California State University, Bakersfield

Blockchain technology (BT) is expected to bring a revolutionary paradigm shift in the manner the transactions are carried in the supply chains. BT provides better visibility and transparency by removing the disadvantages of trust related issues in a supply chain. In this paper, we advance the literature on BT and its adoption in the supply chain by developing, and statistically validating a model for understanding the user perceptions on BT adoption. The model is based on the integration of three adoption theories- technology acceptance model (TAM), technology readiness index (TRI) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Based on a survey of 181 supply chain practitioners in India the proposed model was tested using structural equation modelling. The study found that the TRI constructs- Insecurity and discomfort have an insignificant effect on the perceived ease of use and usefulness. Perceived usefulness, attitude, and perceived behavioural control affect the behavioural intention. Subjective norm has a negligible impact on behavioural intention. This is one of the preliminary studies on BT adoption in supply chain and the findings imply that the supply chain practitioners perceive BT adoption free of efforts and would help them to derive maximum benefits for improving the supply chain effectiveness.

Supply chain resilience and data analytics capability have generated increased interest in academia and among practitioners. However, existing studies often treat these two streams of literature independently. Our study model reconciles two different streams of literature: data analytics capability as a means to improve information-processing capacity and supply chain resilience as a means to reduce a ripple effect in supply chain or quickly recover after disruptions in the supply chain. We have grounded our theoretical model in the organisational information processing theory (OIPT). Four research hypotheses are tested using responses from 213 Indian manufacturing organisations collected via a pre-tested survey-based instrument. We further test our model using variance-based structural equation modelling, popularly known as PLS-SEM. All of the hypotheses were supported. The findings of our study offer a unique contribution to information systems (IS) and operations management (OM) literature. The findings further provide numerous directions to the supply chain managers. Finally, we note our study limitations and provide further research directions.

Abstract The importance of big data and predictive analytics has been at the forefront of research for operations and manufacturing management. The literature has reported the influence of big data and predictive analytics for improved supply chain and operational performance, but there has been a paucity of literature regarding the role of external institutional pressures on the resources of the organization to build big data capability. To address this gap, this paper draws on the resource‐based view of the firm, institutional theory and organizational culture to develop and test a model that describes the importance of resources for building capabilities, skills and big data culture and subsequently improving cost and operational performance. We test our research hypotheses using 195 surveys, gathered using a pre‐tested questionnaire. Our contribution lies in providing insights regarding the role of external pressures on the selection of resources under the moderating effect of big data culture and their utilization for capability building, and how this capability affects cost and operational performance.

Our ability to correlate biological evolution with climate change, geological evolution, and other historical patterns is essential to understanding the processes that shape biodiversity. Combining data from the fossil record with molecular phylogenetics represents an exciting synthetic approach to this challenge. The first molecular divergence dating analysis (Zuckerkandl and Pauling 1962) was based on a measure of the amino acid differences in the hemoglobin molecule, with replacement rates established (calibrated) using paleontological age estimates from textbooks (e.g., Dodson 1960). Since that time, the amount of molecular sequence data has increased dramatically, affording ever-greater opportunities to apply molecular divergence approaches to fundamental problems in evolutionary biology.

The evolution of lignified xylem allowed for the efficient transport of water under tension, but also exposed the vascular network to the risk of gas emboli and the spread of gas between xylem conduits, thus impeding sap transport to the leaves. A well-known hypothesis proposes that the safety of xylem (its ability to resist embolism formation and spread) should trade off against xylem efficiency (its capacity to transport water). We tested this safety-efficiency hypothesis in branch xylem across 335 angiosperm and 89 gymnosperm species. Safety was considered at three levels: the xylem water potentials where 12%, 50% and 88% of maximal conductivity are lost. Although correlations between safety and efficiency were weak (r(2) < 0.086), no species had high efficiency and high safety, supporting the idea for a safety-efficiency tradeoff. However, many species had low efficiency and low safety. Species with low efficiency and low safety were weakly associated (r(2) < 0.02 in most cases) with higher wood density, lower leaf- to sapwood-area and shorter stature. There appears to be no persuasive explanation for the considerable number of species with both low efficiency and low safety. These species represent a real challenge for understanding the evolution of xylem.

The current literature claims the direct effects of industry 4.0 technologies (I4 T) on lean manufacturing practices (LMP) and sustainable organisational performance (SOP). LMP are also found to have a positive influence on SOP. However, the integrated effect of I4 T and LMP on SOP has not been empirically investigated. To address this gap, this research study investigates the indirect effects of I4 T on SOP with LMP as the mediating variable; furthermore, it aims to confirm or not the direct effects of I4 T on LMP and SOP. The study is based on data collected from 205 managers, working in 115 manufacturing firms. The findings suggest significant direct and indirect effects of I4 T on SOP and confirm the presence of LMP as a strong mediating variable. The results of the study extend the literature on I4 T by identifying I4 T as an enabler of LMP, leading to enhancement of the SOP. Implications and future research directions for academicians, practitioners, and consultants are provided.

There has been tremendous interest in blockchain technology (BT) (also known as distributed ledger technology) around the globe and across sectors. Following significant success in the financial sector, other sectors, such as humanitarian sector, have started deploying BT at various levels. Although the use of BT in the humanitarian sector is in its infancy, donors and government agencies are increasingly calling for building BT-enabled swift-trust (ST) and more collaborative relationships among various humanitarian actors in order to improve the transparency and traceability of disaster relief materials, information exchanges and flow of funds in disaster relief supply chains. Our study, which is informed by organisational information processing theory and relational view, proposes a theoretical model to understand how BT can influence operational supply chain transparency (OSTC) and ST among actors engaged in disaster relief operations. Our model also shows how BT-enabled ST can further improve collaboration (CO) among actors engaged in disaster relief operations and enhance supply chain resilience (SCR). We formulated and tested six research hypotheses, using data gathered from international non-governmental organisations with the help of the Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) database. We received 256 usable responses using a pre-tested survey-based instrument designed for key informants. Our results confirm that our six hypotheses were supported. Our study offers significant and valid contributions to the literature on ST, CO and SCR and BT/distributed ledger technology. We have also noted the limitations of our study and have offered future research directions.

Applications of Digital Twin technology have been growing at an exponential rate, and it is transforming the way businesses operate. In the past few years, Digital Twins leveraged vital business applications, and it is predicted that the technology will expand to more applications, use cases, and industries. The purpose of this paper is to do a literature review and explore how Digital Twins streamline intelligent automation in different industries. This paper defines the concept, highlights the evolution and development of Digital Twins, reviews its key enabling technologies, examines its trends and challenges, and explores its applications in different industries.

Why do some observers of organizational wrongdoing choose to report it? This question has received little research attention despite its prominence in the popular media. This paper attempts to show that whistle-blowing is a form of prosocial behavior. Empirical studies in the social-psychological literature of prosocial behavior provide clues about personality and situational variables predictive of whistle-blowing. Latane's and Barley's (1968, 1970) bystander intervention framework is modified for whistle-blowing decisions. Propositions for future research are offered.

Groundwater in karst aquifers constitutes about 25% of drinking water sources globally. Karst aquifers are open systems, susceptible to contamination by surface-borne pollutants. In this study, springs and wells from two karst aquifers in Illinois, USA, were found to contain microplastics and other anthropogenic contaminants. All microplastics were fibers, with a maximum concentration of 15.2 particles/L. The presence of microplastic was consistent with other parameters, including phosphate, chloride and triclosan, suggesting septic effluent as a source. More studies are needed on microplastic sources, abundance, and impacts on karst ecosystems.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine when and how organizations create agility, adaptability, and alignment as distinct supply chain properties to gain sustainable competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach The current study utilizes the resource-based view (RBV) under the moderating effect of top management commitment (TMC). To test the research hypotheses, the authors gathered 351 usable responses using a pre-tested questionnaire. Findings The statistical analyses suggest that information sharing and supply chain connectivity resources influence supply chain visibility capability, which, under the moderating effect of TMC, enhance supply chain agility, adaptability, and alignment (SCAAA). Originality/value The contribution lies in: providing a holistic study of the antecedents of agility, adaptability, and alignment; investigating the moderating role of TMC on SCAAA; following the RBV and addressing calls for investigating the role of resources in supply chain management, and for empirical studies with implications for supply chain design.

Patients and healthcare practitioners are faced with the challenge of accessing, managing, integrating, and sharing health records securely. Patients should be able to manage their health records anywhere in the world, keep track of medical background, give access to data, and share those with any healthcare professional securely. Direct access to data for patients and a more robust data-sharing infrastructure could better prepare the healthcare system to manage public health threats during the emergence of deadly disease outbreak such as COVID-19. Current technologies in use by the healthcare industry do not adequately address these requirements due to limitations related to privacy, security, and full ecosystem interoperability. This paper conducted a literature review to find out the pivotal roles blockchain technology play in solving some of the most critical and challenging issues facing the healthcare industry. This paper identifies challenges and opportunities for implementing blockchain technology in healthcare and summarizes health-related blockchain products and key players offering solutions across different applications. In doing this, our research extends and complements existing blockchain research in healthcare.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine when and how organizations build big data analytics capability (BDAC) to improve supply chain agility (SCA) and gain competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach The authors grounded the theoretical framework in two perspectives: the dynamic capabilities view and contingency theory. To test the research hypotheses, the authors gathered 173 usable responses using a pre-tested questionnaire. Findings The results suggest that BDAC has a positive and significant effect on SCA and competitive advantage. Further, the results support the hypothesis that organizational flexibility (OF) has a positive and significant moderation effect on the path joining BDAC and SCA. However, contrary to the belief, the authors found no support for the moderation effect of OF on the path joining BDAC and competitive advantage. Originality/value The study makes some useful contributions to the literature on BDAC, SCA, OF, and competitive advantage. Moreover, the results may further motivate future scholars to replicate the findings using longitudinal data.

Several technologies drive digital trends and bring about change in SCM. They include AI and robotics, cloud computing, 3D printing, advanced analytics, blockchain, AR, RFID, IoT, and cloud technology. These technologies are changing the face of the industry, transforming many aspects of business models, supply chains, products, sales, and services. This paper conducts a literature review that aims to identify current research and directions in terms of how these technologies can enable or enhance and streamline digital supply chain (DSC) performance. This paper underscores the importance of these technologies for supply chains and logistics, examines their trends and challenges in supporting digital supply chain performance, and explores the implementation and managerial challenges of creating a new integrated paradigm of the digital supply chain. The research will also explore potential barriers to digitising procurement and supply chains and ways to overcome them. Finally, the paper reviews the role of 5 G as a significant technology for growing industry digitisation.

This study examines the effects of supply chain agility (SCAG) and supply chain resilience (SCRES) on performance under the moderating effect of organizational culture. We have used the dynamic capability view (DCV) to conceptualize our theoretical models for different phases of humanitarian supply chain (HSC) (pre and post-disaster phases). We used partial least squares (PLS) to examine the proposed research hypotheses using 335 responses gathered from organizations in India using questionnaires designed for a single respondent. The results suggest that SCAG and SCRES are two important dynamic capabilities of supply chain, have significant effects on pre-disaster performance (PRE-DP). The control orientation does not have significant effect on the path joining SCAG and PRE-DP. However, the control orientation has a significant interaction effect on the path joining SCRES and PRE-DP. Similarly, SCRES has significant effect on post-disaster performance (POST-DP) but SCAG has no significant effect on POST-DP. In contrast, the flexible orientation has significant moderation effects on the paths SCAG/SCRES and POST-DP. These findings contribute to our understanding of the differential effect of SCAG/SCRES on supply chain performance in different contexts. The results provide further understanding to develop appropriate strategies for different phases. Finally, limitations of our study and future research are presented.

The timing of the first human migration into the Americas and its relation to the appearance of the Clovis technological complex in North America at about 11,000 to 10,800 radiocarbon years before the present (14C years B.P.) remains contentious. We establish that humans were present at Paisley 5 Mile Point Caves, in south-central Oregon, by 12,300 14C years B.P., through the recovery of human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from coprolites, directly dated by accelerator mass spectrometry. The mtDNA corresponds to Native American founding haplogroups A2 and B2. The dates of the coprolites are >1000 14C years earlier than currently accepted dates for the Clovis complex.

Here, hypotheses about stem and root xylem structure and function were assessed by analyzing xylem in nine chaparral Rhamnaceae species. Traits characterizing xylem transport efficiency and safety, mechanical strength and storage were analyzed using linear regression, principal components analysis and phylogenetic independent contrasts (PICs). Stems showed a strong, positive correlation between xylem mechanical strength (xylem density and modulus of rupture) and xylem transport safety (resistance to cavitation and estimated vessel implosion resistance), and this was supported by PICs. Like stems, greater root cavitation resistance was correlated with greater vessel implosion resistance; however, unlike stems, root cavitation resistance was not correlated with xylem density and modulus of rupture. Also different from stems, roots displayed a trade-off between xylem transport safety from cavitation and xylem transport efficiency. Both stems and roots showed a trade-off between xylem transport safety and xylem storage of water and nutrients, respectively. Stems and roots differ in xylem structural and functional relationships, associated with differences in their local environment (air vs soil) and their primary functions.

The agricultural supply chains (ASCs) are exposed to unprecedented risks following COVID-19. It is necessary to investigate the impact of risks and to create resilient ASC organisations. In this study, we have identified and assessed the ASC risks caused by disruptions. These threats were assessed using Fuzzy Linguistic Quantifier Order Weighted Aggregation (FLQ-OWA). The findings reveal that supply risks, demand risks, financial risks, logistics and infrastructure risks, management and operational, policy and regulation, and biological and environmental risks have a significant impact in ASC depending upon the organisations scope and scale. Various strategies such as adoption of industry 4.0 technologies, supply chain collaboration and shared responsibility is identified for sustainable future. Theoretical and managerial implications are provided based on the outcomes of the study.

Was Virginia, as Leonard suggested, ‘the least political animal that has ever been since Aristotle invented the definition’? At times, rereading Three Guineas, I have agreed with him. But one does not feel this so strongly when one reads A Room of One’s Own. Here Virginia is not concerned with politics in the ordinary sense of the word. Her subject is fiction, a subject which she addresses with the greatest authority and the work itself is presented to us as fiction so that one need not regard the various little taradiddles — as for instance those concerning university regulations — with any concern, for she has already told us that she will mix fact with fancy. But although this work keeps clear of party politics it is political.

Complete basis set calculations (CBS-QB3) were used to compute the CN rotation barriers for acetamide and eight related compounds, including acetamide enolate and O-protonated acetamide. Natural resonance theory analysis was employed to quantify the "amide resonance" contribution to ground-state electronic structures. A range of rotation barriers, spanning nearly 50 kcal/mol, correlates well to the ground-state resonance weights without the need to account for transition-state effects. Use of appropriate model compounds is crucial to gain an understanding of the structural and electronic changes taking place during rotation of the CN bond in acetamide. The disparate changes in bond length (DeltarCO << DeltarCN) are found to be consonant with the resonance model. Similarly, charge differences are consistent with donation from the nitrogen lone pair electrons into the carbonyl pi* orbital. Despite recent attacks on the resonance model, these findings demonstrate it to be a sophisticated and highly predictive tool in the chemist's arsenal.