Achieving Sustainability in Supply Chain during Disruption Times: Role of Industry 4.0

Designed and executed a qualitative survey study with 200+ automotive supply chain experts, employing fuzzy-set AHP and ISM-MICMAC analysis to rank Industry 4.0 technologies and green supply chain practices.

Published in Advances in Data-Driven Computing and Intelligent Systems (Springer), 2024

Overview

This research investigates the critical intersection of Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainable supply chain management in the automotive sector, particularly relevant during disruption periods like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Methodology

Survey Design & Data Collection

  • Designed and executed a qualitative survey study with 200+ automotive supply chain experts across India
  • Employed fuzzy-set Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to rank 5 Industry 4.0 technologies and 6 green supply chain practices
  • Achieved consistency ratios below 0.10 threshold, validating expert judgment reliability across all matrices

Analytical Framework

  • Developed a hierarchical Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) framework integrating MICMAC analysis
  • Mapped causal relationships between digital technologies (IoT, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing) and sustainable practices
  • Identified government regulation and top management commitment as key drivers with highest driving power (score of 9 out of 9)

Key Findings

  1. Technology Ranking: IoT, Big Data Analytics, and Cloud Computing emerged as critical linkage factors with driving power 7, dependence power 7

  2. Sustainable Practices: Established quantitative linkage between Industry 4.0 adoption and green supply chain performance through three-level hierarchical structure

  3. Driver Analysis: Government regulations and top management commitment identified as fundamental drivers enabling effective supplier-customer collaboration and circular economy practices

Impact & Implications

This research provides actionable insights for:

  • Industry practitioners seeking to integrate digital technologies with sustainability goals
  • Policymakers developing regulations for sustainable supply chain practices
  • Researchers investigating the intersection of Industry 4.0 and environmental sustainability

Access Full Publication

Recommended citation: Shrivastava, N., et al. (2024). "Achieving Sustainability in Supply Chain during Disruption Times: Role of Industry 4.0." Advances in Data-Driven Computing and Intelligent Systems. Springer.
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