Arunpreet Singh Suali, Jagjit Singh Srai and Naoum Tsolakis
Operational risks can cause considerable, atypical disturbances and impact food supply chain (SC) resilience. Indicatively, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in…
Abstract
Purpose
Operational risks can cause considerable, atypical disturbances and impact food supply chain (SC) resilience. Indicatively, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in the UK food services as nationwide stockouts led to unprecedented discrepancies between retail and home-delivery supply capacity and demand. To this effect, this study aims to examine the emergence of digital platforms as an innovative instrument for food SC resilience in severe market disruptions.
Design/methodology/approach
An interpretive multiple case-study approach was used to unravel how different generations of e-commerce food service providers, i.e. established and emergent, responded to the need for more resilient operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Findings
SC disruption management for high-impact low-frequency events requires analysing four research elements: platformisation, structural variety, process flexibility and system resource efficiency. Established e-commerce food operators use partner onboarding and local waste valorisation to enhance resilience. Instead, emergent e-commerce food providers leverage localised rapid upscaling and product personalisation.
Practical implications
Digital food platforms offer a highly customisable, multisided digital marketplace wherein platform members may aggregate product offerings and customers, thus sharing value throughout the network. Platform-induced disintermediation allows bidirectional flows of data and information among SC partners, ensuring compliance and safety in the food retail sector.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the SC configuration and resilience literature by investigating the interrelationship among platformisation, structural variety, process flexibility and system resource efficiency for safe and resilient food provision within exogenously disrupted environments.
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Naoum Tsolakis, Dimitrios Bechtsis and Jagjit Singh Srai
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to discuss key challenges associated with the use of either simulation or real-world application of intelligent autonomous vehicles…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to discuss key challenges associated with the use of either simulation or real-world application of intelligent autonomous vehicles (IAVs) in supply network operations; and second, to provide a theoretical and empirical evidence-based methodological framework that supports the integrated application of conceptualisation, simulation, emulation and physical application of IAVs for the effective design of digital supply networks.
Design/methodology/approach
First, this study performs a critical review of the extant literature to identify major benefits and shortcomings related to the use of either simulation modelling or real-word application of physical IAVs. Second, commercial and bespoke software applications, along with a three-dimensional validation and verification emulation tool, are developed to evaluate an IAV’s operations in a conceptual warehouse. Third, a commercial depth-sensor is used as a test bed in a physical setting.
Findings
The results demonstrate that conceptual and simulation modelling should be initially used to explore alternative supply chain operations in terms of ideal performance while emulation tools and real-world IAV test beds are eminent in validating preferred digital supply chain design options.
Research limitations/implications
The provided analysis framework was developed using literature evidence along with experimental work and research experience, without consulting any industry experts. In addition, this study was developed based on the application of a single physical device application as a test bed and, thus, the authors should further progress with the testing of a physical IAV in an industrial warehouse.
Practical implications
The study provides bespoke simulation modelling and emulation tools that can be useful for supply chain practitioners in effectively designing network operations.
Originality/value
This work contributes in the operations management field by providing both a multi-stage methodological framework and a practical “toolbox” for the proactive assessment and incorporation of IAVs in supply network operations.
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Foivos Anastasiadis, Ioanna Apostolidou and Naoum Tsolakis
Traceability systems (TS) have enabled significant improvements in supply chain management. Despite these advancements, there is room for further enhancement in the acceptance and…
Abstract
Purpose
Traceability systems (TS) have enabled significant improvements in supply chain management. Despite these advancements, there is room for further enhancement in the acceptance and diffusion of TS among stakeholders in emergent agri-food supply chains. Conducting a strategic analysis of TS is crucial to reveal the associated challenges, opportunities, pros and cons. Doing so will foster the development of emergent agri-food supply chains and unlock their potential.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a modified quantitative four-round Delphi methodology among experts, selected according to the quadruple helix model, covering end-to-end the supply chain. The research was carried out in Greece, as its agri-food sector epitomizes the type of emergent supply chain under investigation.
Findings
This study reveals the impact of TS in emergent agri-food industries, emphasizing the firm-focused positive effects like improving their supply chain performance. The research also highlights the benefits of TS adoption, suggesting that they outweigh any drawbacks based on the TS internal-external environment analysis. The multi-stakeholder participatory approach resulted in a blend of well-informed policy-making recommendations and managerial insights, paving the way for a broader and more efficient TS adoption in emergent agri-food supply chains.
Research limitations/implications
Impediments on sampling require caution when extending these findings to other contexts. Yet, it is crucial to conduct further research using a similar approach in a broader area, not just limited to Greece but also in other economies with similar conditions characterized by nascent supply chains.
Originality/value
The comprehensive and holistic approach used in this study, examining the extended supply chain context instead of just dyads, offers valuable insights that contribute to theory development in supply chain management. Such an output is momentous when researching emergent supply chains and complex issues like traceability, which require information sharing and involve interdependencies and hidden dynamics among stakeholders that are impossible to explore otherwise.
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Mariel Alem Fonseca, Naoum Tsolakis and Pichawadee Kittipanya-Ngam
Amidst compounding crises and increasing global population’s nutritional needs, food supply chains are called to address the “diet–environment–health” trilemma in a sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
Amidst compounding crises and increasing global population’s nutritional needs, food supply chains are called to address the “diet–environment–health” trilemma in a sustainable and resilient manner. However, food system stakeholders are reluctant to act upon established protein sources such as meat to avoid potential public and industry-driven repercussions. To this effect, this study aims to understand the meat supply chain (SC) through systems thinking and propose innovative interventions to break this “cycle of inertia”.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the meat supply network system. Data was gathered through a critical literature synthesis, domain-expert interviews and a focus group engagement to understand the system’s underlying structure and inspire innovative interventions for sustainability.
Findings
The analysis revealed that six main sub-systems dictate the “cycle of inertia” in the meat food SC system, namely: (i) cultural, (ii) social, (iii) institutional, (iv) economic, (v) value chain and (vi) environmental. The Internet of Things and innovative strategies help promote sustainability and resilience across all the sub-systems.
Research limitations/implications
The study findings demystify the structure of the meat food SC system and unveil the root causes of the “cycle of inertia” to suggest pertinent, innovative intervention strategies.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the SC management field by capitalising on interdisciplinary scientific evidence to address a food system challenge with significant socioeconomic and environmental implications.
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Roman Schumacher, Rob Glew, Naoum Tsolakis and Mukesh Kumar
The purpose of this paper is to investigate strategies to manage product recalls where shortages are a critical threat, with impacts such as loss of life. The authors aim to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate strategies to manage product recalls where shortages are a critical threat, with impacts such as loss of life. The authors aim to identify key supply chain strategies and opportunities for theoretical advancement by taking a resilience perspective on temporary supply chain design.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the authors conducted an impact event analysis of product recalls by exploring the RAPEX database and official statements of individual country regulators. Second, the authors conducted an exploratory case study with the Cambridge University Hospitals on Personal Protective Equipment to explore product recall risks, utilising an action research methodology.
Findings
Additional processes, mainly testing, can compensate for the risks that may arise from temporary supply chains, where changes in location and product design are not possible due to the immediate nature of demand caused by COVID-19 pandemic. This finding reflects on the resilience of designing and implementing temporary supply chains from the perspective of product, process and location.
Research limitations/implications
This paper does not employ an in-depth multiple case study methodology. However, the authors argue that the role of institutional actors in global supply chains and its implications on product safety needs to be empirically studied in order to expand existing supply chain management theories to cover resilience in emerging, mature and temporary supply chain.
Practical implications
Managers can learn from the Cambridge University Hospitals case study that a downstream quality inspection system can be deployed to manage product quality and safety risks where recalls are not an option, such as during critical situations in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social implications
The authors’ observations suggest that governments may be socially responsible for implementing rigorous mechanisms to manage product recall risks that compromise consumer safety.
Originality/value
The authors’ study is uniquely designed and studies various specific phenomena of product recalls risks in COVID-19. The unique design features include a dynamic and recent database analysis involving a product, process and location centric perspective complemented with a Cambridge University Hospitals case study.
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Patrick Hennelly, Jagjit Srai, Gary Graham and Samuel Fosso Wamba