Browsing by Author "Afy-Shararah, Mohamed"
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Item Open Access Advancing sustainability and efficiency in supply chains: insights from the special issue on sustainable supply chain and lean manufacturing [Editorial](MDPI, 2023-10-18) Jagtap, Sandeep; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Raut, Rakesh; Gupta, SumitItem Open Access Data-driven environmental sustainability of supply chain for medical equipment(Elsevier, 2024-01-12) Yuksek, Yagmur Atescan; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Salonitis, KonstantinosSustainable supply chain of medical equipment is challenging due to the inherent importance of having health-related components in-stock whilst balancing the economic and environmental impact of that. In general, to minimize the environmental impact of inventory management, physical inventory space and transportation amount can be lowered. However, in medical equipment, shortage of medical materials, and supplies could cause delays in providing adequate healthcare services. Therefore, effective inventory management is required to maintain a steady supply while minimizing the environmental and economic impact of supply chain. This study is aimed at assessing the environmental and economic impact of inventory for a medical equipment manufacturer. Inventory classification of the medical equipment manufacturer is performed using ABC analysis. After inventory classification using ABC, safety stock analysis is performed. Obtained inventory results are analysed both in terms of environmental sustainability using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach and in terms of economic impact calculating cost of holding safety stock. An LCA model is created based on transportation of procurements. Impact assessment is performed to define most environmentally and economically impactful suppliers of the medical equipment manufacturer.Item Open Access Energy flexibility in aerospace manufacturing: the case of low carbon intensity production(Elsevier, 2024-05-17) Haddad, Yousef; De Bonneval, Elena Galigny; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Carter, Joseph; Artingstall, James; Salonitis, KonstantinosIn this paper, the prospects of energy flexibility in mitigating the environmental impact of aerospace manufacturing are explored. In collaboration with a UK-based aerospace manufacturing enterprise, demand response, in particular production time, is explored under different stochastic scenarios. This is done through a decision-support framework that consists of a stochastic discrete-event simulation model that tests different scenarios under a full factorial design of experiments framework. The simulation model tests various improvement strategies pertaining to prioritisation rules, production start-up rules, and operating hours. The model aids in scheduling energy-intensive processes, so the time of performing such processes can coincide with times of the day when the energy’s carbon intensity is at its lowest. The use case constitutes a family of aluminium structural aerospace components that are characterised by high production rate. Results demonstrate promising potential of the proposed approach, with the best-case scenario resulting in a 7% reduction in CO2e emissions. Analysis of the results demonstrate that operational decisions that do not require infrastructural changes or capital expenditures can contribute favourably to achieving net-zero targets. This research offers useful insights on leveraging operational short-term decisions to meet the aerospace manufacturing’s sector decarbonisation targets.Item Open Access Evaluating LCA product families in an approach to determine baseline emissions within aerospace manufacturing(Elsevier, 2024-05-07) Cox, Rylan; Venkatapuram, Roopa Sai Reddy; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Carter, Joseph L.; Artingstall, James; Salonitis, KonstantinosThis paper investigates a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based methodology to determine baseline emissions for an aerospace manufacturer. Aerospace manufacturing entails high complexity and low throughput of a vast array of components. Rather than establishing the environmental footprint through waste, electric, and gas data alone; an LCA cradle-to-gate approach extends to a product's raw material acquisition and shipment to provide a comprehensive set of environmental performance indicators. The approach combines several products that follow a similar manufacturing process and can be denoted as a product family. This paper discusses the ability that LCA product families must develop baseline emissions for products validated with a case study of an aerospace component. The methodology can be extended to other product families manufactured within the facility which when combined will accumulate to a site-wide environmental footprint. The paper further evaluates how this methodology can identify environmental hotspots at a process and product level. The aerospace component case study incorporates several manual and automated stages. This work aims to demonstrate the ease of determining baseline emissions using an LCA product family and enable aerospace manufacturing companies to adopt a similar approach to establishing environmental hotspots. This can drive strategic internal change for sustainable manufacturing aligning with company environmental, social, and financial frameworks.Item Open Access Implementing pull manufacturing in make-to-order environments(IOS Press, 2022-12-31) Almanei, Mohammed; Oleghe, Omogbai; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Salonitis, KonstantinosThe demand for increasing product variety and customization has forced many companies to adopt a make-to-order (MTO) strategy. Traditional push-type MTO companies suffer from unstable demands, struggling to deliver on time, making them consider the utilization of pull systems to control production. In the present paper, an overview of pull systems in MTO environments is presented. Moreover, a discrete event simulation (DES) model of an MTO company in the printing and packaging industrial sector was developed and validated, in order to identify areas for improvement. DES was also used in order to evaluate the feasibility of implementing three types of pull systems: kanban, CONstant-Work-In-Process (CONWIP) and Paired Overlapping Loops of Cards with Authorizations (POLCA). The main performance indicators measured were the average WIP and the average throughput time of parts. The key findings of this project for the case study were: a) kanban is inapplicable for the current routing of parts; b) a CONWIP strategy improves the shop floor performance, but only when extra capacity is added to the extrusion workstation; c) production based on POLCA leads to the blockage of the system due to the existence of multi-routes and undirected routing.Item Open Access Integrated modeling of “soft” and “hard” variables in manufacturing(Springer, 2022-08-09) Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Salonitis, KonstantinosThis paper presents a novel holistic modeling approach for investigating and analyzing the relationship of qualitative variables such as training and absenteeism with quantifiable shopfloor key performance indicators such as quality, inventory, and production rate. Soft variables, supervisor support and work environment, and their relationships with the hard variables, facility layout, and production strategies were investigated in this research. It was found in the literature that increasing absenteeism reduces the rate of production and causes a decrease in motivation, while training can increase the level of motivation if effective. A causal loop diagram was developed based on the evidence in the literature, and a system dynamics simulation model was created to depict these relations. It was confirmed that absenteeism affected the cycle time and motivation inversely, but it was not possible to always maintain a desired level of motivation. A discrete event simulation model was also built for the current and the future state maps of the production system. The model used output from the system dynamics model as its input to investigate the effects of the qualitative variables on the production system performance. This paper discusses in detail the stages of building the simulation models and the results recorded.Item Open Access Investigating the challenges of applying the principles of the circular economy in the fashion industry: a systematic review(Elsevier, 2022-05-17) Abdelmeguid, Aya; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Salonitis, KonstantinosThis is a systematic literature review paper that aims to synthetically report on the challenges of implementing circular economy (CE) in the fashion industry, to help key stakeholders in the industry shape their strategies and turn these challenges into opportunities. The method adopted to achieve the purpose of the paper is the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Following the PRISMA 2020 flow diagram, 55 studies and 7 other sources were included and used to analyze the findings. Using a deductive research approach, the paper categorises the aspects related to the circular economy and their challenges identified through the systematic review of hard aspects and soft aspects of business management. The hard aspects identified include business model innovation, regulatory pressures, stakeholders' pressures, and financial pressures. Whilst the soft aspects identified include green intellectual capital and consumer-related issues. A conceptual framework is proposed to represent the hard and soft aspects identified in the literature, which could provide a guideline to management to facilitate the implementation of circular economy. The main implication of the paper is that management needs to focus on managing and overcoming the challenges of soft aspects first, by emphasizing the different practices identified in the paper, to be able to manage the challenges of hard aspects effectively and achieve better outcomes. However, it is recommended that the implications of this paper are empirically tested to uncover their values.Item Open Access An investigation between the links of sustainable manufacturing practices and innovation(Elsevier, 2023-04-18) Litos, Lampros; Patsavellas, John; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Salonitis, KonstantinosWithout a clear sustainability agenda in place, manufacturing companies would typically aim for products with incremental improved performance for their customers or introducing novel and innovative products and services that appeal to their target audience. However, mounting pressures to improve environmental performance indicators (carbon emissions, waste) require companies to think about step change improvements in how they operate and manage energy and resources. Companies trying to make their products with less energy and materials (doing more with less) are likely to face, or must address, operational and systemic changes in order to achieve better outcomes for the environment or ESG targets. Part of the issue at hand is the complexity and effort required to design effective changes with positive environmental outcomes and minimal disruption for on-going operations and manufacturing performance. In this article the authors aim to extend and explore the utility of a novel maturity model for eco-efficiency into innovation processes and practices and better understand the implications for theory and practice.Item Open Access The learning factory through the sustainability lens(SSRN, 2023-06-07) Milisavljevic-Syed, Jelena; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Sahin, Orhan; Salonitis, KonstantinosManufacturing organizations are facing increasing global pressures to be more digitalized, sustainable, and lean. Whereas the manufacturing industry is facing a shortage of demanding competencies of Industry 4.0., because the talent pool is either dry or the knowledge related to such skills is still not clearly formulated. Learning factories, through their triangular depth of education, research, and training, have been seen by many researchers in recent years as suitable environments to address these gaps in knowledge and skills. Although it is very useful for academia and industry alike, not much has been found on how to develop a learning factory. In this paper, the authors propose a new morphology and shed light on the sustainability that should be addressed when designing or reconfiguring learning factories. They provide existing limitations and future challenges and questions as research opportunities that must be addressed to further advance this learning environment.Item Open Access Mapping of the circular economy implementation challenges in the fashion industry: a fuzzy‑TISM analysis(Springer, 2023-08-26) Abdelmeguid, Aya; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Salonitis, KonstantinosThe fashion industry creates a large amount of pollution, making it one of the least environmentally friendly industries in the world with an ever-growing adoption of the linear fashion system “take-make-dispose” that continues to exploit scarce natural resources and energy. This advocate shifting to a circular economy to achieve sustainable production and consumption. However, numerous challenges are faced when introducing the principles of circular economy, obstructing the system transition. The ten challenges identified from the literature include poor material and energy efficiency, poor circular design, technological challenges, regulatory pressures, internal stakeholders’ pressures, financial pressures, insufficient human capital, poor management and leadership, lack of external collaborations, and consumer-related challenges. This research aims to identify the level of significance of the challenges identified from the literature to assist top management with formulating a strategy. Decisions will be made and prioritised based on the key challenges to ensure a successful and effective implementation of the circular economy in the fashion industry. To achieve the aim of this research, seven experts within both the circular economy and fashion context are interviewed. Fuzzy Total Interpretive Structural Modelling (Fuzzy-TISM) is used to arrange the challenges into a hierarchy-based model and to illustrate the interrelationship between these challenges. Also, Fuzzy MICMAC analysis is used to map and rank these challenges depending on their driving and dependence power. Based on the findings, regulatory pressures and poor management and leadership are the key challenges with the highest significance level. Therefore, successful and effective implementation of a circular economy requires a change in managerial strategies.Item Open Access Modelling sources of operational noise in production systems(Elsevier, 2021-07-30) Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Patsavellas, John; Salonitis, KonstantinosThis paper aims to identify and model the sources of operational noise that contribute to unstable and poor flow of materials in production systems. 80 interviews with managers and decision-makers were conducted and analyzed and have revealed that internal technical instabilities, employee variability, and customer and supplier uncertainty are the major sources of operational noise. They have also identified the relationships between the different variables of a production system that contribute to the amplification of operational noise and hence should be managed effectively to ensure a smooth flow in manufacturing operations.Item Open Access The Russia-Ukraine conflict: its implications for the global food supply chains(MDPI, 2022-07-14) Jagtap, Sandeep; Trollman, Hana; Trollman, Frank; Garcia-Garcia, Guillermo; Parra-López, Carlos; Duong, Linh; Martindale, Wayne; Munekata, Paulo E. S.; Lorenzo, Jose M.; Hdaifeh, Ammar; Hassoun, Abdo; Salonitis, Konstantinos; Afy-Shararah, MohamedFood is one of the most traded goods, and the conflict in Ukraine, one of the European breadbaskets, has triggered a significant additional disruption in the global food supply chains after the COVID-19 impact. The disruption to food output, supply chains, availability, and affordability could have a long-standing impact. As a result, the availability and supply of a wide range of food raw materials and finished food products are under threat, and global markets have seen recent increases in food prices. Furthermore, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has adversely affected food supply chains, with significant effects on production, sourcing, manufacturing, processing, logistics, and significant shifts in demand between nations reliant on imports from Ukraine. This paper aims to analyze the impacts of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on the effectiveness and responsiveness of the global food supply chains. A PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach, including grey literature, was deployed to investigate six key areas of the food supply chains that would be impacted most due to the ongoing war. Findings include solutions and strategies to mitigate supply chain impacts such as alternative food raw materials, suppliers and supply chain partners supported by technological innovations to ensure food safety and quality in warlike situations.Item Open Access Towards circular fashion: management strategies promoting circular behaviour along the value chain(Elsevier, 2024-05-22) Abdelmeguid, Aya; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Salonitis, KonstantinosThe fashion industry is a significant driver of cultural, societal, and economic growth worldwide, but its traditional linear approach has led to negative environmental and social impacts. This study addresses the need to transition towards sustainable and circular practices by exploring the relationship between management strategies and behaviours across the fashion value chain. Through 10 semi-structured interviews with top industry decision-makers, thematic analysis revealed eight core themes, including collaborations, marketing strategies, product-related characteristics, education and awareness, business models, integration of technology, regulations and legislation, and strategic planning. The study provides targeted recommendations for stakeholders to promote a more sustainable and circular behaviour in the fashion industry. For instance, it emphasises strategic partnerships with suppliers, waste management companies, and consumers to minimise waste and promote circularity across the value chain. It urges the adoption of sustainable materials and eco-friendly designs for environmentally conscious consumers and encourages visual storytelling for transparency. Additionally, the study highlights the need for circular business models, recommending on-demand and made-to-measure manufacturing to align production with demand and reduce overproduction. Offering end-of-life strategies such as take-back programs, recycling initiatives, and repair services extends product lifecycles and creates sustainable value. Integrating advanced technologies such as digital IDs improves supply chain transparency and accountability. These actionable recommendations guided the development of a comprehensive framework for the practical application of sustainable and circular practices across the value chain, offering industry practitioners, researchers and policymakers effective strategies for driving impactful change within the fashion industry.Item Open Access The transition to environmentally sustainable production: a roadmap timeline methodology(Elsevier, 2021-10-20) Haddad, Yousef; Pagone, Emanuele; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Pearson, Nicholas; Folland, J. J.; Salonitis, KonstantinosIn this paper, a high-level methodology for the transition to environmentally sustainable practices in the manufacturing industry is developed. The methodology presented in this paper is at the conceptual level and is developed to be applicable to a wide array of industrial settings. The sustainability transitioning methodology provides decision-makers with a roadmap timeline for the methodical decision-making to adopt environmentally sustainable technologies and practices. This is accomplished through integrating two key tools for the selection of new technologies: the technology readiness level, and the ease of implementation versus the impact analysis. The proposed methodology informs decision-makers of the priorities and the perceived impact of the potential technologies. Test and validation are carried out with a case study from the United Kingdom’s aerospace sector. Results from the case study revealed that applying the methodology could influence decision-makers to approve or dismiss the use of new technologies.Item Open Access Using industry 4.0 capabilities for identifying and eliminating lean wastes(Elsevier, 2022-05-26) Rajab, Sulaiman; Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Salonitis, KonstantinosThis paper conducts a review of the literature to identify associations in operations between Industry 4.0 capabilities such as Additive Manufacturing, Augmented Reality, Autonomous Robots, Big Data, Cloud Computing, IIoT, Simulation, and Systems Integration with the commonly identified lean manufacturing wastes of Transport, Inventory, Movement, Waiting, Overproduction, Overprocessing, Defects, and Underutilized skills. The paper documents research that links various capabilities and wastes, including how IIoT can be used to reduce defects in manufacturing, and how it can mitigate overproduction across industries. There is also evidence that big data implementation in manufacturing has positive effects on reducing waiting times across the manufacturing process and delivery, and that cloud computing technologies guarantee better estimates for product and predicted inventory amounts. The research finds impacts on the social aspect of manufacturing by how augmented reality tools are increasingly used in the manufacturing sector to improve workers’ knowledge, skills, and abilities, and that simulation software applications are capable of decreasing operator motion wastes. The paper concludes that there is a clear benefit for SMEs in using Industry 4.0 in lean implementation journeys, and it supports the efforts of manufacturing organizations to become leaner using Industry 4.0 capabilities and solutions.Item Open Access Waste minimization by inventory management in high-volume high-complexity manufacturing organizations(Springer, 2023-04-26) Afy-Shararah, Mohamed; Jagtap, Sandeep; Pagone, Emanuele; Salonitis, KonstantinosOrganizations that manufacture high volumes of complex products (e.g., pharmaceutical, automotive, food) require specific strategies to ensure efficient processing of parts and a sustainable level of inventory by waste minimization. A review of literature sources revealed how inventory is classified and managed amongst organizations and industries and key challenges that current organizations face with existing inventory management systems. In this paper, these findings are compared against each other to determine best practices and potential shortfalls that should be addressed when trying to manage inventory holistically. A study is then conducted using qualitative data from 15 semi-structured interviews to answer key questions on inventory management based on the findings from the literature survey. Responses are inductively coded and analyzed to reveal the most important factors of inventory management and determine the most prominent themes. A graphical model to represent the findings is also presented. Inventory functional accountability, inventory classification, operational strategies, visual management of inventory data, and efficient processes were some of the key themes known to be critical for effective inventory management and thus illustrated in the graphical model.