Attaining sustainability objectives has received wide attention in the supplier selection and order allocation (SSOA) literature. This paper aims to investigate an SSOA problem under multiple items, multiple suppliers, multiple price levels, and multiple period using a robust-fuzzy multi-objective programming in which: (a) transportation cost, delay penalty cost, and demand are uncertain; (b) four objectives are proposed to minimize total costs and the number of defective items and to maximize environmental and social impacts; and (c) all objectives of the problem have a fuzzy membership degree that is determined by the decision-makers. A robust optimization approach is elaborated as a solution procedure to address the uncertainty of the decision variables. The significance of each objective in practice is discussed based on seven distinct scenarios that produce a specific membership degree to help practitioners make efficient decisions in selecting the suppliers and allocating the orders. Two numerical examples with different sizes are conducted to validate the mathematical model. Thereafter, the sensitivity of each scenario on objectives and total satisfaction degree is analyzed. The results of the numerical solution compare the value of four objective functions under each developed scenario to provide a trade-off insight between different objectives for practitioners. Eventually, the credibility and efficiency of the proposed solution procedure are evaluated to validate the findings.@en

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 around the globe in the last few years, the need for pharmaceutical supply chains is felt more than before. However, increasing uncertainties along with unpredictable demand for products led to disruptions in supply chains when receiving requests from retailers. These disruptions not only affected the economic aspect of supply chains but also caused shortages in hospitals and medical centers. Therefore, it has become significant for companies to select their suppliers to avoid disruptions in the case of the severity of infections. To address this issue in practice, this paper has been conducted based on a case study to address the role of lean, agile, resilience, and green (LARG) criteria in selecting the supplier in a pharmaceutical supply chain and compare the results obtained before and after the prevalence of COVID-19. The main purpose of this study is to determine and evaluate different indicators within the LARG concept to avoid disruptions when selecting suppliers. Besides, the significance of these criteria before and after the pandemic condition is addressed. Due to addressing multiple aspects of the problem, a hybrid fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) approach is adopted for this elaboration when the four LARG criteria are integrated with eighteen supplier selection sub-criteria. To calculate the impact of each criterion (or sub-criteria), a fuzzy best–worst method (BWM) along with an additive ratio assessment (ARAS) is employed to propose a supplier ranking for a distributor of a pharmaceutical supply chain. The developed model is novel as LARG criteria in the context of supplier selection have not been studied to address the disruptions in the pharmaceutical supply chain. This is significant because it gives insight to both retailers and suppliers to emphasize the correct criteria, especially in the pandemic or related disrupting conditions. The results demonstrated that quality, collaboration, safety stock, and environmental criteria weigh the highest before the pandemic, while just-in-time delivery, lead time, safety stock, and environmental criteria weigh the highest after the pandemic. This study demonstrates that developing a supplier selection approach that meets the demand in a short time and recommends suppliers to hold surplus inventory helps the healthcare systems better respond to the market needs.@en

Maritime shipping, with a significant role in global trade, confronts various accidents leading to loss of lives, properties, and the environment. Shipping 4.0 technologies are scaling up to address this problem by employing real-time data-driven technologies, including cyber-physical systems, advanced tracking and tracing, intelligent systems, and big data analytics. Despite growing attention, there is a general lack of clarity on the level and direction of progress in this field. Accordingly, this study aims to identify critical shipping accident risks, analyze the role of relevant shipping 4.0 technologies in controlling these risks, and consolidate the findings into a conceptual guiding framework directing future developments. Accordingly, a systematic review is performed that reveals how shipping 4.0 approaches address critical accident risks and the gaps that still exist. Overall, we found that the collision is the most frequent accident referred to, while the most frequent technology to control the accidents is the Automatic Identification System. In contrast, we see an evident lack of cloud computing, internet-of-things, and big data analytics, which play crucial roles in current industry 4.0 developments.@en

The fourth industrial revolution has significantly changed the traditional way of managing supply chains. The applications of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in different processes of supply chains have assisted companies to improve their performance. Procurement can be considered a critical process in supply chain management since it can provide novel opportunities for supply chains to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. However, I4.0 applications can be costly and may not be reasonably affordable. Therefore, the benefits of implementing these technologies should be clarified for procurement managers before investing in the digitalization of the procurement process. Despite the importance of this issue, few papers have attempted to address the effects of I4.0 technologies and smart systems in procurement. To fill this gap, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on the applications of I4.0 technologies in procurement has been used in this study. By reviewing 70 papers through appropriate keywords, a conceptual framework is developed to classify different value propositions provided by the different applications of I4.0 technologies in procurement processes. Results reveal nine value propositions that can provide a better understanding for the procurement department to analyze the benefits of implementing the related I4.0 technologies in different activities. Finally, findings and future study opportunities are concluded.@en

The fourth industrial revolution has significantly changed the traditional way of managing supply chains. The applications of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in different processes of supply chains have assisted companies to improve their performance. Procurement can be considered a critical process in supply chain management since it can provide novel opportunities for supply chains to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. However, I4.0 applications can be costly and may not be reasonably affordable. Therefore, the benefits of implementing these technologies should be clarified for procurement managers before investing in the digitalization of the procurement process. Despite the importance of this issue, few papers have attempted to address the effects of I4.0 technologies and smart systems in procurement. To fill this gap, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on the applications of I4.0 technologies in procurement has been used in this study. By reviewing 70 papers through appropriate keywords, a conceptual framework is developed to classify different value propositions provided by the different applications of I4.0 technologies in procurement processes. Results reveal nine value propositions that can provide a better understanding for the procurement department to analyze the benefits of implementing the related I4.0 technologies in different activities. Finally, findings and future study opportunities are concluded.@en

Maritime transportation has been responsible for the majority of global trade and is becoming increasingly complex and dynamic facing a variety of risks that can cause disruptions. These disruptions can have profound impacts on the performance of the ships. To manage the disruptions, cyber-physical systems (CPSs) have provided viable means to mitigate the risks and their occurrence along with maritime transportation. Despite the importance of this issue, very few attempts have been made to address the applications of the ship's CPSs in managing maritime transportation risks. This paper provides a conceptual framework to analyse the impact of different CPSs and their applications on managing the relevant risks in maritime transportation. By classifying CPSs and risks within a framework, this paper identifies different CPSs applied to ships and risks associated with maritime transportation and investigates the role of CPSs in managing the risks.@en