Supply chains play a pivotal role in our global economy, connecting producers to consumers and influencing the environmental and social impacts of the products we consume [...

Afy-Shararah, Mohamed

Gupta, Sumit

Jagtap, Sandeep

Raut, Rakesh

Sustainability

Lund University Publications

Advancing Sustainability and Efficiency in Supply Chains : Insights from the Special Issue on Sustainable Supply Chain and Lean Manufacturing

Sandeep Jagtap

Mohamed Afy-Shararah

Rakesh Raut

Sumit Gupta

Crossref

Advancing Sustainability and Efficiency in Supply Chains: Insights from the Special Issue on Sustainable Supply Chain and Lean Manufacturing

Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute

CERES Research Repository (Cranfield Univ.)

Citation: Jagtap, S.; Afy-Shararah, M.;Raut, R.; Gupta, S. AdvancingSustainability and Efficiency inSupply Chains: Insights from theSpecial Issue on Sustainable SupplyChain and Lean Manufacturing.Sustainability 2023, 15, 14990.https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014990Received: 13 October 2023Accepted: 16 October 2023Published: 18 October 2023Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This article is an open access articledistributed under the terms andconditions of the Creative CommonsAttribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).sustainabilityEditorialAdvancing Sustainability and Efficiency in Supply Chains:Insights from the Special Issue on Sustainable Supply Chainand Lean ManufacturingSandeep Jagtap 1,2,* , Mohamed Afy-Shararah 2 , Rakesh Raut 3 and Sumit Gupta 41 Division of Engineering Logistics, Lund University, 22 363 Lund, Sweden2 Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Centre, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK;m.a.shararah@cranfield.ac.uk3 Department of Operations and Supply Chain Management, Indian Institute of Management-Mumbai,Mumbai 400087, India; rraut@iimmumbai.ac.in4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amity School of Engineering and Technology, Amity University,Noida 201313, India; sgupta20@amity.edu* Correspondence: sandeep.jagtap@tlog.lth.seSupply chains play a pivotal role in our global economy, connecting producers toconsumers and influencing the environmental and social impacts of the products weconsume. As we navigate the challenges of the 21st century, the need to transform supplychains into more sustainable, efficient, and transparent systems has never been morepressing. The Special Issue on Sustainable Supply Chain and Lean Manufacturing soughtto address these pressing issues and provide valuable insights into how Industry 4.0 (I4.0)and lean methodologies can lead the way.The drive towards sustainability in supply chains stems from multiple sources. Firstly,the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by cutting-edge technologies, such asblockchain, IoT, and artificial intelligence, offers immense potential for enhancing efficiencyand reducing waste. Secondly, consumer demands for transparency and ethical practiceshave pushed supply chain actors to adopt new technologies and methodologies. Lastly,global efforts, such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, have provideda clear roadmap for industries to align with global sustainability targets.Out of the 14 papers received for this Special Issue, only 6 were selected for publication.Each of these papers addresses critical aspects of sustainable supply chains and leanmanufacturing, contributing valuable insights to the ongoing discourse in this field.1. Consumer Acceptance of Alternative Proteins: In a world facing environmental andhealth challenges linked to conventional meat consumption, a systematic review bySiddiqui et al. [1] delves into the acceptance of alternative protein sources. Theirfindings highlight the importance of understanding consumer preferences and thevarious drivers influencing acceptance.2. Blockchain in Sustainable Food Supply Chains: Saha et al. [2] explore the transfor-mative potential of blockchain technology in food supply chains. Their systematicliterature review emphasizes the benefits, challenges, and applications of blockchainin achieving a triple bottom line, ultimately contributing to the pursuit of net-zerogoals.3. Adoption of Industry 4.0 in Agriculture: Jain et al. [3] tackle the critical issue oftechnology adoption in agriculture to ensure food security and sustainability. Theirresearch methodically selects a suitable technology acceptance model, highlightingthe importance of making informed choices in technology adoption.4. IoT in Medical Waste Management: Mohamed et al. [4] investigate the use of the Inter-net of Things (IoT) in medical waste management, demonstrating how digitalizationcan enhance waste monitoring and contribute to net-zero goals in healthcare settings.Sustainability 2023, 15, 14990. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014990 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainabilitySustainability 2023, 15, 14990 2 of 25. Sustainable Performance Assessment in the Dairy Industry: Kumar and Choubey [5]present a comprehensive methodology for assessing sustainable performance in theIndian dairy industry. Their study offers valuable insights into how dairy companiescan align their operations with sustainable development goals.6. Barriers to Lean Accounting Implementation: Stronczek [6] addresses the challengesfaced by manufacturing units in implementing lean accounting. Through a DEMATELapproach, the study uncovers the interconnectedness of these barriers and providesguidance on overcoming them.The research presented in this Special Issue underscores the importance of technologyadoption, transparency, and sustainable practices in today’s supply chains. As industriescontinue to grapple with complex challenges, these insights provide a roadmap for creatingmore resilient, efficient, and sustainable supply chains that can thrive in the face of globaluncertainties.We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the authors, reviewers, and contributors whomade this Special Issue possible. We hope that the knowledge shared here will inspirefurther research and action towards a future where supply chains are not only leaner butalso greener and more socially responsible.Author Contributions: Conceptualization, S.J., M.A.-S., R.R. and S.G.; writing—original draft prepa-ration, S.J., M.A.-S., R.R. and S.G.; writing—review and editing, S.J., M.A.-S., R.R. and S.G. All authorshave read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.Acknowledgments: The guest editors extend heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated authors for theiroutstanding contributions to this Special Issue. We also extend our sincere appreciation to theaccomplished reviewers, who meticulously assessed the manuscripts, offering valuable insights andconstructive suggestions for enhancement. A special acknowledgment is due to the esteemed editorsand the exceptional MDPI team for their exemplary stewardship of this Special Issue.Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.References1. Siddiqui, S.A.; Alvi, T.; Sameen, A.; Khan, S.; Blinov, A.V.; Nagdalian, A.A.; Mehdizadeh, M.; Adli, D.N.; Onwezen, M. ConsumerAcceptance of Alternative Proteins: A Systematic Review of Current Alternative Protein Sources and Interventions Adapted toIncrease Their Acceptability. Sustainability 2022, 14, 15370. [CrossRef]2. Saha, A.S.; Raut, R.D.; Yadav, V.S.; Majumdar, A. Blockchain Changing the Outlook of the Sustainable Food Supply Chain toAchieve Net Zero? Sustainability 2022, 14, 16916. [CrossRef]3. Jain, M.; Soni, G.; Verma, D.; Baraiya, R.; Ramtiyal, B. Selection of Technology Acceptance Model for Adoption of Industry 4.0Technologies in Agri-Fresh Supply Chain. Sustainability 2023, 15, 4821. [CrossRef]4. Mohamed, N.H.; Khan, S.; Jagtap, S. Modernizing Medical Waste Management: Unleashing the Power of the Internet of Things(IoT). Sustainability 2023, 15, 9909. [CrossRef]5. Kumar, M.; Choubey, V.K. Sustainable Performance Assessment towards Sustainable Consumption and Production: Evidencefrom the Indian Dairy Industry. Sustainability 2023, 15, 11555. [CrossRef]6. Stronczek, A. Barriers of Lean Accounting Implementation in Polish Enterprises: DEMATEL Approach. Sustainability 2023, 15,12008. [CrossRef]Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individualauthor(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury topeople or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.Cranfield UniversityCERES https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.ukSchool of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing (SATM) Staff publications (SATM)2023-10-18Advancing sustainability and efficiencyin supply chains: insights from thespecial issue on sustainable supplychain and lean manufacturing [Editorial]Jagtap, SandeepMDPIJagtap S, Afy-Shararah M, Raut R, Gupta S. (2023) Advancing sustainability and efficiency insupply chains: insights from the special issue on sustainable supply chain and leanmanufacturing [Editorial]. Sustainability, Volume 15, Issue 20, October 2023, Article number 14990https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014990Downloaded from Cranfield Library Services E-Repository

Advancing sustainability and efficiency in supply chains: insights from the special issue on sustainable supply chain and lean manufacturing [Editorial]

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Advancing sustainability and efficiency in supply chains: insights from the special issue on sustainable supply chain and lean manufacturing [Editorial]

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