Paving the Way for Circular Supply Chains: Conceptualization of a Circular Supply Chain Maturity Framework

The European Green Deal aims to make Europe climate neutral by 2050. According to this ambitious plan, 50% of greenhouse gas emissions are to be saved through a wide implementation of a circular economy. With supply chains responsible for four-fifths of greenhouse gas emissions, their role in the transition from linearity to a circular economy, and thus in the successful implementation of circular systems, is critical and requires the attention of academia, policymakers, and practitioners. Maturity models are suitable for monitoring, assessing, and evaluating the transformation process and determining the status quo of a supply chain. However, as the implementation of circular supply chains is still in its infancy, circular maturity frameworks at the supply chain level are not available yet. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to conceptualize a framework for analyzing the maturity level of circular economy adoption in the supply chain context. From an extensive and systematic literature review of overall 1,372 articles on supply chains, circular economy and maturity the following findings can be drawn: (i) circular economy and circular supply chains are massively growing research streams; (ii) the link between circular economy, supply chains and maturity assessment is so far missing; (iii) three constructs (organization, products, processes) characterize and influence circular supply chain maturity; (iv) a 3-layered maturity grid covering six archetypal elements of the circular economy enables the assessment of a circular supply chain maturity. The developed circular supply chain maturity framework paves the way for circular economy adoption at supply chain level by understanding current level of circular maturity and thus supporting the circular economy implementation process at supply chain level.

Southern African Regional Value Chains and Integration

Despite the changing face of global trade towards greater ‘south-south’ trade, the development of regional value chains (RVCs) and the record of intra-regional trade and integration in Southern Africa has been poor. This chapter unpacks the nuances that affect participation, investment, and upgrading in RVCs in Southern Africa, drawing lessons from selected agro-processing and food retail value chains. The lack of a clear regional development vision is evident in how these value chains have developed in practice, with limited value-addition outside South Africa, even where there is potential for it. Regional integration in Southern Africa has been fairly weak against stated targets, and the development of RVCs can push forward the regional integration agenda. This requires tailored and coordinated investments across public and private sectors, and targeted policy interventions at a value chain level, with an appreciation of political economy dynamics and the role that South African firms with market power play in shaping value-chain outcomes in the region.

A Transient Microsphere Model for Nonlinear Viscoelasticity in Dynamic Polymer Networks

Viscoelastic material behavior in polymer systems largely arises from dynamic topological rearrangement at the network level. In this paper, we present a physically motivated microsphere formulation for modeling the mechanics of transient polymer networks. By following the directional statistics of chain alignment and local chain stretch, the transient microsphere model (TMM) is fully anisotropic and micro-mechanically based. Network evolution is tracked throughout deformation using a Fokker–Planck equation that incorporates the effects of bond creation and deletion at rates that are sensitive to the chain-level environment. Using published data, we demonstrate the model to capture various material responses observed in physical polymers.

Assessing the importance of transformational leadership competencies and supply chain learning to green innovation: construction practitioners’ perspectives

Purpose This study aims to assess the importance of transformational leadership competencies, as well as supply chain learning, to green innovation in construction at the supply chain level. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey is conducted to collect data from construction firms in Vietnam. Many statistical analysis methods – including the Shapiro-Wilk test, one-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test – are performed to achieve the research objectives. Findings The results indicate that the importance of most transformational leadership competencies is similarly perceived among different role groups (i.e. directors/deputy directors, project managers, consultants, quantity surveyors and designers). Research limitations/implications This study enriches the understanding of leadership research in construction at the supply chain level and also develops a theoretical framework for theory testing research, where the relationships of transformational leadership competencies and supply chain learning with green innovation are highlighted. Originality/value Research on leadership in the green supply chain context is still limited, especially in the construction industry. Thus, this study is conducted to fill this gap of research.

The role of performance measurement in assessing the contribution of circular economy to the sustainability of a wine value chain

PurposeThis study aims to ascertain the extent to which a cooperative controlling a wine supply chain implements a performance measurement system (PMS) that monitors the effects of a circular economy (CE) strategy, developed through partnerships, on the economic and environmental sustainability of the value chain.Design/methodology/approachThe study analyzes the characteristics of the closed-loop business model and uses the PMS to assess the contribution of CE partnerships to the sustainability of the value chain. The case study is based on interviews conducted on the cooperative's top management and supplemented with an analysis of external reports, related documents and direct observations.FindingsThe PMS was underpinned by enterprise resource planning (ERP), through which CE indicators control for the benefits generated on behalf of the cooperative and its CE partners.Originality/valueGiven the paucity of the studies that address the performance measurement of CE at the supply chain level and its relation to sustainability, this study sheds light on the role that PMS can play in tracking the contribution of CE partnerships to the sustainability of a wine value chain operating in agro-waste valorization. Furthermore, the performance measurement of the CE strategy contributes to an assessment of the responsible production of sustainable development goals at the supply chain level.

Considering Fraud Vulnerability Associated with Credence-Based Products Such as Organic Food

Organic foods carry a premium price. They are credence-based foods, i.e., it is difficult for consumers to evaluate the premium aspects of organic food under normal use. In global supply chains, organic food is purchased on institutional trust (certification, logos, standards) rather than on relational trust. Relying on institutional trust makes consumers vulnerable to criminals who intentionally label conventional product as organic or develop sophisticated organized crime networks to defraud businesses and consumers. The aim of this research is to explore cases of organic fraud that are emergent from academic and gray literature searches to identify ways to strengthen future capabilities to counter illicit activities in a globalized food environment. Each case is considered in terms of perpetrator motivations (differentiated as economic, cultural, and behaviorally orientated drivers), the mode of operation (simple or organized), the guardians involved/absent, and the business and supply chain level vulnerabilities the cases highlight. The study finds that institutional trust is particularly vulnerable to fraud. Supply chain guardians need to recognize this vulnerability and implement effective controls to reduce the likelihood of occurrence. However, in some cases considered in the study, the guardians themselves were complicit in the illicit behavior, further increasing consumer vulnerability. Future research needs to consider how additional controls can be implemented, without increasing supply chain friction that will impact on food trade and supply, that can ensure consumers are purchasing what they believe they are paying for.