Naoum Tsolakis

Water Footprint Mitigation Strategies for Agrifood Products: The Application of System Dynamics in Green Marketing

Water scarcity (WS), which leads to multiple environmental, social and economic ramifications, has emerged as an indisputable concern for both public and private stakeholders. In this context, the water footprint (WF) concept has been introduced for assessing freshwater consumption and pollution at national, corporate or product level. In the agrifood industry, freshwater is a pivotal constituent since agricultural activities consume 70 % of the global freshwater resources, while food processing operations account for significant freshwater utilization. To that effect, environmentally aware consumers are sensitive to the total product WF generated during agrifood supply chain (SC) operations, as well as to the manner in which the related freshwater exploitation impacts regional WS. Consequently, an increasing number of companies are implementing WF management policies across their agrifood SCs for mitigating freshwater utilization and promoting water-friendly commodities in order to enhance green corporate image and business financial performance. This study proposes a policy-making system dynamics (SD) model for monitoring both the WF of agrifood products and the profitability of the related SCs in terms of net present value (NPV). The model investigates the effect of various market behaviours in the relation between green image factor (GIF) and regional WS, when WF management strategies are implemented. The SD simulation results reveal that WF mitigation policies have a considerable impact on GIF in environmentally sensitive markets, thus increasing the relevant market share and the agrifood SC stakeholders’ profitability. Finally, this research provides managerial insights concerning green marketing interventions in the agrifood sector.

Circular supply chains and renewable chemical feedstocks: a network configuration analysis framework

This research has received funding from the EPSRC Reference No. EP/K014889/1 – “Terpene-based Manufacturing for Sustainable Chemical Feedstocks”, and the EPSRC Reference No. EP/K02888X/1 – “Engineering Driven Sustainable Supply Networks”.

Industry 4.0: Sustainable material handling processes in industrial environments

Abstract Responding to the intensified shareholders’ pressure for economic growth, stringent health regulatory schemes and increased consumers’ environmental awareness Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) revolution provide opportunities for developing effective industrial applications that efficiently tackle the triple-helix sustainability challenges associated with operations in industrial systems. Our ongoing research demonstrates that Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are a rapidly emerging research field with existing studies focusing more on economic ramifications by addressing network optimization and distribution problems, and less on developing integrated methodological approaches for promoting environmental and social sustainability. This study aims at motivating the role of AGVs as enablers of sustainability in modern manufacturing systems while focusing more on the environmental sustainability echelon. We first provide an overview of the updated AGVs’ capabilities in the Industry 4.0 era through reviewing successful case studies. The study focuses on material handling and manufacturing industries while it provides insights for approaching the process industries. Furthermore it indicates the economic, environmental and social aspects at the industrial environment and pinpoints critical KPIs of the system. Prospective research avenues and business opportunities for AGV systems that need to be considered by academicians and practitioners to foster the transition towards a more sustainable future are highlighted as well.

Exploring Opportunities for Circular Supply Chains Arising from Renewable Chemical Feedstocks

The aim of this research is to provide an integrated framework for supporting the design of commercially viable supply chains (SCs) towards delivering value-added intermediates or end-products based on renewable chemical feedstocks. To that end, we first provide the inclusive hierarchical decision-making process that applies to all stakeholders involved in the design and management of circular SCs arising from renewable chemical feedstock platform technologies. We then propose a framework that captures SC configuration opportunities based on four essential pillars including: (i) renewable chemical feedstocks, (ii) production process technologies, (iii) markets, and (iv) value and viability. We conclude by identifying key elements that need to be considered for ensuring the viability of the defined circular supply networks.

A System Dynamics Approach to Food Security through Smallholder Farming in the UK

© Copyright 2017, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l. The aim of this research is to investigate the role of smallholder farming in tackling food security and sustainability related challenges in the developed world. In this regard, the relevant literature is discussed and a System Dynamics modelling framework that captures self-sufficiency of cereals produced in the United Kingdom, as an indicator of national food security, is developed. The simulation results from a scenario analysis indicate that appropriate governance and effective policy-making interventions, supporting smallholding farming and short food supply chains in the developed world, provide promising grounds towards ensuring food security and social cohesion, while further promoting economic growth and environmental sustainability. Finally, this research is an initial approach towards the development of food security early warning systems and decision support tools that could be employed by policy-makers and regulators to design effective interventions for the sustainable development of food supply systems.

An Approach to Evaluate Alternative Process and Supply Chain Opportunities Enabled by Sustainable Chemical Feedstocks

This research has received funding from the EPSRC under Grant Reference No. EP/K014889/1, Panel Name: “EPSRC Sustainable Chemical Feedstocks”, Project Full Title: “Terpene-based Manufacturing for Sustainable Chemical Feedstocks”, Project Duration: 2013–2018.

Intelligent autonomous vehicles in digital supply chains: From conceptualisation, to simulation modelling, to real-world operations

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to discuss key challenges associated with the use of either simulation or real-world application of intelligent autonomous vehicles (IAVs) in supply network operations; and second, to provide a theoretical and empirical evidence-based methodological framework that supports the integrated application of conceptualisation, simulation, emulation and physical application of IAVs for the effective design of digital supply networks.,First, this study performs a critical review of the extant literature to identify major benefits and shortcomings related to the use of either simulation modelling or real-word application of physical IAVs. Second, commercial and bespoke software applications, along with a three-dimensional validation and verification emulation tool, are developed to evaluate an IAV’s operations in a conceptual warehouse. Third, a commercial depth-sensor is used as a test bed in a physical setting.,The results demonstrate that conceptual and simulation modelling should be initially used to explore alternative supply chain operations in terms of ideal performance while emulation tools and real-world IAV test beds are eminent in validating preferred digital supply chain design options.,The provided analysis framework was developed using literature evidence along with experimental work and research experience, without consulting any industry experts. In addition, this study was developed based on the application of a single physical device application as a test bed and, thus, the authors should further progress with the testing of a physical IAV in an industrial warehouse.,The study provides bespoke simulation modelling and emulation tools that can be useful for supply chain practitioners in effectively designing network operations.,This work contributes in the operations management field by providing both a multi-stage methodological framework and a practical “toolbox” for the proactive assessment and incorporation of IAVs in supply network operations.

Inventory planning and control in ‘green’ pharmacies supply chains – A System Dynamics modelling perspective

This research has received funding from the EPSRC under Grant Reference No. EP/K014889/1, Panel Name: “EPSRC Sustainable Chemical Feedstocks”, Project Full Title: “Terpene-based Manufacturing for Sustainable Chemical Feedstocks”, Project Duration: 2013-2018.

The Role of Marketing Interventions in Fostering the Diffusion of Green Energy Technologies

The energy landscape of the twenty-first century is dominated by ramifications necessitating critically low carbon emissions and efficient utilization of renewable energy sources. Therefore, in order to support the transition to the green energy era a myriad of policies is drafted and implemented with the most notable being the “20-20-20” European directive. Therefore, effective marketing strategies could assist in the transition from fossil fuel based to clean energy production technologies. Thus far, the existing body of marketing literature tackling the adoption of green energy systems is rather limited. In addition, innovation diffusion models in the energy sector are case-depended and can only provide myopic managerial insights. To that end, well-designed intervention policies in the marketing domain could stimulate the environmental awareness of consumers and further foster the diffusion of renewable sources in the energy sector. Hence, in this study we propose a system dynamics (SD) methodological approach to assess marketing interventions that could promote the diffusion of clean energy production. Such modeling could provide important managerial insights with regard to the merit of effective marketing operations towards a robust and sustainable future in the energy landscape.