Advancing Sustainability and Efficiency in Supply Chains: Insights from the Special Issue on Sustainable Supply Chain and Lean Manufacturing
1
Division of Engineering Logistics, Lund University, 22 363 Lund, Sweden
2
Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Centre, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
3
Department of Operations and Supply Chain Management, Indian Institute of Management-Mumbai, Mumbai 400087, India
4
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amity School of Engineering and Technology, Amity University, Noida 201313, India
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14990; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014990
Submission received: 13 October 2023
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Accepted: 16 October 2023
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Published: 18 October 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Supply Chain and Lean Manufacturing)
Supply chains play a pivotal role in our global economy, connecting producers to consumers and influencing the environmental and social impacts of the products we consume. As we navigate the challenges of the 21st century, the need to transform supply chains into more sustainable, efficient, and transparent systems has never been more pressing. The Special Issue on Sustainable Supply Chain and Lean Manufacturing sought to address these pressing issues and provide valuable insights into how Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and lean methodologies can lead the way.
The drive towards sustainability in supply chains stems from multiple sources. Firstly, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by cutting-edge technologies, such as blockchain, IoT, and artificial intelligence, offers immense potential for enhancing efficiency and reducing waste. Secondly, consumer demands for transparency and ethical practices have pushed supply chain actors to adopt new technologies and methodologies. Lastly, global efforts, such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, have provided a clear roadmap for industries to align with global sustainability targets.
Out of the 14 papers received for this Special Issue, only 6 were selected for publication. Each of these papers addresses critical aspects of sustainable supply chains and lean manufacturing, contributing valuable insights to the ongoing discourse in this field.
- Consumer Acceptance of Alternative Proteins: In a world facing environmental and health challenges linked to conventional meat consumption, a systematic review by Siddiqui et al. [1] delves into the acceptance of alternative protein sources. Their findings highlight the importance of understanding consumer preferences and the various drivers influencing acceptance.
- Blockchain in Sustainable Food Supply Chains: Saha et al. [2] explore the transformative potential of blockchain technology in food supply chains. Their systematic literature review emphasizes the benefits, challenges, and applications of blockchain in achieving a triple bottom line, ultimately contributing to the pursuit of net-zero goals.
- Adoption of Industry 4.0 in Agriculture: Jain et al. [3] tackle the critical issue of technology adoption in agriculture to ensure food security and sustainability. Their research methodically selects a suitable technology acceptance model, highlighting the importance of making informed choices in technology adoption.
- IoT in Medical Waste Management: Mohamed et al. [4] investigate the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in medical waste management, demonstrating how digitalization can enhance waste monitoring and contribute to net-zero goals in healthcare settings.
- Sustainable Performance Assessment in the Dairy Industry: Kumar and Choubey [5] present a comprehensive methodology for assessing sustainable performance in the Indian dairy industry. Their study offers valuable insights into how dairy companies can align their operations with sustainable development goals.
- Barriers to Lean Accounting Implementation: Stronczek [6] addresses the challenges faced by manufacturing units in implementing lean accounting. Through a DEMATEL approach, the study uncovers the interconnectedness of these barriers and provides guidance on overcoming them.
The research presented in this Special Issue underscores the importance of technology adoption, transparency, and sustainable practices in today’s supply chains. As industries continue to grapple with complex challenges, these insights provide a roadmap for creating more resilient, efficient, and sustainable supply chains that can thrive in the face of global uncertainties.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the authors, reviewers, and contributors who made this Special Issue possible. We hope that the knowledge shared here will inspire further research and action towards a future where supply chains are not only leaner but also greener and more socially responsible.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, S.J., M.A.-S., R.R. and S.G.; writing—original draft preparation, S.J., M.A.-S., R.R. and S.G.; writing—review and editing, S.J., M.A.-S., R.R. and S.G. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Acknowledgments
The guest editors extend heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated authors for their outstanding contributions to this Special Issue. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the accomplished reviewers, who meticulously assessed the manuscripts, offering valuable insights and constructive suggestions for enhancement. A special acknowledgment is due to the esteemed editors and the exceptional MDPI team for their exemplary stewardship of this Special Issue.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
- Siddiqui, S.A.; Alvi, T.; Sameen, A.; Khan, S.; Blinov, A.V.; Nagdalian, A.A.; Mehdizadeh, M.; Adli, D.N.; Onwezen, M. Consumer Acceptance of Alternative Proteins: A Systematic Review of Current Alternative Protein Sources and Interventions Adapted to Increase Their Acceptability. Sustainability 2022, 14, 15370. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Saha, A.S.; Raut, R.D.; Yadav, V.S.; Majumdar, A. Blockchain Changing the Outlook of the Sustainable Food Supply Chain to Achieve Net Zero? Sustainability 2022, 14, 16916. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jain, M.; Soni, G.; Verma, D.; Baraiya, R.; Ramtiyal, B. Selection of Technology Acceptance Model for Adoption of Industry 4.0 Technologies in Agri-Fresh Supply Chain. Sustainability 2023, 15, 4821. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mohamed, N.H.; Khan, S.; Jagtap, S. Modernizing Medical Waste Management: Unleashing the Power of the Internet of Things (IoT). Sustainability 2023, 15, 9909. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kumar, M.; Choubey, V.K. Sustainable Performance Assessment towards Sustainable Consumption and Production: Evidence from the Indian Dairy Industry. Sustainability 2023, 15, 11555. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Stronczek, A. Barriers of Lean Accounting Implementation in Polish Enterprises: DEMATEL Approach. Sustainability 2023, 15, 12008. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
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MDPI and ACS Style
Jagtap, S.; Afy-Shararah, M.; Raut, R.; Gupta, S. Advancing Sustainability and Efficiency in Supply Chains: Insights from the Special Issue on Sustainable Supply Chain and Lean Manufacturing. Sustainability 2023, 15, 14990. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014990
AMA Style
Jagtap S, Afy-Shararah M, Raut R, Gupta S. Advancing Sustainability and Efficiency in Supply Chains: Insights from the Special Issue on Sustainable Supply Chain and Lean Manufacturing. Sustainability. 2023; 15(20):14990. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014990
Chicago/Turabian StyleJagtap, Sandeep, Mohamed Afy-Shararah, Rakesh Raut, and Sumit Gupta. 2023. "Advancing Sustainability and Efficiency in Supply Chains: Insights from the Special Issue on Sustainable Supply Chain and Lean Manufacturing" Sustainability 15, no. 20: 14990. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014990
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