Smart and Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management in Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is a transformative approach to supply chain management that emphasizes the use of smart and sustainable technologies to improve efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. It includes green systems and smart applications, such as disruptive technologies, to achieve a triple bottom-line approach. The book explores the economic, social, and environmental impact of these technologies on supply chain management sustainability and smartness, with each chapter including a case study or problem/numerical example.

Format: Hardback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 08 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Industry 4.0 is a transformative era that brings significant opportunities and challenges for the manufacturing industry. One of the key challenges is the need for efficient and sustainable supply chain management. In this context, smart and sustainable supply chain management concepts are gaining importance.

Smart supply chain management involves the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve efficiency, visibility, and responsiveness. It involves the integration of different supply chain processes, such as production, logistics, and marketing, to create a seamless and integrated system.

Sustainable supply chain management, on the other hand, focuses on reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing processes while promoting social responsibility and ethical behavior. It involves the use of green systems and smart applications to minimize waste, energy consumption, and carbon emissions.

Industry 4.0 provides a unique setting for exploring these concepts. With the advent of digitalization, manufacturers can collect and analyze vast amounts of data from their supply chain, enabling them to make informed decisions and optimize their operations.

One of the key technological developments in Industry 4.0 is the use of disruptive technologies such as blockchain, augmented reality, and virtual reality. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize supply chain management by providing greater transparency, security, and efficiency.

Blockchain, for example, can create a secure and decentralized platform for tracking the movement of goods and materials throughout the supply chain. It can reduce the risk of fraud, counterfeiting, and theft, while also improving transparency and accountability.

Augmented reality and virtual reality can also be used to improve supply chain efficiency by providing real-time information and training to workers. For example, workers can use augmented reality to visualize the production process and identify potential bottlenecks or defects.

Another important development in Industry 4.0 is the increasing use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These technologies can analyze vast amounts of data and make predictions and recommendations based on that data. This can help manufacturers improve their supply chain operations by reducing waste, energy consumption, and costs.

However, the impact of these emerging technologies on supply chain management sustainability and smartness will be investigated thoroughly. Each chapter will either include a case study or a related problem/numerical example along with the solution for easy reader comprehension.

In conclusion, Industry 4.0 is a transformative era that brings significant opportunities and challenges for the manufacturing industry. Smart and sustainable supply chain management concepts are gaining importance in this context. The use of advanced technologies such as blockchain, augmented reality, and virtual reality, along with artificial intelligence and machine learning, can help manufacturers improve their supply chain operations and reduce their environmental impact. However, it is important to investigate the economic, social, and environmental impact of these emerging technologies on supply chain management sustainability and smartness.

Weight: 1010g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032018430