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Logistics
Special Issues
Global Supply Chain Challenges under COVID-19
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Global Supply Chain Challenges under COVID-19

A special issue of Logistics (ISSN 2305-6290).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021) | Viewed by 40710

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Anthony Roath

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Supply Chain Management, Harbert College of Business, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Interests: international supply chain and logistics networks; supply chain responsiveness; technological development and adaptation in supply chain and logistics; sustainable supply chain operations

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One of the most prominent disruptions to global supply chain operations over the last year has been COVID-19.  Prior to the pandemic, companies had been developing and adopting technologies that enabled enhanced efficiencies and increased customer responsiveness. The pandemic may prove to be an important factor in accelerating the digitalization of supply chain and logistics processes. For instance, the pandemic recently has heightened awareness of the need for “targeted and accurate” data to provide transparency and visibility in logistics and supply chain operations. Organizations are accelerating investments in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and distributed ledger technology (e.g., blockchain) in the evolution towards developing and utilizing digitalization to enhance processes (Sheffi, 2020). Subsequently, the pandemic has influenced the way in which supply chain partners (suppliers, third party providers) work with each other, how organizations work with management and staff and ultimately, the way in which businesses ultimately deal with their customers. For example, obvious effects from the pandemic a notable in the dramatic decreases to in-person contact in organizations. Likewise, retailers and restaurants have had to adapt by restructuring to primarily external dining and take-out service to minimize exposure to COVID-19.

Although challenging, the COVID-19 pandemic also provides opportunities for increased supply chain and logistics efficiencies and responsiveness. If pandemics become more likely, how will logistics and supply chain networks build resilient and responsiveness structures and operations? Logistics connects global markets evidenced by the impact of the pandemic on global supply chains as the virus spread. For example, tighter border processes and increased inspections may hinder transportation due to concerns over disease transmission. Perceived vulnerability to global circumstances and events may lead to “shortened” supply chains and logistics as companies reconfigure to nearshoring or local sourcing as more viable alternatives.

How have logistics and supply chain networks responded to the global pandemic? The purpose of this Special Issue is to contribute to and expand upon the discussion related to how major global disruptions (e.g., COVID-19) impact supply chain and logistics operations and networks. Moreover, as technology evolves to address the challenge, the Special Issue calls for exploring the interaction of technology and human resources as technology evolves and/or accelerates in response to these disruptions. Authors are cordially invited to contribute to the discussion by submitting original research papers, review, empirical and case studies for the Special Issue to Logistics until August 31 2021. Manuscripts can be submitted on the following topics:

  • Investigation and development of new business models in reaction to COVID-19;
  • The disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic influence on global LSCM structure and operations;
  • Technologies have responded to fill some of the void from decreased worker interaction; investigation would call for the role of human resources in more enhanced technological environments as a result of reactions to COVID-19;
  • Impact of the pandemic on the ability to collect, interpret and disseminate data;
  • COVID-19’s effects on last mile delivery;
  • COVID-19’s influence on the role of LSCM in ensuring responsiveness and resilience;
  • COVID-19’s potential influence on the development of sustainable LSCM;
  • Case studies for teaching.

This list is certainly not exhaustive. It is designed to highlight the broad areas in logistics and supply chain management which COVID-19 influences. Other articles examining COVID-19 and its impact on logistics and supply chain networks are highly welcome. I look forward to your submissions

Dr. Anthony Roath
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Logistics 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 1400 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

  • COVID-19
  • supply chain network
  • logistics
  • digitization
  • technology
  • disruptions

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 28218 KiB  
Article
COVID-19 Disruption Strategy for Redesigning Global Supply Chain Network across TPP Countries
by Takaki Nagao, Hiromasa Ijuin, Tetsuo Yamada, Keisuke Nagasawa and Lei Zhou
Logistics 2022, 6(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics6010002 - 24 Dec 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7762
Abstract
Background: COVID-19 has disrupted and adversely affected supply chains worldwide. A global supply chain network that considers disruptions is needed. This study strategically analyzes the economic and structural effects of disruption on a global supply chain network with customs duty and the [...] Read more.
Background: COVID-19 has disrupted and adversely affected supply chains worldwide. A global supply chain network that considers disruptions is needed. This study strategically analyzes the economic and structural effects of disruption on a global supply chain network with customs duty and the trans-pacific partnership (TPP) agreement. Methods: We present a cost minimization model which helps in understanding the difficulty of supplying materials or products to factories or customers if the supplier’s cities are facing disruption. This enables us to model and evaluate simultaneous considerations of supplier disruption, customs duty, and TPP in redesigning a global supply chain network. This network is modeled and formulated using integer programming, disruption scenarios, and a sensitivity analysis for customs duty. Results: Regarding the impact of disruptions on suppliers, two patterns emerge in the reconfigured network: direct changes due to supplier disruptions and indirect changes due to factory relocation. The sensitivity analysis for customs duty shows that the TPP has a positive impact on cost maintained, even in the presence of disruptions. Conclusions: Suppliers should be switched depending on the scale of disruption; when many distant suppliers need to be switched, the factory should be relocated to the country where these suppliers are located. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Supply Chain Challenges under COVID-19)
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18 pages, 962 KiB  
Article
Supply Chain Resilience Roadmaps for Major Disruptions
by Jessica Olivares-Aguila and Alejandro Vital-Soto
Logistics 2021, 5(4), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics5040078 - 4 Nov 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 7218
Abstract
Background: Unexpected events or major supply chain disruptions have demonstrated the vulnerability in which supply chains operate. While supply chains are usually prepared for operational disruptions, unexpected or black swan events are widely disregarded, as there is no reliable way to forecast them. [...] Read more.
Background: Unexpected events or major supply chain disruptions have demonstrated the vulnerability in which supply chains operate. While supply chains are usually prepared for operational disruptions, unexpected or black swan events are widely disregarded, as there is no reliable way to forecast them. However, this kind of event could rapidly and seriously deteriorate supply chain performance, and ignoring that possibility could lead to devastating consequences. Methods: In this paper, definitions of major disruptions and the methods to cope with them are studied. Additionally, a methodology to develop supply chain resilience roadmaps is conceptualised by analysing existing literature to help plan for unexpected events. Results: The methodology is introduced to create roadmaps comprises several stages, including supply chain exploration, scenario planning, system analysis, definition of strategies, and signal monitoring. Each roadmap contains the description of a plausible future in terms of supply chain disruptions and the strategies to implement to help mitigate negative impacts. Conclusions: The creation of roadmaps calls for an anticipatory mindset from all members along the supply chain. The roadmaps development establishes the foundations for a holistic supply chain disruption preparation and analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Supply Chain Challenges under COVID-19)
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18 pages, 2446 KiB  
Article
Exploring Progress with Supply Chain Risk Management during the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Remko van Hoek
Logistics 2021, 5(4), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics5040070 - 7 Oct 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5997
Abstract
Background: In response to calls for actionable research that considers ongoing pandemic risk dynamics, we explore how risks experienced and risk mitigation techniques used have changed during the first year of the pandemic. Methods: We used a survey and studied six cases; data [...] Read more.
Background: In response to calls for actionable research that considers ongoing pandemic risk dynamics, we explore how risks experienced and risk mitigation techniques used have changed during the first year of the pandemic. Methods: We used a survey and studied six cases; data were collected both at the start of the pandemic and one year into the pandemic. This paper offers the first empirical exploration of the first full year of the pandemic and provides data points from both early and one year into the pandemic. Results: Our findings indicate that not only are pandemic risks far from mitigated, several types of risks have also increased in severity. Multifaceted and multidirectional approaches have been adopted, going well beyond demand and supply risks (the risks most widely considered in the literature) and much more work remains for supply chain managers to mitigate risks and improve supply chain resilience. Conclusions: We find that in addition to the risk management techniques, considering behavioral aspects is key for navigating a pathway towards risk mitigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Supply Chain Challenges under COVID-19)
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15 pages, 1875 KiB  
Article
Model for Evaluating Outsourcing Logistics Companies in the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Cheng-An Tsai, Tien-Hwa Ho, Jyh-Shyan Lin, Chien-Chih Tu and Che-Wei Chang
Logistics 2021, 5(3), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics5030064 - 14 Sep 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5653
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the world’s manufacturing industry, particularly in terms of the continued increase in logistics costs that has led to an increase in business operating costs. This study proposes a two-stage model for evaluating the most appropriate outsourcing logistics [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the world’s manufacturing industry, particularly in terms of the continued increase in logistics costs that has led to an increase in business operating costs. This study proposes a two-stage model for evaluating the most appropriate outsourcing logistics companies for a manufacturing factory. In the first stage, a modified Delphi method was used to recruit experienced experts to determine criteria for evaluating outsourcing logistics vendors and establish a hierarchical structure. In the second stage, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to evaluate suitable logistics companies based on the hierarchical structure. Finally, a case study was conducted to demonstrate the suitability of the two-stage model for evaluating outsourcing logistics companies for reducing logistics costs while maintaining service quality. The proposed model can be used as a basis for evaluating outsourcing logistics companies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Supply Chain Challenges under COVID-19)
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16 pages, 316 KiB  
Article
Disorders, Vulnerabilities and Resilience in the Supply Chain in Pandemic Times
by Catarina Ferreira, Catarina Cardoso, Mariana Travassos, Mariana Paiva, Micaela Pestana, João M. Lopes and Márcio Oliveira
Logistics 2021, 5(3), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics5030048 - 5 Jul 2021
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 8656
Abstract
The economic and social environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional pressure on supply chains because they now have more pressure to develop and adapt to a context of economic constraint. Delays in the supply chain can bring consequences such as [...] Read more.
The economic and social environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional pressure on supply chains because they now have more pressure to develop and adapt to a context of economic constraint. Delays in the supply chain can bring consequences such as the lack of food products by retailers, transporters and manufacturers. Thus, this study aims to examine the supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic in small- and medium-sized food companies in the central region of Portugal, identifying potential problems and pointing out the respective solutions. For this purpose, the study uses a qualitative methodology through semi-structured interviews. It was found that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not have a codified supply chain and that generally, these companies have a minimal budget, which requires a constant search for new suppliers that represent a reduction in costs. Moreover, most of the companies surveyed faced unexpected challenges, such as a lack of alternative suppliers. The present paper is original because it studies the supply chain in SMEs in the food sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it allows the ascertainment of practical suggestions for these companies to improve, as well as contributing to the clarification of the literature on the supply chain in times of crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Supply Chain Challenges under COVID-19)
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