Centre for Intelligent Supply Chains

Supply chain sustainability

Supply chain sustainability offers a holistic view of supply chain operations and processes that have continuous accountability for risk and negative impacts on the environmental, social, economic and legal aspects of a supply chain's components.

Main topics:

• green supply chain management
• three-R principle (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle)
• reverse logistics

Disruptive technologies and supply chain transformation

The application of Industry 4. 0 facilitates digitalisation and improvements in logistics and supply chains, mitigating supply chain risks, enhancing operation efficiency and effectiveness, enhancing supply chain resilience and responsiveness, maintaining market share and entering new markets.

Main topics:

• technology innovation and application, including internet of things, drones, robotics and automation, automation and augmented/virtual reality
• technology driven supply chain innovation

Big Data analytics and machine learning in supply chain

Big Data analytics is an all-encompassing term for techniques to analyse Big Data characterised by high volume, velocity, variety and veracity. Machine learning is an application of artificial intelligence (AI) for data analysis, based on the idea that systems automatically learn from data, identify patterns and make decisions with minimal human intervention. Big data analytics and predictive analysis using machine learning can improve supply chain performance by improving visibility, resilience, responsiveness, and robustness.

Main topics:

• machine learning
• text mining
• data mining
• Big Data analytics
• time series forecasting
• predictive analysis

Operational research in supply chain management

Operational research (OR) uses advanced analytical methods and scientific approach to determine the best solution to the problem and help make better decisions.

Main topics:

• supply chain network design
• multi-echelon inventory optimisation
• supplier selection
• port management (container loading and discharging)
• production planning and scheduling

Process improvement in supply chain

Process improvement includes being able to use key data more thoroughly by employing business intelligence tools, and developing integrated processes to improve performance by reducing lead time and increasing velocity. The centre has strong expertise and interest in automobile and aerospace products manufacturing.

Main topics:

• better service capabilities
• lean and agile supply chain
• Six Sigma
• innovation and improvement in supply chains

Primary researchers

Name and expertise:

• Prof Manoj Dora: circular economy, food supply chain, project and media
• Tom Stacey: automotive supply chains, quality management
• Dr Helen Benton: supply chain sustainability, circular economy
• Mark Bentley: supply chain management
• Maren Schnieder: big data, last mile
• Hassiba Fadli: circular economy
• Obehi Sule: sustainability, responsible research, innovation
• Brendon Shaw: digital supply chains and sustainability
• Prof Lynn Martin: entrepreneurship and innovation
• Nasrin Asgari: circular economy, supply chain sustainability
• Ying Wang: sustainable finance, innovation, supply chain finance
• Dr Antonio Sanchez-Vazquez: sustainability, circular economy, technology adoption
• Dr Jihee Kim: humanitarian and disaster relief supply chain
• Dr Nektarios Tzempelikos: B2B marketing

PhD researchers

• Mohammad Al-Junidi: Potential determinants of productivity in the Jordanian industrial shareholding companies including the impact of the Arab spring crisis
• YaHui Chen: Big Data analytics in manufacturing supply chain management: multiple case studies
• Ioannis Dermitzakis: Supply chain risk management frameworks in food and drink SMEs
• Hassiba Fadli: Evaluating the impact of designed thinking education for sustainability on business students in the UK
• Manali Surati: Revolutionising supply chain management with Big Data business analytics in the UK