Towards a Supply Chain 4.0 on the post-COVID-19 pandemic: a conceptual and strategic discussion for more resilient supply chains

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to present a grounded and strategic discussion regarding Supply Chain 4.0 as a management system orientation for the post-COVID-19 period as well as propose some research directions thereof. Design/methodology/approach For the development of this paper, some theoretical insights were provided based on the literature related to Supply Chain and Industry 4.0. A discussion regarding the constructs of Supply Chain 4.0 on the context of the post-COVID-19 outbreak is developed as well. Findings The discussion, herein, shows that the disruptive technologies might play a crucial role to become supply chains more responsive and resilient to sudden events such as COVID-19. Then a Supply Chain 4.0 is a transformational strategic orientation to be considered on the aspect of supply chain management for the post-pandemic period. Some research questions are proposed at the end of this paper with the aim to further address this subject. Research limitations/implications This paper provides timely insights for researchers and practitioners which might imply on the further research deployments and practical applications although it demands future empirical studies to validate the propositions herein presented. Practical implications Practitioners can be benefited from this paper on having new insights and a strategic direction on regards supply chain management for the post-pandemic period with focus on a technology-driven strategy for supply chains. Originality/value This paper is unique because it brings an unexplored relationship between Supply Chain 4.0 and COVID-19 pandemic. It also significantly contributes to new directions and views for the supply chain management field from these challenging and difficult times of coronavirus global outbreak.

Digital innovation and Industry 4.0 for global value chain resilience: Lessons learned and ways forward

“…The benefits and opportunities for large and multinational enterprises in GVCs can be very promising (Strange & Zucchella, 2017). Particularly, in the case of Covid‐19, the integration between IoT, robotics, and additive manufacturing could create a highly resilient supply chain that is supported by drastically improved efficiency in decision‐making on what and when to produce as well as where to deliver (Frederico, 2020). For example, the combined effort of integrating additive manufacturing with robotics has enabled some MNEs to respond to the new set of demands on mask and ventilator production.…”

“…In the case of a food GVC, on the demand side AI can use the amount of data available in the cloud platforms of the regions (in the case of smart cities, hyper‐connectivity becomes useful) where a virus hits, identify connections and patterns across real‐time situations in the region and demand for its products, and predict the level of consumption according to the development curve of the virus and local lockdown policies. On the supply side, business analytics and AI can connect the demand prediction to the upstream value chain and execute automatic purchase orders and production, all with the deployment of IoT and robotics (Frederico, 2020). Thus, the more extensive adoption of these advancing digital technologies across GVCs, particularly in key industries such as medical equipment and food, can generate value during global shocks such as Covid‐19.…”

The implications of Industry 4.0 on supply chains amid the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review

“…Supply chains in various industries have been under tremendous pressure to avoid considerable disruptions in their operations. 3 COVID-19 has also affected every member of the supply chain process. 56,58 The failure of many nations and businesses to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic is attributable to their supply chains and their inability to deliver products and services.…”

“…64 These distractions have generated numerous lessons in understanding supply chain management, advising both researchers and practitioners to reconsider how supply chain strategies should address new disruptive threats. 3 In this regard, the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in supply chain management and their revival during COVID-19 is explored in this article. Industry 4.0 fosters decentralized manufacturing systems enabled by technological innovations.…”

“…71 Furthermore, existing literature lacks a comprehensive review on the role of new technologies in enabling supply chains, especially in emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. 3,58 Therefore, Chowdhury, Paul, Kaisar and Moktadir 58 and Frederico 3 suggested looking into the role of emerging technologies of Industry 4.0 in regulating the effects of COVID-19. The current study has conducted a systematic literature review to close this gap.…”