Implementation of an intelligent supply chain control tower: a socio-technical systems case study

Abstract

Despite the proliferation of Industry 4.0 technologies, there is little guidance concerning how companies can integrate them in their supply chains. This study examines the implementation of a supply chain (SC) control tower (SCCT) by a large manufacturing company aiming to create an intelligent supply chain. This study applies Socio-Technical systems (STS) theory using the technology typology (long-linked, mediating, intensive) in the context of industry 4.0. The company followed a three-phase implementation plan (I: Initiation, II: Live, III: Continuous improvement) to transit from outsourcing supply chain control to developing the SCCT control structure and then creating intelligent SC assets and capabilities. The study shows that the SCCT needs to integrate all three technology types to reflect the intelligent supply chain. Further, it shows that the interactions of technologies with the SCCT team, internal and external supply chain stakeholders are critical in managing the development, implementation, and growth of intelligent supply chains. It identifies transition barriers including system misalignment, poor socio-technical integration, and an invert of trust between internal and external supply chain stakeholders. The intelligent supply chain emerges as a result of managing socio-technical interactions systematically.

Keywords:

• Supply chain control towers
• intelligent supply chains
• socio-technical systems
• technology typology
• case study
• supply chain transition
• Industry 4.0

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ilias Vlachos

Ilias Vlachos is Professor in Supply Chain Management. Professor Vlachos has over twenty years of experience in various senior research positions, including Research Degrees Director in University Leeds Business School, Manager of Research and Enterprise Development in Newcastle Business School, and Scientific Responsible in various research projects. He has published in leading journals including: Production Planning & Control, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Transportation Research Part E, Expert Systems with Applications, Transportation Research Part D, Tourism Management, and Journal of Cleaner Production. He is a member of the European Technology Platform ‘Food for Life’.