Mapping industrial systems - a supply network perspective on enabling technologies, processes and actors

This paper develops a multi-layered multi-stage mapping approach to explore the characteristics of emerging industry supply networks (EI SNs), and how enabling production technologies and supply chain processes are supported by institutional, industrial and supply network actors. The mapping methodology involves the systematic capture of material transformations, enabling product and process technologies, and the actors, both institutional and industrial that might facilitate industrial development. A key research challenge was to extend traditional methods of SN mapping and value chain analysis that typically adopt a narrow focal firm perspective of a firm's supply network, to also include key institutional, and other industrial system actors that form part of the wider industrial ecosystem. An industrial ecosystem mapping methodology was therefore developed that integrates and extends value chain analysis with SN configuration mapping, applied to a broader industrial systems context. The methodology is demonstrated in selected EI sectors to demonstrate the utility of the approach.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research CouncilThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from InderScience Publishers via http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJMTM.2017.1000292

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

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

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

Combining field data analysis and simulation to evaluate an alternative Just-In-Time clinical trial supply strategy

This paper combines recurrence analysis of field data from clinical trial supply chain (CTSC) with a proof-of-concept inventory profile simulation to evaluate an alternative packing capability that supports just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing and distribution of investigational medicinal products (IMP). Assumptions for JIT packing supply capabilities and expedite quality release were taken from a detailed design prototype recently commissioned by a leading pharmaceutical consortium. The suggested technological intervention is assessed in its ability to reduce finished good inventory while adequately responding to the dynamics of uncertain patient recruitment and required service levels. The proposed combination of field data analysis and simulation enables practitioners to consider the possibilities for a more economically viable adaptive clinical trial supply based on JIT technologies and near real-time product utilisation information across multiple locations

Continuous manufacturing and product-process archetypes: implications for supply network design in Pharma

Continuous Manufacturing has enabled the potential for significant step changes within the Pharmaceutical industry. However, adoption rates remain in the range of 5%. This research examines the challenges and implications of the shift from ‘batch’ to ‘continuous’ processing in terms of e.g. product variety and supply network design