Application of Value Stream Mapping in E-Commerce: A Case Study on an Amazon Retailer

In recent years, the e-commerce market has grown significantly, and the online retail market has become very competitive. Online retailers strive to improve their supply chain operations to reduce costs and to improve customer satisfaction. Value stream mapping (VSM), a tool created by the lean production movement to identify and reduce errors, losses, and lead time and to improve value-added activities, has been proven to be effective in many manufacturing processes. In this study, we investigate the application of value stream mapping (VSM) in the supply chain of an e-commerce retailer on Amazon. By visualizing the entire supply chain with VSM, the waste that is produced during the delivery process from the retailer to the customer was identified. The five whys method was then applied to find the root cause of the waste. Furthermore, a scoring method was developed to evaluate and compare two different supply chain logistic models to identify a strategy for improvement. This study provides a systematic methodology to understand, evaluate, and improve the entire e-commerce supply chain process utilizing VSM. It was demonstrated that the methodology could improve supply chain management efficiency, customer satisfaction, and cost reduction.

Examining the impact of E-supply chain on service quality and customer satisfaction: a case study

Purpose The purposes of this study are to introduce the concept of service quality (SQ) in E-Supply chain management (E-SCM) and its impact on increasing customer satisfaction (CS) and provide insightful enhancements to the literature. In addition, the paper also examines the influence of SQ of E-SCM on CS in online shopping. Design/methodology/approach After a comprehensive literature review, four key factors for measuring the E-Supply chain (process control, interaction with supplier, management support and focus on customers), four key factors for measuring CS (informing customers, attention to customers’ needs, staff performance accuracy and easy access to services) and four factors for measuring the quality of identification services (assurance, accountability, tangibility and reliability) were selected. The proposed conceptual model was then presented. This model was validated by data collected through a survey of 150 respondents to identify CS, including that of customers of online websites in Iran. The sample data was analyzed using SPSS21, after which the interrelationships between the model and factors were examined based on the partial least square-structural. Model fit indices were then calculated for the data set. The proposed model was validated by using factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques. Findings The results indicated that E-SCM has a direct impact on CS. The effect of SQ was also confirmed. A positive and significant relationship was identified between E-SCM and CS, E-SCM and SQ, as well as SQ and CS (P> 0.05). Research limitations/implications The first limitation was to convince respondents to cooperate with the researchers. The second one was the lack of research-related background due to the subject being relatively new. Originality/value This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first empirical analysis on the CS assessment of SQ of E-Supply Chain in online shopping. This important link to online shopping has rarely been explored. It is expected that by filling this gap, this study will help in strengthening online shopping, which needs a change in the marketing area.

Construction of Enterprise Management Business Model Based on Internet of Things RFID Technology

This paper proposes a new tag anticollision algorithm. On the basis of the common query tree algorithm, this algorithm increases the number of query bits, so that the algorithm has a faster tag identification amount in the state of full time slots. Collision bit and total response bit are used to estimate the number of tags, and combined with the highest collision bit to determine whether it is continuous, the number of query crosses is adaptively adjusted, and a variable bit dynamic query tree tag anticollision algorithm is designed. In conjunction with the settlement environment, improvements have also been made in the status of the identified tags. The new algorithm has improved progress in reducing idle time slots and reducing search depth. Under the premise of ensuring stability, the recognition efficiency of the algorithm is improved. From the perspective of different dimensions of corporate network and marketing dynamic capabilities, based on the strength of network relationships and product development processes, it can promote value creation model innovation in business model innovation. That is, when the network partners communicate very frequently, they can provide new ideas and resources for enterprise product development and creation and then can better integrate innovation through product innovation, quality improvement, product development cycle shortening, and development advance management. Typed products and resources are put into the operation process of the industrial chain of product output to better create new products for customers and lay the foundation for realizing the innovation of corporate value creation models. Based on the network density and customer relationship process, it can promote the value proposition model innovation in the business model innovation. Enterprise business model innovation should not only pay attention to the collaborative innovation between different elements within the enterprise but also pay attention to the overall coordination mechanism of the company’s external interest network, pay attention to the different value propositions of stakeholders through the enterprise network, and cultivate the enterprise’s rapid response to market changes. Network centrality has the greatest positive impact on the supply chain process. The company develops new products, manages customer relationships across departments, and implements supply chain management across departments.

Examining the impact of E-Supply Chain on Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction: A Case Study

The purposes of this study are to introduce the concept of Service Quality (SQ) in E-Supply Chain Management (E-SCM) and its impact on increasing Customer Satisfaction (CS) and provide insightful enhancements to the literature. In addition, the paper also examines the influence of SQ of E-SCM on CS in online shopping. After a comprehensive literature review, four key factors for measuring the E-Supply Chain (Process Control, Interaction with Supplier, Management Support, and Focus on Customers), four key factors for measuring CS (Informing Customers, Attention to Customers’ Needs, Staff Performance Accuracy, and Easy Access to Services), and four factors for measuring the quality of identification services (Assurance, Accountability, Tangibility and Reliability) were selected. The proposed conceptual model was then presented. This model was validated by data collected through a survey of 150 respondents in order to identify customer satisfaction, including that of customers of online websites in Iran. The sample data was analyzed using SPSS21, after which the interrelationships between the model and factors were examined based on the Partial Least Square-Structural (PLS). Model fit indices were then calculated for the dataset. The proposed model was validated using factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques. The results indicated that E-SCM has a direct impact on CS. The effect of SQ was also confirmed. A positive and significant relationship was identified between E-SCM and CS, E-SCM and SQ, as well as SQ and CS (P> 0.05). The first limitation was to convince respondents to cooperate with the researchers. The second one was the lack of research-related background due to the subject being relatively new. This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first empirical analysis on the CS assessment of SQ of E-Supply Chain in online shopping. This important link to online shopping has rarely been explored. It is expected that by filling this gap, this study will help in strengthening online shopping, which needs a change in the marketing area.

Blockchain and 6G-Based Supply Chain Management Framework for Oil and Gas Shipment

Keeping track of the oil and gas supply chain is challenging task as the route and transportation requires sophisticated security environment - both physical systems’ and IT systems’ security. Thanks to the recent advancement in IoT, specialized sensors can keep track of the required supply chain environment. With the help of blockchain, the supply chain data can be immutably saved for further sharing with stakeholders. Due to the introduction of AI as an embedded element within 6G networks, the end-to-end supply chain process can now be automated for safety, security, and efficiency purposes. By leveraging 6G, AI, blockchain, and IoT, the supply chain data during the transportation or at rest can be monitored for any changed environment during the movement of the ship through national or international routes. In this paper, we study the requirements of such intelligent and secure supply chain management system conducive to the oil and gas industry. We also show our proof-of-concept implementation and initial test results. Our obtained results show promising prospect of the current system to be deployed to safeguard the oil and gas supply chain.

Sustainable Production Enhancement of Valuable Products Via Operational Rectification

ADNOC LNG lies in the middle stream of the value chain, receiving and processing LP and HP gases from ADNOC Offshore. Supporting ADNOC Upstream's current oil production and future growth strategy while reducing its associated emissions of the process by delivering the associated gases to ADNOC LNG battery limit ADNOC LNG processes associated and non-associated gases to produce LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), Propane, Butane, Paraffinic Naphtha (P. Naphtha) and Sulfur. LNG constitutes Methane, Ethane and a little Propane and butane, with minimum constraints on GHV and density. In order to deal with market competitiveness in the context of a potentially prolonged low-price environment, ADNOC LNG has embarked on various initiatives to maximize its production by driving agility and efficiency throughout the value chain process. Delivering upon efficiency improvements, one of the contributing studies included optimizing the propane content i.e. reducing the C3 content, in LNG Propane content in LNG has been varied, within operational limits, to maximize production of propane, which is more valuable/profitable when compared to LNG, whilst maintaining minimum LNG specification. In addition, slighting higher feed gas has been processed, to maintain LNG production rate. This has been achieved without hampering the plant stability. The extensive review and analysis of the rectification units has been conducted as well as optimization in terms of temperature profiles and reflux flow rates was able to generate overall better product purification, thereby increasing production of desired and more valuable products. This study has driven the investigation of additional benefits in production enhancement and quality improvements as the market value of Propane is relatively higher than that of LNG and thus yielding greater benefits. The overall performance trial basis deduced a total added benefit equivalent to 9 MMUSD/year YTD for train 3.

Pre-Engineered Standardized Turbomachinery Solutions: A Strategic Approach to Lean Project Management

Effective project management plays a crucial role to the success of organizations via resilient execution of activities, in terms of performance and efficiency. Due to the recent market dynamics and its associated uncertainties, affecting several segments in the oil and gas (O&G) industry, utilization of innovative contracting schemes such as Front End Engineering Design (FEED) competition, and value engineered products are becoming of great importance to achieve the project's goals optimally. This paper discusses the competitiveness and strategic benefits of employing the vendor's pre-engineered and standardized turbomachinery equipment/solutions, to meet the required functionality while maintaining the highest levels of quality and safety. Several project management concepts and tools were employed, such as SWOT analysis, to discuss the benefits of supplying vendor's pre-engineered high value and long-lead turbomachinery equipment within projects, as a cost-effective solution, in place of customized products. A Requirements-to-Implementation Mapping (RIM) exercise was also carried out to benchmark the pre-engineered solutions with the industry practices while considering the packaging requirements from well-known international and national oil companies. This paper also presents success stories of implementing pre-engineered solutions that strongly contributed in improving the management of projects from engineering to operational phase. This study works in line with the recent O&G operators’ initiatives in promoting agile approach to mitigate the forces that are impacting the industry and in turn the economy, such as COVID-19 pandemic. The study analysis, employing semi-quantitative approach, revealed that the pre-engineered solution brings to customers an improved value proposition in terms of cost, delivery, quality, safety, and aftermarket support, which contributes greatly in minimizing gold plating to achieve leaner projects. Standardized equipment is also found to be effective in minimizing the risks associated with changes and therefore improving the control on project constraints as well as simplifying the purchasing management of strategic equipment. In this respect, the use of standardization and pre-engineered activities could lead to a reduction of lead time up to 30%. The reliability of the standardized equipment will also be increased due to the proven frozen designs which have been repeatedly manufactured, tested, and supplied and therefore ensures successful and seamless project close-out. The proposed approach of mixing pre-engineered commodities to customized and configurable features based on site conditions provides the proper flexibility required by O&G industry while, simultaneously, maximizing the benefits of standardization. The strategic benefits of pre-engineered turbomachinery packages in the context of project management and supply chain process is not well recognized. This study explains these benefits to increase the customer's confidence level in utilizing this approach and benefit from its values, especially during the changing dynamics of the O&G industry.

An Intelligent Shopping System based on UHF RFID

In the context of COVID-19, in order to solve the problems that customers need to spend more energy to find products in the supermarket, long checkout queue time, and cumbersome product management, optimize the shopping route of customers, accelerate the shopping process, and reduce the risk of infection; providers exceed Supplier’s sales of goods, and then timely and purposeful selection of goods, simplifying the supply chain process between supermarkets and suppliers. This article designs a multi-terminal interactive intelligent shopping system based on UHF RFID to construct The shopping cart terminal, mobile phone APP terminal, data management system terminal, and three-terminal interactive system with RFID technology as the core are developed. The design uses the UHF RFID system to identify the information in the electronic tags of the goods, and through the navigation function, helps customers locate the desired goods, and realizes the functions of identification, information display, navigation and positioning, and settlement.

Health Risks Assessment of Heavy Metal from Consumption of Oreochromis Mossambicus and Oreochromis Niloticus in Denpasar, Bali

Introduction: Heavy metals in the environment can accumulate in organisms through the food chain process. Previous studies recorded heavy metal concentrations above threshold limits value in Badung river, which warrants monitoring adverse health outcomes due to consuming fish from this river. This research aimed to estimate the potential risk from heavy metals exposure, namely Pb, Cd, Cu, and Cr, due to fish consumption. Methods: Fish samples were limited to Oreochromis Mossambicus and Oreochromis niloticus, commonly known as tilapia. Twenty samples of composite fish muscles were collected from three fishing sites. Subsequently, the heavy metals present in the samples were quantified using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), and health risks were assessed by calculating estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) for both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks. Results and Discussion: The average concentrations of Pb in Oreochromis Mossambicus (6.35±3.21 mg/kg) and Oreochromis niloticus (6.09±3.07 mg/kg) exceed the threshold limits value for fish products, but other heavy metals remain below. The average EDI from consuming Oreochromis Mossambicus with Pb is 0.0025-0.0026 mg/kg/days; Cu is 0.0037- 0.0062 mg/kg/day; Cr is 0.0001 mg/kg/day. EDI from consuming Oreochromis niloticus with Pb is 0.0015-0.0025 mg/kg/day; and 0.00 mg/kg/day for Cu and Cr. The THQ calculation for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks showed no health risk from consuming the fish from the Badung River. Conclusion: The study concludes that the consumption of Oreochromis Mossambicus and Oreochromis niloticus from the Badung River was generally safe from potential health risks.