Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) supply chains (SCs) are becoming more and more vulnerable to different types of risks due to the increasing complexity of markets, uncertainties, and turbulence, especially in the Middle East Region (MER). The main reason behind this is the political and economic instabilities resulting from the Arab Spring revolutions which affected all SC entities. There is an urgent need to investigate how to build resilient SCs that can help all partners in the chain to proactively identify and sidestep risks, and bounce back more quickly in the case of disruptions. For this reason, this research focuses on the creation of effective SC resilience model that could help companies to avoid SC risks to reduce vulnerability instead of being reactive toward disruptions. A conceptual model for SC resilience has been developed which identified three main constructs of SC resilience: risks, capabilities, and key performance indicators (KPIs). The links between the three constructs have been established. The empirical study has been conducted in two stages. In stage one, semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from 30 companies in FMCG SCs operating in the MER. A combination of thematic and comparative analysis has been used to analyse the qualitative data collected from the interviews in order to identify the main themes (types of risks and their causes, capabilities, and relevant KPIs), and to find the relations between themes. In stage 2, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to prioritize and rank the risks, capabilities, and KPIs using pairwise comparisons by taking into account opinions and preferences from SC managers in the FMCG industry in the MER. Preceding the analysis, a second round of structured interviews according to AHP process were conducted with the same 30 companies used in stage one. The thesis adds to the SC resilience literature by empirically explore the main causes of SC vulnerabilities that the FMCG SCs face in the MER and how companies can increase their capabilities to improve the resilience performance of the entire chain. An important contribution of this thesis is the development of the model for SC resilience in FMCG industry in MER context, that provides a useful reference model to assist managers in build a resilient SC, specifically, by identifying the main types of risks and their sources, by defining relevant capabilities that can help anticipate and overcome risks, and by recommending appropriate KPIs that can act as a sensor to market dynamics in the FMCG industry in MER. The model with the matrices (of risks-capabilities-KPIs) developed in this research established the links and interactions among the risks, capabilities, and KPIs which have great potential in guiding decision makers through the SC management (SCM) process, so that more informed decisions can be made and implemented for important risks to be avoided and to create more resilient FMCG SCs.

Zugl.: Marburg, Univ., Diss., 2008

Zugl.: Erlangen, Nürnberg, Universiẗat, Diss., 2009.

Diploma thesis is analysing specific aspects of spare parts logistics on practical situation of Renault Česká Republika, a.s. ("RCR") and its largest concessionaire, RENAULT RETAIL GROUP CZ, s.r.o. (formerly Renault Praha Zličín - "RPZ"). Elements of spare parts supply chain are described separately with focus on spare parts distribution centre in Györ, Hungary, which is later compared with similar centres of Škoda Auto and Toyota. Furthermore the inbound logistics processes of RCR is described and commented. Subsequent parts of the thesis focus on the analysis of spare parts warehouse with objective to improve the efficiency of stored references compound in order to eliminate dispensable references which are being stored. This improvement should therefore allow ameliorated fixing of invested cash flow and minimise the amount of references to be ordered urgently due to unsuitable composition of stock in storage. Finally the thesis deals with effects impact of severe events such, in particular with actual effect of Japanese earthquake on spare parts supply chain and optional measures to be taken to diversify and/or minimise such risks.

The purpose of this study is to produce new knowledge concerning the perceived effects of blockchain technology on transaction costs within supply chains handling physical goods through the created and hypothetical TCE-matrix. The study followed an abductive research approach where initial found facts were matched against an appropriate theory in order to be put in context and understood. The study’s data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with experts who were active within the research area and chosen based on their practical experience. The results imply that blockchain holds the possibility to affect five out of nine cells within the TCE-matrix out of the experts’ perception, through its increased trust and transparency between its supply chain actors within the network and the enhanced traceability of physical goods. This study further highlights practical implications concerning the technology’s adoption in practice. It is concluded that the blockchain is perceived to have an effect on transaction costs activities out of the TCE-matrix, which is found to be partly applicable when assessing the blockchains potential effect on transaction cost activities in a general manner, where further studies should apply the matrix in the assessment of one specific transaction to take full advantage of the matrix’ potential.

Vi vill med denna studie skapa en förståelse för hur förnödenhetsförsörjningen inom hälso- och sjukvården hanteras med ett fokus på hur människorna som arbetar inom funktionen upplever det. Människor tolkar verkligheten och ger den en mening. Genom att tolka uppfattningar i stället för att mäta data vill vi skapa en ny djupare förståelse för komplexiteten inom förnödenhetsförsörjningen och därmed bidra till en positiv utveckling för det militära och civila försvaret. Denna studie bygger på en kvalitativ och en induktiv ansats där vi genom intervjuer och gruppintervjuer samlat in vår empiri. Empirin är strukturerad med hjälp av Grounded Theory. Efter struktureringen av empirin har en bild framträtt som beskriver komplexiteten i hur sektorn hälsa, vård och omsorg är organiserad. Detta har lett oss till att använda Mintzbergs strukturella konfigurationer som perspektiv i vår referensram. Med anledning av omvärldsutvecklingen de senaste åren har medvetenheten ökat kring behovet av ett fungerande totalförsvar. Arbetet med förnödenhetsförsörjningen försvåras på grund av regelverk och organisationsstukturer som inte anses vara anpassade för att effektivt stödja förnödenhetsförsörjning inom hälso- och sjukvården i ett totalförsvarsperspektiv. De organisationsstrukturer som finns idag saknar en tydlig förmåga till ledning och samordning ur ett nationellt perspektiv. Lagar, avtal och koncept för upphandling är inte anpassade för en fungerande förnödenhetsförsörjning ur ett beredskapsperspektiv och Sverige har idag en för liten egen produktion av läkemedel och sjukvårdsprodukter. Förnödenhetsförsörjningen inom detta område är beroende av en fungerande global värdekedja. De rekommendationer som vi vill lämna till riksdagen och regeringen är att klargöra mandaten för hur området förnödenhetsförsörjning inom hälsa och sjukvård i totalförsvaret ska ledas. Detta genom att skapa en centraliserad ledningsfunktion. En översyn av lagar bör ske så att de bättre harmonierar med totalförsvarets behov. Vi rekommenderar även att riksdagen beslutar om egen tillverkning av prioriterade läkemedel inom landets gränser och utökar samarbetet inom området med EU. Socialstyrelsen bör fastställa vilken förmåga myndigheter och aktörer inom sektorn ska uppnå samt vilket typ av vård som vårdgivare ska kunna leverera, för att möjliggöra deras planering, upprättande av lager, egen träning och utbildning. Slutligen bör Socialstyrelsen leda scenarioträning med myndigheter och aktörer inom sektorn hälsa, vård och omsorg i syfte att skapa en bättre förståelse för vad totalförsvaret och sektorn ska klara av i händelse av kris eller krig, mot fastslagna målsättningar. Regioner bör i samråd med Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner (SKR) se över möjligheten att frivilligt överlämna en del av sitt självbestämmande till en överordnad ledning samt överse utbudet av sjukvårdsprodukter. Försvarsmakten bör se över hur militärregionerna är tänkt att utgöra länken mellan det militära och det civila försvaret för att stärka interoperabiliteten inom totalförsvaret samt tydliggöra sina egna målsättningar i syfte att skapa en fungerande förnödenhetsförsörjning. / With this thesis, we want to create an understanding of how the chain of supplies in health and medical care is handled within the civilian and military defence. We have a focus on how the individuals who work in the function experience it. People interpret their reality and gives it a meaning. By interpreting perceptions instead of measuring data, we want to create a new, deeper understanding of the complexity of the chain of supplies and thereby contribute to a positive development for military and civil defence. This study is based on a qualitative and an inductive approach where we collect our empirical data through interviews and group interviews. The empirical data is structured using Grounded Theory. After structuring the empirical data, a picture emerges that deals with the complexity of how the national system of emergency management concerning health and welfare is organized. This leads us to use Mintzberg's structural configurations as perspectives in our frame of reference.  Due to developments in the world in recent years, awareness has increased for the need of a functioning civilian and military defence. The work with the chain of supplies is made more difficult due to regulations and organizational structures that are not considered to be adapted to effectively support the chain of supplies in health care in a military and civilian defense perspective. The organizational structures that exist today lack a clear ability for management and coordination from a national perspective. Laws, agreements and procurement concepts are not adapted for supporting chain of supplies from a readiness perspective and Sweden currently has too little of its own production of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products. The chain of supplies in this area is dependent on a functioning global market. The recommendations we want to submit to the Swedish government are to clarify the mandates for how the area of chain of supplies in health and medical care in the civilian and military defence is to be managed. This by creating a centralized management function. A review of laws should take place so that they are more harmonized with the needs of civilian and military defence. We also recommend that the government decide on its own production of basic medicines within the country's borders, in association with EU. The National Board of Health and Welfare should determine what capacity authorities and actors in the sector should achieve and what type of care providers should be able to deliver. Finally, they should lead scenario training with authorities and actors in the sector in order to create a better understanding of what the civilian and military defence and the sector should be able to manage in the event of crisis or war. Regions should, in consultation with the The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR), review the possibility of voluntarily handing over part of their right of self-determination to a superior management and overseeing the range of healthcare products. The Armed Forces should review how the military regions are intended to be the link between military and civil defence, to strengthen interoperability in total defence and clarify their own objectives so they can create a functioning chain of supplies.

Falsified and substandard drugs are classified as a global problem and continue to increase as manufacturing becomes globalized and the complexity of distribution systems expands. The falsified and substandard drugs come with major health risks and socioeconomic consequences. The pharmaceutical supply chain is handled by several parties, making it harder to detect when falsified and substandard drugs end up in distribution. Since the rise of the cryptocurrency bitcoin, blockchain technology has been recognized for its transparency and security. Previous research describes blockchain as a decentralized database structure that preserves a chronological chain of blocks where each block contains a registered valid network activity verified by consensus of the participants in the network. The purpose of this study is to create a broader understanding of how blockchain can improve the transparency and traceability of the pharmaceutical supply chain in order to reduce the incidence of falsified and substandard drugs. The study is based on a qualitative method in the form of five semi-structured interviews with representatives from the pharmaceutical industry and two blockchain companies. In the study's discussion section, the literature study is set against the collected empirical material. Two tables also illustrate how the pharmaceutical industry is working with traceability and what effects blockchain can provide a supply chain. Finally, the study notes that regulations on the pharmaceutical industry primarily control which database structure is implemented on the supply chain. It is also stated that blockchain has characteristics that can improve transparency and traceability of a supply chain, but the technology is to some extent limited mainly by its large need for capacity

<p>Osnovni istraživački problem ove disertacije predstavlja razvoj modela<br />za upravljanje lancima snabdevanja u cilju podizanje kvaliteta usluge.<br />Stoga je razvijen adaptivni model za upravljanje lancima snabdevanja<br />koji se sastoji od modela za: upravljanje lancima snabdevanja,<br />upravljanje korisničkim zahtevima i ocenu kvaliteta pružene usluge. U<br />svrhu primene adaptivni model je predstavljen algoritmom sa precizno<br />definisanim koracima koje korisnik treba da sprovede da bi podigao<br />nivo kvaliteta usluge i održao stabilnost lanca snabdevanja. Verifikacija<br />modela je urađena na primeru 17 lanaca snabdevanja na teritoriji<br />Republike Srbije, &scaron;to je rezultiralo odgovorima na koji način se može<br />podići kvalitet usluge.<br />Doprinos istraživanja ogleda u mogućnosti direktne primene<br />razvijenog modela i pružanja novih informacija za naučnu i stručnu<br />javnost koje mogu predstavljati kvalitetnu podlogu daljem razvoju<br />modela za upravljanje lancima snabdevanja.</p> / <p>The basic research problem of this dissertation is the development of<br />supply chain management model in order to improve the quality of<br />service. Therefore, an adaptive supply chain management model has<br />been developed that consists of a model for: supply chain management,<br />management of user requirements and assessment of the quality of<br />service provided. For the purpose of application the adaptive model, it<br />is presented an algorithm with precisely defined steps that the user<br />needs to implement in order to raise the level of service quality and<br />maintain the stability of supply. The model verification was done on<br />the example of 17 supply chains in the territory of the Republic of<br />Serbia, which resulted in answers on how to improve the quality of the<br />service. The contribution of the research is reflected in the possibility<br />of direct application of the developed model and providing new<br />information for the scientific and professional public, which can<br />represent a quality basis for the further development of the supply<br />chain management model.</p>

Universiẗat, Diss u.d.T.: Erdmann, Mark-Ken: Supply chain performance measurement unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Balanced-scorecard-Ansatzes--Zugl.: Dortmund, 2002. / Literaturverz. S. [297]-360.

With a purpose to provide insights on how to reduce the impact of future disruptive events on the supply chain and to raise awareness of the potential applications of disruptive technologies (DTs), this thesis will analyze the use of 3-Dimensional Printing (3DP), Big Data (BD), and Internet of Things (IoT) in Supply Chain Management (SCM). The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for greater Supply Chain Resilience (SCR), as disruptions can have a domino effect and damage co-dependent supply chain actors. Just-In-Time (JIT) and standardized supply chain practices have been blamed for operational failings, leading to calls for better strategies and solutions to prepare against future disruptions. The thesis bridges the gap in knowledge between supply chain strengthening and the potential of disruptive technologies, and what solutions are viable for supply chain managers to create more resilient SCM. The study contributes to industrial manufacturing firms managing consequences of COVID-19, and how they are implementing precautionary measures to keep their supply chain resilient for future threats. This research aims to contribute to both scholars, practitioners, and the supply chain management field.