Relational Approaches Related to Digital Supply Chain Management Consolidation
, Lucian Ispas 3, Ioan Virca 2, Leontin Stanciu 1, Marius Milandru 2, Gabriel Mănescu 2 and Mădălina-Ioana Bădilă 4
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
RELATIONAL APPROACHES RELATED TO DIGITAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT CONSOLIDATION
The links between causes and effects, however, are unclear. In order to reveal a true efficient and consolidated functional synergy within an advanced digital supply chain, the purpose of this study is to concentrate on the critical elements of digital supply chain management (SCM) consolidation. In this sense, this paper develops a theoretical framework to define relational considerations regarding the consolidation of digital SCM, pointing out the determinants of digital SCM resilience and the intelligent digital tools for optimal SCM; proposes mathematical relationships to strengthen digital SCM; presents a case study on the selection and implementation of the optimal and timely solution. This research can help managers identify the critical technologies used in the transition of traditional supply chains to digital supply chains, as well as investigating the process by which their organization, which is a link in a supply chain, becomes aware of environmental disturbances, understands their significance and potential effects, determines the available planned or unplanned options, and assists them in the decision process.
l This is an interesting paper that takes a compelling methodological approach to examine an important and timely set of issues on “DIGITAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT CONSOLIDATION”. Please underscore the scientific value added/contributions of your paper in your abstract and introduction and address your debate shortly in the abstract.
l The major defect of this study is the debate or Argument is not clear stated in the introduction session. Hence, the contribution needs to be proper addressing in this manuscript. What has been studied Introduction should be clearly stated research questions and targets first. Then answer several questions: Why is the topic important (or why do you study on it)? What are research questions or objectives? What are your contributions? Why is to propose this particular method (This must come from Literature discussion)? However, there are too many drawing figures in the context. I would suggest you to explain those figures in context properly or remove some of them. Usually, the figures are explaining the results.
l To be legible, the whole text must be completely edited with the help of a native English editor to polish your writing
l The literature review is necessary for you to clarify the “contribution” of your study. Each reference mentioned should be discussed; otherwise, it is not helpful just to list them or in tables. I would suggest you to include these new references in your context and references section. (2022) Impact of information and communications technology alignment on supply chain performance in the Industry 4.0 era: mediation effect of supply chain integration, Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering, DOI: 10.1080/21681015.2022.2099472; and (2021) Sustainable industrial and operation engineering trends and challenges Toward Industry 4.0: a data driven analysis, Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering, 38:8, 581-59
l Basically, you should enhance your findings, limitations, underscore the scientific value added of your paper, and/or the applicability of your contributions/shortages and future study in this session.
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
This paper proposes mathematical relationships to strengthen digital supply chain management (SCM) and presents a case study on the selection and implementation of the optimal and timely solution. It also develops a theoretical framework to define relational considerations regarding the consolidation of digital SCM, pointing out the determinants of digital SCM resilience and the intelligent digital tools for optimal SCM.
I found the topic of this paper is interesting and realistic. However, the contribution of the current version might not be sufficient. It faces some shortcomings that raise doubt about its quality. Some of the issues are as follows:
Comments:
1. The Introduction lacks some fundamental elements. First, the arguments should be supported sufficiently by the literature, whereas in the current format is hard to see any evidence from the literature. Secondly, the contribution of the paper should be highlighted in the Introduction.
2. Novelty of the work is not clearly discussed. It should be included properly.
3. Please provide the comparison table at the end of section 2 so that the main research gap can be easily shown.
4. The datasets of the parameters are hypothetical no justification is given for the selection of the specific numbers in the model, it seems they are tailor made to fit the proposed method. Is that means the model will not work with other parameter values, please explain.
5. Please add a section, called “managerial insights”. In this section, discuss the way out of applications of the study in the real-life industries.
6. The expressions (1) to (4) were not explained. What does this expression take into account? What does the expression mean in practical terms.
7. There are lot of printing mistake in References. These should be revised. Furthermore, follow the proper format.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Thank you for having an opportunity to read the manuscript entitled Relational Approaches Related to Digital Supply Chain Management Consolidation. It was intriguing to read your literature review, and analysis and to see your conclusions. You addressed a very important topic in your research focusing on the specific relational approaches of digital SCM. However, I also have some concerns concerning your work, which I will detail in the following.
Abstract: please let readers know exactly what your research method/s was/were
Introduction: you need to consider which research questions you want and can answer with your study. What important gap in literature your study filled in?
Methodological issues:
- Explain which your theoretical research model is derived from the research questions
- Please provide justification in “Method” for your case study research method, although it contains only hypothetical data/situations. Is this a case study or testing of your proposed mathematical relationships? In general, I suggest that the writing of individual equations and their descriptions should be carefully reviewed by the Authors so that there are no ambiguities related to their correctness and correct interpretation.
- Please, provide details on how your theoretical assumptions were explicitly presented in the literature. Do other scholars develop your `mathematically relationships`? Are your findings generalizable?
Discussion, limitations, and theoretical/practical contribution:
- The authors should provide a separate chapter on limitations, and the issues mentioned should be considered in more detail. Among others, the validity of the results could still be questioned because of the specifics of the research model and because that needs explicit attention.
- Contribution: it remains still rather vague what exactly is the theoretical contribution of the study since the authors either blend practical and theoretical contributions or did not provide references when discussing theoretical and practical contributions.
References
Please, revise the References carefully. Moreover, some references you use about digital SCM are not academic (e.g., Ross, L. The 10 Best Supply Chain Companies of 2021. Available online: https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/the-10-best- 887supply-chain-companies-of-2021/ (accessed on 02.06.22) and miss any critical endeavor regarding this topic, you should be particularly critical in your argument.
I hope this feedback will be helpful for the next revision of the manuscript.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
can be published
Author Response
Thank you very much for all the valuable pointers and for agreeing to publish the article.
Reviewer 2 Report
The revised version of the article can be accepted for publication.
Author Response
Thank you very much for all the valuable pointers and for agreeing to publish the article.
Reviewer 3 Report
The paper would be acceptable if the moderate English changes required are satisfactorily completed.
Author Response
Thank you very much for all the valuable pointers. We have made a revision of the text as you indicated.
