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The Prospects of Cloud Computing in Supply Chain Management (A Theoretical Perspective)
Abstract
p> Today’s world organizations are searching for ways to minimize the cost and maximize the efficiency of each cycle of their supply chain, such as procurement, manufacturing, and distribution, particularly for those that handle multiple supply chains. Cloud computing technology emerges as an effective tool that, according to some researches, contributes to firms’ effectiveness and competiveness by providing the right infrastructure and business solutions for the entire supply chain via the Internet.
This study aims to shed more light on the prospects of cloud computing in supply chain management. More specifically, with focus on cloud computing’s suitability and benefits by offering a thorough review and analysis to previous and current research, including all types of published materials that lead to an adequate answer for the main research problem, as follows:
What are the prospects and benefits of cloud computing technology in the supply chain of business organizations?
This research method relies solely on secondary data, such as research papers, reference materials, conference proceedings, and all types of reliable data that serve the purpose of this paper.
The major conclusion of this study is that; Organizations that work in a more turbulent environment are the ones that feel the effect of the cloud computing technology on their supply chain performance compared to those that work in a more stable business environment. Therefore, the degree of importance of cloud computing adoption varies from one sector to another, therefore, cloud computing—if adopted properly—can improve the supply chain performance in terms of cost, quality, speed, and flexibility. </p
... Newer technologies such as Cloud Computing offer several advantages over traditional IT models, including faster data transaction speeds, greater elasticity, flexibility, delivery efficacy and increased organisational performance (Marston et al., 2011;S anchez et al., 2012;Jede and Teuteberg, 2016;Liu et al., 2016;Maqueira et al., 2019). Cloud Computing can be applied to most business functions, including logistics (Oliveira et al., 2013;Rai et al., 2015;Al-Jawazneh, 2016). ...
... These systems use various innovative technologies, such as the internet of Things, RFID, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, among others (Yan et al., 2014;Zhong et al., 2015;Botta et al., 2016). The use of Cloud-Supported Logistics could, therefore, result in better business performance (Oliveira et al., 2014;Vermula and Zsifkovits, 2016;Al-Jawazneh, 2016). ...
... Cloud-Supported Logistics could support collaboration between logistics networks and facilitate the planning and optimisation of location data capture, route analysis and statistical forecasting processes (Abdulaziz, 2012;Li et al., 2013;Oliveira et al., 2013;Subramanian et al., 2015). Cloud-Supported Logistics could also support planning and time allocation applications and long-distance control systems (Abdulaziz, 2012;Vermula and Zsifkovits, 2016;Al-Jawazneh, 2016). Thus, Cloud-Supported Logistics could help create flexibility, scalability and speed and so improve the visibility of the company, its processes and its relationship with its logistics partners (Bruque et al., 2015). ...
Purpose
With support from the dynamic capabilities theory, this paper examines the role of Cloud Computing technology use in logistics (Cloud-Supported Logistics) and its effect on business results in Lean manufacturing management (Lean Production implementation) and Supply Chain Integration contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the survey method, a random sample of 260 companies in intermediate positions in their supply chains was gathered from a population of 1,717 Spanish companies and used to test five hypotheses. The data were collected by telephone survey using a computerised system with a response rate of 15.6% (260 valid questionnaires). Structural equation modelling was used to test the five proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The findings indicate that Cloud-Supported Logistics use plays an important role in achieving better business results in Lean Production environments. Lean Production has been found to have both a direct effect and an even more powerful indirect effect on performance through the Cloud-Supported Logistics and Supply Chain Integration that these technologies produce. Supply Chain Integration is also found to have a mediating effect in the Cloud-Supported Logistics–performance relationship.
Originality/value
This study is valuable for academics and practitioners as it provides evidence of the relevant role played by Cloud-Supported Logistics in Lean Production implementation contexts. Cloud-Supported Logistics and Lean Production are strategically and operationally linked and their joint use results in Supply Chain Integration and better business performance.
... This provides the cloud computing is handle multiple process and improve the performance of procurement, manufacturing, and distribution systems. Also, the effective and efficient adoption of cloud computing can improve the organizational performance in terms of cost, quality, speed, and adaptability of supply chain firms [5]. Furthermore the cloud computing used as an optimizing technology that contributes to optimize by providing infrastructure, platform and software solutions for the full supply chain systems. ...
... As a result of this it needs critical selection and implementation of the cloud computing systems on manufacturing firm. Thus to enhance efficient business process and apply right infrastructure in the company's entire systems via the internet, appropriate cloud computing systems are adopted [5,41]. In place of a result effective data management systems through cloud computing technologies are essential to resource utilization, operational efficiency, customer centricity, compliance, agile distribution systems, and, the overall success and competitiveness of firm. ...
Abstract: Cloud computing systems have emerged as a useful technology that contributes to this optimization SCI process by
providing infrastructure, platform, and software solutions for the whole supply chain via the internet. But in developing regions
like Ethiopia, there's a weak traditional, fragmental, non-integrated, weak, and underdeveloped supply chain process. There’s
still space for research on real industrial applications where Ethiopian firms strive for cloud-based integration and implement
new models and integration strategies practices in their supply chains. Thus, this study is designed to investigate the impacts of
cloud computing technology on the supply chain integration process to improve the performance and comparative advantage of
manufacturing industries in general, and the Ethiopian basic metal industry in particular. Using primary and literature survey data,
the study has been carried-out through SPSS correlation and regression analysis methods. The study shows that the adoption and
utilization of cloud-based services in supply chain integration leads to improvements in both the performance and
competitiveness of the firm at regional and global levels. In particular, the cloud-based supply chain integration strategies
provide enhanced resource utilization, reduce the constraints on information flow in the firm, increase product and service
visibility, and create flexibility within systems within supply chain partners, and manufacturing industries as a whole. According
to these investigations, cloud computing has a great impact on supply chain integrations so as to improve the performance and
comparative advantage of the firm. Thus, effective and efficient utilization of cloud-based supply chain integrations has a higher
positive impact on firm performance and competitiveness. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that data privacy, information
risk, security issues, cloud architecture, process customization, and trust among collaborators must be prioritized for long-term
supply chain systems and joint ventures in cloud-based supply chain integration.
Keywords: Supply Chain Integration, Cloud Computing, Comparative Advantage, Supply Chain Security,
Manufacturing Performance
... This provides the cloud computing is handle multiple process and improve the performance of procurement, manufacturing, and distribution systems. Also, the effective and efficient adoption of cloud computing can improve the organizational performance in terms of cost, quality, speed, and adaptability of supply chain firms [5]. Furthermore the cloud computing used as an optimizing technology that contributes to optimize by providing infrastructure, platform and software solutions for the full supply chain systems. ...
... As a result of this it needs critical selection and implementation of the cloud computing systems on manufacturing firm. Thus to enhance efficient business process and apply right infrastructure in the company's entire systems via the internet, appropriate cloud computing systems are adopted [5,41]. In place of a result effective data management systems through cloud computing technologies are essential to resource utilization, operational efficiency, customer centricity, compliance, agile distribution systems, and, the overall success and competitiveness of firm. ...
Cloud computing systems have emerged as a useful technology that contributes to this optimization SCI process by providing infrastructure, platform, and software solutions for the whole supply chain via the internet. But in developing regions like Ethiopia, there's a weak traditional, fragmental, non-integrated, weak, and underdeveloped supply chain process. There's still space for research on real industrial applications where Ethiopian firms strive for cloud-based integration and implement new models and integration strategies practices in their supply chains. Thus, this study is designed to investigate the impacts of cloud computing technology on the supply chain integration process to improve the performance and comparative advantage of manufacturing industries in general, and the Ethiopian basic metal industry in particular. Using primary and literature survey data, the study has been carried-out through SPSS correlation and regression analysis methods. The study shows that the adoption and utilization of cloud-based services in supply chain integration leads to improvements in both the performance and competitiveness of the firm at regional and global levels. In particular, the cloud-based supply chain integration strategies provide enhanced resource utilization, reduce the constraints on information flow in the firm, increase product and service visibility, and create flexibility within systems within supply chain partners, and manufacturing industries as a whole. According to these investigations, cloud computing has a great impact on supply chain integrations so as to improve the performance and comparative advantage of the firm. Thus, effective and efficient utilization of cloud-based supply chain integrations has a higher positive impact on firm performance and competitiveness. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that data privacy, information risk, security issues, cloud architecture, process customization, and trust among collaborators must be prioritized for long-term supply chain systems and joint ventures in cloud-based supply chain integration.
... Logistics companies get enormous benefits with saving costs, time, and efforts on establishing their own IT infrastructure by applying cloud computing in supply chain management, [1]. Cloud computing technology emerges as an effective tool that, according to some research, contributes to firms' effectiveness and competitiveness by providing the right infrastructure and business solutions for the entire supply chain via the Internet, [2]. . Therefore, the more integrated the flow of data between customers and suppliers, the easier it becomes to balance supply and demand across the entire network (Ali Sayed, 2012). ...
The logistics and supply chain sector find itself at a critical inflexion point, with mounting pressures to enhance efficiency, increase cost competitiveness and serve the dynamic needs of consumers. To aid such goals, technologies of cloud computing combined with artificial intelligence (AI) come into play. Scalable resources, real-time data access (SaaS), and collaboration offer a superior environment for consolidation, better communication between departments and resource integration across business operations. Further, AI with sophisticated techniques of machine learning have ability to analyze large data sets which enables businesses to automate certain tasks while minimizing certain operations apart from providing predictions. This paper dwells on how cloud computing combined with AI can help in transformation of logistics supply chain management. How businesses across the verticals are leveraging these technologies to improve operations and providing a beacon for technological advancements in their growth. Furthermore, how cloud and AI integration can help industry and gain competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market to foster a more agile, resilient customer centric ecosystem. By adopting such technologies, businesses can navigate through the complexities of modern logistics and supply chain challenges and stay relevant in this hyper competitive digital landscape.
... In reality, as clients with less computational limit can just associate with the cloud in the way considered by the special organizations, they inactively consume content and different administrations instead of producing substance themselves. Access of administrations turns into the standard, and spilling assumes control as the prevailing descriptor of client conduct [24,25,26]. Because the absence of interoperability between frameworks, once they have been sent out into the cloud, individual data and client produced substance will be hard to exchange starting with one framework to the next -along these lines considered the specialist co-op to direct terms of engagement in a way that was up to this time outlandish on an open web. ...
Portable and mobile devices are one of the most expedient sources accessible that can give the latest update regarding events happening around humans and machines altogether in a convenient way despite the location of users which can be stationary as well as in motion. In addition, what we need and what information is required can be downloaded quickly on these mobile devices from anywhere. While mobile devices not only the source of communication but also used for other purposes such as data processing, computers, uploading, downloading video and audio files. Given the storage capacity of these devices and the data load in performing several tasks, the blocking problem is clearly expected. At hand is a prerequisite outside help to improve the situation and platform for cloud computing proposals in this environment, But it is actually problematic to ought to right to use these platforms easily. Now, arises a need that somehow has to find the mobile devices actually can access the cloud computing display place and also must be guaranteed access anywhere, anytime. The virtual cloud computing platform is basically alone a means that could be useful because of the ubiquity of mobile devices. This document is an effort to describe and jotting down their association and ubiquitous cloud computing in addition to what means to get benefited from the creation of the IT platform in the virtual cloud. In this paper, various pervasive and cloud computing challenges and techniques are discussed in detail. Certain available techniques are considered along with the comparison among each other to identify the better option for adoption.
... In reality, as clients with less computational limit can just associate with the cloud in the way considered by the special organizations, they inactively consume content and different administrations instead of producing substance themselves. Access of administrations turns into the standard, and spilling assumes control as the prevailing descriptor of client conduct [24,25,26]. Because the absence of interoperability between frameworks, once they have been sent out into the cloud, individual data and client produced substance will be hard to exchange starting with one framework to the next -along these lines considered the specialist co-op to direct terms of engagement in a way that was up to this time outlandish on an open web. ...
... With Web 3.0 technology, cloud computing has changed the way business model and operation management was operated in the manufacturing sector by the digital transformation [1]. With this technology shift, cloud-based manufacturing was developed to enclose cloud computing, virtualization, and the Internet of things (IoT) for these operations to increase productivity and decrease costs [2]. ...
Cloud manufacturing has emerged as a breakthrough of IT services, including the internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) for business processes in the manufacturing sector. It has also brought the need to complete the integrated business processes such as an integrated supply chain, inventory management, and production for utilizing this technology. In this context, IT decision-makers attempt to develop a cloud-based manufacturing model for downloading, configuring, and maintaining machinery from cloud providers that enables the top managers just to focus on their product in business. The research aims to build for monitoring the differences between cloud manufacturing adopters and non-adopters to understand the behavioral intention by monitoring the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory and the Technological, Organizational, and Environmental (TOE) theory of cloud manufacturing adoption. An independent t-test sample was used to analyze data. 19 manufacturing cloud adopters and 19 non-cloud adopters were selected to analyze data via SPSS 26.0 in Turkey. The results exhibited that manufacturing cloud adopters and non-cloud adopters considered the same for relative advantage, cost-saving, competitive pressure, and regulatory support. However, they found differences in security concerns, compatibility, complexity, technological readiness, and top management support. The study brought an outlook for understanding the benefits, drawbacks, and hinders of cloud manufacturing of manufacturers. This will enable comprehensive information for cloud providers to offer appropriate integrated software according to manufacturers’ needs of the production.
... Además, CC posibilita la integración de procesos con costes más bajos, con un menor tiempo de despliegue, aumentando la velocidad de respuesta en los procesos y fomentando la innovación (Vermula y Zsifkovits, 2016). Varios de los impactos ejercidos por CC en la CS pueden tener una relación positiva con la integración de los procesos y actividades de la CS, tales como la escalabilidad y flexibilidad de operaciones y procesos (Berman et al., 2012;Kshetri, 2010;Xu, 2012;Durowoju et al., 2011;Lal y Bharadwaj, 2016;Al-jawazneh, 2016), la agilidad y adaptación a los cambios (Adjei, 2015;Vickery et al., 2010;Vermula y Zsifkovits, 2016;Dhar, 2012;Lal y Bharadwaj, 2016), la coordinación a través de servidores de CC (Jede y Teuteberg, 2015;Autry et al., 2010;Liu et al., 2010) y la planificación de la CS (Leukel et al., 2011;Jede y Teuteberg, 2015;Cegielski et al., 2012). ...
RESUMEN Este artículo analiza el estado actual de la investigación sobre Cloud Computing (CC) e Integración de la Cadena de Suministro (ICS) con dos objetivos: (i) identificar las líneas de investigación desarrolladas y (ii) identificar los hallazgos hasta el momento actual y, a partir de ellos, proporcionar orientaciones para la investigación futura. Para cumplir con estos objetivos se ha realizado una revisión sistemática de la literatura, que permitió identificar y analizar 34 artículos que tratan de forma directa o indirecta la relación entre CC y la ICS. Estos artículos inciden en la existencia de una relación positiva entre la adopción o uso de CC en la integración de los flujos físicos, informacionales y/o financieros de la cadena de suministro. Además, la literatura revisada señala que la utilización de CC en la CS puede tener también impacto en la integración de los procesos (logística y fabricación), de las tecnologías y sistemas y de los diversos actores de la CS. Palabras clave:
... Esto ocurre porque CC puede ser aplicada en la producción, planificación, abastecimiento, servicios de gestión de repuestos, o gestión de ventas, optimizando así las capacidades de cadena de abastecimiento (Vermula y Zsifkovits, 2016;Rai et al., 2015). Además, varios de los impactos ejercidos por CC pueden tener una relación positiva con la OCA, tales como la escalabilidad y flexibilidad de operaciones y procesos ( Berman et al., 2012;Kshetri, 2010;Xu, 2012;Durowoju et al., 2011;Lal y Bharadwaj, 2016;Al-jawazneh, 2016), la agilidad y adaptación a los cambios ( Adjei, 2015;Vickery et al., 2010;Vermula y Zsifkovits, 2016;Dhar, 2012;Lal y Bharadwaj, 2016) y la planificación de la cadena de abastecimento ( Leukel et al., 2011;Jede y Teuteberg, 2015;Cegielski et al., 2012). ...
Este artículo evalúa el estado actual de la investigación sobre el uso de Cloud Computing (CC) en las Operaciones de la cadena de abastecimiento (OCA) con el objetivo de identificar el conjunto de líneas de investigación desarrolladas. Para alcanzar dichos objetivos, se han analizado 52 artículos que se refieren a la utilización de CC en la las OCA. Basado en las dimensiones de la matriz DAFO, se ha podido clasificar la literatura de acuerdo con las Debilidades, Amenazas, Fortalezas y Oportunidades que la adopción de CC puede ofrecer a las OCA.
The big technological transformation included smart objects, simulation software, and digital frameworks to enhance intelligence, automation capabilities, the production process, and intelligent decision-making. The big technology including digital twin, digital thread, and internet of things are providing unprecedented opportunities to enhance efficiency and reduce the cost of the existing system of manufacturing industries. This article aims to study the great impacts of digital thread applications on sustainable manufacturing and smart production systems. A statistical descriptive, regression, and correlation analysis approach was adopted using a questionnaire based on the study model and previous related literature. Around 125 respondents were incorporated into the data collection process. The findings suggest that adoption and application of integrated and enabled digital thread strategies have the highest and most positive impacts on the performance of sustainable manufacturing and smart production systems in productivity, energy efficiency, agility and sustainability. The benefits of implementing big technology like digital thread have great impacts on manufacturing industries to enhanced smart design, a smart production process, utilizing resources, and improving the performance of the entire production and sustainable manufacturing processes. Also, the digital threads have great positive impacts on smart production, the reduction of climate change, and net-zero CO2 emissions (CC). This study confirms that, integrated and big technological practices, including Industry 4.0 and digital threads, mediated roles between sustainable production and sustainable performances. Based on these investigations, the digital thread model was developed to improve the performance and sustainability of manufacturing industries. The results of these investigations could deliver valuable insights to scholars, officials, and business leaders in order to boost smart and sustainable productions throughout the manufacturing process.
Innovations pique people's interest, inspire them, and enhance their quality of life. The majority are constant adjustments used to keep ahead of the competition, but digital innovation redefines the market. The idea of digital management of supply chains will be crucial in the future. Digitalization has affected every facet of businesses, including operating styles and supply chains. Today's enterprises can change their supply chain structures from a hybrid of printed and IT-supported procedures to more adaptable, open, quick-moving, and participatory digital models thanks to Technology like RFID, GPS, and sensors. Different from hybrid supply chain approaches, which have led to rigid organizational structures, unavailability of data, and fragmented connections with partners, digital supply chains enable the automation of business operations and the digital management of firm assets. In the future supply chain networks, threat management will require an electronic supply chain risk monitoring system. Digitalizing the entire supply chain will make a considerable quantity of current information available, enabling speedier detection and response to any issues.
Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 are changing the ways business operations are carried out. The organisations across the sectors have been facing challenges in managing the supply chain and logistics across the UK and the world. Industrial Revolution 4.0 has led to the use of digital technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of supply chain processes, such as demand forecasting, inventory management, transportation routing, and order fulfillment. Industry 5.0 is an attempt to humanise the use of potential new-age digital technologies that can for sustainable supply chain management and logistics in the FMCG and automotive sectors. The chapter also advises operation and strategic managers to follow the latest trends in these technologies and follow some short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.
Keiretsu is a Japanese word for a system that maintains a long-term relationship with suppliers or smaller enterprises in order to eliminate additional costs efficiently. The core of Keiretsu organizational culture is being cordial, using Hitozukuri (making people) and Monozukuri (delivering products/services). This research aims to explore Keiretsu organizational culture and the impact it has on the Sony Corporation’ s culture of innovation. The paper’s archival search covers the business activities of Sony Corporation from 1946-2022. The results are presented in a table illustrating two periods: 1946- 2005 and 2006- 2022. Although seemingly
innovative, Keiretsu has negatively affected the Sony Corporation’s organizational culture by elongating the corporation’s process of innovation. Furthermore, Sony Corporation also has produced too many products, which appears to be good, but eventually has led the corporation to be unproductive and out of focus. As a result, even though Sony Corporation exhibits Keiretsu organizational culture, but this culture has not led Sony Corporation to innovation culture.
Very well into the dawn of the fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0), humankind can hardly distinguish between what is artificial and what is natural (e.g., man-made virus and natural virus). Thus, the level of discombobulation among people, companies, or countries is indeed unprecedented. The fact that industry 4.0 is explosively disrupting or retrofitting each and every industrial sector makes industry 4.0 the famous buzzword amongst researchers today. However, the insight of industry 4.0 disruption into the industrial sectors remains ill-defined in both academic and nonacademic literature. The present study aimed at identifying industry 4.0 neologisms, understanding the industry 4.0 disruption and illustrating the disruptive technology convergence in the major industrial sectors. A total of 99 neologisms of industry 4.0 were identified. Industry 4.0 disruption in the education industry (education 4.0), energy industry (energy 4.0), agriculture industry (agriculture 4.0), healthcare industry (healthcare 4.0), and logistics industry (logistics 4.0) was described. The convergence of 12 disruptive technologies including 3D printing, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, big data, blockchain, cloud computing, drones, Internet of Things, nanotechnology, robotics, simulation, and synthetic biology in agriculture, healthcare, and logistics industries was illustrated. The study divulged the need for extensive research to expand the application areas of the disruptive technologies in the industrial sectors.
This thesis is on ‘Ergonomics effects and working environment design on counter cage in Abay bank
S.C. Currently Abay bank S.C gives a variety of service for its customers, including saving Deposit,
Demand Deposit, Fixed Time Deposit, etc.), Loan Account Services, International Banking services
and other common services. And it gives special services like it serves the customers till 9:00 PM
Monday to Saturday; provides fast and modern banking services; provides consultancy and financial
support for entrepreneurs and others are mentioned for a sample.
Abay Bank S.C. increase its day to day services to satisfy its customers.it increases the number of
branches to 156 to serve the customers. This will also increase the number of employees also.
Furniture’s, computers other working facilities are also related to the opening of branches. These
facilities are used by the employees as well as the customers.
In order to make the customers satisfy and the employees to give the best services the work station
designs have a major effect. According to different researches the best work station design can improve
productivity and services.
Abay Bank S.C. is one of the service provider in Ethiopia it should implement the best work station
design to the customers and also for the employees. But some of the branches miss this main issue due
to several reasons. Then this research focuses on the counter cage area which has great relationship with
customers and tellers. The main objective of this research is to assess impact of workplace design on
the tellers and design the ergonomically workplace to increase productivity of employee. To achieve
this, ergonomically factors affecting tellers are identified to improve workplace design and so
productivity.
For this purpose, 49 bank branches of Abay bank in Addis Ababa were selected and studied. This study
used both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Proper sample size was calculated and
questionaries’ are distributed to the 49 branches. Also measurements are taken from the employees for
the analysis. Different analysis tools were used like SPSS, AutoCAD, CATIA, RULA analysis,
Microsoft excel, word and others etc. The conclusion from the study was derived; ergonomically factors
like lighting, temperature, working furniture, bad working posture, smell and noise has effect on
employee’s productivity by creating fatigue specially on their shoulder, lower back and mid back. And
finally; the new conceptual workplace design is proposed to address those encountered problems.
The contribution of this study is valuable for the branches of Abay Bank S.C. and other banks located
all over the country.
Very well into the dawn of the fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0), we hardly distinguish between what is artificial and what is natural (e.g. man-made virus and natural virus). Thus, the level of discombobulation among people, companies or countries is indeed unprecedented. The fact that industry 4.0 is explosively disrupting or retrofitting each and every industrial sector, makes industry 4.0 the famous buzzword amongst researchers today. However, the insight of industry 4.0 disruption in the industrial sectors remains ill-defined in both academic and non-academic literature. The present study aimed at identifying industry 4.0 neologisms, understanding the industry 4.0 disruption and illustrating the disruptive technologies convergence in the major industrial sectors. A total of 99 neologisms of industry 4.0 were identified. Industry 4.0 disruption in Education industry (Education 4.0), Energy industry (Energy 4.0), Agriculture industry (Agriculture 4.0), Healthcare industry (Healthcare 4.0), and Logistics industry (Logistics 4.0) are described. The convergence of 12 disruptive technologies including 3D printing, Artificial intelligence, Augmented reality, Big Data, Blockchain, Cloud computing, Drones, Internet of things, Nanotechnology, Robotics, Simulation and Synthetic biology in agriculture, healthcare and logistics industries are illustrated.
Digitizing supply chains is a trend that continues to grow. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the digitization trends affecting supply chains and highlight some key benefits and challenges associated with such development. The chapter also examines the impact of digitizing supply chains on six key lean manufacturing tools and the seven common manufacturing wastes. The chapter reveals that digitizing supply chains positively contributes to making the examined lean manufacturing tools more effective. Also, digital supply chains provide valuable functions and tools to help organizations tackle the seven types of manufacturing wastes. This chapter presents information about digital supply chains and the kind of impact they may have on lean manufacturing philosophy. Academics, industry practitioners, and other interested professionals will find this chapter as a good reference on how lean manufacturing concept is impacted by the digitization of supply chains.
In the modern world companies are investigating ways to optimize both cost and operational efficiency of each phase of their supply chain, such as planning and forecasting, sourcing and procurement, logistics and service and spare parts management. Cloud computing emerges as a useful technology that contributes to this optimization by providing infrastructure, platform and software solutions for the whole supply chain via internet. The utilization of cloud-based services in supply chain management leads to both financial and operational benefits. Lower cost in contrast to on-premises infrastructure cost, supply chain visibility, platform scalability and flexibility through supply chain partners’ collaboration are some notable examples. Nonetheless, there are aspects that should be taken into account when using cloud-based applications such as data privacy, process customization and trust among collaborators. In this paper, the use of cloud computing is presented in supply chain management and more specifically in the case of third-party logistics service providers. At a first level, the paper demonstrates what cloud technology is, how it can be used in supply chain management as well as its benefits compared with other systems. Furthermore, the paper outlines the implementation of cloud computing in the case of third-party logistics companies, especially from the perspectives of cost effectiveness and real-time visibility of shipment and inventory between companies and their customers.
Cloud computing introduces flexibility in the way an organization conducts its business. On the other hand, it is advisable for organizations to select cloud service partners based on how prepared they are owing to the uncertainties present in the cloud. This study is a conceptual research which investigates the impact of some of these uncertainties and flexibilities embellished in the cloud. First, we look at the assessment of security and how it can impact the supply chain operations using entropy as an assessment tool. Based on queuing theory, we look at how scalability can moderate the relationship between cloud service and the purported benefits. We aim to show that cloud service can only prove beneficial to supply partners under a highly secured, highly scalable computing environment and hope to lend credence to the need for system thinking as well as strategic thinking when making cloud service adoption decisions.
Today's supply chains constitute a global and complex network of enterprises that aim to deliver products in the right quantity, at the right place, and at the right time in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable environment. To cope with internal and external supply chain instability and disruptions, supply chains need to be resilient. One of the most important factors that enhance a supply chain’s resilience is the supply chain's ability to collaboratively share information with its supply chain partners. Cloud computing creates a platform that enables collaborative information sharing that helps to identify, monitor and reduce the supply chain risks, vulnerabilities and disruptions. However, understanding the capabilities of cloud computing and its impact on supply chain resilience (SCRES) is in its infancy among supply chain academics and practitioners. To address this gap, we apply relational view (RV) (Dyer & Singh, 1998) and resource-based view (RBV) (Wernerfelt, 1984; Barney, 1991) to develop a conceptual framework and theory-driven, testable propositions to investigate cloud computing and its impact on supply chain resilience. The goal of the proposed research is to explore the role of cloud computing in influencing SCRES and how SCRES may lead to a sustainable competitive advantage. The proposed research contributes to the literature by developing a theory-driven, conceptual model that explains the relationship between cloud computing and SCRES and other factors influencing this relationship. The results of this study may help to enhance a CEOs’ understanding on how cloud computing can improve its firm’s competitive position by building resiliency into its supply chains.
In 1998, the Council of Logistics Management modified its definition of logistics to indicate that logistics is a subset of supply chain management and that the two terms are not synonymous. Now that this difference has been recognized by the premier logistics professional organization, the challenge is to determine how to successfully implement supply chain management. This paper concentrates on operationalizing the supply chain management framework suggested in a 1997 article. Case studies conducted at several companies and involving multiple members of supply chains are used to illustrate the concepts described.
Purpose
Without the adoption of a uniform agreed upon definition of supply chain management (SCM), researchers and practitioners will not be able to “advance the theory and practice” of the discipline. An integrated definition of SCM would greatly benefit researchers' efforts to study the phenomenon of SCM and those practitioners attempting to implement SCM. This paper aims to address these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the qualitative analysis software NVivo , this study examines 166 definitions of SCM that have appeared in the literature to determine important components of an integrated definition of SCM.
Findings
Three broad themes of SCM are identified, including: activities; benefits; and constituents/components. An encompassing definition of SCM is developed from the qualitative analysis of these definitions.
Research limitations/implications
While a large number of SCM definitions have been included in the research design, there may be additional definitions that are excluded given the very large number of SCM publications.
Practical implications
A consensus definition of SCM will allow researchers to more precisely develop theory and practitioners to identify the scope and boundaries of SCM.
Originality/value
This paper is the first attempt to include a large number of SCM definitions for the purpose of developing a consensus definition of the concept. Previous literature has included only a subset of published SCM definitions.
The paper begins with an overview of some of the forces that have shaped supply chain management and partnership relationships. Next the potential benefits and risks of involvement in supply chain management/partnership relationships are discussed from the perspective of both the shipper and the service provider (warehousers and transportation firms). Results from a major survey of shippers, warehousers and transportation providers are used to illustrate the risks and benefits. Means of minimizing the potential risks are also suggested. The paper concludes with a discussion of issues in supply chain management that would benefit from further analysis and research. These issues include determination of whether a firm should use a supply chain management approach, the management structure to use in supply chain management, and modelling supply chain management systems.
Practitioners and educators have variously addressed the concept of supply chain management (SCM) as an extension of logistics, the same as logistics, or as an all-encompassing approach to business integration. Based on a review of the literature and management practice, it is clear that there is a need for some level of coordination of activities and processes within and between organizations in the supply chain that extends beyond logistics. We believe that this is what should be called SCM. This article proposes a conceptual model that provides guidance for future supply chain decision-making and research.
This study was funded in part by a research grant provided by Ernst & Young LLP Center for Business Knowledge, which was administered by Jeffrey Pratt and LeAnne Gershkowitz. The authors appreciate and acknowledge the help and support of Ernst & Young LLP Global Supply Chain Network and especially the guidance and assistance of Christopher Gopal and Gene Tyndall.
Note: This paper was subsequently published in International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Volume 28 Number 8, 1998.
(This article originally appeared in Management Science, April 1997, Volume 43, Number 4, pp. 546--558, published by The Institute of Management Sciences.) Consider a series of companies in a supply chain, each of whom orders from its immediate upstream member. In this setting, inbound orders from a downstream member serve as a valuable informational input to upstream production and inventory decisions. This paper claims that the information transferred in the form of ÜordersÝ tends to be distorted and can misguide upstream members in their inventory and production decisions. In particular, the variance of orders may be larger than that of sales, and distortion tends to increase as one moves upstreamÔa phenomenon termed Übullwhip effect.Ý This paper analyzes four sources of the bullwhip effect: demand signal processing, rationing game, order batching, and price variations. Actions that can be taken to mitigate the detrimental impact of this distortion are also discussed.
(This article originally appeared in Management Science, April 1997, Volume 43, Number 4, pp. 546–558, published by The Institute of Management Sciences.)
Consider a series of companies in a supply chain, each of whom orders from its immediate upstream member. In this setting, inbound orders from a downstream member serve as a valuable informational input to upstream production and inventory decisions. This paper claims that the information transferred in the form of “orders” tends to be distorted and can misguide upstream members in their inventory and production decisions. In particular, the variance of orders may be larger than that of sales, and distortion tends to increase as one moves upstream—a phenomenon termed “bullwhip effect.” This paper analyzes four sources of the bullwhip effect: demand signal processing, rationing game, order batching, and price variations. Actions that can be taken to mitigate the detrimental impact of this distortion are also discussed.
Cloud computing has recently emerged as a new paradigm for hosting and delivering services over the Internet. Cloud computing
is attractive to business owners as it eliminates the requirement for users to plan ahead for provisioning, and allows enterprises
to start from the small and increase resources only when there is a rise in service demand. However, despite the fact that
cloud computing offers huge opportunities to the IT industry, the development of cloud computing technology is currently at
its infancy, with many issues still to be addressed. In this paper, we present a survey of cloud computing, highlighting its
key concepts, architectural principles, state-of-the-art implementation as well as research challenges. The aim of this paper
is to provide a better understanding of the design challenges of cloud computing and identify important research directions
in this increasingly important area.
KeywordsCloud computing-Data centers-Virtualization
In order to support the maximum number of user and elastic service with the minimum resource, the Internet service provider invented the cloud computing. within a few years, emerging cloud computing has became the hottest technology. From the publication of core papers by Google since 2003 to the commercialization of Amazon EC2 in 2006, and to the service offering of AT&T Synaptic Hosting, the cloud computing has been evolved from internal IT system to public service, from cost-saving tools to revenue generator, and from ISP to telecom. This paper introduces the concept, history, pros and cons of cloud computing as well as the value chain and standardization effort.
Supply chain management is critical since firms always confront the competition on their supply chain efficiency. This article discusses the trend in supply chain management by examining Web technologies that transform and streamline the supply chain management.
The evolution of cloud computing over the past few years is potentially one of the major advances in the history of computing. However, if cloud computing is to achieve its potential, there needs to be a clear understanding of the various issues involved, both from the perspectives of the providers and the consumers of the technology. While a lot of research is currently taking place in the technology itself, there is an equally urgent need for understanding the business-related issues surrounding cloud computing. In this article, we identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the cloud computing industry. We then identify the various issues that will affect the different stakeholders of cloud computing. We also issue a set of recommendations for the practitioners who will provide and manage this technology. For IS researchers, we outline the different areas of research that need attention so that we are in a position to advice the industry in the years to come. Finally, we outline some of the key issues facing governmental agencies who, due to the unique nature of the technology, will have to become intimately involved in the regulation of cloud computing.
Cloud computing is a new terminology that was added to IT jargon since early 2007. Still, people overuse this idiom to refer to things that may not relate to its actual definition and scope. Is it all about web hosting? Is it an old thing in new clothes? Why should organizations consider it? IT, business, and academia folks ask about cloud computing with the intention to understand it better. This paper tries to demystify cloud computing by simplifying its terms to readers with different IT interests.
Purpose – The purpose of this article is to investigate the nature of the humanitarian aid supply chain and discuss the extent to which certain business supply chain concepts, particularly supply chain agility, are relevant to humanitarian aid.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper identifies elements of good practice in conventional business supply chains and applies them to the humanitarian aid supply chain, making use of published practice-based literature and web sites associated with humanitarian aid. Particular emphasis is placed on the concept of “agility” in supply chain management. A model of an agile supply chain for humanitarian aid is developed.
Findings – Humanitarian supply chains have similarities with business supply chains, but there are significant differences. Many humanitarian supply chains have a short and unstable existence with an inadequate link between emergency aid and longer-term developmental aid. Unlike many business supply chains, typical emergency aid appeals assign inventory to a particular destination at the supply chain source.
Practical implications – This research note is a starting-point for empirical studies to test the agile humanitarian supply chain model.
Originality/value – This paper seeks to integrate humanitarian aid practice with concepts in the academic supply chain literature. In particular, proposes that humanitarian donors need convincing of the value of supply chain processes.
Cloud Computing has become another buzzword after Web 2.0. However, there are dozens of different definitions for Cloud Computing and there seems to be no consensus on what a Cloud is. On the other hand, Cloud Computing is not a completely new concept; it has intricate connection to the relatively new but thirteen-year established Grid Computing paradigm, and other relevant technologies such as utility computing, cluster computing, and distributed systems in general. This paper strives to compare and contrast Cloud Computing with Grid Computing from various angles and give insights into the essential characteristics of both.
States that we have witnessed, over the last several years, a profound change in understanding the dynamics of competitive advantage. Managers now acknowledge that a firm's success is tied, in part, to the strength of its weakest supply chain partner. This paper develops the concept of supply chain management and argues that only through close collaborative linkages through the entire supply chain, can one fully achieve the benefits of cost reduction and revenue enhancing behaviors. Data are presented that look at a range of supply chain management practices and processes. By examining differences in practices and processes between buyers and sellers, along with the supply chain, attempts to understand better the challenges facing managers who espouse supply chain management. Also proposes a change in mind set for the traditional procurement manager and present insights for him/her to adapt to the requirements of the new competition.
Management is on the verge of a major breakthrough in understanding how industrial company success depends on the interactions between the flows of information, materi-als, money, manpower, and capital equipment. The way these five flow systems interlock to amplify one another and to cause change and fluctuation will form the basis for antici-pating the effects of decisions, policies, organizational forms, and investment choices." (For-rester 1958, p. 37) Forrester introduced a theory of distribution management that recognized the integrated nature of organizational relationships. Because organizations are so intertwined, he argued that system dynam-ics can influence the performance of functions such as research, engineering, sales, and promotion.
Rising international cooperation, vertical disintegration, along with a focus on core activities have led to the notion that firms are links in a networked supply chain. This novel perspective has created the challenge of designing and managing a network of interdependent relationships developed and fostered through strategic collaboration. Although research interests in supply chain management (SCM) are growing, no research has been directed towards a systematic development of SCM instruments.
This study identifies and consolidates various supply chain initiatives and factors to develop key SCM constructs conducive to advancing the field. To this end, we analyzed over 400 articles and synthesized the large, fragmented body of work dispersed across many disciplines. The result of this study, through successive stages of measurement analysis and refinement, is a set of reliable, valid, and unidimensional measurements that can be subsequently used in different contexts to refine or extend conceptualization and measurements or to test various theoretical models, paving the way for theory building in SCM.
The paper examines the economic impact of the diffusion of a new technology as cloud computing. This will allow firms to rent computing power and storage from service providers and to pay on demand, with a profound impact on the cost structure of all the industries, turning some of the fixed costs into marginal costs of production. Such a change will have a substantial impact on the incentives to create new business, and through this, on investments and macroeconomic growth, job creation in all industries and job reallocation in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, and public finance accounts, through the direct impact on the public sector spending and the indirect one on the tax revenues. The paper investigates the consequences of the diffusion of cloud computing on market structures and competition, and tries to disentangle the above-mentioned aspects with a particular focus on a simulation run for the European economy.
Cloud computing and grid computing 360-degree compared
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Survey on cloud forensics and critical criteria for cloud forensic capability: A preliminary analysis
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An Empirical Examination of Cloud Computing in Humanitarian Logistics
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Cloud computing: The business perspective
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