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Scholarly Works - Engineering - International Manufacturing

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  • ItemOpen AccessAccepted version Peer-reviewed
    Intelligent autonomous vehicles in digital supply chains: From conceptualisation, to simulation modelling, to real-world operations
    (Emerald, 2019) Tsolakis, N; Bechtsis, D; Srai, JS; Bechtsis, D [0000-0003-3110-7292]
    PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to discuss key challenges associated with the use of either simulation or real-world application of intelligent autonomous vehicles (IAVs) in supply network operations; and second, to provide a theoretical and empirical evidence-based methodological framework that supports the integrated application of conceptualisation, simulation, emulation and physical application of IAVs for the effective design of digital supply networks.Design/methodology/approachFirst, this study performs a critical review of the extant literature to identify major benefits and shortcomings related to the use of either simulation modelling or real-word application of physical IAVs. Second, commercial and bespoke software applications, along with a three-dimensional validation and verification emulation tool, are developed to evaluate an IAV’s operations in a conceptual warehouse. Third, a commercial depth-sensor is used as a test bed in a physical setting.FindingsThe results demonstrate that conceptual and simulation modelling should be initially used to explore alternative supply chain operations in terms of ideal performance while emulation tools and real-world IAV test beds are eminent in validating preferred digital supply chain design options.Research limitations/implicationsThe provided analysis framework was developed using literature evidence along with experimental work and research experience, without consulting any industry experts. In addition, this study was developed based on the application of a single physical device application as a test bed and, thus, the authors should further progress with the testing of a physical IAV in an industrial warehouse.Practical implicationsThe study provides bespoke simulation modelling and emulation tools that can be useful for supply chain practitioners in effectively designing network operations.Originality/valueThis work contributes in the operations management field by providing both a multi-stage methodological framework and a practical “toolbox” for the proactive assessment and incorporation of IAVs in supply network operations.
  • ItemOpen AccessPublished version Peer-reviewed
    Integrated supply network maturity model: Water scarcity perspective
    (MDPI AG, 2018) Yatskovskaya, E; Srai, JS; Kumar, M; Yatskovskaya, Ekaterina [0000-0002-9497-2809]; Srai, Jag [0000-0003-2277-2127]; Kumar, Mukesh [0000-0002-1961-5078]
    Today's supply chains (SCs) are more than ever prone to disruptions caused by natural and man-made events with water scarcity identified as one of the highest impact events among these. Leading businesses, understanding that natural resource scarcity has become a critical supply chain risk factor, extensively incorporate sustainable water management programmes into their corporate social responsibility and environmental management agenda. The question of how industries can efficiently evaluate the progress of these water scarcity mitigation practices, however, remains. In order to address this question, the present study proposes a conceptual maturity model. The model is rooted in strategies for water scarcity mitigation using a framework developed by Yatskovskaya and Srai, 2017 and develops an extensive literature review of recent publications on maturity frameworks in the fields of sustainability and operations management. In order to test the proposed proposed, model an exploratory case study with a leading pharmaceutical company was conducted. The proposed maturity model presents an evaluation tool that allows systematic assessment and visualisation of organisational routines and practices relevant to sustainable manufacturing in the context of water scarcity. This model was designed to help illustrate mitigation capabilities evolution over time, where future state desired capabilities were considered through alternative supply network (SN) configurations, network structure, process flow, product architecture, and supply partnerships.
  • ItemOpen AccessPublished version Peer-reviewed
    Blue water footprint management in a UK poultry supply chain under environmental regulatory constraints
    (MDPI AG, 2018) Tsolakis, N; Srai, JS; Aivazidou, E; Tsolakis, Naoum [0000-0003-2042-7047]; Srai, Jag [0000-0003-2277-2127]
    Chicken is the most consumed meat in the UK, accounting for 40% of meat consumption, while national production sufficiency reaches about 80%. As a farm animal product, chicken meat is responsible for significant freshwater appropriation volumes during its production cycle. In this context, this research aims at exploring freshwater dynamics in the UK processed poultry industry. Specifically, we develop a System Dynamics model to capture the blue water footprint, as key sustainability performance indicator of a poultry supply chain, in case relevant environmental and regulatory constraints are applied. The model contributes towards investigating the impact of two potential policy-making scenarios, namely the "water penalty" and the "water tax", on the nexus between profitability and water usage across the poultry supply chain. Responding to the regulatory constraints, the food processor either reconfigures the supply chain through rethinking desired inventory levels or implements a water management intervention. The results indicate that investing in water-friendly production technologies could offer a greater advantage to sustainable supply chains in terms of blue water efficiency and profitability compared to employing inventory management strategies. Overall, our analysis highlights that effective policy-making and technology-driven interventions could provide potential towards ensuring economic growth and environmental sustainability of the UK poultry sector.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Understanding environmental performance variation in manufacturing companies
    (Emerald, 2013-10-28) Bocken, N; Morgan, D; Evans, S; Evans, Stephen [0000-0003-1757-6842]
    Sustainability is an area of increasing interest for industry and its stakeholders, and some companies now aspire to address sustainability issues (e.g. carbon emissions) at strategic and operational levels. As companies are exploring the issues, they attempt to embed sustainability in their planning and management systems. It is at this point that the domains of environmental concern and performance management meet. The research questions explored in this paper are: What is the size of environmental performance variation? What are the challenges for sustainability performance management in practice?