Yes / Purpose The research study aims to investigate green supply chain management (GSCM) elements as part of a complete system. It aims to understand the special properties of the GSCM system under the moderating effects of product complexity and purchasing structure. Design/methodology/approach A thorough literature review led to the building of the conceptual framework. Six constructs were identified using systems theory. These constructs include green supply chain technological dimensions (particularly, Artificial Intelligence (AI) based), green supply chain strategy, green supply chain process, product complexity, purchasing structure, and firm performance. The instrument was scientifically developed for gathering survey responses using complete design test methods. The conceptual model was eventually tested based on survey data collected from 250 automotive components and allied manufacturers in the emerging economy of South Africa. Findings The results indicate that GSCM technological dimensions (AI-based) positively influence GSCM strategy. Further, GSCM strategy was found to positively influence the GSCM process. The GSCM processes have significant effects on environmental performance, social performance, and financial performance. The product complexity has a significant moderation effect on the paths GSCM strategy and GSCM process. Originality/value The findings from multivariate data analysis provide a better understanding of GSCM system dynamics and are helpful to key decision-makers. This unique model has elevated GSCM theory to a new level. There are limited studies available in the existing GSCM literature using systems theory. This study will offer an advanced/comprehensive understanding to readers in this relatively new concept.

Yes / This paper aims to evaluate the implementation of innovative programmes within the downstream domain of the pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC), with the aim of informing improved service provision. A mixed-method approach was used to assess to what extent innovation could be adopted by hospital and community pharmacies to improve the delivery process of pharmaceutical products. Unstructured interviews and 130 questionnaires were collected and analysed to identify factors that facilitate or prevent innovation within PSC processes. The analysis led to the creation of the innovative pharmaceutical supply chain framework (IPSCF) that provides guidance to health-care organisations about how supply chain management problems could be addressed by implementing innovative approaches. The results also indicated that the implementation of Lean and Reverse Logistics (RL) practices, supported by integrated information technology systems, can help health-care organisations to enhance their delivery in terms of quality (products and service quality), visibility (knowledge and information sharing), speed (response to customers and suppliers needs) and cost (minimisation of cost and waste). The study’s recommendations have potential implications for supply chain theory and practice, particularly for pharmacies in terms of innovation adoption. The IPSCF provides guidance to pharmacies and health-care organisations to develop more efficient and effective supply chain strategies. This research contributes to the academic literature as it adds novel theoretical insights to highly complex delivery process innovation.

This dissertation focuses on understanding the impact of systems thinking on supply chain management. The first essay presents a systematic literature review, examining the current state of systems thinking research within the context of supply chain management. It explores the similarities and differences in various studies, identifies research gaps, and outlines future opportunities in the field. The second essay investigates the current state of systems thinking in individuals working in supply chains at different stages of their careers. This is achieved through the use of a specially created game called the systems thinking game. The game is designed to assess and enhance systems thinking skills among supply chain professionals. The findings from this study provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of interactive learning tools in developing systems thinking abilities and suggest ways to incorporate these tools into professional development programs. The third essay explores the holistic managemen

Purpose: This research aims to enhance the current understanding and knowledge of the demand-supply chain management (DSCM) concept by determining its elements, benefits, and requirements, as well as by analyzing key elements of the concept. Methodology: This research has utilized the case study strategy and the survey strategy, however, the case study strategy dominates. The case study research has involved five companies originating from Sweden and the collection of empirical data mainly from in-depth interviews with key persons representing senior and middle management. The survey research targeted the largest firms in Sweden and Finland and empirical data was collected through an online questionnaire. Findings: This research has established that the main elements of DSCM include market orientation, coordination of the demand and supply processes, viewing the demand and supply processes as being equally important, as well as value creation, differentiation, innovativeness, responsiveness, and cost-efficiency in the demand and supply processes. It has also been revealed that the main benefits of DSCM include enhanced competiveness, enhanced demand chain performance, as well as enhanced supply chain performance, while the main requirements of DSCM include organizational competences, company established principles, demand-supply chain collaboration, and information technology support. A key element of DSCM further investigated is differentiation focused supply chain design. It has been shown that these efforts can be organized into a process of five stages. In addition, it is important that this process is addressed in parallel with the new product development (NPD) process, that information is exchanged between them, and that they are directed on the basis of the same segmentation model. Another key element of DSCM further investigated is coordination between NPD and SCM. This research has identified several significant linkages between these management directions, which motivate the use of an integrative NPD process where the NPD functions are aligned with the main supply functions in the company and other sales-related functions supporting the commercialization. A final key element of DSCM further investigated is the significance of regarding the demand processes and the supply processes as being equally important. This research has revealed that logistics outsourcing can be risky, if it results in the supply processes being considered less important. Nevertheless, if senior management regards the outsourced processes as equally important as the in-house processes, the effect of logistics outsourcing on company strategies and direction in SCM could be reduced and logistics outsourcing could instead provide an opportunity to improve the design and differentiation of the supply chain. Research limitations/implications: This research has proposed, described, and further analyzed a demand-supply oriented management approach. Such a management approach stresses that the demand processes and the supply processes have to be coordinated and directed at an overlying level, in order to gain and sustain a competitive advantage in competitive and fragmented markets. This research is mainly explorative in nature, and more empirical data, from similar and other research settings, is needed to further validate the findings. Another limitation of the research is that it is essentially limited to Swedish companies (even if some Finnish companies are involved in the survey), however, many of the case companies have a large international presence and are among the top three in their industries, facts which provide some grounds for generalization. Practical implications: This research provides researchers and practitioners with insights into how to develop a demand-supply oriented business. It shows that companies should organize themselves around understanding how customer value is created and delivered, as well as how these processes and management directions can be coordinated. In order for this to occur, the demand and supply processes must be considered as being equally important and the firm needs to be managed jointly and in a coordinated manner by the demand- and supply-side of the company. It is also important that value creation is considered in both the demand and supply processes. Originality/value: Despite strong arguments from both researchers and practitioners for a demand-supply oriented management approach only a minority of companies appear to have effectively coordinated the demand and supply processes. This might be influenced by the lack of research examining how the demand and supply processes can be coordinated, what benefits can be gained by coordinating them, and what requirements are necessary to succeed. This research contributes by investigating these types of aspects further.

A variável ambiental é parte importante do atual corpo teórico-prático organizacional. Adentrou o mundo empresarial, sendo hoje um assunto em pauta em muitas organizações. Dessa forma, o desempenho ambiental das firmas vem se fortalecendo como um importante aspecto organizacional para análise por parte dos stakeholders. Gerenciar cadeias de suprimento em um mercado extremamente competitivo como o atual não é tarefa fácil. Além disso, as pressões de governos, clientes, fornecedores etc., no que tange questões ambientais, são cada vez mais fortes. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa é avaliar a relação entre práticas de Green Supply Chain Management e desempenho ambiental. A metodologia escolhida é a modelagem de equações estruturais, abordagem quantitativa em que é possível analisar a existência e força da relação entre construtos e variáveis. A amostra corresponde à micro, pequenas e médias empresas fornecedoras de usinas do setor sucroenergético. A revisão de literatura cobriu os assuntos-chave do trabalho: a) Gestão Ambiental, b) Green Supply Chain Management; c) Desempenho Ambiental e d) Setor Sucroenergético. Os resultados desta pesquisa indicam que a adoção de práticas de GSCM por empresas fornecedoras de usinas do setor sucroenergético encontra-se em um estágio inicial. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, o efeito das práticas de GSCM no Desempenho Ambiental para a amostra analisada pode ser considerado \"moderado\". / The environmental variable, in the current scenario, is an important part of the current theoretical and practical organizational body. The Environmental Management entered into the business world, and today it is a subject on the agenda in many organizations. Thus, the environmental performance is becoming stronger as an important organizational aspect for consideration by the stakeholders. To manage supply chains in a highly competitive market like the current one is not an easy task. Moreover, pressures from governments, customers, suppliers etc., regarding to environmental issues, are increasingly strong. Then, the main objective of this research is to evaluate the relationship between practices of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) and environmental performance. The chosen methodology is the structural equation modeling (SEM), advanced quantitative technique in which it is possible to analyze the existence and strength of relationship between variables. The sample corresponds to small and medium suppliers of mills in the sugarcane industry. The literature review covered the key issues contained in this research: a) Environmental Management, b) Green Supply Chain Management c) Environmental Performance e d) Sugarcane Industry. The results of this research suggest that the adoption of GSCM practices in the sugarcane industry is in early stage. According to the results, the effect of GSCM practices in Environmental Performance for the analyzed sample can be considered \"moderate\".

As mudanças do cenário competitivo forçam a necessidade de reestruturação das empresas estreitando a relação entre as organizações participantes da cadeia de suprimentos de um produto, atuando com base na colaboração interorganizacional. Diferentes estratégias de atuação colaborativa tornam o assunto relevante aos pesquisadores, e gestores de empresas. A integração, cooperação e parceria são essenciais para o sucesso desta reestruturação, as práticas deste tema são tratadas como Gestão Colaborativa. O objetivo principal foi analisar e sistematizar os requisitos da Gestão Colaborativa entre empresas da cadeia de suprimentos do setor automobilístico e propor um modelo de referência. A pesquisa iniciou com um estudo exploratório para identificar os elementos teóricos que envolvem a atuação colaborativa entre empresas. Na sequência foi realizado um estudo de caso múltiplo, a fim de analisar as estratégias colaborativas utilizadas pelas empresas do setor. Com os dados coletados foi elaborado modelos de referência utilizando a metodologia Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD) sob uma perspectiva de gestão colaborativa. Os dados possibilitaram a representação sistêmica e consistente da colaboração entre empresas, contribuindo para esclarecer a atuação Colaborativa, bem como a relação da integração com as estratégias de gestão interorganizacional. / Changes in the competitive landscape demand the need for restructuring interorganizacional narrowing the relationship between the organizations participating in the supply chain of a product, based in interorganizational collaboration. Different strategies work collaboratively make the subject relevant to researchers and business managers. Integration, cooperation and partnership are essential to the success of this restructuring, the practices of this subject are treated as Collaborative Management. The main objective was to analyze and systematize the requirements of the Collaborative Management in supply chain companies in the automotive sector and propose a reference model. The research began with an exploratory study to identify the theoretical elements that involve collaborative activity between companies. In the sequence was carried out a multiple case study in order to analyze the collaborative strategies used by companies. With the data collected was developed reference models using the methodology Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD) under a collaborative management approach. The data allowed the representation of the systemic and consistent collaboration between companies, helping to clarify the role Collaborative, and the relationship of integration with the interorganizational.

<div>As the manufacturing and healthcare systems becomes more complex, efficiently managing these systems requires cooperation and coordination between different parties. This dissertation examines the coordination issues in a supply chain problem and diagnostic decision making in the healthcare system. Below, we provide a brief description of the problem and results achieved. </div><div> </div><div>With supply chain becoming increasingly extended, the uncertainty in the upstream production process can greatly affect the material flow that aims toward meeting the uncertain demand at the downstream. In Chapter 2, we analyze a two-location system in which the upstream production facility experiences random capacities and the downstream store faces random demands. Instead of decomposing the profit function widely used to treat multi-echelon systems, our approach builds on the notions of stochastic functions, in particular, the stochastic linearity in midpoint and the directional concavity in midpoint, which establishes the concavity and submodularity of the profit functions. In general, it is optimal to follow a two-level state-dependent threshold policy such that an order is issued at a location if and only if the inventory position of that location is below the corresponding threshold. When the salvage values of the ending inventories are linear, the profit function becomes decomposable in the inventory positions at different locations and the optimal threshold policy reduces to the echelon base-stock policy. The effect of production and demand uncertainty on inventory levels depends critically on whether the production capacity is limited or ample in relation to the demand. Only when the capacity is about the demand, the upstream facility holds positive inventory; otherwise, all units produced are immediately shipped to the downstream. We further extend our analysis to situations with general stochastic production functions and with multiple locations.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>In Chapter 3, we examine the two-stage supply chain problem (described in Chapter 2) under the decentralized control. We consider two scenarios. In the first scenario, the retail store does not have any supply information including the inventory level at the manufacturing facility. We show that the upstream and downstream can be dynamically coordinated with proper transfer payment defined on local inventories and their own value function in the dynamic recursion. In the second scenario, the demand distribution is unknown to the manufacturing facility as well as the retail store does not know the supply information. We characterize the optimal transfer contracts under which coordination can be achieved, and propose an iterative algorithm to compute the optimal transfer contracts in the decentralized setting. The total profit of the decentralized system under our algorithm is guaranteed to converge to the centralized optimal channel profit for any demand and supply distribution functions. </div><div> </div><div>In Chapter 4, we provide a case study for the framework developed in [1]. The authors study the evaluation and integration of new medical research considering the operational impacts. As a case study, we first describe their two-station queueing control model using the MDP framework. We then present the structural properties of the MDP model. Since multiple classes of patients are considered in the MDP model, it becomes challenging to solve when the the number of patient classes increases. We describe an efficient heuristic algorithm developed by [1] to overcome the curse of dimensionality. We also test the numerical performance of their heuristic algorithm, and find that the largest optimality gap is less than 1.50% among all the experiments. </div><div> </div>

O trabalho integra idéias fundamentais da gestão do conhecimento e do supply chain management, consideradas de grande importância na dinâmica atual do mercado, procurando contribuir para a gestão de cadeias de produção agroindustriais. A partir dessas idéias, observadas na revisão bibliográfica, desenvolve-se um modelo composto por práticas que devem ser utilizadas na busca de vantagem competitiva sustentável. Observa-se que o modelo se restringe às cadeias de produção agro-alimentícias, cujo agente que agrega maior valor ao produto final é o processador de matéria-prima, chamado, nesta tese, de agente coordenador. O aplicabilidade das práticas do modelo é verificada por meio de pesquisa qualitativa, com a realização de um estudo de caso em um fabricante de refrigerantes, franquia da Divisão Brasil da The Coca-Cola Company. Percebe-se que é possível levar a gestão do conhecimento para o âmbito da cadeia de produção, no entanto, práticas como a elaboração conjunta do planejamento estratégico e o reconhecimento formal da competência essencial da cadeia foram consideradas não aplicáveis para o objeto de análise do trabalho. As demais práticas propostas foram consideradas viáveis. Porém, sabe-se da necessidade de adequação para particularidades e contingências de cada caso. Conclui-se que a gestão da cadeia de suprimentos baseada na gestão do conhecimento e no desenvolvimento de competências é essencial para a competitividade de todas as unidades de negócios e, portanto, da cadeia agro-alimentícia como um todo. / This work integrates fundamental ideas of knowledge management and supply chain management, considered of great importance in the nowadays dynamic of the market, looking to contribute to the agribusiness supply chain management. Using these ideas, cited in the bibliographic revision, it is developed a model composed by practices that should be used in the search of sustained competitive advantage. This model is restricted to agribusiness production chains, whose actor that aggregates most value to the final product is the raw material processor, called in this thesis, of coordenator actor. The appplicability of the model is verified by means of a qualitative research, with the carrying out of a case study in a soft drink producer, franchising of the brazilian division of The Coca-Cola Company. It was realized that it is possible to bring the knowledge management to the scope of production chain, although practices as the joint elaboration of strategic planning and the formal acknowledgment of the essential chain competence were not considered applicable to the work analysis object. The other proposed practices were considered feasible. However, it is known the need to fit the model to the particularities and contingencies of each case and it is recognized how hard it is to apply a model based in the systemic vision. It is concluded that the agribusiness supply chain management under the viewpoint of the knowledge management and the competence development is essential to the competitivity of all business unities and, therefore, of the chain as a whole.

As mudanças do cenário competitivo forçam a necessidade de reestruturação das empresas estreitando a relação entre as organizações participantes da cadeia de suprimentos de um produto, atuando com base na colaboração interorganizacional. Diferentes estratégias de atuação colaborativa tornam o assunto relevante aos pesquisadores, e gestores de empresas. A integração, cooperação e parceria são essenciais para o sucesso desta reestruturação, as práticas deste tema são tratadas como Gestão Colaborativa. O objetivo principal foi analisar e sistematizar os requisitos da Gestão Colaborativa entre empresas da cadeia de suprimentos do setor automobilístico e propor um modelo de referência. A pesquisa iniciou com um estudo exploratório para identificar os elementos teóricos que envolvem a atuação colaborativa entre empresas. Na sequência foi realizado um estudo de caso múltiplo, a fim de analisar as estratégias colaborativas utilizadas pelas empresas do setor. Com os dados coletados foi elaborado modelos de referência utilizando a metodologia Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD) sob uma perspectiva de gestão colaborativa. Os dados possibilitaram a representação sistêmica e consistente da colaboração entre empresas, contribuindo para esclarecer a atuação Colaborativa, bem como a relação da integração com as estratégias de gestão interorganizacional. / Changes in the competitive landscape demand the need for restructuring interorganizacional narrowing the relationship between the organizations participating in the supply chain of a product, based in interorganizational collaboration. Different strategies work collaboratively make the subject relevant to researchers and business managers. Integration, cooperation and partnership are essential to the success of this restructuring, the practices of this subject are treated as Collaborative Management. The main objective was to analyze and systematize the requirements of the Collaborative Management in supply chain companies in the automotive sector and propose a reference model. The research began with an exploratory study to identify the theoretical elements that involve collaborative activity between companies. In the sequence was carried out a multiple case study in order to analyze the collaborative strategies used by companies. With the data collected was developed reference models using the methodology Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD) under a collaborative management approach. The data allowed the representation of the systemic and consistent collaboration between companies, helping to clarify the role Collaborative, and the relationship of integration with the interorganizational.

O trabalho integra idéias fundamentais da gestão do conhecimento e do supply chain management, consideradas de grande importância na dinâmica atual do mercado, procurando contribuir para a gestão de cadeias de produção agroindustriais. A partir dessas idéias, observadas na revisão bibliográfica, desenvolve-se um modelo composto por práticas que devem ser utilizadas na busca de vantagem competitiva sustentável. Observa-se que o modelo se restringe às cadeias de produção agro-alimentícias, cujo agente que agrega maior valor ao produto final é o processador de matéria-prima, chamado, nesta tese, de agente coordenador. O aplicabilidade das práticas do modelo é verificada por meio de pesquisa qualitativa, com a realização de um estudo de caso em um fabricante de refrigerantes, franquia da Divisão Brasil da The Coca-Cola Company. Percebe-se que é possível levar a gestão do conhecimento para o âmbito da cadeia de produção, no entanto, práticas como a elaboração conjunta do planejamento estratégico e o reconhecimento formal da competência essencial da cadeia foram consideradas não aplicáveis para o objeto de análise do trabalho. As demais práticas propostas foram consideradas viáveis. Porém, sabe-se da necessidade de adequação para particularidades e contingências de cada caso. Conclui-se que a gestão da cadeia de suprimentos baseada na gestão do conhecimento e no desenvolvimento de competências é essencial para a competitividade de todas as unidades de negócios e, portanto, da cadeia agro-alimentícia como um todo. / This work integrates fundamental ideas of knowledge management and supply chain management, considered of great importance in the nowadays dynamic of the market, looking to contribute to the agribusiness supply chain management. Using these ideas, cited in the bibliographic revision, it is developed a model composed by practices that should be used in the search of sustained competitive advantage. This model is restricted to agribusiness production chains, whose actor that aggregates most value to the final product is the raw material processor, called in this thesis, of coordenator actor. The appplicability of the model is verified by means of a qualitative research, with the carrying out of a case study in a soft drink producer, franchising of the brazilian division of The Coca-Cola Company. It was realized that it is possible to bring the knowledge management to the scope of production chain, although practices as the joint elaboration of strategic planning and the formal acknowledgment of the essential chain competence were not considered applicable to the work analysis object. The other proposed practices were considered feasible. However, it is known the need to fit the model to the particularities and contingencies of each case and it is recognized how hard it is to apply a model based in the systemic vision. It is concluded that the agribusiness supply chain management under the viewpoint of the knowledge management and the competence development is essential to the competitivity of all business unities and, therefore, of the chain as a whole.