Contributions of Operations Management to Supply Chain Sustainability: Industrial Applications
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Management".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 114
Special Issue Editors
2. Algoritmi Research Centre, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: applications of lean production and operations management; operations management; supply chain management; logistics
2. MEtRICs—Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: applications of lean production and operations management; logistics; industrial cost analysis; energy conversion and management; optimization of renewable systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
2. Algoritmi Research Centre, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: lean thinking; design and operation of production systems; engineering education; active learning methodologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Operations management plays a critical role in enhancing supply chain sustainability, particularly in industrial applications. Operations management also focuses on reducing waste and increasing the efficiency of resources such as materials, energy, and the work force. In industrial contexts, the application of lean principles, just-in-time (JIT) production and continuous improvement, increase productivity and product quality and reduce costs by eliminating waste. This consequently improves sustainability by reducing overproduction, excess inventories, and unnecessary resource use. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome and research areas may include, but are not limited to:
- Resilience to Supply Chain Disruptions: sustainable supply chain management and operations management practices make industries more resilient to disruptions such as resource lack, climate change impacts, and geopolitical tensions;
- Cost Savings: Sustainable supply chains often lead to cost reductions by reducing waste and improving the efficiency of logistics. In operations management, sustainable practices like lean manufacturing can lower production costs and enhance profitability;
- Innovation and Technology: new technologies that improve efficiency, such as automation, smart logistics, and digital manufacturing techniques accelerate innovation and industrial development by fostering new markets and products;
- Risk Mitigation: Sustainability in sustainable supply chain management reduces the risks associated with resource scarcity, regulatory penalties, and volatile material prices by promoting long-term supplier relationships. In operations management, it helps mitigate risks related to operational disruptions and resource shortages;
- Waste Reduction and Integration of Economic Circularity: Sustainable operations emphasize reducing, reusing, and recycling materials. This is evident in industries that adopt lean manufacturing and green logistics, where materials and energy are efficiently used, waste is minimized, and by-products are repurposed. This contributes to reductions in resource extraction while fostering industrial innovation.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Ângela M.E. Silva
Dr. Ana Cristina Ferreira
Dr. Anabela Carvalho Alves
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- sustainable development goals
- resilience of supply chain management
- supply chain disruption issues
- cost savings
- innovation and technology
- risk assessment and risk mitigation
- waste reduction
- integration of economic circularity
- Industry 4.0
- green and sustainable supply chain management
- data science in supply chain management
- decision-making models
- lean–green
- lean supply chains
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