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This study discusses the influence of logistical immediacy on logistics service providers' (LSPs’) business. Specifically, its role in the face of the emerging business scenario (e-commerce, disruptive technologies, and new models of logistical services) is examined.

As logistical immediacy is a nascent topic, this study utilizes a systematic literature review focusing on academic articles from the last five years related to logistical outsourcing to understand the changes imposed by logistical immediacy on LSPs.

The impact of transformations arising from an increasingly digital virtual world (DVW) on LSPs is contextualized. A theoretical view of the factors affecting LSPs' shift towards more immediate operations is presented, and how logistical immediacy impacts LSPs is discussed. Finally, a research agenda is presented as the study's main contribution.

Due to the timeframe chosen, the restriction to a single database (Scopus), the specific search terms used related to LSPs, and limiting the search parameters to operations management, some relevant work may have been overlooked.

The article help LSPs' and contracting companies' managers to understand the influence of the immediacy expected in logistics operations. Possible logistics services trends and how they may impact companies are discussed.

This is one of the first articles in the area of operations and supply chains that addresses the issue of logistical immediacy and its impact on LSPs.

Considering the importance of a safe food chain for consumers and the advent of blockchain technology (BT), this research studies a food service (FS) distributor. The research aims to understand the implications related to the functional processes of distribution in FS in which it would be possible to use blockchain to achieve agility, transparency of information and improvements in food safety.

Firstly, theory regarding blockchain technology in the supply chain (BT-SC) and FS was analyzed to contextualize the theme conceptually. A single case study including 11 supply chain companies was applied in a BT implementation study in an FS distributor.

Investment in infrastructure is often identified as a barrier to adoption of BT-SC. This was, however, not found in this case. Furthermore, the validation of users was only necessary for those parties directly participating in the process or information input. Finally, findings differentiate between qualifying criteria and operational processes when considering BT projects in FS.

The findings are restricted to this single case that provided an in-depth understanding of the topic. Statistical generalization is not possible at this stage of the research.

The study is a practical example and can provide several insights to anyone looking to implement BT in their SC.

The social importance of the study lies in the importance of FS in the food sector, and by presenting ways that contribute to mitigating risks to consumers.

Real-life cases of application of BT-SC illustrate its functionalities in operational processes.

This study intends to map the supply chain and characterize the business processes of a cultural center in an aggregated and coordinated operation to serve families in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. This case study analyzes distinct aspects of humanitarian management capable of contributing to the management of commercial supply chains.

Adopting a case study approach, this research contextualizes the view on humanitarian supply chains related to the importance of participating organizations' engagement and the relationship and similarity with business organizations.

The study presents the model adopted to undertake the aid operations, maps the cultural center's humanitarian supply chain, clarifies the relationships and operations developed and compares the business processes with those of commercial chains. Possibilities and initiatives are discussed that can contribute to business organizations' greater engagement in humanitarian actions.

Restricted to one case involving the cultural center and the other agents researched, the information and considerations are limited, and any generalization should be treated with caution.

The study is a practical example that clarifies how business organizations can engage in the supply chain of humanitarian institutions. It also illustrates ways to help these institutions improve their fund-raising initiatives.

This study is justified by the representativeness of humanitarian actions in critical periods such as the Covid-19 pandemic. The study also presents potential ways to contribute to operations of this nature and to encourage business organizations to improve participation in humanitarian movements.

Many studies on the subject have highlighted the importance of comparing humanitarian and business supply chains through real case research.

This study aims to investigate the influence of social and spatial embeddedness on indigenous rural entrepreneurship in Amazon/Brazil. Rural entrepreneurship has increased in recent years. Some studies have focused on the relevance of spatial embeddedness in understanding this phenomenon, whereas others have highlighted the importance of social embeddedness. Although some scholars have associated both construct dimensions to understand rural entrepreneurship in developed economies, such an association remains scarce when considering both emerging and developing contexts.

The strategy was qualitative, using the integrated case study method. The case was the Paiter-Suruí indigenous tribe in the Amazon region, Brazil, recognized for the entrepreneurship of their community. Fourteen indigenous rural entrepreneurs participated in the study.

Field data show that entrepreneurs embed themselves in dense social networks that influence their decisions, including those involving the creation of enterprises. In addition, entrepreneurs are deeply embedded in rural territoriality (spatial), impacting how they create and seek to develop their own ventures.

The study of an empirical context that is still poorly explored has made two main contributions to the social and spatial embeddedness literature. First, evidence shows social influence on spatial embeddedness and vice versa, suggesting the need to integrate both perspectives. Second, this study contributes to the literature on rural entrepreneurship by shedding light on novel strategies for developing such enterprises. In addition, this study emphasizes the relevance of investigating the challenges that hinder rural entrepreneurial development in emerging and developing contexts.

From the perspective of the supply chain risk management (SCRM), this paper addresses the effects of a hybrid production system (make-to-stock and make-to-order) in order to know which risks can impact the production planning process at a large automaker in Brazil. Through the correlation of these themes, the purpose of this paper is to understand the relevant risks to the supply chain (SC).

Before the field research, a theoretical approach was made on two themes. After theoretical analysis of a case study on the automaker and data collection, the work used the Pearson’s product moment correlation (r) and χ² and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests to assess the risk factors raised by the interviewed professionals, thus characterizing a mixed methodological approach (i.e. qualitative and quantitative).

It was evidenced that many risks are the result of functional failures, such as input of incorrect information in the system, and many are inherent to managerial decisions when procedures and different paths of production are adopted. Additionally, it has been proven that the adoption of a hybrid production planning approach does not increase the risks to the SC and that the identified risks do not necessarily are included within the scope of SCRM.

This study is characterized by an approach which combines SCRM and hybrid production system.

The paper aims to further understanding of connectivity from the perspective of blockchain technology (BT) in the supply chain (SC). It presents the weaknesses (inhibitors) of connectivity during technology implementation, focusing on supply chain interaction and resilience.

Restricting the focus to digital connectivity, interaction and supply chain resilience, this paper uses a systematic literature review (SLR) to examine how the literature has addressed, related or flagged connectivity weaknesses affecting supply chain interaction and resilience.

This study highlights the influence of connectivity for blockchain-technology projects. Technical and organisational influencers that affect the adoption of technology in the SC are presented. These influencers support the factors proposed in this study regarding the weaknesses that negatively affect the interaction between the agents involved and the SC's resilience. The research suggests that the weaknesses are related to technical needs and the relationships between companies arising from functionalities.

This paper is restricted to a review of the theory and the researched material. Although the author was careful to choose the best search terms related to the research objective, some potentially relevant articles may have been excluded.

The study summarises research on blockchain connectivity influencers in the SC, helping managers to anticipate and mitigate some of doubts and concerns in projects of this nature.

This is one of the first articles in the area of operations and SCs that addresses the topic of connectivity, focusing on its restrictive factors (connectivity inhibitors), in the context of blockchain implementation in the SC.

The purpose of this study is to analyze blockchain (Bc) platforms in order to expand knowledge about the functionalities applied to supply chains (SCs). Therefore, this research seeks to address what these functionalities are and whether they are aligned with the theory.

The research utilizes a literature review on Bc in SC (Bc-SC) and an exploratory study focusing on the developers of Bc platforms.

The research maps and synthesizes concepts and applications of the platforms for SC. The platforms involved with the development of solutions with Bc technology are relatively representative (138 found by this research, and 47 offer solutions in SC), as well as the diversity of solutions and application (101 applications), covering different activities and areas of the SC.

Despite extensive research and data analysis, there may be other platforms and solutions not analyzed in this paper.

The narrative and the different examples provided contribute to managers' understanding of the different possibilities for Bc-SC. Studying the services offered by the various platforms also enables managers to better understand what options exist and could potentially be utilized.

This is one of the first papers in a leading international OSCM (operations and supply chain management) journal to analyze the Bc platforms in SC and thereby has its relevance by synthesizing the knowledge that is dispersed in software developers (platforms).

The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyse the difficulties encountered in the implementation of a voice picking system at a large multinational company of the tractor industrial segment, outlining a comparison related to the main critical factors concerning the system implementation at a Brazilian and a USA plant.

The methodology utilised was qualitative and exploratory conducted through case studies in the two plants of the multinational company. The main data were collected through interviews with key managers directly involved in the project of voice picking system implementation.

The results indicate that the picking processes in the two plants were similar, since both were designed for the production line and conducted using bar-code readers and paper lists. Nevertheless, the internal warehousing process in the USA was more mature and computerised, whereas the Brazilian process still had opportunity for improvement, such as, the visual storage process, where the operator was responsible for locating an empty position.

Since this research is an exploratory case study, its results cannot be generalised.

The paper provides relevant practical information and experiences to managers interested in implementing voice picking systems, as well as interested in improving the accuracy and productivity of logistics processes within warehouses.

The voice picking systems are more widespread in the USA than in Brazil, and therefore, companies around the world can use this studied case to better understand about the voice picking systems implementation process in both emerging and mature marketplaces.