This book unravels the complexities of supply chain process transformation by explaining step by step, in simple terms, what are the requirements for success, right from the basics to how to implement this complicated task. The book provides insights into how to lead the transformation project and how to manage the change internally and externally. The authors' hands-on experience in the field via applied research is clearly illustrated in the case studies, which provide the reader with practical examples of the challenges and benefits of implementing a digital supply chain transformation project. This is a must-have book for all supply chain and operations professionals.Related Link(s)

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Industry 4.0, integrating digital technologies into supply chain management (SCM) presents opportunities and challenges. While Industry 4.0 promises increased efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness, its impact on sustainability within SCM remains a pressing concern. Existing literature often needs to look more into the holistic integration of Industry 4.0 technologies with sustainable practices in SCM, leaving a critical gap in understanding and implementation. This gap not only inhibits the realization of sustainable performance but also hinders firms from aligning with global sustainability agendas such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) 2030. Digital Transformation for Improved Industry and Supply Chain Performance offers a comprehensive solution by examining the integration of Industry 4.0 technology and SCM sustainability. It addresses the urgent need for firms to undergo digital transformation to achieve sustainable performance. It provides insights into how Industry 4.0 technologies can be strategically leveraged to promote sustainability in SCM operations. Through in-depth analysis of critical topics such as cybersecurity, resilience, circular economy practices, and ethical considerations, this book equips readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of Industry 4.0-enabled SCM sustainability.

Industrial revolutions have impacted both, manufacturing and service. From the steam engine to digital automated production, the industrial revolutions have conduced significant changes in operations and supply chain management (SCM) processes. Swift changes in manufacturing and service systems have led to phenomenal improvements in productivity. The fast-paced environment brings new challenges and opportunities for the companies that are associated with the adaptation to the new concepts such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Cyber Physical Systems, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, cyber security, data analytics, block chain and cloud technology. These emerging technologies facilitated and expedited the birth of Logistics 4.0. Industrial Revolution 4.0 initiatives in SCM has attracted stakeholders’ attentions due to it is ability to empower using a set of technologies together that helps to execute more efficient production and distribution systems. This initiative has been called Logistics 4.0 of the fourth Industrial Revolution in SCM due to its high potential. Connecting entities, machines, physical items and enterprise resources to each other by using sensors, devices and the internet along the supply chains are the main attributes of Logistics 4.0. IoT enables customers to make more suitable and valuable decisions due to the data-driven structure of the Industry 4.0 paradigm. Besides that, the system’s ability of gathering and analyzing information about the environment at any given time and adapting itself to the rapid changes add significant value to the SCM processes. In this peer-reviewed book, experts from all over the world, in the field present a conceptual framework for Logistics 4.0 and provide examples for usage of Industry 4.0 tools in SCM. This book is a work that will be beneficial for both practitioners and students and academicians, as it covers the theoretical framework, on the one hand, and includes examples of practice and real world.

The digital transformation is in full swing and fundamentally changes how we live, work, and communicate with each other. From retail to finance, many industries see an inflow of new technologies, disruption through innovative platform business models, and employees struggling to cope with the significant shifts occurring. This Fourth Industrial Revolution is predicted to also transform Logistics and Supply Chain Management, with delivery systems becoming automated, smart networks created everywhere, and data being collected and analyzed universally. The Digital Transformation of Logistics: Demystifying Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution provides a holistic overview of this vital subject clouded by buzz, hype, and misinformation. The book is divided into three themed-sections: Technologies such as self-driving cars or virtual reality are not only electrifying science fiction lovers anymore, but are also increasingly presented as cure-all remedies to supply chain challenges. In The Digital Transformation of Logistics: Demystifying Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the authors peel back the layers of excitement that have grown around new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Blockchain or Cloud computing, and show use cases that give a glimpse about the fascinating future we can expect. Platforms that allow businesses to centrally acquire and manage their logistics services disrupt an industry that has been relationship-based for centuries. The authors discuss smart contracts, which are one of the most exciting applications of Blockchain, Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings for freight procurement, where numerous data sources can be integrated and decision-making processes automated, and marine terminal operating systems as an integral node for shipments. In The Digital Transformation of Logistics: Demystifying Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, insights are shared into the cold chain industry where companies respond to increasing quality demands, and how European governments are innovatively responding to challenges of cross-border eCommerce. People are a vital element of the digital transformation and must be on board to drive change. The Digital Transformation of Logistics: Demystifying Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution explains how executives can create sustainable impact and how competencies can be managed in the digital age - especially for sales executives who require urgent upskilling to remain relevant. Best practices are shared for organizational culture change, drawing on studies among senior leaders from the US, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia, and for managing strategic alliances with logistics service providers to offset risks and create cross-functional, cross-company transparency. The Digital Transformation of Logistics: Demystifying Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution provides realistic insights, a ready-to-use knowledge base, and a working vocabulary about current activities and emerging trends of the Logistics industry. Intended readers are supply chain professionals working for manufacturing, trading, and freight forwarding companies as well as students and all interested parties.

Companies across different industries are launching technology-enabled (digital) business transformation programs to improve their strategic, tactical, and operational supply chain processes. The greatest challenges that they are facing include the lack of preparation and knowledge of the digital transformation life cycle and poorly addressing or neglecting the “people-related” aspects of them. Therefore, improvement initiatives have been short-lived or incomplete, and expected business benefits have not been achieved or materialized. Technology Optimization and Change Management for Successful Digital Supply Chains is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on the application of digital business transformation programs to improve strategic, tactical, and operational supply chain processes. While highlighting topics such as maturity models, predictive analysis, and communication planning, this publication explores the limited literature in the field of digital supply chain optimization and business transformation, and complements it with practical and proven tactics from the industry. This book is ideally designed for program managers, engineers, students, and practitioners seeking current research on the field’s latest best practices on digital supply chain enablement.

Digital and communication technologies, from cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoTs), big data and analytics, to artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and blockchain, are having a profound impact on individuals, organisations and society. The devastation caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that digital transformation is no longer an option but a survival necessity. In the supply chain field, technology developments require companies to rethink the way they design and manage their supply chains, in order to cope with ever-growing customer expectations and to remain competitive in the marketplace. Meanwhile mega-trends and geo-political uncertainties such as Brexit, US-China trade wars and climate change have increased the pressure for supply chains to become more agile, resilient and sustainable. This edited book aims to provide readers with deep insights into how those emerging digital technologies, if deployed effectively, will allow organisations to reach the next level of operational effectiveness, and leverage emerging digital supply chain business models to transform their traditional supply chain into a sustainable digital supply chain ecosystem. The book brings together contributions from world-leading experts in supply chain digitalisation from both academia and industry, analysing cutting-edge developments observed in industries and drawing insights from the latest research in the field, such as EU Horizon 2020 project research. The contributors deliberately shy away from more established technological developments such as supply chain planning and execution systems, cloud computing and electronic platforms/networks. They focus entirely on the latest emerging digitalisation developments instead, bringing readers up to date so that they can appreciate how these are disrupting and will disrupt the status quo of supply chains. The target audiences include academics, students (undergraduates and postgraduates) and practitioners who are interested in supply chain digitalisation and transformation.