Editorial

4 pages, 172 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue on Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations

by Sungyong Choi

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5178; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065178 - 15 Mar 2023

Viewed by 848

As environmental issues emerge as a topic of concern for people around the world, appropriate international regulations and agreements are required to conserve the planet and prevent climate change that is catastrophic for humans and ecosystems [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

Research

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27 pages, 2801 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Supply Chain Finance: A Research Review and Prospects Based on a Systematic Literature Analysis from a Financial Ecology Perspective

by Lele Zhou, Maowei Chen and Hyangsook Lee

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14452; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114452 - 03 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4088

Abstract

Since the global financial crisis of 2008, research on supply chain finance (SCF) based on supply chain management (SCM) has increased rapidly. The context of SCF development is continuously changing, which means that it cannot function in isolation and financial ecology must be [...] Read more.

Since the global financial crisis of 2008, research on supply chain finance (SCF) based on supply chain management (SCM) has increased rapidly. The context of SCF development is continuously changing, which means that it cannot function in isolation and financial ecology must be taken into consideration. Previous research has shown that comprehensive SCF studies incorporating financial ecology are lacking; although it was mentioned, it was at a descriptive level with fragmented dimensions, limiting the broader understanding of SCF. Therefore, to address this research gap and reveal future study prospects, we conducted a systematic literature search, focusing on 132 selected papers published between 2002 and February 2022. The present study provides insights into the development stages of SCF, and the understanding of ‘Supply Chain’ and ‘Finance’ in the context of the financial ecosystem. This study reiterates the necessity of studying SCF from a financial ecology perspective and contributes to the SCF ecosystem understanding framework, bridging the theoretical inadequacies in investigating SCF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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30 pages, 1823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Integrated Production-Inventory-Routing Problem with Reverse Logistics and Remanufacturing: A Two-Phase Decomposition Heuristic

by Zakaria Chekoubi, Wajdi Trabelsi, Nathalie Sauer and Ilias Majdouline

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13563; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013563 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2388

Abstract

Sustainable supply chains depend on three critical decisions: production, inventory management, and distribution with reverse flows. To achieve an effective level of operational performance, policymakers must consider all these decisions, especially in Closed-Loop Supply Chains (CLSCs) with remanufacturing option. In this research paper, [...] Read more.

Sustainable supply chains depend on three critical decisions: production, inventory management, and distribution with reverse flows. To achieve an effective level of operational performance, policymakers must consider all these decisions, especially in Closed-Loop Supply Chains (CLSCs) with remanufacturing option. In this research paper, we address the Integrated Production-Inventory-Routing Problem with Remanufacturing (IPIRP-R) of returned End-Of-Life (EOL) products. The aim behind solving this optimization problem is to minimize conjointly the total manufacturing, remanufacturing, setup, inventory, and routing costs over the planning horizon. A two-phase decomposition heuristic is developed to solve the model iteratively. Our study finds its originality in the fact of jointly optimizing the Capacitated Lot-Sizing Problem with Remanufacturing (CLSP-R) option and the Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Pick-up and Delivery (VRPSPD) in a single framework. Numerical results showed that our solution approach provides good solutions regarding small and medium-scale size instances under acceptable computational time, especially for problems occurring with significant manufacturing and remanufacturing costs under relatively low pickup requests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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24 pages, 1543 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Inventory Transshipment and Missing-Data Treatment Using Improved Imputation-Level Adjustment for Efficient Cross-Filling

by Hang Thi Thanh Vu and Jeonghan Ko

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12934; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912934 - 10 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1790

Abstract

This research investigates an integrated problem of transshipment for cross-filling and imputation for missing demand data. Transshipment for cross-filling has proved effective in mitigating shortages with relatively low inventory, thus reducing resource consumption in inventory management. Although accurate demand data are critical for [...] Read more.

This research investigates an integrated problem of transshipment for cross-filling and imputation for missing demand data. Transshipment for cross-filling has proved effective in mitigating shortages with relatively low inventory, thus reducing resource consumption in inventory management. Although accurate demand data are critical for cross-filling decision making, some demand data are inevitably incomplete. These missing data should be treated for effective transshipment operations. Despite the importance, these missing data issues have not been adequately studied for transshipment problems. This paper addresses how transshipment can be conducted under missing demand conditions. A novel integrated problem is established to combine demand-data imputation processes and transshipment decisions. Imputation strategies and new algorithms suitable for transshipment are developed to handle missing demand data. Diverse demand and transshipment cases are analyzed for cost-effectiveness. The analysis uncovers that conventional straightforward imputation methods result in inferior transshipment decisions. The study also reveals that imputed values should be adjusted to appropriate levels for transshipment to be effective. The strong interplay between imputation processes and shortage prevention is also discovered for transshipment with missing demand. This study demonstrates how inventory transshipment can be carried out successfully with appropriate treatment of missing demand data in practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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32 pages, 5233 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Flexible Robust Possibilistic Programming Approach for Sustainable Second-Generation Biogas Supply Chain Design under Multiple Uncertainties

by Mohammad Kanan, Muhammad Salman Habib, Tufail Habib, Sadaf Zahoor, Anas Gulzar, Hamid Raza and Zaher Abusaq

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11597; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811597 - 15 Sep 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 1579

Abstract

The goal of this research is to develop a novel second-generation-based biogas supply chain network design (BG-SCND) model that takes into account the triple bottom line approach. Biogas is a promising renewable energy source that can be obtained from a variety of easily [...] Read more.

The goal of this research is to develop a novel second-generation-based biogas supply chain network design (BG-SCND) model that takes into account the triple bottom line approach. Biogas is a promising renewable energy source that can be obtained from a variety of easily accessible second-generation wastes, including animal manure, municipal waste, and agricultural leftovers. Integrated optimization of the biogas generation system is essential for a speedy and environmentally friendly transition to sustainable biodiesel production. The dynamic environment of the energy market significantly impairs the decisions of the BG-SCND model; therefore, a hybrid solution approach using flexible programming and possibilistic programming is suggested. To verify the suggested model and approach for solving the problem, a thorough computational analysis of a case study is conducted. The case study findings demonstrate that considerable investment is necessary to attain social and environmental well-being goals and safeguard decisions against epistemic uncertainty. Policymakers involved in the planning of biogas production and distribution projects may find the proposed approach useful. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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24 pages, 3764 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Government Regulations on Under-Reporting of Carbon Emission Transfers by Enterprises in Supply Chains

by Biying Zhao, Licheng Sun and Siying Gao

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9269; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159269 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1370

Abstract

In low-carbon environments, asymmetric carbon information causes the enterprises in a supply chain to face the risk of misstatements about carbon emissions. Such misstatements could affect the decisions about carbon emission transfers in the supply chain. To optimize carbon emission transfers among supply [...] Read more.

In low-carbon environments, asymmetric carbon information causes the enterprises in a supply chain to face the risk of misstatements about carbon emissions. Such misstatements could affect the decisions about carbon emission transfers in the supply chain. To optimize carbon emission transfers among supply chain enterprises, this study formulates a supplier-led Stackelberg game model incorporating the government’s initial carbon emission allowances and fines. The study also examines the mechanism of the behaviors of enterprises in low-carbon supply chains, the proportions of initial quotas, the impact of government fines on carbon transfers, and the influence of the supply chain and carbon emission transfers on related supply chain decisions and profits. The main findings are as follows. First, the proportion of the government’s initial quota has a positive effect on the carbon emission transfer quantity of the supplier, while government fines and misstatement factors have a negative effect. Second, the carbon emissions of the unit product of the supplier decrease as the under-reporting factor and carbon emission transfer quantity of the supplier increase. The under-reporting factor has a stronger effect on the carbon emissions of the unit product. Third, in a carbon-free market, carbon emission transfers negatively affect the disclosed profits of the supply chain, whereas in a perfect carbon market, the carbon trading price has a certain endogenous regulation mechanism for the suppliers’ operational decisions. Fourth, the supplier’s wholesale price order quantity is negatively correlated with the supplier’s carbon emission transfer quantity, but positively correlated with the initial carbon quota ratio. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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20 pages, 3093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Sustainable Green Inventory System with Novel Eco-Friendly Demand Incorporating Partial Backlogging under Fuzziness

by G. Durga Bhavani, Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene, Ghanshaym S. Mahapatra and Renata Činčikaitė

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9155; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159155 - 26 Jul 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4044

Abstract

Environmentally friendly goods are market-oriented goods that create less environmental damage. Their manufacture is related to a product development process designed to consider the environmental consequences that might develop throughout their life cycle. In reality, the global demand for herbal goods is expanding [...] Read more.

Environmentally friendly goods are market-oriented goods that create less environmental damage. Their manufacture is related to a product development process designed to consider the environmental consequences that might develop throughout their life cycle. In reality, the global demand for herbal goods is expanding since herbal products are manufactured from plant extracts such as leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds, among others, and cause less environmental destruction. This study introduces a novel, eco-friendly demand determined by the usage of herbal and chemical substances in products. In this context, companies producing these products are encouraged. Firms are interested in producing eco-friendly products while keeping an eye on carbon emissions. This paper presents a sustainable inventory model of non-instantaneous decaying items that follow this eco-friendly demand under partially backlogged shortages. In this study, emission releases due to inventory setup, degradation, and holding were estimated, as were carbon emissions under cap and tax policies. This approach invests in green and preservation technologies to reduce carbon emissions and deterioration. To address the imprecision of the model’s cost parameters, we converted them to Pythagorean fuzzy numbers. The optimum profit of the inventory model with carbon emissions is estimated by considering the time that the inventory level takes to reach zero and the replenishment time as decision variables. Numerical examples and a sensitivity analysis of significant parameters have been conducted to examine the effect of variation in the optimal inventory policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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30 pages, 2896 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Logistics Technology Forecasting Framework Using Patent Analysis for Technology Roadmap

by Koopo Kwon, Sungchan Jun, Yong-Jae Lee, Sanghei Choi and Chulung Lee

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5430; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095430 - 30 Apr 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4570

Abstract

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has fundamentally changed the competitive dynamics of the logistics industry. For players in the logistics industry, digitization has become an unavoidable situation to achieve survival and sustainable competitiveness. A technology strategy is essential for digitization, and identifying [...] Read more.

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has fundamentally changed the competitive dynamics of the logistics industry. For players in the logistics industry, digitization has become an unavoidable situation to achieve survival and sustainable competitiveness. A technology strategy is essential for digitization, and identifying opportunities and threats of technology development through technology trend exploration is important for technology strategy. In addition, to enable the implementation of the technology strategy, it is necessary to detect the change in technology and search for the technology that is expected to have a practical development effect. The purpose of this study is to identify opportunities and areas for technology development through patent data in establishing technology strategies. Previous research mainly relied on the expert interview method, and there was also a patent analysis study based on topic modeling, but only to grasp technology trends. This paper aims to propose a new framework for the extension to the stage for establishing a technology roadmap. By using the Word2Vec algorithm, we will investigate the patent search formula that reflects the trend, the prediction of changes in logistics technology through LDA (Latent Dirichlet Allocation) clustering of patent data, and the derivation of vacant technology by experimental methods. The proposed framework is expected to be utilized for predicting technological change and deriving promising technologies for establishing technology roadmaps in logistics companies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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11 pages, 1720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Workloads of Package Deliverers Focusing on Their Pickup and Delivery Tasks in Republic of Korea

by Suk-Chul Rim and Myung-Chul Jung

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5229; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095229 - 26 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1417

Abstract

Package deliverers are facing increasing workloads due to a rapid increase in online shopping caused by the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical workload of package deliverers during pickup and [...] Read more.

Package deliverers are facing increasing workloads due to a rapid increase in online shopping caused by the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical workload of package deliverers during pickup and delivery tasks. Heart rate reserve (HRR), metabolic equivalent of task (MET), standardized Nordic questionnaire (SNQ), and visual analogue scale (VAS), measured on site using a wristband, were used as indicators of their workload. Twenty deliverers participated in this study. Work analysis was performed to categorize their tasks into sorting inside a truck, delivering, picking up, driving, and resting. Statistical analysis showed that participants spend 4.3 h per day picking up and delivering 331.9 packages per day. Their work requires about 29.7% of HRR and 4.7 of MET, which are thus considered as of “moderate level” difficulty. SNQ and VAS revealed that their lower back and wrist/hand were the most painful body parts due to repetitive trunk bending and small package handling. The use of a cart would be recommended as it has the advantage of handling many packages at once with less physical effort in deliverers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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17 pages, 1464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Competitive Capabilities of Healthcare SCM through the Blockchain: Big Data Business Model’s Viewpoint

by Dae Hyun Jung

Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4815; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084815 - 17 Apr 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1919

Abstract

The reasons why supply chain management (SCM) needs blockchain technology include simplification of transaction procedures, time and cost reductions, and reliability improvement. This study emphasizes the necessity of introducing a blockchain-based joint logistics system to strengthen the competency of medical SCM and proposes [...] Read more.

The reasons why supply chain management (SCM) needs blockchain technology include simplification of transaction procedures, time and cost reductions, and reliability improvement. This study emphasizes the necessity of introducing a blockchain-based joint logistics system to strengthen the competency of medical SCM and proposes a healthcare supply chain management (HSCM) competency measurement item through an analytic hierarchy process. The variables needed for using blockchain-based joint logistics are the performance expectations, effort expectations, promotion conditions, and social impact of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model, as well as the HSCM competency results in increased reliability and transparency, enhanced SCM, and enhanced scalability. By analyzing the importance of securing reliability based on blockchain technology in the establishment of a supply chain network for HSCM competency, we reveal that joint logistics can be achieved, and synergistic effects can be created by implementing the integrated database to secure HSCM competency. Strengthening partnerships, such as joint logistics, will eventually lead to HSCM competency. In particular, HSCM should seek ways to upgrade its competitive capabilities through big data analysis based on the establishment of a joint logistics system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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20 pages, 567 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structure of Green Supply Chain Management for Sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises

by Donghyuk Jo and Chulhwan Kwon

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010050 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6077

Abstract

Today’s manufacturing-based small and medium enterprises (SME) face the need to implement green supply chains more efficiently in order to overcome environmental barriers in increasingly competitive markets and to improve financial performance. This study examines the structural relationship between environmental collaboration, green innovation [...] Read more.

Today’s manufacturing-based small and medium enterprises (SME) face the need to implement green supply chains more efficiently in order to overcome environmental barriers in increasingly competitive markets and to improve financial performance. This study examines the structural relationship between environmental collaboration, green innovation capacity, and performance based on the findings of previous studies in order to identify the factors affecting the green supply chain management (GSCM) performance of Korean manufacturing-based SMEs. The study finds that environmental collaboration in the green supply chain environment is an important driver of green innovation capacity for manufacturing-based Korean SMEs. It also finds that green innovation capacity has a positive effect on financial performance through environmental performance. This study establishes a theoretical basis for the systematic study of the structural mechanisms of green supply chains and suggests strategic directions for manufacturing-based SMEs’ successful GSCM implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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8 pages, 1399 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Order-Up-to Inventory Model with Sustainability Consideration

by Jin-Kyung Kwak

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13305; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313305 - 01 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1571

Abstract

Along with growing interest in environmental concerns these days, significant academic efforts have been exerted to incorporate sustainability issues into the existing inventory models except for fixed-review interval (i.e., order-up-to models). In this study, we develop an order-up-to model considering environment-related costs and [...] Read more.

Along with growing interest in environmental concerns these days, significant academic efforts have been exerted to incorporate sustainability issues into the existing inventory models except for fixed-review interval (i.e., order-up-to models). In this study, we develop an order-up-to model considering environment-related costs and investigate the value of this new policy over the naïve one. Results of an extensive simulation study reveal that sustainability consideration reduces the total costs and that its value is higher when the mean demand is higher, when demand is more variable, when the costs of transshipment or inventory holding are lower, or when an ordering setup cost or an additional indirect cost of having inventory are higher. These findings fill the research gap in existing literature and contribute to managerial implications for periodic inventory control in practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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20 pages, 858 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Operational Performance Evaluation of Korean Ship Parts Manufacturing Industry Using Dynamic Network SBM Model

by Sungmin Park and Pansoo Kim

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13127; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313127 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1983

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the efficiency and productivity of the Korean ship parts manufacturing industry. To this end, the manufacturing process was divided into two stages (operating activities, financial activities), and the Dynamic Network SBM model and Malmquist Productivity [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the efficiency and productivity of the Korean ship parts manufacturing industry. To this end, the manufacturing process was divided into two stages (operating activities, financial activities), and the Dynamic Network SBM model and Malmquist Productivity Index were used. We collected analysis data from KIS-VALUE, and analyzed 40 companies from 2014 to 2020. As a result of the analysis, from 2014 to 2017, the average operating efficiency was 0.7825, the average financial efficiency was 0.5208, and the average total efficiency was 0.4537. It was found that improving efficiency requires improving both activities simultaneously, rather than focusing on a specific activity. Operating activities DMI was 1.0025, financial activities DMI was 0.9236, and OMI was 0.9464. In order to improve OMI, it is necessary to improve the financial activities DMI, which is the cause of the decrease in productivity. In order to improve financial activities DMI, government policy or technology change to improve DFS was found to be necessary. Finally, the effect of environmental factors on efficiency was analyzed by tobit regression. It was found that Firm Size had a negative (−) effect on efficiency, and Firm Age had a positive (+) effect on efficiency. The analysis results of this study will help to understand the relationship between input and output, which has been treated as a black box in the manufacturing industry, in two stages; and this will serve as a guideline for those working in Korea’s ship parts manufacturing industry to establish policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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20 pages, 3243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Speed and Sustainability When Entering New Market

by Gwang Seok Kim and Young Hoon Lee

Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12458; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212458 - 11 Nov 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1764

Abstract

When constructing a factory to enter new markets, the optimal size to respond to demand is determined by the construction time. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai), on the other hand, standardizes the size of its factories to speed up the entry and response to [...] Read more.

When constructing a factory to enter new markets, the optimal size to respond to demand is determined by the construction time. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai), on the other hand, standardizes the size of its factories to speed up the entry and response to demand. The Hyundai’s entry mode, called SPEED, is modeled as a strategy. The strategy is evaluated of excellence with capacity expansion rules formalized, key parameters identified, and mathematical programming. The SPEED strategy is suited for market followers who want to enter a midscale or mature market in terms of business excellence and more sustainable throughout the factory’s life cycle on the side of sustainability. Shorter construction times, as a result of the SPEED strategy, can help to prevent environmental damage while also standardization can increase job prospects for local workers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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23 pages, 1532 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Green SCM Implementation on Business Performance in SMEs: A Longitudinal Study in Electronics Industry

by Sung Tae Kim, Hong-Hee Lee and Seongbae Lim

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 11874; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111874 - 27 Oct 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2616

Abstract

The evolution of green supply chain management (GSCM) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains underexplored in the literature. Specifically, this study assesses the changes in the effects of GSCM implementation on employee job satisfaction, operational and relational efficiency, and business performance of [...] Read more.

The evolution of green supply chain management (GSCM) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains underexplored in the literature. Specifically, this study assesses the changes in the effects of GSCM implementation on employee job satisfaction, operational and relational efficiency, and business performance of SMEs that serve as suppliers to large buying firms. The present study collected survey data from 193 electronics manufacturers in South Korea twice in a seven-year time gap, evaluated the reliability and the validity of individual measures, and employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the model hypotheses. The results commonly found in the two studies with the time gap are (1) the positive effects of GSCM implementation on employee job satisfaction and operational and relational efficiency, (2) the positive effects of both operational and relational efficiency on business performance, and (3) the positive relationship between operational efficiency and relationship efficiency. Moreover, the positive effect of employee job satisfaction on business performance is found only in the latter study (Study II). The results suggest that GSCM implementation is a critical factor for SME suppliers to establish sustainable long-term relationships with buying firms in the electronics industry, and it also helps manufacturers improve employee job satisfaction and operational efficiency over time. The present study is believed to enhance an understanding of key factors in association with GSCM that positively influences the business performance of SME suppliers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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15 pages, 2391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Competitiveness of E Commerce Firms through ESG Logistics

by Jinsung Kim, Minseok Kim, Sehyeuk Im and Donghyun Choi

Sustainability 2021, 13(20), 11548; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132011548 - 19 Oct 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 6619

Abstract

Rapid growth in the e-commerce market, caused by COVID-19, has led to fierce competition. The intense competition in e-commerce market triggers firms to strengthen their competitiveness by providing logistics services. Furthermore, as sustainability becomes important in consumers’ choices of products or services, e-commerce [...] Read more.

Rapid growth in the e-commerce market, caused by COVID-19, has led to fierce competition. The intense competition in e-commerce market triggers firms to strengthen their competitiveness by providing logistics services. Furthermore, as sustainability becomes important in consumers’ choices of products or services, e-commerce companies’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities are becoming important. Therefore, our purpose of study is to examine the attributes of e-commerce’s competitiveness in the perspective of ESG in the logistics service and to suggest differentiation strategies. We analyzed the importance of each ESG attribute in the logistics through a conjoint analysis. As a result, we found that e-commerce consumers value ESG activities in the order of distribution in the social (9.866%), partnership in the governance (9.637%), operation of distribution center in the social (8.570%), packaging in the environmental (8.320%), operation of distribution center in the environmental (8.262%), purchasing in the social (8.200%), and distribution in the environmental (7.153%). Accordingly, we suggested ESG strategies such as win-win cooperation, opening information on the working environment in delivery and distribution centers, development of a shared logistics platform, preventing COVID-19, and raising consumers’ awareness of eco-friendly delivery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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22 pages, 391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bartering: Price-Setting Newsvendor Problem with Barter Exchange

by Milena Bieniek

Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6684; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126684 - 12 Jun 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4474

Abstract

Barter exchange is a system of swapping goods or services for other goods or services in a moneyless and direct manner. Barter has become an effective model of a circular economy because it reduces the consumption impact. Bartering maximizes the utility of assets [...] Read more.

Barter exchange is a system of swapping goods or services for other goods or services in a moneyless and direct manner. Barter has become an effective model of a circular economy because it reduces the consumption impact. Bartering maximizes the utility of assets and existing resources, and can unleash the unspent social, economic, and environmental value of underutilized assets. The present article analyzes the price-setting newsvendor problem with a barter exchange option. The retailer facing a stochastic price-dependent demand sells a product on the market and, additionally, needs another product for its own purposes. Therefore, first, the retailer trades the unsold product for the product it needs by means of barter, and next disposes of the unsold product at a discounted price at the end of the selling season. The retailer’s optimal order quantity and optimal price are derived assuming additive uncertainty in demand. This type of demand function has special characteristics, for example, the actual demand may attain negative values in times of economic uncertainty. The possibility of negative demand realizations is taken into consideration in the study. It proves that, in certain cases, the optimal solution belongs to the set of high barter prices which implies that the actual demand may be negative. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

15 pages, 668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Managing the Product-Counterfeiting Problem with a Blockchain-Supported E-Commerce Platform

by Ji Jiang and Jin Chen

Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6016; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116016 - 27 May 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3322

Abstract

As a disruptive tool, blockchain technology can eradicate the product-counterfeiting problem in supply chains. However, a blockchain-supported platform charges an operating fee to legitimate manufacturers and retailers for product traceability and authentication. In this study, we employ enterprise profit-driven analytical models using Stackelberg [...] Read more.

As a disruptive tool, blockchain technology can eradicate the product-counterfeiting problem in supply chains. However, a blockchain-supported platform charges an operating fee to legitimate manufacturers and retailers for product traceability and authentication. In this study, we employ enterprise profit-driven analytical models using Stackelberg equilibrium theory and highlight the values of blockchain-supported e-commerce platforms in addressing the product-counterfeiting problem. To measure the actual benefits of blockchain technology, we compare the profits of all agents in two different supply chains, traditional and blockchain-supported. Results show that the application of blockchain technology is not always beneficial to manufacturers, retailers, and customers. However, when the manufacturing cost of a legitimate manufacturer is sufficiently high, the manufacturer generates more profits using blockchain technology. Further, for a price-sensitive market, a retailer tends to trade in a blockchain-supported e-commerce platform if the retailer’s qualification in the platform is lower than that in a traditional supply chain, and the manufacturing cost of the counterfeit manufacturer in the platform is higher than that in a traditional supply chain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Operations and Supply Chain Management with Sustainability Considerations)

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