The use of information systems for logistics and supply chain management in South East Europe: Current status and future direction

This research aims to investigate the current status and future direction of the use of information systems for logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) in South East Europe. The objectives are threefold: (1) to identify major challenges and developments on the use of information systems for LSCM by enterprises, (2) to examine the actual level of satisfaction of current policy on LSCM, and (3) to reveal the actual need of enterprises in South East Europe on effective use of information systems for LSCM. Mixed methodology of literature review and questionnaire survey is adopted in this research. Data collected from 79 enterprises are analysed using descriptive analysis in SPSS. The findings suggest that enterprises in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro, face similar challenges but all are in different stages of developments of LSCM. Their use of information systems explains their heavy focus on supply chain partnership and weakness in demand chain partnership. Major findings suggest that companies and governments alike in that region do not seem to be ready for playing a significant and demanding role in global supply chains. Current deficiencies, including limited abilities in building valuable forward relations, weak strategic planning and organisation, and infrastructural problems, are major obstacles for fast development in LSCM. At the same time though, traces of changing mentalities do exist, setting the ground for improved performance and ultimately for a better position in global business

Including social performance as a measure for resilient and green freight transportation

Whilst the literature shows a clear relation between institutional pressures (normative, coercive, mimetic) on the adoption of Resilient and Green Freight Transportation (RGFT) practices on the one hand, and economic, operational and environmental performance on the other, very few studies have considered the role of social performance (both society and employee-wise) in this equation. Social performance is currently under investigation as a potential success indicator in RGFT practice implementation. However, well-established models that include this social indicator still lack in the field. To this end, this research builds upon an institutional theory-based model which includes social performance as one of the decision-making factors in the industry. A sample of 107 freight transporters from South East Europe (SEE) provides the data to test several structural relations through path analysis. Results show that the three aforementioned institutional pressures positively impact on RGFT practice implementation. However, the relation is positive for all three pressures only when successful RGFT practice implementation has a moderating effect. Similarly, RGFT practice implementation positively impacts on social performance, through which as moderator, it also yields environmental and economic performance. Lastly, the results show that social performance positively impacts on economic and environmental performance. Overall, this study contributes to institutional theory and green supply chain management by demonstrating the need for including social performance as a success indicator in RGFT practice implementation. Ultimately, this study provides insights for industries and policymakers from SEE and comparable regions

Blockchain applications in supply chains, transport and logistics : a systematic review of the literature

This paper presents current academic and industrial frontiers on blockchain application in supply chain, logistics and transport management. We conduct a systematic review of the literature and find four main clusters in the co-citation analysis, namely Technology, Trust, Trade, and Traceability/Transparency. For each cluster, and based on the pool of articles included in it, we apply an inductive method of reasoning and discuss the emerging themes and applications of blockchains for supply chains, logistics and transport. We conclude by discussing the main themes for future research on blockchain technology and its application in industry and services

Heat pump supply chain environmental impact reduction to improve the UK energy sustainability, resiliency and security

Various heat pump technologies are examined from an environmental perspective using a life cycle assessment approach. The investigated heat pump systems utilize air, ground, and water as their energy sources. Additionally, an innovative heat pump powered by green hydrogen is investigated in this study, to evaluate its environmental impacts and potential to commercialise on a large scale. A range of supply chain scenarios is explored, considering the main suppliers of the UK market. The reshoring heat pump industry and supply chain are evaluated to enhance energy resilience and security within the UK. The findings indicate that the hydrogen-based heat pump presents a promising option for the UK market, offering the advantages of reducing stress on the national grid network and minimizing the environmental impacts associated with the supply chain. Furthermore, a forecasting analysis is conducted based on the UK's net-zero emission plan to provide insight into future developments

Examining the relationship between energy poverty and measures of deprivation

Energy poverty is defined as the inability to afford to heat the home to an adequate temperature at reasonable cost. Such a concept has gained political recognition in an increasing number of countries; however, in the United Kingdom, related policies tend to rely upon measures of general deprivation as a practical proxy. This has often resulted in the design of sub-optimal schemes for eradicating this issue. After engaging with the debate about the independence of the energy poverty concept, this paper evaluates the relationship between energy poverty and multi-dimensional measures of deprivation through a statistical analysis. Findings demonstrate that energy poverty constitutes an additional and independent form of deprivation, which is not captured by the current English Index of Deprivation. Also, results are utilised to develop a classification matrix that identifies areas by their level of deprivation and energy poverty that can be mapped through a Geographic Information System at a Lower Super Output Area. The resultant maps can be utilised to develop effective local area interventions focused on the factors that are most likely to reduce energy poverty in that geography

A comparison of environmental and energetic performance of European countries: A sustainability index

Recently, European countries agreed on a new 2030-pact establishing challenging levels for a set of climate and energy indexes in order to achieve a more competitive, safe and sustainable energy system. In order to evaluate current sustainability performances of European countries from the environmental and energetic perspectives, this research proposes a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) that, starting from both Eurostat data and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), allows a direct comparison of nations. To this aim, multiple indexes are taken into account (e.g. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Government expenditures for environmental protection, Recycled and reused waste from electric and electronic equipments (WEEEs), Recycled and reused waste from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), Recycled materials from Municipal Solid Wastes (MSWs), Share of renewable energy (RE) in electricity, Share of RE in transport, Share of RE in heating and cooling and Primary energy consumption). This assessment model provides a sustainability value for each European country and the related ranking with the European average. Results show as, even nowadays, twelve out of twenty-eight European countries have a value greater than the European average in 2013. Top four nations (Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Austria) have high indexes of sustainability and Sweden is the best country from both the environmental and energetic perspectives

Effective multi-tier supply chain management for sustainability

Sustainability issues pervade the supply chain deep into the recesses of various global regions and resources. Supply chains can become quite complex as they form multiple tiers of organizations and across networks. Solving anthropocentric pressures on the environment and human society means compelling supply chains to alleviate their environmental and social burdens. The strategic and operational complexities of multi-tier supply chain sustainability are transcendent. Addressing these concerns is still in its relative infancy amongst business, engineering, and production economics solutions. It is within this environment that this special issue in the International Journal of Production Economics advances this important research stream. Twenty-three articles using multiple methodologies, theories, and developments provide insights, clarifications and potential solutions to some of the most pernicious problems of multi-tier sustainable supply chains. This editorial overviews the various contentions, study interrelationships, whilst providing some future research directions

Macro-level economic and environmental sustainability of negative emission technologies; case study of crushed silicate production for enhanced weathering

Enhanced weathering (EW) involves application of crushed silicate rocks on croplands to capture CO2. Although research on EW is gaining traction, the missing elements in the literature however are the supply chain sustainability impacts associated with large-scale production and deployment of crushed silicates for EW purposes. The need to conduct sustainability assessments for EW systems in addition to validated technical feasibility remains a relevant research gap. In this work, the potential economic and environmental impacts associated with production of crushed silicates is assessed for eight countries, belonging to two separate groups: emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) and developed economies (USA, UK, France, and Germany). A total of six economic and environmental impact categories are included in the assessment; gross domestic product (GDP), gross operating surplus (GOS), imports, greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and material use. The input-output model is used to estimate the economy-wide and macro-level sustainability impacts derived from producing crushed silicates. Findings show developed economies have relatively high levels of positive economic benefits and may experience less negative environmental impacts within their national boundaries by ‘leaking’ such impacts via imports. Imported consumption for crushed silicate production in developed countries were found to be substantially higher than that of emerging economies. For the emerging economies, imported consumption associated with crushed silicate production constitutes on average, less than 10% whereas for developed economies, imported consumption averages 20%. The UK mining and quarrying sector has the highest imported consumption at approximately 30%. The results of the study provide insightful outlook into the opportunities and challenges surrounding EW sustainability and is important in informing both national and global policy decisions regarding this technique