Symmetry and Asymmetry in AI-Driven Supply Chain Transformation: Trends, Innovations, and Future Directions
A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Computer".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 219
Special Issue Editors
Interests: industrial engineering; supply chain; AI in decision-making; operational excellence; sustainability
Interests: artificial creativity; creative computing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue examines how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming contemporary supply chain management, with particular attention to symmetry and asymmetry in system design, decision-making, and operational dynamics. We welcome submissions that investigate the potential of AI to balance symmetric structures for efficiency while responding to asymmetric challenges, including disruptions, inequalities, and the need for adaptations. Topics covered include AI-based predictive analytics, autonomous logistics, ethical AI governance, digital twins, sustainable supply chains, and human-AI collaboration.
The overarching challenge is to bring to the fore innovative models and frameworks that reconcile symmetric optimization with asymmetric resilience, thereby offering meaningful insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
Suggested Topics:
- Artificial intelligence-based demand forecasting and inventory control.
- Implementing AI-based supply chain management and logistics.
- AI on risk management and supply chain robustness.
- Artificial intelligence in procurement and supplier management.
- Ethical artificial intelligence and sustainable development in supply chain management.
- Impact of AI on Collaborative working for information sharing through various value chains.
- Specific technological opportunities for the use of artificial intelligence for exchanging real-time data and collaborating between supply chain partners.
- Human–machine cooperation frameworks in artificial intelligence integrated supply chain management (SCM) systems.
- Future trends: AI in SC 4.0: The construction and future.
- AI for the supply chain that is built around the customer.
We welcome theoretical and empirical research articles, case studies, and review papers addressing any of the above themes. Submissions should contribute substantial theoretical insight or empirical evidence on AI applications in SCM and/or analyse practical implications and future implementation pathways. Interdisciplinary and applied contributions, as well as theoretical advances with centralized implications for the practical domain of employment, are particularly encouraged.
Dr. Ikhlef Jebbor
Prof. Dr. Hongji Yang
Guest Editors
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. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 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
- artificial intelligence
- supply chain management
- symmetry
- asymmetry
- digital transformation
- sustainable operations
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