This research assesses the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)-based batch order picking in a warehouse, focusing on benefits, challenges, and critical success factors. Using customer order data and simulation, the study employs a quantitative approach, combining mathematical and statistical estimations with qualitative examinations centered on interviews with the warehouse staff, its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) developer, and the AI developer. The findings of this mixed-method study reveal that the AI-based order-picking system (AI-based system) has improved order-picking efficiency by reducing travel distance and time. Nevertheless, challenges hinder maximum utilization of the system. In addition, the research highlights critical success factors and other benefits of adopting the system tailored to warehouse management. Understanding the lessons learned in this research is essential for businesses seeking to adopt AI to enhance their efficiency.

Supply Chain 4.0 represents a technological transformation in the way that supply chains work, extending the application of Industry 4.0 technologies from manufacturing and other advanced technologies into upstream and downstream processes. Despite the increasing global interest in this domain, the successful transition to Supply Chain 4.0 remains limited in practice, with existing literature highlighting its fragmented and under-conceptualized status. 

Adopting a strategic management approach to supply chains, this thesis amalgamates dynamic capabilities theory with the business-technology alignment concept, drawing from the domains of Information Technology Management and Information Systems, complemented by the integration of the multi-level perspective derived from transition literature, to underpin the thesis framework. This framework is then enriched by identifying the trio of benefits, challenges, and critical factors associated with the transition to Supply Chain 4.0, thereby contributing to advancing the knowledge frontiers within the domain of Supply Chain 4.0. 

This multi-method thesis uncovers the trio at two distinct levels: the technology level and the general Supply Chain 4.0 level. Twelve technologies closely associated with Supply Chain 4.0 are identified at the technology level, and the trio is analyzed in relation to each of these technologies. At the general level, the trio is examined in relation to Supply Chain 4.0 as a holistic concept. Insights derived from both these levels significantly enrich the thesis framework, offering valuable implications for the transition to Supply Chain 4.0. 

At the technology level, the findings of this thesis unveil the trio of benefits, challenges, and critical factors in relation to the following twelve technologies: Internet of Things; artificial intelligence; cloud computing; blockchain; big data technologies; augmented reality; automation; robotics; additive manufacturing; simulation; Internet of People, and semantic technologies. At the general level, the trio of benefits, challenges and critical factors is identified as follows: benefits include supply chain transparency, enhanced decision-making, supply chain integration, and supply chain process optimization. Challenges encompass high costs, the scarcity of requisite skillsets, security and privacy concerns, infrastructure development complexities, intricacies of coordination in Supply Chain 4.0, and inherent complexities within the technologies themselves. Identification of critical factors at the general level is rooted in business-technology alignment, further divided into three alignment aspects: critical factors for Regime-to-Niche alignment, critical factors for Niche-to-Regime alignment, and critical factors for both Regime and Niche alignment. Critical factors related to Regime-to-Niche alignment involve supply chain process reengineering, data management, and management commitment. Critical factors concerning Niche-to-Regime alignment include an understanding of the Regime’s context by technological solution provider, customization of technological design and solutions, and technological maintenance. Critical factors pertinent to both Regime and Niche alignment encompass providing requisite skillsets and knowledge, financial planning and investment strategy, data  rivacy and security considerations, technological infrastructure development and interoperability, and supply chain collaboration. This thesis reveals that the Niche-Regime partnership is characterized by technological complementarity, symbiotic alignment, and finite establishments subject to change with the ever-evolving technological landscape. Ultimately, the trio is further expounded in relation to Turkey, where empirical investigations focus on Regime’s supply chains.

The exponentially growing literature on Industry 4.0 technologies and their implications for supply chains exhibits valuable insights alongside considerable fragmentation. While prior systematic literature reviews (SLRs) started to consolidate the literature, an SLR that simultaneously (a) covers several core technologies of the Industry 4.0, (b) synthesizes their positive and negative implications for supply chain performance in a broad sense, and (c) accounts for the critical success factors that foster or impede these implications is still missing. We contribute to establishing a cumulative body of knowledge by conducting such an SLR. We synthesize 221 articles published on 11 Industry 4.0 technologies between 2005 and 2021. Rather than aggregate implications, our SLR presents the benefits, challenges, and critical success factors of each core technology vis-a-vis supply chain performance individually. We integrate our findings into a framework of Industry 4.0 supply chain performance and derive promising avenues for future research. Specifically, we call for more research on (a) the challenges and critical success factors of Industry 4.0 technologies; (b) hitherto underexplored core technologies of the Industry 4.0; (c) the interaction of multiple core technologies (are they complements or substitutes?); as well as for (d) further consolidation and interdisciplinary dissemination efforts.

This study conceptually investigates the impact of quantum computers on blockchains within the supply chain context. Powerful quantum computers enable attackers to break into blockchains by rapid inverse calculations of mathematical problems that are the core of one of the main blockchain security foundations, known as asymmetric cryptography. They are also able to violate the integrity of public blockchains like bitcoin through mining acceleration. Hence, quantum computers can engender threats to the supply chain users of blockchain. On the other hand, there are ongoing efforts to create a quantum-resistant solution. One approach for such a solution is to utilize quantum tools themselves. Moreover, sufficiently powerful quantum computers are still being developed, and it is still unclear whether a quantum solution will arrive first or vice versa. The contrasting duality of quantum computers and lack of a clear picture over the timing of the arrival of a solution and threats give rise to the uncertainty that might hinder the attractiveness of blockchains for supply chains.

This study investigates a cross-cultural comparison between Germany and Norway regarding users’ self-disclosure of personal information on social network sites (SNSs). More specifically, the study considers three antecedents of privacy, namely concerns, attitudes, and intentions, and evaluates their potential effects on self-disclosure, considering Facebook as the SNS of choice. The study employs a deductive research approach and develops a conceptual model based on the theoretical analysis. Data is collected via an online survey of users in Germany and Norway. The results show that privacy intention is the only antecedent that has a significant direct influence on users' self-disclosure of information. By contrast, neither privacy concerns nor privacy attitude have a statistically significant influence on self-disclosure. Additionally, there are statistically significant differences between the German and Norwegian samples in privacy concepts and reported self-disclosure. The results support the creation of more transparent privacy policies by SNS providers to improve targeted marketing.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of enterprise systems (ESs), in particular radio frequency identification (RFID) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, on supply chain management (SCM). The results of this conceptual paper demonstrate that ERP and RFID systems contribute to SCM by improving supply chain integration. Supply chain integration occurs to facilitate the flow of financing, products, and information throughout the chain. In this regard, ERP and RFID contribute to integration by enhancing the information flow across the supply chain. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposes a conceptual model developed from the findings of literature review within the research domains of SCM, ESs, and supply chain integration. Findings This conceptual study contributes to the existing theory by linking the concept of information technology, ESs to SCM. The conceptual model in this paper may provide insights for executives who wish to implement ERP or RFID systems in their businesses in order to achieve higher integration, both within internal sectors and also with supply chain partners. Originality/value The findings in this study contribute to the theory base by linking the concept of information technologies, ESs to SCM. The conceptual model presented in this paper can provide insights for executives who wish to implement ERP or RFID systems in their businesses in order to achieve higher integration within internal sectors and with supply chain partners. This study offers new understandings by investigating the impact of ERP and RFID together on SCM.

Researches on the supply chain management within the last decade demonstrate that business processes integration can increase the performance effectiveness and efficiency across the chain. This study intends to investigate the integration of the supplier relationship management (SRM) process between the manufacturer and its first upstream tier of suppliers within the construction equipment industry. This research also strives to identify the potential obstacles to the SRM integration and provides solution suggestions to overcome these barriers. In this regard, the review of the literature and subsequent analyses of the empirical findings from European construction equipment manufacturers illustrate that the SRM process integration can take place through the integration of its several sub-processes into strategic and operational characteristics. In this context, the lack of goal congruence, commitment, and trust between the manufacturer and its supplier are the major potential barriers to the SRM integration.