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About

About

Ricardo Zimmermann is a senior researcher at the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC), Portugal. His qualification includes a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Management by the University of Aveiro, a Master in Management by the University of Aveiro, a Master in Business Administration by SENAI (National Service of Industrial Learning), Brazil and a BS in Management by the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil. His main research interest is the role of digital technologies on the development of sustainable and resilient supply chains. Ricardo has management experience in companies in Portugal and Brazil.

Interest
Topics
Details

Details

  • Name

    Ricardo Augusto Zimmermann
  • Role

    Senior Researcher
  • Since

    09th September 2019
005
Publications

2024

The Impact of the Fit Between Supply and Demand Uncertainty and Supply Chain Responsiveness on the Performance of Portuguese Companies

Authors
Zimmermann R.; Ferreira L.M.D.F.; Moreira A.C.;

Publication
Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering

Abstract
This paper analyses how the harmonization between supply and demand uncertainty and supply chain responsiveness (SC fit) impacts business performance. The study analyses data obtained from a sample of 179 manufacturing companies from Portugal. The business performance of companies with different types of SC fit (high-high fit and low-low fit) and misfit (positive and negative) were analyzed and discussed. The results indicate that SC fit is positively related to business performance, economic and productivity, and commercial performance separately. This study advances the literature as the results indicate that SC fit positively affects both commercial and economic, and productivity performance. In contrast, previous empirical studies have mainly addressed the impact only on financial and operational performance.

2024

The moderator effect of balance of power on the relationships between the adoption of digital technologies in supply chain management processes and innovation performance in SMEs

Authors
Zimmermann, R; Soares, A; Roca, JB;

Publication
INDUSTRIAL MARKETING MANAGEMENT

Abstract
Managing supply chain (SC) relationships to deal with challenges posed by contemporary social and business environments is a difficult task that can be facilitated with the use of digital technologies. The growing complexity of supply chains, characterized by over-dependencies on geographically dispersed partners across different regions, increases risks related to managing these relationships and highlights the importance of collaboration and balancing the power dynamics between SC partners. Previous studies have shown that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can be considered the weakest link in terms of digitization and balance of power. This article aims to analyse how buyer-seller power relations moderate the relationship between the adoption of digital technologies in supply chain management (SCM) processes and innovation performance in the context of SMEs. Data were collected from manufacturing SMEs operating in Portugal. The results support the assumption that the use of digital technologies in processes related to SCM has a positive effect on SMEs innovation performance. The results also suggest that non-mediated power and reward-mediated positively moderate the relationship between the adoption of digital technologies and innovation performance, while the impact of coercive-mediated power was not confirmed. The article contributes to theory and practice by advancing the literature and guiding managers in the challenging task of carrying out digital transformation initiatives, considering their relationship with the power dynamics in the complex context of SMEs.

2024

The role of consumers in the adoption of R-strategies: A review and research agenda

Authors
Zimmermann, R; Inês, A; Dalmarco, G; Moreira, AC;

Publication
CLEANER AND RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION

Abstract
The circular economy is increasingly being considered as a potential model to replace the prevailing end-of-life approach by establishing a closed-loop flow. The importance of different supply chain (SC) actors in this process has been recognized as a critical aspect of the development of sustainable production-consumption models. Consumers play a crucial role in this context, as they have a dual function: ensuring the correct disposal of used products; and consuming products from circular sources. However, the different roles consumers play (refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose, recycle, recover) in circular SCs are still unclear. Through a systematic literature review, this paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of the influence of consumers on the adoption of circular supply chain (CSC) practices and to identify the main drivers and barriers regarding the adoption of circular practices. The results demonstrate that the topic is recent and has gained ground in the literature. An in-depth qualitative analysis was carried out with the 74 papers identified and shows that the most commonly addressed R-strategies are reuse, recycle and repair. The main motivations and challenges towards a greater adoption of circular practices are related to (or lack of) environmental beliefs and financial benefits.

2024

Integrating AI in Supply Chain Management: Using a Socio-Technical Chart to Navigate Unknown Transformations

Authors
Soares, AL; Gomes, J; Zimmermann, R; Rhodes, D; Dorner, V;

Publication
NAVIGATING UNPREDICTABILITY: COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS IN NON-LINEAR WORLDS, PRO-VE 2024, PT I

Abstract
For decades, the collaborative networks community has studied supply chains, focusing on trust, visibility, collaboration, and innovation, with emergent technologies being a key area of research. The rise of digital technologies has led to extensive studies on supply chain digital transformation. With the surge of AI-based technologies, there is an increasing body of research on AI's human and social impact on Supply Chain Management (SCM). However, while Socio-Technical Systems (STS) thinking has been applied to digital transformations, it has not yet addressed AI-induced changes in supply chains. This paper synthesises recent research on AI integration in SCM and the use of STS thinking in AI systems design. We propose a mapping approach for profiling AI-induced supply chain transformations for strategic design. We also present the Supply Chain Socio-Technical AI (SC-STAI) profiling tool in practice, demonstrating how it maps supply chain participants' current and desired states regarding AI integration.

2023

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Affected Digital Transformation and Its Relationship to Supply Chain Resilience

Authors
Zimmermann, R; Senna, P; Cardoso, D;

Publication
COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS IN DIGITALIZATION AND SOCIETY 5.0, PRO-VE 2023

Abstract
Digital transformation creates a number of barriers that need to be surpassed by companies from the technological and organizational points of view. Concurrently, the complexity and nature of current market environments often demand new products, services, processes and business models, oftentimes supported by digital technologies. The objective of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding on the impact of a severe global crisis on the digital technologies' adoption process (and their associate drivers and barriers), with a special look on the strategies adopted by companies in terms of supply chain resilience. Specificities of the Portuguese industry are discussed through the analysis of five case studies.

Supervised
thesis

2023

How do Technologies contribute to the Development of more Sustainable and Resilient Supply Chains — A Textile Sector perspective

Author
Pedro Guedes

Institution
INESCTEC

2023

Stylish, sustainable and resilient – a circular supply chain perspective for the fashion industry

Author
Sara Maria Teixeira Ribeiro

Institution
INESCTEC

2023

Towards Circular Supply Chains in the Plastic and Packaging Industry: the role of technologies

Author
Joana Sofia Sarmento Ferreira

Institution
INESCTEC

2021

Drivers and barriers for implementing the digital transformation in the Portuguese industry

Author
Diana Raquel Moreira Cardoso

Institution
INESCTEC

2021

The moderator effect of information sharing on the relationship between digital technologies adoption and innovation performance

Author
Cláudia Monteiro

Institution
INESCTEC