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Sustainability and Green Supply Chain Management in Industrial Fields

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Industrial Technologies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 11668

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
Interests: logistic and supply chain management; sustainable innovations for supply chain; sustainable supply chain; analysis and optimization of supply chains; supply chain performance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
Interests: logistics; operations management; industrial engineering; sustainability; supply chain management; fashion supply chain; modelling and optimization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
Interests: Logistics and supply chain management; analysis and optimization of supply chains; sustainable supply chain; supply chain agility; supply chain performance; RFID technology for logistics and supply chain dynamics; food processing plants; safety/security of industrial plants; Industry 4.0 in logistics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Green supply chain management (GSCM) is a concept that integrates environmental aspects into traditional supply chain practices and can provide advantages not only through environmental performance but also at the organizational and economic levels (Machfudiyanto and Wijaya, 2024). Indeed, it is well known that the green management and environmental sustainability of the supply chain contribute to the reduction in whole-system costs through a more efficient use of resources such as water, energy and raw materials (Walker et al., 2008). In the modern era, green development has become essential to industrial supply chains (Shi et al., 2024).

Recently, GSCM has emerged as a novel sustainable solution approach to the traditional linear economic model of production and consumption (Panpatil et al., 2023). In the modern business world, environmental regulations, customer satisfaction, social awareness, environmentally friendly business process and economic growth are vital dimensions of competitiveness (Li et al., 2018).

The purpose of this Special Issue is to encourage research that provides evidence of the importance of sustainability in industrial fields through modelling, real-world applications, empirical investigations and case studies.

References:

  1. Li, S., Shi, W., Li, H., Xu, N., Zhang, R., Chen, X., Sun, W., Wen, D., He, S., Pan, J. and He, Z. (2018), “Antibiotics in water and sediments of rivers and coastal area of Zhuhai City, Pearl River estuary, south China”, Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 636, pp. 1009-1019
  2. Machfudiyanto, R.A., Wijaya, P.A (2024), “Green supply chain management strategy in the Indonesian construction industry using analytic network process to improve sustainability”, E3S Web of Conferences, 476
  3. Panpatil, S.S.,  Lahane, S.,  Kant, R. (2023), “Performance measurement framework of green supply chain implementation in the context of Indian manufacturing organizations”, Journal of Advances in Management Research, 20 (4), pp. 623-652
  4. Shi, W.,  Hu, Q.,  Zhou, Y. (2024), “Evolutionary game analysis of vehicle procurement in the courier industry from the perspective of green supply chain”, International Journal of Industrial Engineering Computations, 15 (1), 223-234
  5. Walker, H., Di Sisto, L., and McBain, D. (2008). Drivers and barriers to environmental supply chain management practices: Lessons from the public and private sectors. Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, 14(1), 69-85.

Dr. Giorgia Casella
Dr. Letizia Tebaldi
Prof. Dr. Eleonora Bottani
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainability
  • supply chain management
  • industry
  • green management
  • operations management and optimization
  • sustainable production
  • environmental impact
  • sustainable development
  • case study
  • manufacturing
  • life cycle assessment
  • emissions reduction
  • green innovation

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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20 pages, 3901 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Cold Chain Management: An Evaluation of Predictive Waste Management Models
by Hajar Fatorachian and Kulwant Pawar
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020770 - 14 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1261
Abstract
The integration of advanced predictive models is pivotal for optimizing demand forecasting and inventory management in cold chain logistics. This study evaluates the application of machine learning techniques—ARIMA (Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)—to forecast demand trends and analyze key [...] Read more.
The integration of advanced predictive models is pivotal for optimizing demand forecasting and inventory management in cold chain logistics. This study evaluates the application of machine learning techniques—ARIMA (Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)—to forecast demand trends and analyze key drivers in a mid-sized cold chain operation. Trained on a multi-year sales dataset, the ARIMA model excelled in capturing seasonal patterns, while the MLR model effectively incorporated multivariable factors such as temperature, product type, and promotional activity. Both models demonstrated strong predictive accuracy, with low Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), offering reliable and computationally efficient solutions for mid-sized operations. The findings underscore the novelty of combining ARIMA’s time-series capabilities with MLR’s multivariable analysis to address complex demand drivers. By aligning with Resource-Based View (RBV) and Supply Chain Resilience Theory, this research advances the understanding of AI-driven predictive models as strategic tools for enhancing operational efficiency, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability in cold chain logistics. This work sets the stage for future innovations in AI-driven supply chain optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Green Supply Chain Management in Industrial Fields)
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19 pages, 1141 KiB  
Article
Can Digital Activism Change Sustainable Supply Chain Practices in the Agricultural Bioeconomy? Evidence from #Buttergate
by Hamish van der Ven
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(24), 11893; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411893 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 642
Abstract
Under what conditions will digital activism elicit a response from industry? What is the nature of that response and how does it impact sustainable supply chain practices? I develop three hypotheses in response to these questions by examining a recent case of digital [...] Read more.
Under what conditions will digital activism elicit a response from industry? What is the nature of that response and how does it impact sustainable supply chain practices? I develop three hypotheses in response to these questions by examining a recent case of digital activism targeted at the use of a controversial bioproduct in the Canadian dairy industry. Drawing on 14 key informant interviews as well as a novel Twitter dataset, I hypothesize that digital activism can elicit a response from industry when it originates with a small number of activists, provided that it also spreads to traditional media. I further hypothesize that industry’s response will be superficial and result in only token changes to sustainable supply chain practices due to the ephemerality and lack of cohesion inherent in some forms of digital activism. These hypotheses lay a foundation for broader cross-sectoral research on how industries respond to digital activism directed at their supply chains and add nuance to ongoing debates about the efficacy of digital activism as a means of changing industry practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Green Supply Chain Management in Industrial Fields)
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25 pages, 4874 KiB  
Article
MaMoReS: A Robust Tool for Evaluating Supply Chain Resilience Through Systematic Literature and Network Analysis
by Leonardo Leoni, Saverio Ferraro, Alessandra Cantini, Rinaldo Rinaldi and Filippo De Carlo
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(20), 9568; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209568 - 20 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2954
Abstract
Nowadays, disruptive events pose significant threats to organizations, making resilience a critical focus. Evaluating supply chain resilience is essential to avoid escalating disruptions. However, the literature on this topic is fragmented, and the assessment of resilience remains an open gap due to the [...] Read more.
Nowadays, disruptive events pose significant threats to organizations, making resilience a critical focus. Evaluating supply chain resilience is essential to avoid escalating disruptions. However, the literature on this topic is fragmented, and the assessment of resilience remains an open gap due to the lack of a clear definition of the dimensions and elements for its evaluation. To fill this gap, this study integrates a systematic literature review (SLR) and a systematic literature network analysis (SLNA) to propose a MAturity MOdel for REsilient Supply Chains (MaMoReS). Through content analysis and stringent selection of 15 resilience maturity models (ResMMs) via SLR, along with an SLNA on 6,474 sources, this method defines dimensions and sub-dimensions. The proposed MaMoReS is framed around five levels and five dimensions: risk management, agility, flexibility and adaptability, redundancy and robustness, transparency and visibility, and collaboration and relationships. The MaMoReS is applied to two case studies, pinpointing the practicality of the MaMoReS for measuring the resilience maturity level of the two companies along with their dimensions and sub-dimensions scoring. Thus, the MaMoReS can be used as an assessment tool by supply chain managers and researchers to evaluate the resilience of a supply chain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Green Supply Chain Management in Industrial Fields)
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16 pages, 1534 KiB  
Article
Collaboration Practices for the Cybersecurity of Supply Chains to Critical Infrastructure
by Tania Wallis and Paul Dorey
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(13), 5805; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135805 - 3 Jul 2024
Viewed by 2802
Abstract
This work describes the collaboration practices of a community of interest in the UK that brings together cybersecurity professionals with a shared interest in improving supply chain cybersecurity for Operational Technology (OT) environments. This research emphasizes the need for collective responsibility between organizations [...] Read more.
This work describes the collaboration practices of a community of interest in the UK that brings together cybersecurity professionals with a shared interest in improving supply chain cybersecurity for Operational Technology (OT) environments. This research emphasizes the need for collective responsibility between organizations and provides a set of principles for adopting a code of practice and partnership approach to supply chain cybersecurity. This work has enabled cybersecurity experience from several critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, rail, aviation, water, health, and food, to analyze the uptake and practical use of existing supply chain guidance, identifying gaps and challenges. The community has examined touch points with the supply chain and identified improvements related to the communication of cybersecurity requirements, technical and commercial engagement between customers and suppliers, and in the tailoring of implementations towards operational technology contexts. Communicating the context of securing cyber-physical systems is an essential perspective for this community. This work exemplifies a partnership framework and is translating experiences into useful guidance, particularly for OT systems, to improve cybersecurity levels across multiple contributors to critical infrastructure systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Green Supply Chain Management in Industrial Fields)
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32 pages, 5938 KiB  
Article
The Role of the Logistics Operator in the Network Coordination of Omni-Channels
by Marzena Kramarz and Mariusz Kmiecik
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 5206; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14125206 - 14 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1282
Abstract
This research aims to bridge a critical gap within the realm of logistics coordination, specifically targeted at bolstering the coordination of flows in omni-channels. The outcome of this study culminates in the creation of a comprehensive tool for evaluating logistics operators, discerning those [...] Read more.
This research aims to bridge a critical gap within the realm of logistics coordination, specifically targeted at bolstering the coordination of flows in omni-channels. The outcome of this study culminates in the creation of a comprehensive tool for evaluating logistics operators, discerning those who exhibit supreme proficiency in orchestrating network dynamics within omni-channel contexts. To fulfil the objectives of this paper and elucidate pertinent research inquiries, an exhaustive literature review is coupled with meticulous scrutiny of the SCOPUS database via the advanced VOSviewer 1.6.20 software. The research delineates an array of coordination mechanisms accessible to logistics operators, which can be judiciously tailored as a bespoke fusion of market-driven, social, hierarchical, and logistical coordination tactics. These mechanisms expand upon antecedent investigations, encompassing both network coordination paradigms and the pivotal role of logistics operators within omni-channel frameworks. Experts assessed that forecasting network flows is the most significant element in logistical coordination, receiving a weight of 0.1312, while managing network participants’ resources from the logistics operator level received a weight of 0.1148. A tangible contribution to the academic discourse transpires as we introduce a pioneering tool meticulously designed for stakeholders entrenched in omni-channel distribution networks. Termed the ‘Multicriteria Assessment Sheet for Evaluating the Coordination Competence of Logistics Operators within Omni-channel Systems,’ this instrument augments the scholarly landscape. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Green Supply Chain Management in Industrial Fields)
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12 pages, 289 KiB  
Brief Report
Supply Chain Design for Waste Valorization Through High-Energy-Density Pellet Production in Chile
by Jaime Morales, Andrea Espinoza-Pérez, Lorena Espinoza-Pérez, Ernesto Pino-Cortés, Diana Yánez-Sevilla, Patricia Viñán-Guerrero, Lorena Molina, Carlos Burgos and Fidel Vallejo
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10429; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210429 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1021
Abstract
This study presents the development and application of a mathematical optimization model to improve decision-making in the supply chain for high-energy-density pellet (HEDP) production and commercialization. Focused on the Metropolitan Region of Chile, the research involved a detailed analysis of key supply chain [...] Read more.
This study presents the development and application of a mathematical optimization model to improve decision-making in the supply chain for high-energy-density pellet (HEDP) production and commercialization. Focused on the Metropolitan Region of Chile, the research involved a detailed analysis of key supply chain components, including identifying landfills and controlled dumps, waste volume assessments, plant location analysis, technology evaluation, and market potential exploration. The model revealed that the available raw material in the region was sufficient to meet 100% of HEDP demand, with a surplus of 2,161,952 tons remaining after satisfying maximum demand. An optimization analysis of potential plant locations identified Santa Marta as the optimal choice, resulting in annual cost savings of USD 100,000 compared to other sites. This work underscores the role of mathematical optimization in enhancing supply chain efficiency for biomass-based energy products, offering valuable insights for strategic decision-making in similar contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Green Supply Chain Management in Industrial Fields)
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