analysis of postprandial liver RNA revealed a marked activation of both genes by all test polyphenols compared with controls. Nrf2 inhibition by RNA interference reduced polyphenol effects on its target gene expression. Our data suggest that polyphenols may induce cellular defense genes by derepressing Nrf2 inhibition by Keap1. We posit that this ability to derepress Nrf2 and reactivate its target genes may underlie the protection conferred by polyphenols against oxidative stress-related diseases

Exploring Implications of Continuous Manufacturing within the Pharmaceutical Sector through Industrial Landscape Mapping and Cross-Sector Analysis

On-going new technology development in Continuous Manufacturing (CM) has enabled potential for significant step changes within the Pharmaceutical sector e.g. shifting from ‘batch’ to ‘continuous’ processing has implications for (a) product variety, consistency and functionality (b) energy and resource efficiency (c) inventory and customization options and (d) overall industry structure. However, current adoption rates of CM remain in the range of 5%. This research looks to explore and address the operations and supply chain management challenges associated with CM, specifically through learning from other industrial systems. Research question(s): Emerging research questions include (a) what are the architectural differences between current (batch) and future (continuous) manufacturing operations and (b) associated implications for up-stream and down-stream supply chain configurations, structures, processes and systems. Methods: An Industrial landscape mapping methodology was developed (integrating value chain analysis with supply network configuration mapping) that is applicable to a broader industrial systems context. The pharmaceutical sector was mapped to provide the basis for (a) exploring alternative product-process supply network options and value chain implications of a shift to CM and (b) cross-sector analysis involving six previous case studies (i.e. six industrial systems that have exhibited different types of disruptive innovation). Key findings: This research provides a basis for understanding (a) current and future supply network configurations (b) critical interconnections between industry actors and (c) the overall industry structure. Preliminary cross-case analysis suggests several generic aspects to supply networks, including the blurring of industry boundaries, and the critical requirement to manage uncertainty in selective elements of the value chain

Consumer-driven e-commerce: A literature review, design framework, and research agenda on last-mile logistics models

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to re-examine the extant research on last-mile logistics (LML) models and consider LML’s diverse roots in city logistics, home delivery and business-to-consumer distribution, and more recent developments within the e-commerce digital supply chain context. The review offers a structured approach to what is currently a disparate and fractured field in logistics. Design/methodology/approach The systematic literature review examines the interface between e-commerce and LML. Following a protocol-driven methodology, combined with a “snowballing” technique, a total of 47 articles form the basis of the review. Findings The literature analysis conceptualises the relationship between a broad set of contingency variables and operational characteristics of LML configuration (push-centric, pull-centric, and hybrid system) via a set of structural variables, which are captured in the form of a design framework. The authors propose four future research areas reflecting likely digital supply chain evolutions. Research limitations/implications To circumvent subjective selection of articles for inclusion, all papers were assessed independently by two researchers and counterchecked with two independent logistics experts. Resulting classifications inform the development of future LML models. Practical implications The design framework of this study provides practitioners insights on key contingency and structural variables and their interrelationships, as well as viable configuration options within given boundary conditions. The reformulated knowledge allows these prescriptive models to inform practitioners in their design of last-mile distribution. Social implications Improved LML performance would have positive societal impacts in terms of service and resource efficiency. Originality/value This paper provides the first comprehensive review on LML models in the modern e-commerce context. It synthesises knowledge of LML models and provides insights on current trends and future research directions. </jats:sec

Digitalisation of Development and Supply Networks: Sequential and Platform-Driven Innovations

We draw from an eight-year dataset of 98 organisational entities involved in pre-competitive innovation networks across the UK pharmaceutical sector. These data map into three networks that are representative of: (i) a product development-led sequential pathway that begins with digitalised product development, followed by digitalisation of supply networks, (ii) a supply network-led sequential pathway that starts with digitalised supply networks, followed by digitalisation of product development, and (iii) a parallel — platform-driven — pathway that enables simultaneous digitalisation of development, production, and supply networks. We draw upon extant literature to assess these network structures along three dimensions — strategic intent, the integrative roles of nodes with high centrality, and innovation performance. We conduct within-case and cross-case analyses to postulate 10 research propositions that compare and contrast modalities for sequential and platform-based digitalisation involving collaborative innovation networks. With sequential development, our propositions are congruent with conventional pathways for mitigating innovation risks through modular moves. On the other hand, we posit that platform-based design rules, rather than modular moves, mitigate the risks for parallel development pathways, and lead to novel development and delivery mechanisms

Effecting Policy Change within UK Construction Logistics - Capturing Current and Future Industrial and Institutional Obligations

The challenges facing the UK construction industry reflect many inefficiencies in current practice: 60% of planned vehicle deliveries do not arrive on time; 20% of all UK waste comes from construction. This research aims to inform how best to inform government policy on contracting models for construction logistics and create incentives to influence UK-wide consolidation center adoption by both private sector (e.g. consumers, suppliers, logistics service providers) and public sector (e.g. local, regional policy makers) stakeholders. A process mapping methodology was developed and is presented to capture current and future industrial and institutional obligations. It identifies (a) the key stakeholders in the public sector procurement process of construction projects, (b) processes required for construction approval and (c) the mapping of each key process. The research method involved fieldwork interviews and site visits involving both public and private sector stakeholders involved in local authority-led construction project provision. The hard/soft factors that influence public sector approval were examined in the context of an urban construction consolidation center (UCCC) to aid development of a collaboration model between private companies and public resources. The key processes and requirements of these key stakeholders may then be linked, informing development of a new industry standard for the UK construction industry