This systematic review investigates the implications of Industry 4.0 technologies on supply chain visibility and operational efficiency. The primary aim is to discern the impact of technological integration on contemporary supply chain dynamics. Methods: A comprehensive search strategy identified 65 pertinent studies published between 2015 and 2023. The review adheres to systematic methodologies, employing the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme framework for quality assessment. Data synthesis incorporates qualitative and quantitative analyses to distill key themes and patterns. Results: The review unveils the pivotal role of information visibility in fortifying supply chain outcomes, emphasizing the need for a dual investment strategy encompassing technological solutions and a collaborative organizational culture. Regional variations in supply chain practices, insights from humanitarian supply chains, and the influence of environmental factors on agility broaden the understanding of Industry 4.0 implications. Organizations are urged to adopt a context-specific, adaptive approach, recognizing the significance of intangible assets and tailoring strategies to local contexts for optimal supply chain performance. This systematic review contributes a nuanced understanding of Industry 4.0’s transformative potential in supply chain management, emphasizing the interplay between technology, organizational culture, and regional contexts.

International trade enables countries to expand their markets, access more products, improve resource allocation, and boost economic growth by leveraging comparative advantage and specialization. The aim of this article is to analyze the primary factors that influence Malawi’s international trade flows. The study is relevant because it examines Malawi’s trade patterns with its main partners, which include surrounding nations and traditional trade allies. The novelty is that, through the analysis, the research offers valuable insights into the primary factors that influence Malawi’s international commerce. Panel data is gathered from various sources, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, covering the period from 2000 to 2023 for 11 countries that are trading partners with Malawi. We employ the Bayesian Mindsponge gravity methodology. The results show that the economic size (characterized by the gross domestic product) of the origin and destination countries, bilateral agreements, and the population size of the destination country have a beneficial impact on Malawi’s exports. In conclusion, Malawi’s export performance is significantly enhanced by the economic size of both Malawi and its trading partners, the existence of bilateral agreements, and the population size of the destination countries, underscoring the importance of strategic economic partnerships and targeted trade policies in boosting Malawi’s international trade. We recommend Malawi authorities focus on strengthening bilateral agreements and targeting trade relationships with larger and more populous economies to boost international trade.

The aim of this research is to analyze the effect of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the bilateral trade flows of the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We use the method of generalized least squares (GLS) panel to correct for correlation and heteroskedasticity problems. We have employed the gravity model extended to ICT to examine the effects of key ICT indicators on bilateral exports and imports. The sample includes 44 African countries of the subcontinent, including 43 countries as partners (importers/exporters) and one reporter country (exporter/importer) and covers the period 2010 to 2019. The results show that access to mobile telephony and the internet, as well as the development of e-commerce, have a great potential for improving intra-African bilateral trade and that the effect of ICT is not unequivocal according to the category of flow considered. However, it emerges from these results that the development of ICT as it is today has not yet succeeded in overturning the argument of physical distance as a barrier to trade in sub-Saharan Africa. The key conclusion is that the establishment of better-quality ICT services and infrastructure is more critical to intra-African trade. African policymakers should accommodate sufficient support to establish the ICT infrastructure and expand ICT penetration by reducing the costs of communication, transactions and access to ICT.

Purpose: The implementation of digital supply chain management (DSCM) has brought about a paradigm shift in the construction industry, which is known for its complex and dynamic nature. This study examines the advantages of implementing a digital supply chain into building projects, focusing on efficient procurement, real-time tracking, and its effects on the sustainability of the project. Methodology: A stratified sampling approach is used in the research methodology to collect quantitative data from construction project managers and supply chain specialists using surveys and questionnaires. The study’s main objective is to measure how improved stakeholder coordination, real-time tracking, and streamlined procurement procedures affect sustainability and efficiency. Findings: The results of this study highlight the significant advantages of DSCM in raising the effectiveness of building projects. The results include shortened lead times, improved supply chain visibility, streamlined procurement procedures, and optimal resource allocations. Originality and conclusions: This paper is focused on the potential difficulties and roadblocks to a successful DSCM implementation. The study provides insightful information for decision-makers and practitioners in the construction sector. To successfully apply DSCM, organizations need to make investments in technology and training, improve teamwork, and create risk-reduction plans.

This study aimed to examine an uncertain stochastic optimal control problem premised on an uncertain stochastic process. The proposed approach is used to solve an optimal portfolio selection problem. This paper’s research is relevant because it outlines the procedure for solving optimal control problems in uncertain random environments. We implement Bellman’s principle of optimality method in dynamic programming to derive the principle of optimality. Then the resulting Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation (the equation of optimality in uncertain stochastic optimal control) is used to solve a proposed portfolio selection problem. The results of this study show that the dynamic programming principle for optimal control of uncertain stochastic differential equations can be applied in optimal portfolio selection. Also, the study results indicate that the optimal fraction of investment is independent of wealth. The main conclusion of this study is that, in Itô-Liu financial markets, the dynamic programming principle for optimal control of uncertain stochastic differential equations can be applied in solving the optimal portfolio selection problem.

At present, managers need to acquire and master various management skills that contribute to a positive organizational environment. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between management skills and the organizational environment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Karachi, Pakistan. The primary objective is to determine how various management skills — negotiation, decision-making, leadership, communication, and teamwork — affect the organizational environment within SMEs. Scientific methods for research adopt a descriptive and quantitative approach, utilizing a questionnaire administered to managers of 253 SMEs. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) via the partial least squares (PLS) method, employing SmartPLS 4 software. Findings of the study reveal that the latent variables of negotiation and leadership significantly impact the organizational environment, with an R-square value of 0.854. The effect size (F-square) indicates a high impact of negotiation (F-square = 0.720) on the organizational environment, while leadership has a lower but still significant effect (F-square = 0.103). Other management skills, such as decision-making, communication, and teamwork, also show positive associations with the organizational environment, although to lower degrees. Conclusions. The study emphasizes the significance of management skills, particularly effective negotiation and leadership, in fostering a productive organizational environment in SMEs. Also, it suggests that training and development in these areas could significantly improve performance.

The aim of this study is to introduce and assess Ehsan’s Three Tables Model as a novel framework for conducting systematic literature reviews in business and economics studies. The primary challenge in this field lies in the inconsistent identification of research gaps, which often impedes knowledge advancement. To address this, Ehsan’s Three Tables Model offers a structured and comprehensive approach designed to improve the precision and clarity of research gap identification. Methods employed include a systematic review of existing literature, deductive analysis, and the application of the Three Tables Model to categorize and analyze research gaps across various industries and regions. Results of the study demonstrate that this model offers a more rigorous methodology for organizing and analyzing literature, ensuring that identified gaps are both relevant and actionable. It moves beyond conventional approaches by employing a three-step process: compiling relevant studies, categorizing research gaps, and outlining how the current study fills these gaps. The author concluded that the proposed model contributes to the field of business and economics studies by presenting a fresh, structured perspective on literature reviews, providing researchers with an innovative tool to conduct more impactful and targeted studies.