Sustainable Supply Chains: Strategies, Issues, and Models

The book explores the synergy between sustainability and Industry 4.0 in supply chains, featuring case studies across multiple sectors and country contexts. It offers valuable tools for managerial decision-making and mathematical models for modeling logistics and integrating social and economic aspects. Previous books by the Editors have addressed some of these issues.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 311 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Supply chain management is a complex and multifaceted field that involves the coordination and management of all activities involved in the production and distribution of goods and services. It encompasses a wide range of processes, including sourcing, production, logistics, and customer service, and is critical to the success of any business. However, supply chains are also facing numerous challenges, including sustainability, supply chain disruptions, and technological advancements.

Recent advances in sustainability, supply chains, and technologies have brought promising potential for the management of sustainable global and local supply chains. While most of the current literature seems to consider developments in the field of sustainable supply chains and in the field of Industry 4.0 as two distinct entities, this book attempts to explore the synergy in bringing these two distinct fields together.

The book features chapters on management of sustainability and industry 4.0 on supply chains as a whole, with several case studies on issues related to the application of sustainable supply chains in specific application sectors. They employ mathematical modeling and statistical analyses, as well as descriptive qualitative studies. They cover a range of application areas, including multiple sectors (restaurant, manufacturing, logistics, furniture, food, and insurance), domains (supply chains, logistics, marketing, and reverse logistics), and multiple country contexts (UK and India).

The potential links between sustainability and the recent technological innovations from Industry 4.0 have been explored in detail. The book offers a valuable tool for managerial decision-making on the current practice and future potential on the use of Industry 4.0 tools for sustainable supply chains to facilitate competitive advantage with case studies in various industry sectors. In addition, some intriguing mathematical models will appeal to students and researchers interested in modeling the logistics process and the application of evolutionary game theory for integrating the social and economic aspects of sustainable supply chains.

Some of these supply chain issues have been addressed in previous research, but this book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the field. It highlights the importance of sustainability in supply chains and provides practical solutions for implementing sustainable practices. It also explores the challenges associated with supply chain disruptions and technological advancements and offers strategies for mitigating these risks.

One of the key challenges facing supply chains is sustainability. Sustainability refers to the ability of a business to operate in a way that is environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable. This includes reducing waste, conserving resources, and improving the quality of life for employees and customers. However, achieving sustainability can be challenging, as it requires a significant investment of time, money, and resources.

Supply chain disruptions are another major challenge facing supply chains. These disruptions can occur due to natural disasters, political instability, or other unforeseen events. They can have a significant impact on the supply chain, including increased costs, reduced productivity, and damaged customer relationships. To mitigate these risks, supply chains need to be designed to be resilient and flexible.

Technological advancements are also playing a significant role in supply chains. These advancements include the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies can help to improve the efficiency and accuracy of supply chains, as well as reduce the cost of production. However, they can also create new challenges, such as the need for skilled workers and the potential for data breaches.

To address these challenges, supply chains need to be designed to be sustainable, resilient, and flexible. This requires a collaborative effort between businesses, governments, and other stakeholders. Businesses need to invest in sustainable practices, such as reducing waste, conserving resources, and improving the quality of life for employees and customers. Governments need to provide incentives for businesses to adopt sustainable practices, such as tax breaks and subsidies. Other stakeholders, such as consumers and environmental organizations, need to be involved in the decision-making process.

One of the key strategies for addressing sustainability in supply chains is to reduce waste. Waste can be reduced by implementing recycling programs, reducing packaging, and improving the efficiency of production processes. For example, a restaurant can reduce waste by using reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones. A manufacturing company can reduce waste by using recycled materials in their products.

Conserving resources is another key strategy for addressing sustainability in supply chains. Resources can be conserved by reducing energy consumption, water consumption, and waste production. For example, a manufacturing company can reduce energy consumption by using energy-efficient equipment. A logistics company can reduce water consumption by using water-efficient transportation methods.

Improving the quality of life for employees and customers is also a key strategy for addressing sustainability in supply chains. This can be done by providing safe and healthy working conditions, providing fair wages and benefits, and providing access to education and training. For example, a restaurant can provide safe and healthy working conditions by implementing food safety protocols and providing training to employees. A logistics company can provide fair wages and benefits by providing competitive salaries and benefits packages.

In addition to these strategies, supply chains need to be designed to be resilient and flexible. This requires a collaborative effort between businesses, governments, and other stakeholders. Businesses need to invest in resilient infrastructure, such as backup power systems and transportation networks. Governments need to provide incentives for businesses to invest in resilient infrastructure. Other stakeholders, such as consumers and environmental organizations, need to be involved in the decision-making process.

One of the challenges associated with supply chain disruptions is the need for skilled workers. As technology advances, the demand for skilled workers is increasing. This can be a challenge for businesses, as it can be difficult to find and retain skilled workers. To address this challenge, businesses need to invest in training programs and provide competitive salaries and benefits packages. Governments can also provide incentives for businesses to invest in training programs.

Another challenge associated with supply chain disruptions is the potential for data breaches. As data becomes more valuable, it becomes more vulnerable to cyberattacks. To address this challenge, businesses need to invest in cybersecurity measures, such as encryption and firewalls. Governments can also provide incentives for businesses to invest in cybersecurity measures.

In conclusion, supply chain management is a complex and multifaceted field that involves the coordination and management of all activities involved in the production and distribution of goods and services. It is facing numerous challenges, including sustainability, supply chain disruptions, and technological advancements. Recent advances in sustainability, supply chains, and technologies have brought promising potential for the management of sustainable global and local supply chains. This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the field, highlighting the importance of sustainability in supply chains and providing practical solutions for implementing sustainable practices. It also explores the challenges associated with supply chain disruptions and technological advancements and offers strategies for mitigating these risks. By working together, businesses, governments, and other stakeholders can create a more sustainable and resilient supply chain that will benefit everyone.

Weight: 498g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030488789
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020