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Publications

Publications by Ricardo Augusto Zimmermann

2016

The influence of supply chain on the innovation process: a systematic literature review

Authors
Zimmermann, R; Ferreira, LMDF; Moreira, AC;

Publication
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL

Abstract
Purpose - The importance of innovation as a generator of competitive advantage and the collaborative nature of this process are recurring themes in the literature. This paper aims to contribute to the improvement of knowledge about the relationship between supply chains and the innovation process by means of a systematic literature review. Methodology/approach - The method used consists of the identification, selection, analysis and synthesis of existing research on the subject and aims to ensure that the review is transparent, auditable and replicable. This paper presents the analysis of 94 papers from 37 journals and the major contributions are explored. Findings - The identification and analysis of relevant articles showed the complexity, timeliness and the wide-ranging character of the theme. The analysis of articles allowed the identification of facilitators of the innovation process, as well as five approaches applicable to supply chains to drive the innovation process. From these analyses, a model synthesising the main practices identified for improving innovation performance is presented. Research limitations/implications - When carrying out literature reviews, the selection of articles might be considered subjective. To circumvent this limitation, the papers have been assessed by three researchers. Practical implications - The results presented can be applied in the decision-making process by managers in the areas of innovation and supply chain. Originality/value - This paper synthesises knowledge involving the relationships between supply chains and the innovation process. The analysis is based on quantitative and qualitative criteria.

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.

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.

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