Supply chain resilience in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic: A resource orchestration perspective

The role of artificial intelligence and bureaucracy in frugal innovation for social and environmental performance: A structuration theory approach

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has played a crucial role in decision-making within public departments. The impact of AI on the discretion exercised by public officials and bureaucrats has attracted significant scholarly attention. Despite the growing body of literature, there remains a need to explore how digital discretion and social structures shape innovation, particularly in disadvantaged communities facing resource constraints, limited accessibility, and complex societal issues. In such contexts, AI-assisted decision-making by public officials can promote frugal innovation, contributing to social and environmental performance. To investigate this, I based my research hypotheses on social structuration theory. I conducted a survey using a pre-tested instrument and collected 179 usable responses. The hypotheses were then analysed using PLS-SEM software, specifically WarpPLS 8.0. The results provided valuable insights into structuration theory and its application in complex rural settings, highlighting its potential to foster frugal innovation aimed at addressing social and environmental sustainability. This study makes a significant contribution to the theoretical understanding of AI-assisted discretion among public officials. It explores the interplay between agents and social structures and addresses the social complexities involved in frugal innovation for sustainability. Finally, I acknowledge the limitations of the study and propose directions for future research.

Towards circular economy: Leveraging blockchain technology for circular supply chain

During the last few years, there is an increased focus on transition towards circular economy (CE) to address the issues of environmental deterioration and resource scarcity. Circular supply chain (CSC) can help to achieve the objectives of CE. This study explores how Blockchain technology (BT) can support CSC and improve firm performance. In this regard, we examine the role of BT-enabled supply chain capabilities, namely information sharing and supply chain integration (SCI), which can help in CSC implementation. A conceptual model underpinned in resource-based view (RBV) is tested using survey data from 109 US manufacturing firms. Findings confirm that BT helps to develop information sharing and SCI capabilities. We did not find support for direct relationship between information sharing and CSC, rather information sharing indirectly supports CSC implementation through SCI. Finally, CSC has significant positive effect on firm performance. The study guides managers in manufacturing firms on how BT can help in developing supply chain capabilities, which can support CSC implementation and improve firm performance. Specifically, managers should focus on leveraging BT for building information sharing and SCI capabilities for CSC. The study also provides empirical evidence on capabilities enabled by BT.

The Influence of Multiple Factors on Musicology Doctoral Students' Academic Performance: An Empirical Study Based in China

As doctoral education evolves globally, the focus intensifies on doctoral candidates' academic performance and psychological well-being. Previous research has studied the effects of individual, societal, and environmental factors on students' academic achievements. However, there is still a lack of investigation into how these factors interact, especially in the domains of arts. This study surveyed 213 Chinese musicology doctoral students and adopted Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate how various factors affect academic and mental health outcomes. The analysis shows that factors including teacher support, student engagement, and well-being positively influence academic performance, while academic anxiety negatively impacts academic performance. Moreover, variables help diminish academic anxiety, encompassing self-efficacy, parental support, time management skills, and student engagement. Meanwhile, enhanced doctoral students' well-being is related to robust teacher support, facilitating conditions, and active student engagement. Notably, students who experience academic anxiety about their studies generally have lower well-being. These findings indicate that alleviating academic anxiety, refining academic resources, and reinforcing mental health supports can foster academic and psychological outcomes for doctoral students. Our study contributes vital empirical data to developing higher education policies, benefiting doctoral students' mental health and academic success.

Predicting the effects of supply chain resilience and robustness on COVID-19 impacts and performance: Empirical investigation through resources orchestration perspective

This study investigates the effects of supply chain (SCRE) and robustness (SCRO) on COVID-19 super disruption impacts and firm's financial performance by mobilizing the resources orchestration theory (ROT) as the main theoretical framework. We adopt structural equation modeling analysis of data collected from 289 French companies. The findings reveal the significantly positive influence of resources orchestration on SCRE and SCRO and the role of the latter in mitigating the pandemic disruption impacts. Notwithstanding, depending on whether the measures are objective or subjective, the effects of SCRE and SCRO on financial performance vary. Overall, this paper presents empirical evidence of the influence of both of SCRE and SCRO on pandemic disruption impacts and financial performance. Furthermore, this research provides insights to guide practitioners and decision makers regarding resources orchestration and the deployment of SCRE and SCRO.

Impact of supply chain digitalization on supply chain resilience and performance: A multi-mediation model

The outbreak of COVID-19 has accelerated the building of resilient supply chains, and supply chain digitalization is gradually being recognized as an enabling means to this end. Nevertheless, scholars generally agree that more empirical studies will need to be conducted on how digitalization can facilitate supply chain resilience at various stages and enhance supply chain performance in a highly uncertain environment. To echo the call, this study develops a theoretical influence mechanism of "supply chain digitalization → supply chain resilience → supply chain performance" based on dynamic capability theory. The proposed relationships are validated using survey data collected from 210 Chinese manufacturing companies. The results help identify the paths digitalization and supply chain resilience can take to improve supply chain performance in a turbulent environment. The different roles of three supply chain resilience capabilities, namely absorptive capability (before the disruption), response capability (during the disruption), and recovery capability (after the disruption), which impact on supply chain performance differently, are highlighted. In addition, it is found that digitalization can bring a differential impact on these three supply chain resilience capabilities through different aspects of resource and structural adjustment measures. The findings also confirm the mediating role of absorptive capability, response capability, and recovery capability between digitalization and supply chain performance. During crisis, supply chain digitalization can increase cost-effectiveness, enhance information and communication efficiency, and promote supply chain resilience to achieve better performance. For theoretical contribution, this study enriches the research on supply chain digitalization and resilience by underpinning the relationships between the two with dynamic capability theory. For practical contribution, the research findings provide insights for enterprises to leverage digitalization to strengthen resilience in supply chain.

Transition to a sustainable food supply chain during disruptions: A study on the Brazilian food companies in the Covid-19 era

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought negative impacts to global supply chains, in particular to the agricultural sector. Although these companies have been developing programs to mitigate the impacts caused by COVID-19, researchers have been worried about a possible weakening of the adoption of sustainable initiatives due to a focus on dealing with the consequences of the pandemic. Grounded on the Resource Orchestration Theory, the goal of this study was to assess the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on sustainable (environmental, social, and economic) performance in the context of agri-food supply chains. To do so, a questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 349 different medium and large agri-food companies in Brazil. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares technique. This study has found out that, under the impacts arising from COVID-19 pandemic (1) supply management and transportation and logistics management had a positive impact on food supply chains' sustainable performance; (2) the effects of relationship management and supply chain wide impact management were found to be negative on sustainable performance; and (3) the effects of demand and production management on sustainable performance were not considered significant. We propose a framework that clearly represents the relationship between the disrupted supply chain areas and sustainable performance through the development of orchestration capabilities. By knowing which kinds of impacts produce the most significant effects on sustainable performance, policy makers and managers will be able to make decisions and take actions to avoid negative effects and to improve firms' sustainable performance.

The metaverse as a breakthrough for operations and supply chain management: implications and call for action

Purpose

The metaverse development is in the early stages in most organizations and supply chains. There has been exponential growth in metaverse investments by leading tech and other types of companies and governments worldwide. This article aims to shed light on the topic by providing detailed insights for the operations and supply chain management (O&SCM) community concerning the potential, opportunities and challenges associated with the metaverse.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors mapped 15 benefits and 15 challenges regarding metaverse in O&SCM-related fields from the literature, which in turn were empirically tested by a panel with 150 experts from more than 12 countries, from operations and supply chains and with experience in metaverse technologies.

Findings

The authors found notable similarities and differences between metaverse adopters and non-adopters in the O&SCM. Accordingly, some benefits and challenges are expected before and after the implementation, but it's still relevant. In contrast, there are ones that change their importance after the implementation.

Research limitations/implications

First, this paper points out the need for an urgent call for action to develop high-quality research on the interplay between metaverse and O&SCM. Second, the metaverse will reshape several established business models by offering new products and services, consequently resulting in the remodeling of O&SCM. Third, our paper provides a call for action to engage the community of scholars and practitioners to consider the metaverse as one of the last frontiers of O&SCM in the digital age.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first that investigates the metaverse benefits, challenges and expectations in the O&SCM. Also, it provides robust directions by an empirical approach to the metaverse as a new and important research stream for O&SCM and related fields. The authors provide a prospective research agenda that scholars and practitioners could use as a roadmap to capture metaverse opportunities in O&SCM.

Digital Transformation and Open Innovation Planning of Response to COVID-19 Outbreak: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of digital technology in a specific region's epidemic prevention and control, and the digital transformation strategy based on the open innovation system is an emerging way to tackle conceivable outbreaks. Based on the bibliometric study of relevant literature data, this paper evaluated the research and development status in this field, and conducted a systematic literature review on the basis of the core articles identified. The results of bibliometric analysis software, including CiteSpace, CitNetExplorer and VOSViewer, showed that the development of relevant research presented rapidity and decentralization, and the evolution process of literature topics further implies the necessity of interdisciplinary and multisectoral collaboration. Furthermore, this paper summarized the specific implementation strategies for constructing an open innovation system, and discussed the role and development plan of digital technology in epidemic prevention and control.

Identifying the pathways through digital transformation to achieve supply chain resilience: an fsQCA approach

The manufacturing industry has placed a greater emphasis on digital transformation, especially under the impact of COVID-19. However, the influence mechanism between digital transformation and supply chain resilience is still a topic of discussion. Resource orchestration theory indicates that a firm not only need to emphasize the investment of resources but also pays attention to the allocation of resources. Therefore, based on the resource orchestration theory, this study divides the digital transformation into digital transformation breadth and digital transformation depth and combines R&D spending (R&D intensity and R&D employee) and contingency factors (firm size) to construct a theoretical path of "digital transformation-supply chain resilience." This research uses fuzzy sets qualitative comparative analysis to explore how to configure the digital transformation to achieve high supply chain resilience based on data from 193 listed manufacturing firms. Using the fsQCA software, it was discovered that there were no necessary conditions for achieving high supply chain resilience; sufficient condition analysis revealed that there are six paths to achieving high supply chain resilience, four of which can be summarized as digital transformation driven and the other two as R&D spending driven. These several approaches highlight the complicated causal relationship between digital transformation and supply chain resilience, as well as give theoretical and practical recommendations for firms looking to implement digital strategies and enhance their supply chains.

Product availability and stockpiling in times of pandemic: causes of supply chain disruptions and preventive measures in retailing

The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 brought global supply chain disruptions for retailers responding to the increased demand of consumers for popular merchandise. There is a need to adapt the existing supply chain models to describe the disruptions and offer the potential measures that businesses and governments can take to minimize adverse effects from a retail logistics perspective. This research analyses the possible reasons for supply and demand disruptions using a mathematical model of a retail supply chain with uncertain lead times and stochastic demand of strategic consumers. The established concepts of supply chain management are applied for the model analysis: multi-period inventory policies, bullwhip effect, and strategic consumers. The impact of the pandemic outbreaks in the model is two-fold: increased lead-time uncertainty affects supply, while consumer stockpiling affects demand. Consumers' rational hoarding and irrational panic buying significantly increase retailers' costs due to higher safety stock and demand variability. The bullwhip effect further exacerbates the disruption. The research contributes to the recent literature on business response to supply chain disruptions by developing a model where both retailers and consumers decide on the order quantity and reorder point during a pandemic outbreak. Buying limits, continuous inventory review, government rationing, substitutability, and omnichannel fulfillment are the measures that can limit the damage of supply chain disruptions from stockpiling during the pandemic. Effective communication and price and availability guarantees can mitigate the negative impact of panic buying.

A Framework Based on Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and Big Data Analytics to Leverage Supply Chain Resilience considering the COVID-19

In the global supply chains era, firms are more connected, integrated, and interdependent, bringing along a set of benefits and a number of risks. It is clear that the singular COVID-19 epidemic outbreak has led to unparalleled disruptions and considerable challenges for supply chains (SCs). For example, the sluggish economic environment provoked by the COVID-19 has negatively impacted the flow of goods, generating shortages and interruptions through the SCs. At the global level, many markets are enduring the effects of these disruptions. In this challenging context, the firms and their SCs must apply useful and efficient strategies to minimize and adapt their operations during and after these disruptions. In this view, this study aims to propose a novel framework based on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Big Data Analytics, to bring useful ideas and contribute to overcoming such disruptions. Besides, we propose novel categorizations that can support new insights for scholars and practitioners about the use of cutting-edge technologies during and after severe disruptions.

Redesigning global supply chains during compounding geopolitical disruptions: the role of supply chain logics

Purpose

Why do managers redesign global supply chains in a particular manner when faced with compounding geopolitical disruptions? In answering this research question, this study identifies a constrained system of reasoning (decision-making logic) employed by managers when they redesign their supply chains in situations of heightened uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted 40 elite interviews with senior supply chain executives in 28 companies across nine industries from November 2019 to June 2020, when the UK was preparing to leave the European Union, the US–China trade war was escalating, and Covid-19 was spreading rapidly around the globe.

Findings

When redesigning global supply chains, the authors find that managerial decision-making logic is constrained by three distinct environmental ecosystem conditions: (1) the perceived intensity of institutional pressures; (2) the relative mobility of suppliers and supply chain assets; and (3) the perceived severity of the potential disruption risk. Intense government pressure and persistent geopolitical risk tend to impact firms in the same industry, resulting in similar approaches to decision-making regarding supply chain design. However, where suppliers are relatively immobile and supply chain assets are relatively fixed, a dominant logic is consistently present.

Originality/value

Building on an institutional logics perspective, this study finds that managerial decision-making under heightened uncertainty is not solely guided by institutional pressures but also by perceptions of the severity of risk related to potential supply chain disruption and the immobility of supply chain assets. These findings support the theoretical development of a novel construct that the authors term ‘supply chain logics’. Finally, this study provides a decision-making framework for Senior Executives competing in an increasingly complex and unstable business environment.

Forming post-COVID supply chains: does supply chain managers' social network affect resilience?

Purpose

Rethinking how to build resilience in supply chains is once again highlighted by COVID-19. Research on supply chain resilience has established flexibility as a firm-level antecedent that contributes to supply chain resilience. However, the authors know little about how supply chain flexibility is developed within a firm. Drawing on social capital theory, the authors claim that the way supply chain managers are embedded in their social networks plays a critical role in developing this antecedent. Specifically, the authors hypothesize that supply chain managers' structural and relational embeddedness in their reference network, comprised of individuals from whom they seek advice, is instrumental to developing supply chain flexibility, which subsequently enhances the firm's supply chain resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data collected from 485 manufacturing firms in Australia and Hayes and Preacher's (2014) parallel multiple mediator model were employed to empirically test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings of the study establish that supply chain managers' structural and relational embeddedness in their reference network indeed have implications for developing supply chain resilience. Furthermore, the mediator through which managers' social embeddedness influences supply chain resilience is identified in the current study.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the extant literature on supply chain resilience, investigating the role that supply chain managers' social capital play in developing the resilience of their firm.

Supply Chain Diversification, Digital Transformation, and Supply Chain Resilience: Configuration Analysis Based on fsQCA

To determine the influence of COVID-19 on supply chains, previous research has examined the impact of supply chain diversification and digital transformation on supply chain resilience, but few studies have integrated these two aspects to understand their impact on supply chain resilience. Given this, our study implements the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method to investigate the influence of supply chain diversification (supply base diversification and customer base diversification) and digital transformation (digital transformation depth and breadth) on supply chain resilience. Using data from 191 listed manufacturing firms, it is shown that the dimensions of supply chain diversification and digital transformation do not have the necessary conditions to achieve high supply chain resilience, while the analysis of sufficient conditions shows that three paths can achieve high supply chain resilience—namely, those driven by digital transformation, supply chain diversification, and supplier centralization and customer base diversification. This study demonstrates the numerous and complex linkages between antecedent and outcome, and firms can choose the path that is best for them to improve supply chain resilience based on their size, degree of digital transformation, and supply chain diversification.

Peace engineering and compassionate operations: a framework for leveraging social good

Purpose

Peace engineering and compassionate operations can unlock the potential of emerging technologies for social good. This work aims to investigate the integration of peace engineering and compassionate operations by proposing an integrative framework and identifying the main drivers regarding social good, considering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) landscape.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a two-stage methodology by employing a narrative literature review in the first stage to identify the relationships and drivers and propose an original framework. In the second stage, the authors utilized an expert panel to validate the framework’s drivers.

Findings

The authors identified five main categories related to peace engineering and compassionate operations, which were then used to support the categorization of the drivers. In the second stage, the authors validated the drivers with a panel of academicians and experienced industry practitioners.

Practical implications

The proposed framework can provide insightful directions for practitioners and governments to develop strategies and projects in different contexts, including humanitarian logistics, climate change crises, supply chain disruptions, etc.

Originality/value

This work makes unique contributions by reinvigorating an amalgamation of the peace engineering and compassionate operations arenas and their integration with the SDGs to enable enhanced social good, supported by cutting-edge technologies. Thus, this framework’s contributions encompass essential theoretical, managerial, and social implications.