Circular supply chains (CSCs) depend on enhanced supply chain visibility (SCV) to track and manage resource flows and thereby enable efficient decision-making. Despite confronting silo mentalities, fragmented information, technological barriers, resistance to change, and a lack of standardization, data sharing remains crucial for SCV and circularity. In this study, following the Delphi method, 22 experts explored SCV for circularity, identified 11 circular economy (CE) strategies and 16 critical data elements for implementing CSCs, and assessed data accessibility and the willingness to share data among supply chain actors. Findings show that the experts especially prioritized CE strategies and data elements that support existing business models and forward supply chains. Although those data elements are critical for SCV, they are primarily used for planning internal operations and thus not readily shared with external partners. Such insights contribute to empirical evidence and managerial perspectives and can also help managers to plan SCV tailored to CE strategies.

Supply chain visibility (SCV) is considered key for enhancing both operational and strategic performance, as well as for supporting manufacturing companies in addressing upcoming regulations. Still, most companies and organisations experience low levels of SCV. The inherently complex nature of supply chains presents challenges for the practical realisation of SCV. Hence, there is a need to develop a holistic and comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting the realisation of SCV.

This thesis, based on three research questions, focuses on building knowledge on supply chain visibility to improve supply chain performance and how technologies for real-time data can support these improvements.

The findings are based on a systematic literature review and four empirical studies. The systematic literature review identified and categorised factors affecting SCV into four areas: antecedents, barriers and challenges, drivers, and effects. The empirical studies, which included a Delphi study and multiple case studies, explored viewpoints, critical information and data, and Internet of Things (IoT) based technologies for the real-time visibility of incoming goods. In addition, the studies explored perspectives on SCV in extended supply chains.

Overall, the findings show that SCV can enhance supply chain performance in areas such as decision-making, risk management and operations and that it demands cross-functional collaboration and technological integration. The results also indicate that manufacturing companies are likely to face challenges related to trust, interorganisational collaboration, data quality and supply chain complexities in the effort to fully benefit from SCV. Thus, an implication of this thesis is that SCV is important yet difficult to implement.

The primary contribution of this thesis is the proposal of a framework that offers a comprehensive, multidimensional view of SCV. This framework can be utilised by supply chain practitioners to map and evaluate dominant influences in supply chains. Furthermore, the framework can be adopted by manufacturing companies to establish priorities, foster collaborations and implement technologies to enhance SCV in their supply chains, thus supporting the transformation towards intelligent supply chains.

Synlighet i försörjningskedjor, s.k. Supply Chain Visibility (SCV) anses vara avgörande för att förbättra både operativ och strategisk prestanda, samt för att stödja tillverkande företag i att uppfylla kommande regelverk. Trots detta har de flesta företag och organisationer en låg nivå av SCV. Komplexiteten i försörjningskedjor innebär utmaningar i att realisera SCV i praktiken. Därför behövs en helhetsförståelse av de faktorer som påverkar implementeringen av SCV.

Denna avhandling, baserad på tre forskningsfrågor, syftar till att utveckla kunskap om försörjningskedjans synlighet för att förbättra dess prestanda, samt hur teknologier för realtidsdata kan stödja dessa förbättringar.

Resultaten baseras på en systematisk litteraturstudie och fyra empiriska studier. Litteraturstudien identifierade och kategoriserade faktorer som påverkar SCV i fyra områden: förutsättningar, hinder och utmaningar, drivkrafter och effekter. De empiriska studierna, inklusive en Delphi-studie och flera fallstudier, undersökte perspektiv, kritisk information och data samt Internet of Things (IoT) baserade teknologier för realtidsvisibilitet av inkommande gods. Studierna analyserade även SCV i utökade försörjningskedjor.

Resultaten visar att SCV kan förbättra försörjningskedjans prestanda inom områden som beslutsfattande, riskhantering och operativ effektivitet, samtidigt som det kräver tvärfunktionellt samarbete och teknisk integration. Dessutom indikerar resultaten att tillverkande företag sannolikt kommer att möta utmaningar relaterade till, interorganisatoriskt samarbete, datakvalitet och komplexiteten i försörjningskedjor för att fullt gynnas av SCV. En slutsats från denna avhandling är att SCV är viktigt men svårt att implementera.

Avhandlingens huvudsakliga bidrag är förslaget av ett ramverk som erbjuder en omfattande, multidimensionell syn på SCV. Ramverket kan användas av aktörer för att kartlägga och utvärdera de dominerande påverkningsfaktorerna i försörjningskedjor. Vidare kan ramverket användas av tillverkande företag för att fastställa prioriteringar, stärka samarbeten och implementera teknologier för att förbättra SCV. Detta kommer stödja omställningen mot intelligenta försörjningskedjor.

Blockchain technologies can support traceability, transparency and trust among participants. This has primarily been explored in established supply chains and not in the growing use of business networks or ecosystems, which is a notable limitation since supply chains typically are organised with a dominant actor that ensures common information systems and standards that negate blockchain benefits. Hence, this study explores the design of a blockchain-based collaborative framework for resource sharing using smart contracts. These are particularly well-suited for supporting operations in broader networks or ecosystems beyond supply chains with established collaborations and hierarchies. Based on a systematic literature review, a demonstrator framework was developed for stakeholder interactions through a procurement and distribution unit backed with blockchain technology. The framework consists of (a) network architecture to demonstrate partner interactions; (b) rules for network working principles based on supply collaboration requirements; (c) UML diagram to define smart contract interaction sequence; and (d) algorithm for smart contract network verification and validation. Applicability of these smart contracts was verified by deployment on an Ethereum blockchain. The demonstrator framework ensures quality and data authenticity in supply networks, so it is useful for effective resource utilisation in networks where outsourcing and production surpluses are major issues. 

Supply chain visibility has become a key priority for manufacturing companies to handle disruptions and improve supply chain performance. IoT technologies have been recognised to enable higher levels of real-time supply chain visibility. However, there is a need for empirical research focusing on testing IoT technologies to improve supply chain visibility of incoming goods from suppliers. This study presents the findings from a pilot study conducted at a global manufacturer of transport solutions testing IoT technologies in real operations to improve supply chain visibility of incoming goods in their inbound logistics flow. In particular, the opportunities and challenges of applying IoT technologies to increase supply chain visibility in real operations are identified. The study provides guidance for manufacturing companies aiming to improve supply chain visibility and performance in their inbound flow and potentially other areas of their supply chain using IoT technologies.

Supply chain visibility (SCV) has been gaining recognition in recent years as a key factor for achieving analytical capabilities and improving supply chain performance. However, levels of SCV implementation lag behind current technological advances. This research was motivated by the lack of visibility in inbound logistics, which limits the possibility of managing deviation, in particular concerning changes in arrival time of incoming goods, in large industrial firms. We addressed this problem by adopting a design science approach. In particular, we followed context–intervention–mechanism–outcome (CIMO) logic to map and analyse material and information flows. The problems areas were successively translated via business and functional requirements into technological solutions. We evaluated alternative technologies using controlled experiments that mimicked real-life situations. This study provides guidance for manufacturing companies aiming to enhance deviation management and predictive capabilities by improving visibility in their inbound logistics and potentially extending visibility to other areas, such as internal and outbound flows.

Visibility across supply chains has been a key concern for organisations for many years, but the tools and information systems to achieve real-time visibility have not been available until recently. In response to uncertainty and complexity, advanced information and communication technologies have been explored for supply chain visibility (SCV). However, managerial perspectives are largely absent from the current literature. In response, this paper systematically documents managerial factors influencing SCV and information that should be collected and shared among supply chain partners for better visibility. A multi-stage Delphi analysis was conducted with 26 supply chain experts from various globally recognised enterprises with manufacturing units located worldwide. The results provide details on prioritised managerial perspectives and experiences within (1) factors affecting SCV (drivers, enablers, challenges and contingencies), (2) SCV content (supplier, internal and customer information) and (3) implications of SCV (capabilities and performance effects). One observation was that forecasting is not deemed as important due to severe disruptions in supply chains. Real-time visibility for better predictability emerged as the top priority. This study is among the few that empirically explores factors influencing supply chain visibility and generates new insights into why barriers can be difficult to overcome in complex supply chain settings.

Supply chain visibility is a concept that is gaining increasing attention. Increasing levels of visibility in the supply chain is considered beneficial in many respects. A systematic literature review identified 47 empirical research papers from international scientific journals. Two main findings emerged from the content analysis. First, the perspectives provided in the extant literature can be grouped into four categories: antecedents, barriers and challenges, drivers, and effects. The effects include both capabilities and operational performance. Second, the few models on supply chain visibility include only antecedents and effects, and do not capture the perspectives of barriers, challenges, or drivers. We present a framework for supply chain visibility driven by insights from the content analysis. The ABCDE framework includes antecedents (A), barriers and challenges (BC), drivers (D), and effects (E), and provides a holistic view of supply chain visibility. The framework can aid managers with per-spectives and factors to consider when discussing, implementing, and improving supply chain visibility and provides researchers with a state-of-the-art review of supply chain visibility. We also propose an agenda for further research.

With the increased electrification of transportation, there is a growth in the number of electric vehicles (EV) in use, and hence also discarded EV batteries. It is critical to trace the batteries so that the policy of electrification does not lead to a negative impact on sustainability. To achieve the goals of circular economy, it is necessary to consider the sustainable extended life cycle strategies of reduce, reuse and recycle. Information gathering and sharing through the supply chain is the key driver for enabling the tracking and tracing of materials and services needed. Traceability indicators across the value chain may enable the creation of a comprehensive database that aids the circular economy goals. In this study, we discuss three different circular economy business models and identify the key traceability indicators for enabling circularity in the lithium-ion battery application in the automotive sector. Insights are used to develop a framework for viable EV battery circularity, capturing three key circular economy elements and four traceability characteristics for different circularity types.

Events such as Covid-19 have revealed the vulnerabilities that companies face due to low visibility. Consequently, companies experience impact on their supply chains in terms of disruptions of material supply, deliveries, productivity and revenue. Thus, the importance of Supply Chain Visibility (SCV) in global and competitive markets with increasing sustainability demands has received widespread recognition. Yet, the literature provides limited understanding of requirements to consider when developing a SCV system. Addressing the gap, this study presents the findings from a case study during the first months of 2021 at a global manufacturing company developing a SCV system to improve their inbound flow. Using a system engineering perspective, this study presents requirements highlighted during early stage for a SCV system. The results indicate the importance of ensuring SCV system requirements to enable data collection, handling and usage for decision making leading to both supply chain sustainability and resilience. This study contributes to the understanding of SCV by presenting and categorizing requirements considered for real-time case at a manufacturing company when developing a SCV system.