The global supply chain is undergoing significant transformation driven by advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and Blockchain. While these advancements raise concerns about job displacement, they in fact present exciting opportunities for those willing to adapt and embrace new skill sets. These innovations are reshaping how goods are sourced, produced, and distributed. Additionally, sustainability concerns, regulatory requirements, evolving customer expectations, compounded by the ‘Amazon effect’ and intensified competition pressures, along with geopolitical fact ..read more

This blog post aims to simplify the fundamental principles of supply chain simulation, making them accessible for everyone. It will explore the practical differences between simulation and optimization, addressing key questions: What is supply chain simulation and how does it work in simple terms? How does simulation differ from optimization? When and why should companies use supply chain simulations, and how can it offer a competitive edge? A step-by-step guide to implementing a practical supply chain simulation process, including software selection and decision-making. Supply chain simulat ..read more

In today’s world, where environmental concerns are at the forefront of our minds, finding sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives has become more crucial than ever. One such innovative and accessible solution addressing low-carbon fuel needs is recycling used cooking oil (UCO) for biofuel.  Why Recycling Used Cooking Oil Matters The improper disposal of UCO poses significant environmental threats that demand our attention. Recent statistics highlight that in the U.S., per capita vegetable oil consumption in 2022 was estimated at around 10 gallons (1 Gallon = 3,8 Liter), with only approx ..read more

Supply chains can drive innovation and scale up sustainable solutions to address environmental challenges! This was the sentiment shared by a team of Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) students and their professor, Dr. Yousef Abu Nahleh, as they presented their used cooking oil (UCO) recycling project at the COP28 conference in Dubai. The team of students, consisting of Mouza Alketbi, Nada Bushlaibi, Safeya Saeed, Afra Safar, and Fatima Alshamsi, took center stage to showcase their green project focused on using UCO for sustainable biodiesel supply chains in the United Arab Emirates. Here are ..read more

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) presently has a significant reliance on the oil and gas industries which generate sizable amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. However, the UAE is also dedicated to the goal of being a global leader in sustainable development, and promoting eco-friendly products and technologies such as sustainable biofuel supply chains. Professor Yousef Abu Nahleh and a team of students under his guidance at Higher Colleges of Technology (https://hct.ac.ae/en/), are designing circular and sustainable supply chains in support of these goals. Dr. Yousef Ab ..read more

The Saudi Arabia Logithon 2023 competition finished at the end of October, and what a remarkable journey it was for the contestants! From the initial week of intensive SCM Globe training in September to the final round, this competition, which aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, has truly showcased the Kingdom’s commitment to excellence in supply chain and logistics. Now, let’s talk about the talent, innovation, and dedication that took center stage during this competition. (This blog post is a continuation of our previous post — “Logithon 2023: Nurturing Saudi Arabia’s Supply Chain Talent ..read more

In the ever-changing global economy, Saudi Arabia is at a crucial point in its journey, working towards its Vision 2030 plan. This plan aims to help the nation reach its full potential by diversifying its economy, reducing its reliance on oil, and fostering prosperity through innovation and global partnerships. The vision was cascaded into strategic objectives enabled by vision realization programs. One of these programs is the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), launched in 2019. It focuses on developing sectors like mining, energy, industry, and logistics. The goal ..read more

In today’s business landscape, sustainability has become a crucial factor for success. The concept of sustainability as we know it today first gained prominence with the United Nations Brundtland Report, in 1987. The report defined sustainability as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The Brundtland Report has played a significant role in popularizing the idea and highlighting its importance. As a result, there is now a growing demand for businesses to publish sustainability reports alongside traditio ..read more

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in supply chain management builds on a rich history, dating back to the 1950s when the idea of AI started taking shape, and Alan Turing introduced the Turing Test, as a way to measure machine intelligence. Today, with the advent of powerful large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, AI has gained even more attention. In this blog post, we will explore the remarkable impact of AI in supply chain management. We’ll explore its applications, some real-world examples, and the challenges it brings as it transforms the logistics and supply chain industry. Development tim ..read more

Guest post by: Obinabo Tochukwu Tabansi, Lagos, Nigeria. Africa is home to the next major world economy, and African supply chains will make that possible. Despite the impact of the recent pandemic, Africa’s economy is doing better than expected. According to the African Development Bank (AFDB), Africa is set to outperform the rest of the world in economic growth over the next two years (2023 and 2024). African supply chains have seen much improvement in recent years. There is still a lot to do for the continent’s supply chain operations to catch up with those of the present major economies, b ..read more