Labor and Supply Chain Networks

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of supply chains to societies and economies. This book discusses prominent issues concerning supply chain networks and labor, with a particular focus on labor as the driver behind supply chains. It explores the impacts of policy interventions, such as wage bounds, on labor, product prices, product volumes, and profits. The book offers strong evidence for the need to provide a holistic, system-wide perspective for modeling, analyzing, and solving supply chain problems, including the inclusion of critical labor resources. It constructs a formalism using supply chain networks and models that capture the behaviors and interactions of single and multiple decision-makers engaged in supply chain activities. The models consider realistic constraints faced by firms, such as competition, labor constraints, disruptions, labor shortages, wage-determination challenges, and optimal investments in labor productivity. The book provides prescriptive suggestions for ameliorating negative impacts of labor disruptions and demonstrating the benefits of appropriate wage determination.

Format: Hardback
Length: 322 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical role of supply chains in the functioning of societies and economies. This timely publication delves into prominent issues related to supply chain networks and labor. Its readership encompasses students, researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers who are interested in the diverse range of topics presented within these pages. Labor takes center stage as the driving force behind supply chains, whether it involves the production of food products, life-saving medicines and supplies, or high-tech innovations that fuel innovation. The book explores the profound impacts of policy interventions, such as wage limits, on labor attraction, product prices, volumes, and profits. It considers both profit-maximizing firms and non-profits, including blood services and humanitarian organizations involved in disaster relief. The book is enriched with numerous network figures, graphs, and tables presenting data, both input and output. Additionally, an appendix provides the foundations of the mathematical methodologies employed.

The book offers compelling evidence for the importance of adopting a holistic, system-wide perspective when modeling, analyzing, and solving supply chain problems. It constructs a formalism using the lens of supply chain networks, which visualizes supply chains as intricate networks comprising multiple stakeholders. Models are developed to capture the behaviors and interactions of individual decision-makers as well as groups of decision-makers engaged in supply chain activities, encompassing production, transportation, and other relevant aspects.

By examining the interplay between supply chain networks and labor, this book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics that shape our global economy. It sheds light on the strategies and approaches needed to optimize supply chain operations, enhance efficiency, and promote sustainable development. Whether you are a student, researcher, practitioner, or policy-maker, this book offers a wealth of knowledge and perspectives that will contribute to your understanding and advancement in the field of supply chain management.

Weight: 682g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031208546
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022