Cross-Sector Decision Intelligence for Critical Commodities: Integrating Health, Cybersecurity, and Logistics in Modern Supply Chains

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing complexity and tightly woven interdependencies that characterise contemporary global supply chains have highlighted the necessity of analytical approaches that transcend conventional sectoral demarcations. Recent disruptions including pandemic-induced shocks; heightened cyber vulnerabilities; and enduring volatility in the circulation of critical commodities have exposed the inadequacies of siloed frameworks that position health systems; cybersecurity; and logistics as discrete operational arenas. Against this backdrop; this Special Issue; entitled “Cross-Sector Decision Intelligence for Critical Commodities: Integrating Health, Cybersecurity, and Logistics in Modern Supply Chains”; is established as a platform for research that interrogates how decision-making processes can be strengthened through systematic and integrated cross-sectoral insight. The primary objective of this Special Issue is to explore emerging methodological advances; conceptual architectures; and technological developments that collectively enhance decision intelligence within supply chains operating at the nexus of health; digital security; and logistics. Critical commodities including essential medical supplies; pharmaceuticals; agricultural products; energy resources; minerals; and strategic materials form the backbone of global trade and public welfare. We particularly encourage submissions that draw upon robust empirical inquiry; offer substantive theoretical innovations; or propose applied interventions capable of improving resilience; transparency; and strategic adaptability in commodity markets and supply networks. Contributions utilising artificial intelligence; advanced analytics; cyber–physical security mechanisms; and risk-modelling techniques are especially pertinent; given their increasing centrality to organisational responses in conditions of volatility and uncertainty. Contributions utilising artificial intelligence; advanced analytics; cyber–physical security mechanisms; blockchain for commodity traceability; and risk-modelling techniques are especially pertinent; given their increasing centrality to organisational responses in conditions of volatility and uncertainty. This Special Issue seeks to convene scholars; policymakers; and practitioners to critically examine how cross-sector learning and integrated knowledge systems can inform the design of commodity supply chains that are secure; efficient; and responsive to evolving public health imperatives and market dynamics. Key areas of interest include the following:

• Cybersecurity frameworks for commodity-linked supply chains and trading platforms.
• Decision support systems for critical commodity procurement and distribution.
• Digital trust and traceability mechanisms in commodity markets (blockchain; IoT).
• Advanced decision-support tools for commodity risk management and forecasting.
• Predictive risk analytics for commodity price volatility and supply disruptions.
• Health informatics integration with commodity supply chains (pharmaceuticals; medical equipment).
• Innovations in the governance of essential commodity flows and strategic reserves.
• AI-driven optimization of commodity logistics and warehousing.
• Cross-sector resilience strategies for energy; agricultural; and mineral commodities.
• Sustainable commodity sourcing and circular supply chain models.

Submissions offering comparative or international perspectives on commodity supply chain management are warmly welcomed. As Guest Editor; I remain committed to overseeing a rigorous; transparent; and constructive review process; ensuring that the Special Issue contributes meaningfully to both scholarly discourse and professional practice. Finally; this collection aims to generate evidence-based insights that support decision-makers in developing commodity supply chains equipped to withstand and adapt to contemporary and emerging global challenges. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Dilshad Sarwar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Commodities is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 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.