Project management and supply chain 4.0 improvement: the case of infant formulas in the face of the challenge of COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Supply Chain Management
• Operations Management
• Industrial Engineering

Background:

• Environmental changes necessitate adaptable organizational strategies for sustained quality and competitive advantage.
• Industry 4.0 technologies facilitated operational continuity and productivity during pandemic restrictions.
• Smart supply chains improved product delivery but significant stockouts persisted during the crisis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of effective project and risk management within Industry 4.0.
• To demonstrate how these management practices contribute to supply chain resilience.
• To emphasize the need for enhanced strategies to mitigate vulnerabilities during large-scale crises.

Main Methods:

• Review of Industry 4.0 implementation in supply chains during crisis periods.
• Analysis of the impact of smart digital technologies on emergency strategy development.
• Evaluation of existing project and risk management tools in the context of supply chain operations.

Main Results:

• Industry 4.0 and smart supply chains mitigated some pandemic-related disruptions but did not eliminate stockouts.
• Current smart digital strategies show vulnerability to major crises.
• Project and risk management are identified as crucial for enhancing supply chain flexibility and intelligence.

Conclusions:

• Adequate project and risk management are essential for achieving a flexible, intelligent, and resilient supply chain.
• Integrating these management techniques within Industry 4.0 is key to overcoming future disruptions.
• Further development of project and risk management is needed to address the vulnerabilities of smart supply chains in crises.