eprsc
Next Generation Manufacturing Supply Chains and Digital Economy Research Collaboration

Programme of work

Overall interaction among the partners and the major activities to be carried out as well as the potential outcomes to achieve the objectives are illustrated in figure . These are as follows:

1. Network building (All) – This will be achieved through proposed visits, meetings, and workshops as detailed in Table 1. In addition a database of ‘who is who’ in the field of next generation supply chains and digital economy will developed and populated throughout the duration of the project.

2. Delphi Study (Hull, Nottingham, IITB, IITKh)- This study will be designed by the academic partners and implemented utilising the ‘who is who’ database both in India and the UK. This will assist in better understanding of the development and the potential scenarios for next generation supply chains.

3.  Barriers and Enablers (Cardiff, Loughborough) - Potential enablers including digital economy and barriers for next generation supply chains will be identified using a variety of means such as interviews, case studies, workshops with participation from academia and industry from UK and India.

4. Dissemination (Hull, Cardiff, Brunel, IIMB, IIMC) - The knowledge gained through the project activities and collaboration on NEX-GEM will be disseminated following means:

  • Two Workshops in the UK- The first workshop will be held at the end of the year 1 and second at the end of year 2. Each workshop will have a specific theme and the Indian partners will be invited to participate. Proposed themes are:

Workshop 1- “Enablers and Barriers for implementing Next- generation Supply chains”

Workshop 2: “Digital Economy and the Future of Next - generation supply chains”

  • A website will be created at the start of the project which will be updated regularly with relevant information to anyone interested in the area of research, but will also provide a portal for the project partners to interact with each other.
  • A publicity brochure will be deployed to major universities and industries in the UK and India to raise the profile of the network and provide opportunities for others to get involved with the network for future research.
  • Joint publications will be submitted to relevant journals in the area of research.
  • Special issue on “Next generation supply chains” in a journal. The consortium members have strong links with journals such as: International journal of logistics management (Lalwani), International Journal of Production Economics (Naim), International Journal of Logistics Research Applications (Pawar).
  • Participation in International and National conferences.

5. Planning and management (Hull, Nottingham)- The PI has extensive experience in managing EPSRC projects  and EU Asia IT &C Europe- India project as the lead investigator (see track record).  PI will be assisted by Co-I who has substantial experience in managing international research programmes funded through, EU, EPSRC, Government and industry.

6.Project Deliverables

The project work plan is designed to deliver the following outputs:

1. Two workshops in UK

2. Report on the visits and other activities

3. Website as platform for collaboration and knowledge dissemination

4. Repository of experts in the “Next generation supply chain”

5. Special issue of a journal

6. Two conference papers written jointly with partners in India.

7.  Recommendations for potential areas for collaborative research.