Tsolakis Naoum, Schumacher Roman, Dora Manoj, Kumar Mukesh
Centre for International Manufacturing, Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), Department of Engineering, School of Technology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FS UK.
Department of Supply Chain Management, School of Economics and Business Administration, International Hellenic University, 570 01 Thermi, Greece.
Ann Oper Res. 2022 Jun 21:1-54. doi: 10.1007/s10479-022-04785-2.
Digitalisation is expected to transform end-to-end supply chain operations by leveraging the technical capabilities of advanced technology applications. Notwithstanding the operations-wise merits associated with the implementation of digital technologies, individually, their combined effect has been overlooked owing to limited real-world evidence. In this regard, this research explores the joint implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain Technology (BCT) in supply chains for extending operations performance boundaries and fostering sustainable development and data monetisation. Specifically, this study empirically studied the tuna fish supply chain in Thailand to identify respective end-to-end operations, observe material and data-handling processes, and envision the implementation of AI and BCT. Therefore, we first mapped the business processes and the system-level interactions to understand the governing material, data, and information flows that could be facilitated through the combined implementation of AI and BCT in the respective supply chain. The mapping results illustrate the central role of AI and BCT in digital supply chains' management, while the associated sustainability and data monetisation impact depends on the parameters and objectives set by the involved system stakeholders. Afterwards, we proposed a unified framework that captures the key data elements that need to be digitally handled in AI and BCT enabled food supply chains for driving value delivery. Overall, the empirically-driven modelling approach is anticipated to support academics and practitioners' decision-making in studying and introducing digital interventions toward sustainability and data monetisation.
数字化有望通过利用先进技术应用的技术能力来转变端到端的供应链运营。尽管数字化技术的实施在运营方面具有诸多优点，但就单个技术而言，由于实际证据有限，它们的综合效果一直被忽视。在这方面，本研究探讨了人工智能（AI）和区块链技术（BCT）在供应链中的联合实施，以拓展运营绩效边界，促进可持续发展和数据货币化。具体而言，本研究对泰国金枪鱼供应链进行了实证研究，以确定各自的端到端运营，观察物资和数据处理流程，并设想人工智能和区块链技术的实施。因此，我们首先绘制了业务流程和系统级交互图，以了解通过在各自供应链中联合实施人工智能和区块链技术可以促进的物资、数据和信息流。映射结果说明了人工智能和区块链技术在数字供应链管理中的核心作用，而相关的可持续性和数据货币化影响则取决于相关系统利益相关者设定的参数和目标。之后，我们提出了一个统一框架，该框架涵盖了在支持人工智能和区块链技术的食品供应链中需要进行数字处理的关键数据元素，以推动价值交付。总体而言，预计这种基于实证的建模方法将支持学者和从业者在研究和引入数字干预以实现可持续性和数据货币化方面的决策。
