The evolution of industrial development since the 18th century is now experiencing the fourth industrial revolution. The effect of the development has propagated into almost every sector of the industry. From inventory to the circular economy, the effectiveness of technology has been fruitful for industry. The recent trends in research, with new ideas and methodologies, are included in this book. Several new ideas and business strategies are developed in the area of the supply chain management, logistics, optimization, and forecasting for the improvement of the economy of the society and the environment. The proposed technologies and ideas are either novel or help modify several other new ideas. Different real life problems with different dimensions are discussed in the book so that readers may connect with the recent issues in society and industry. The collection of the articles provides a glimpse into the new research trends in technology, business, and the environment.

The evolution of industrial development since the 18th century is now experiencing the fourth industrial revolution. The effect of the development has propagated into almost every sector of the industry. From inventory to the circular economy, the effectiveness of technology has been fruitful for industry. The recent trends in research, with new ideas and methodologies, are included in this book. Several new ideas and business strategies are developed in the area of the supply chain management, logistics, optimization, and forecasting for the improvement of the economy of the society and the environment. The proposed technologies and ideas are either novel or help modify several other new ideas. Different real life problems with different dimensions are discussed in the book so that readers may connect with the recent issues in society and industry. The collection of the articles provides a glimpse into the new research trends in technology, business, and the environment.

This book is dedicated to the latest findings on the design and optimization of production lines. The “Fourth Industrial Revolution” (alternatively known as “Industry 4.0”) supports innovative models for energy consumption and fault tolerance in automated lines, and this drives changes in the design and optimization models of production lines. The goal is to collect a series of works that can summarize the latest trends in the field of production line optimization models in order to improve the responsiveness of automated lines to failures, reduce energy consumption and peak electricity demand, and develop other methods to support robust and sustainable production lines.

Blockchain has become the cornerstone of technologies, supported by others including Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Originating from cryptocurrency, it transcends boundaries, finding resonance in finance, healthcare, e-governance, and beyond. While blockchain relies on a peer-to-peer approach, enabling nodes to collaborate without the shackles of a central authority, appropriate monitoring and updating of these technologies is a constant necessity. This is especially true for healthcare data systems, where data privacy and security concerns, especially with sensitive health information are paramount. Threads of automation in artificial intelligence (AI) weave through sectors such as business, finance, healthcare, marketing, and governance. Industrial Applications of Big Data, AI, and Blockchain delves into the pulsating realms of big data, AI, and blockchain. From natural language processing's eloquent interpretation of human language to the prowess of AI algorithms in predictive tasks, this book explores how AI enhances decision-making accuracy, catalyzing a paradigm shift in diverse industries. This book is ideal for researchers, business visionaries, tech enthusiasts, and curious minds eager to fathom the transformative potential of these technologies.

Blockchain in a Volatile-Uncertain-Complex-Ambiguous World examines the role blockchain brings in supply chain management. The book explores the theoretical foundations and empirical frameworks for using Blockchain for the logistical transportation of goods and examines how blockchain applications, barriers and opportunities of numerous technologies, describing how each converge into feasible integration. Covering policymaking and regulatory issues from a research perspective, this book is a key reference for supply chain management scholars, students and practitioners. - Uses the Volatile-Uncertain-Complex-Ambiguous (VUCA) framework for analyzing blockchain supply chain management - Includes numerous case studies from a variety of industries - Consolidates research of machine learning, IoT, and signal processing technologies for supply chain management

The reference text discusses fundamental principles, planning, sourcing, demand forecasting, and supply forecasting in the field of supply chain management. It further highlights the important aspects of supply chain management such as resource planning, inventory management, quality tools, and documentation in logistics. It demonstrates the issues, barriers, emerging trends, and technological advances in supply chain management. This book: Discusses the principles of resource planning and inventory management in supply chain management. Covers aspects of competing strategies and networking management. Presents case studies highlighting ongoing practices and real-time issues in supply chain management. Highlights the importance of demand and supply forecasting in the field of supply chain management. Explains quality tools, emerging trends, challenges, and barriers in supply chain management. It is written primarily for senior undergraduate and graduate students, and academic researchers in the fields of industrial engineering, production engineering, mechanical engineering, management, supply chain management, and manufacturing engineering.

Businesses are facing an unprecedented challenge - the urgent need to adapt and thrive in a world where intelligent factories and supply chains are the new norm. The digital transformation of supply chains is essential for staying competitive, but it is a complex journey fraught with uncertainties. How can organizations harness the power of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to increase profitability, cut supply chain costs, elevate customer service, and optimize their networks? The answers to these questions are crucial for business survival and success. AI and Machine Learning Impacts in Intelligent Supply Chain is a groundbreaking book that offers a comprehensive solution to the challenges posed by the Industry 4.0 revolution. This book is your indispensable guide to navigating the intricate world of supply chain digital transformation using innovative technologies. It provides real-world examples and insights that illustrate how AI and ML are the keys to solving complex supply chain problems, from inventory management to route optimization and beyond. Whether you are an academic scholar seeking to delve into the impact of AI and ML on supply chain management or a business leader striving to gain a competitive edge, this book is tailored to meet your needs.

Today's supply chains are becoming more complex and interconnected. As a result, traditional optimization engines struggle to cope with the increasing demands for real-time order fulfillment and inventory management. With the expansion and diversification of supply chain networks, these engines require additional support to handle the growing complexity effectively. This poses a significant challenge for supply chain professionals who must find efficient and cost-effective solutions to streamline their operations and promptly meet customer demands. Quantum Computing and Supply Chain Management: A New Era of Optimization offers a transformative solution to these challenges. By harnessing the power of quantum computing, this book explores how supply chain planners can overcome the limitations of traditional optimization engines. Quantum computing's ability to process vast amounts of data from IoT sensors in real time can revolutionize inventory management, resource allocation, and logistics within the supply chain. It provides a theoretical framework and practical examples to illustrate how quantum algorithms can enhance transparency, optimize dynamic inventory allocation, and improve supply chain resilience.

'Blockchain applications in agriculture: Revolutionizing the food supply chain' is your definitive guide to the transformative impact of blockchain technology on agriculture and the modern food supply chain. In this comprehensive volume, we begin with “Introduction to blockchain technology,” laying the groundwork for readers of all backgrounds. From there, we delve into the intricate relationship between blockchain and the agriculture industry in “Overview of the agriculture industry”. The heart of the book explores practical applications in agriculture and the supply chain, including “Blockchain-based supply chain management,” “Farming and crop management,” “Livestock management and animal welfare,” and “Food safety and quality assurance.” We also explore how blockchain revolutionizes “Agricultural finance and insurance” and fosters “Sustainable agriculture and supply chain sustainability”. Drawing on “Case studies and real-world examples,” you’ll see blockchain in action, offering invaluable insights for farmers, supply chain professionals, academics, and policymakers. Our forward-looking chapter, “Future Trends and Challenges of Blockchain,” anticipates the evolving landscape of this groundbreaking technology. This book stands out for its depth, practicality, and relevance. It is equally suitable for reference, as a methodological guide, for classroom adoption, or as essential reading for researchers and practitioners in the fields of agriculture, technology, supply chain management, and policy. Whether you’re seeking to optimize farming practices, enhance supply chain transparency, or understand the regulatory implications, 'Blockchain applications in agriculture' equips you with the knowledge and inspiration needed to navigate the future of food production and distribution. Join the agricultural revolution today.