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Systems
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New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management
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New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management

A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954). This special issue belongs to the section "Supply Chain Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2025 | Viewed by 9190

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elisabete Maria da Fonseca Correia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra Business School, ISCAC, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: supply chain management; marketing; business models; sustainability
Prof. Dr. Ana Cristina dos Santos Amaro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra Business School, ISCAC, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: supply chain management; logistics; process planning and operations; optimization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are experiencing great challenges across the globe. These emphasize enterprises’ exposure and systems’ vulnerabilities regarding conditions that may compromise a company’s agenda and the assurance of service levels to customers. Managers and practitioners advocate the need for system flexibility and adaptability in order to deal with diversified business risks.

Additionally, the environmental and social awareness, coupled with technological development, are changing the concept of business growth, which has guided companies for decades. Profound system reengineering and the restructuring of business processes and supply chains are emerging, particularly regarding the sustainability balance that is being placed in the top priorities of industry planning. Also, the international dimension of supply chains (SCs), as well as the complex partnership networks and the miscellaneous systems, present great challenges to the paradigm of fully integrated SCs.

New trends in sustainable operations and supply chain management are required to help managers during decision-making processes, enhancing outcomes and global efficiency.

For this reason, this Special Issue encourages research efforts that encompass a broad range of topics including, but not limited to, the sustainability dimensions of systems and business processes, and their operations, logistics, and technologies, with the aim of achieving innovative approaches to efficient and sustainable supply chains. The goal is to gather a set of cutting-edge proposals regarding those topics, among other relevant areas, and bring together new insights concerning the systems' modeling and dynamics, especially those impacting on SC managing and planning strategies.

Dr. Elisabete Maria da Fonseca Correia
Prof. Dr. Ana Cristina dos Santos Amaro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • approaches to sustainable supply chains
  • business processes
  • circular economy and carbon footprint
  • data analytics for systems
  • decision support systems
  • energy systems and sustainability impacts;
  • enterprise business systems
  • green logistics
  • green technologies and systems
  • innovative sustainable processes
  • operations sustainability
  • optimal supply chain planning
  • process and system performance
  • sustainability goals
  • system modelling and optimization
  • systems’ sustainability
  • waste management efficienc

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1213 KiB  
Article
Supplier Selection Model Considering Sustainable and Resilience Aspects for Mining Industry
by Pablo Becerra and Javier Diaz
Systems 2025, 13(2), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13020081 - 29 Jan 2025
Viewed by 471
Abstract
Supplier selection plays a pivotal role in the mining industry, forming a key component of the supply chain management. It has been established that the integration of sustainability and resilience into this process can significantly enhance the industry’s ability to withstand economic, environmental, [...] Read more.
Supplier selection plays a pivotal role in the mining industry, forming a key component of the supply chain management. It has been established that the integration of sustainability and resilience into this process can significantly enhance the industry’s ability to withstand economic, environmental, and social shocks. Despite a large body of literature investigating supplier selection, there is a notable gap in research specifically addressing the incorporation of sustainability and resilience criteria in the mining industry. The objective of this research is to bridge this knowledge gap and contribute to the understanding of sustainable and resilient supplier selection in the mining industry. A constructive research approach was employed, identifying both practical and theoretical problems and proposing a construction—a mathematical model. This model was developed in collaboration with industry key actors, ensuring its practical applicability and validity. The main result of this research is an optimization mathematical programming model that allows practitioners to evaluate and select suppliers considering both sustainability and resilience criteria. The model facilitates a comprehensive assessment of suppliers, incorporating a wide range of factors beyond cost, including environmental impact, social responsibility, and the ability to maintain supply under various potential disruptions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management)
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31 pages, 2107 KiB  
Article
Operational Risk Assessment of Commercial Banks’ Supply Chain Finance
by Wenying Xie, Juan He, Fuyou Huang and Jun Ren
Systems 2025, 13(2), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13020076 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 287
Abstract
Supply chain finance (SCF) operations require extensive activities and a high level of information transparency, making them vulnerable to operational issues that pose significant risks of financial loss for commercial banks. Accurately assessing operational risks is crucial for ensuring market stability. This research [...] Read more.
Supply chain finance (SCF) operations require extensive activities and a high level of information transparency, making them vulnerable to operational issues that pose significant risks of financial loss for commercial banks. Accurately assessing operational risks is crucial for ensuring market stability. This research aims to provide a reliable operational risk assessment tool for commercial banks’ SCF businesses and to deeply examine the features of operational risk events. To achieve these goals, the study explores the dependency structure of risk cells and proposes a quantitative measurement framework for operational risk in SCF. The loss distribution analysis (LDA) is improved to align with the marginal loss distribution of segmented operational risks at both high and low frequencies. A tailored copula function is developed to capture the dependency structure between various risk cells, and the Monte Carlo algorithm is utilized to compute operational risk values. An empirical investigation is conducted using SCF loss data from commercial banks, creating a comprehensive database documenting over 400 entries of SCF loss events from 2012 to 2022. This database is analyzed to identify behaviors, trends, frequencies, and the severity of loss events. The results indicate that fraud risk and compliance risk are the primary sources of operational risks in SCF. The proposed approach is validated through backtesting, revealing a value at risk of CNY 179.3 million and an expected shortfall of CNY 204.9 million at the 99.9% significance level. This study pioneers the measurement of SCF operational risk, offering a comprehensive view of operational risks in SCF and providing an effective risk management tool for financial institutions and policymakers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management)
24 pages, 1588 KiB  
Article
A New Model of Emergency Supply Management for Swift Transition from Peacetime to Emergency Considering Demand Urgency and Supplier Evaluation
by Jiaqi Fang, Lvjiangnan Ye, Wenli Zhou and Lihui Xiong
Systems 2025, 13(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13010054 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 426
Abstract
In recent years, the increasing complexity of natural disasters has highlighted the limitations of existing emergency material assistance systems. To address these challenges, this study proposes a collaborative adaptation mechanism for “peacetime and emergency integration” and develops a supplier evaluation framework. The framework [...] Read more.
In recent years, the increasing complexity of natural disasters has highlighted the limitations of existing emergency material assistance systems. To address these challenges, this study proposes a collaborative adaptation mechanism for “peacetime and emergency integration” and develops a supplier evaluation framework. The framework incorporates multi-dimensional indicators such as profit, business credit, regional advantages, and emergency capability. Using a DEMATEL-ANP-based model, supplier L2 is identified as the optimal choice with a weight of 0.285. A fuzzy comprehensive assessment approach is applied to classify emergency materials based on demand urgency, identifying drinking water, rescue tools, medical supplies, and other critical items as priority resources. The evaluation vectors for these materials range from 0.1540 to 0.9909. This study enhances emergency material management through improved information systems, a better control of critical processes, and a unified assurance strategy. It provides theoretical support and practical guidance for more scientific and standardized disaster management practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management)
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19 pages, 1056 KiB  
Article
Proposal of a Correlation Model Integrating FDRM and CLSCM Practices and Performance Measures: A Case Study from the Automotive Battery Industry in Brazil
by Antonio Marco-Ferreira, Reginaldo Fidelis, Francielle Cristina Fenerich, Rafael Henrique Palma Lima, Pedro Paulo De Andrade Junior and Diogo José Horst
Systems 2025, 13(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13010050 - 15 Jan 2025
Viewed by 643
Abstract
The field of closed-loop supply chain management (CLSCM) seeks to replace the linear flow of materials and energy with a cyclical model in which the outputs of the production system become inputs to the same system, thus closing the cycle of materials and [...] Read more.
The field of closed-loop supply chain management (CLSCM) seeks to replace the linear flow of materials and energy with a cyclical model in which the outputs of the production system become inputs to the same system, thus closing the cycle of materials and energy within the supply chain. Current literature on CLSCM reports a wide variety of practices, and combining these practices with environmental performance measures is an ongoing challenge, mainly because results from these practices are often diffuse and linking them with performance results is not a straightforward task. This paper addresses this problem by proposing a model to prioritize CLSCM practices and performance measures. The correlation model integrating the fuzzy direct rating method (FDRM) and CLSCM practices and performance measures was tested in a real company that is part of a closed-loop supply chain that recycles lead obtained from automotive batteries in Brazil. The results allowed the identification of which management practices are more relevant to the organization by correlating their impact with performance measures. The most relevant practices for the company under study were demand forecasting, with 21.68% of relative importance, followed by reverse logistics practices (21.15%) and production planning and control (18.16%). Another relevant finding is that upstream performance measures account for 77.72% of the company’s CLSCM performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management)
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25 pages, 1396 KiB  
Article
Balancing E-Commerce Platform and Manufacturer Goals in Sustainable Supply Chains: The Impact of Eco-Friendly Private Labels
by Zhiheng Liu, Xiangcheng Cui and Yuanyuan Ji
Systems 2025, 13(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13010036 - 6 Jan 2025
Viewed by 563
Abstract
This paper analyzes how consumer preferences for eco-friendly private labels affect platform selling formats and manufacturer channel strategies. We construct a game-theoretic model that encompasses both an e-commerce platform and a manufacturer. In this model, the platform chooses its selling format—either wholesale or [...] Read more.
This paper analyzes how consumer preferences for eco-friendly private labels affect platform selling formats and manufacturer channel strategies. We construct a game-theoretic model that encompasses both an e-commerce platform and a manufacturer. In this model, the platform chooses its selling format—either wholesale or agency—while the manufacturer determines whether to launch an online direct channel. Our analysis takes into account consumer preferences for both product brands and sales channels. We compare and analyze the equilibrium outcomes across four different scenarios, leading to the following conclusions: (1) When the platform utilizes the wholesale selling format, the manufacturer is consistently motivated to launch the direct channel if the costs associated with it are low. Conversely, when the platform employs the agency selling format, the manufacturer’s decision to establish an online direct marketing channel depends on the relative strength of consumers’ eco-friendly and channel preferences. (2) The platform’s choice of selling format is affected by the manufacturer’s channel strategy, leading the platform to modify its selling format based on varying manufacturer channel approaches. (3) The choices of the platform’s selling format and the manufacturer’s channel strategy are not always in conflict. When consumer preferences for the manufacturer’s direct channel are strong and the cost of introducing it is moderate, the platform’s decision to adopt the agency selling format can create a win-win outcome for both the platform and the manufacturer. And the establishment of online channels by manufacturers further enhances the sustainable growth of eco-friendly products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management)
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28 pages, 1581 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Operation Mode Choices for Second-Hand Inspection Platforms
by Han Yue and Min Huang
Systems 2024, 12(12), 512; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12120512 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 707
Abstract
The sale of second-hand goods has formed a complete industrial chain, and second-hand product testing is a crucial part of it. Second-hand inspection platforms (SIPs) have achieved remarkable commercial success by providing inspection services that alleviate consumers’ quality concerns. Different SIPs typically adopt [...] Read more.
The sale of second-hand goods has formed a complete industrial chain, and second-hand product testing is a crucial part of it. Second-hand inspection platforms (SIPs) have achieved remarkable commercial success by providing inspection services that alleviate consumers’ quality concerns. Different SIPs typically adopt various operation modes, such as consignment, resale, or hybrid modes. Appropriate operation modes not only benefit SIPs in maintaining profitability but also contribute to the sustainable development of the sharing economy. In order to realize the sustainable operation of second-hand inspection platforms, we construct a platform-dominated Stackelberg model to explore the motivations behind SIPs’ choices of different operation modes and investigate the impacts of changes in the inspection service level on the platform’s optimal decisions and market performance. System data analysis results show that the cost of guarantee significantly influences SIPs’ choices of operation modes, specifically; SIPs are inclined to adopt consignment mode or resale mode when the cost of guarantee is relatively high or low, respectively, and choose hybrid mode when the cost of guarantee is moderate. Furthermore, in the presence of inter-channel competition, if the inspection failure loss is relatively high, SIPs may lower the prices of used products as the inspection service level increases. Additionally, although inspection service can disclose the true quality of used products, a higher inspection service level may attract more low-quality sellers into the market when the inspection failure loss is substantial. Finally, under the resale mode, consumer surplus and social welfare will decrease with the inspection service level. Conversely, under the consignment or hybrid mode, both consumer surplus and social welfare will increase with the inspection service level when the inspection failure loss is relatively low. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management)
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28 pages, 6286 KiB  
Article
An Evolutionary Game Analysis of China’s Power Battery Export Strategies Under Carbon Barriers
by Chunsheng Li, Xuanyu Ji, Kangye Tan, Yumeng Wu and Fang Xu
Systems 2024, 12(11), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12110482 - 12 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1193
Abstract
With the continuous evolution of international trade, the global market has been steadily expanding while also facing increasing challenges, particularly in relation to the introduction of environmental policies such as carbon barriers. Our research explores how China’s power battery manufacturers can adapt their [...] Read more.
With the continuous evolution of international trade, the global market has been steadily expanding while also facing increasing challenges, particularly in relation to the introduction of environmental policies such as carbon barriers. Our research explores how China’s power battery manufacturers can adapt their export strategies to the EU’s carbon barrier policies. Additionally, we examine the roles of government regulations, research institutions, and manufacturers in either facilitating or hindering compliance with carbon reduction objectives. Using evolutionary game theory, we construct models involving government entities, manufacturers, and research institutions to systematically analyze market evolution, strategic interactions, and outcomes among these stakeholders. Our analysis focuses on understanding the competitive dynamics faced by exporting countries under stringent environmental policies and provides strategic insights to guide export strategies. Taking the EU’s carbon barrier policy as a case study, we explore Chinese battery manufacturers’ adaptive strategies and decision-making processes as they respond to shifting market demands and regulatory environments. The findings not only offer valuable insights into exporting countries but also provide policymakers with information on international trade and industrial policy design. Furthermore, we validate our model through numerical simulations and conduct sensitivity analyses on key parameters. The results underscore the importance of governmental adoption of punitive and incentive policies, revealing their substantial impact on stakeholder behavior. Additionally, the study highlights how participants’ pre-cooperation losses and post-cooperation gains influence participation rates and the speed at which stakeholder consensus is reached. By offering a novel approach with which to address carbon barrier challenges, this research contributes valuable perspectives on environmental regulations’ strategic and policy implications in global trade. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management)
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16 pages, 855 KiB  
Article
Supply Chain Integration Capability, Intra-Cluster Co-Opetition Strategy, and Breakthrough Innovation: The Moderating Effect of Environmental Turbulence
by Jianping Wang and Senqiang Wang
Systems 2024, 12(11), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12110455 - 26 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1382
Abstract
Under the frequent occurrence of external environmental risks and in the context of breakthrough innovations driving new quality productivity, this study explores the intrinsic mechanisms by which supply chain integration affects enterprise breakthrough innovation. Grounded in supply chain integration and breakthrough innovation theories, [...] Read more.
Under the frequent occurrence of external environmental risks and in the context of breakthrough innovations driving new quality productivity, this study explores the intrinsic mechanisms by which supply chain integration affects enterprise breakthrough innovation. Grounded in supply chain integration and breakthrough innovation theories, we used statistical methods to analyze data from a sample of 209 valid enterprises. The study systematically interprets these mechanisms from the perspective of competition and examines the moderating effect of external environmental turbulence on competitive strategy. The results demonstrate that supply chain integration capability significantly and positively influences breakthrough innovation, with vertical and horizontal competing strategies acting as mediators. Additionally, environmental turbulence positively moderates the relationship between supply chain integration capability and horizontal competing strategies. The results of the study are of great theoretical and practical significance in promoting the integration of enterprises’ supply chains and enhancing their sustainable innovation capabilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management)
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25 pages, 3933 KiB  
Article
Operational Strategy Analysis of Fashion Brands to Develop Digital Assets Under the Sustainability Goals
by Yazhou Liu, Wenjie Wang and Junhua Liu
Systems 2024, 12(11), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12110449 - 25 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1007
Abstract
This paper analyzes the strategic decisions of fashion brands regarding the development of digital assets based on blockchain technology, with a focus on achieving both sustainability and profitability goals. We first consider foundational factors such as the fashion value of products, their life [...] Read more.
This paper analyzes the strategic decisions of fashion brands regarding the development of digital assets based on blockchain technology, with a focus on achieving both sustainability and profitability goals. We first consider foundational factors such as the fashion value of products, their life cycle, and environmental taxes to construct a traditional fashion system involving the government, fashion brands, and consumers. Subsequently, we introduce a blockchain model that incorporates the added value of digital assets, the cost of technology, and the proportion of fashion consumers. Both models—traditional and digital—are solved mathematically, and numerical experiments are conducted to compare and analyze the impact of developing digital assets by fashion brands. The findings suggest that leveraging digital assets to enhance the fashion value of products can increase the profitability of fashion brands while also reducing environmental pollution caused by leftover inventory. Additionally, the development of digital assets may extend the life cycle of a product, although this does not always lead to improved environmental performance, highlighting a trade-off between the two objectives. Ultimately, the development of digital assets by fashion brands can result in a win-win for both profit and environmental performance, but this outcome is contingent on the cost of blockchain technology meeting specific conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management)
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12 pages, 1397 KiB  
Article
Supply Chain Sustainability: Influencing Factors and Empirical Study from a Marxist Political Economy Perspective
by Kun Zhang, Mei He, Jimei Yang and Hanping Hou
Systems 2024, 12(9), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12090379 - 20 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1533
Abstract
Marxist political economy provides a theoretical framework for sustainable supply chains, while the implementation of sustainable supply chains embodies and deepens the practical application of Marxist principles. This paper studies supply chain sustainability from the perspective of Marxist political economy, proposing a novel [...] Read more.
Marxist political economy provides a theoretical framework for sustainable supply chains, while the implementation of sustainable supply chains embodies and deepens the practical application of Marxist principles. This paper studies supply chain sustainability from the perspective of Marxist political economy, proposing a novel analytical framework to address sustainability challenges. The primary research focuses on (1) Identifying Influencing Factors: Influencing factors of Marxist political economy and supply chain sustainability are categorized into four main areas: society and government, environment, economy, and the supply chain itself. Through classification analysis, 16 key factors influencing sustainable supply chain implementation are identified. (2) DEMATEL Analysis (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Method): Data are gathered through investigations and questionnaires to construct a direct influence matrix. Subsequently, a decision test method quantitatively analyzes the interactions among these factors, resulting in a comprehensive influence matrix and a cause–effect diagram. To enhance the overall benefits of supply chain sustainability and foster sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management)
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