مقاله انگلیسی رایگان در مورد زنجیره تامین سبز برای عملیات پایدار در صنعت نیمه رسانا – الزویر 2024

Abstract

Semiconductor industry plays a critical role for the global economy. Semiconductor industry provides various necessary technologies such as IoT, AI, modern fabrication technologies and so on to various industries including automotive industry, electronic and communication industry, healthcare industry, construction and building industry, space industry, and so on. However, semiconductor supply chain experiences various supply chain related risks and challenges because of its procedural complexities, global supply chain integrations, government policy and regulations, competitiveness, technological complexities, and so on. Not many studies available which investigated the risk, resilience, and complexities regarding green supply chain adoption by semiconductor industry. In this context, the objective of this study is to examine the risks, resilience, and complexities for managing the green supply chain adoption for higher sustainability in the semiconductor industry. Utilizing the TOE framework (Technology-Organization-Environment) and DCV (Dynamic Capability View), we developed a research model to achieve this purpose. Subsequently, this model was validated through structural equation modelling, involving 356 respondents affiliated with the semiconductor industry. This study highlights that technological risk aspects comprising of technological turbulence and risk, compatibility and complexity, organizational dynamic capabilities, and resilience along with appropriate policy and regulations could help successful adoption of green supply chain management in the semiconductor industry.

Introduction

Semiconductors are vital components of modern electronics. They are used in many diverse products, such as phones and computers to cars and health devices. The devices mentioned above, and others use microchips, memory units, and chipsets. The semiconductor supply chain is a complex network that involves companies that design, make, test, pack, and distribute semiconductors ( Li et al., 2011 ; Oliveira et al., 2019 ). It is the interconnected framework of entities responsible for the various stages in the lifecycle of semiconductor products. The supply chain is complicated, requiring the alignment of several different steps, from getting parts and materials to the delivery to the ultimate customer ( Browning et al., 1995 ; Lai et al., 2022 ). A complicated web of companies, organizations, and people make up the semiconductor supply chain. They work on the creation, production, quality control, packaging, and delivery of semiconductors. The semiconductor supply chain usually has several steps involving complex supply chain flow ( Oliveira et al., 2019 ). It is to note that for ensuring green innovation to establish a healthier society, adoption of green supply chain management (GSCM) is needed for semiconductor industry. Besides, semiconductor chips manufactured in specialized plants also release carbon content gas polluting the atmosphere ( Awa and Ojiabo, 2016 ). To address these issues, it is essential to use the GSCM process that could help to mitigate such environmental hazards. Supply Chain Management (SCM), which supports the success of many leading companies, is a key element of operations management ( Teece, 2014a ; Stekelorum et al., 2021 ; Vrontis et al., 2022a ). The competitive landscape is not shaped by individual organizations, but by supply chains that have multiple workflows across collaborating partners ( Hwang et al., 2016 ). It is worth mentioning that GSCM practices are important for creating ecofriendly products ( Tseng et al., 2019 ). In the supply chain flow followed in the semiconductor industry, it is needed to resist disruptions of flow of supply of semiconductor chips. This needs the supply chain flow to be more resilient to ensure better performance of manufacturing plants of semiconductor chips which necessitates use of GSCM practices ( Li et al., 2011 ). The strategic SCM is a process that involves multiple interactions among various factors such as strategic sourcing orientation for lasting partnerships, communication between firms, teams across organizations and integration of buyers and suppliers ( Chen & Paulraj, 2004 ). As many businesses source, sell, or compete globally or with global competitors ( Oliveira et al., 2019 ), they use strategic management theories to find ways to cooperate and gain an edge in a global setting. Therefore, many firms and business schools have focused their attention on Global SCM ( Browning et al., 1995 ; Chaudhuri et al., 2022 ; Lai et al., 2022 ). In the semiconductor industry, the global production scenario prevails, characterized by a supply chain network spanning the globe ( Lee et al., 2010 ). Dominated by leading technology-based firms, this industry demands cost efficiency, mass production, and operational flexibility. The semiconductor industry is characterized by its high demand for capital, as it involves sophisticated R&D processes, with few companies that can compete in the market. Management models in this global industry rely heavily on outsourcing and offshoring in SCM processes ( Pan et al., 2015 ). Stekelorum et al. (2021) contend that implementing green supply chain management (GSCM) would enhance the global semiconductor industry’s supply chain network in terms of effectiveness, sustainability, and environmental friendliness. It is important to mention here that the regulatory bodies of all the industries strive to motivate the firms to be environmentally conscious and restrict their activities binding them with some salient regulations to be followed ( Ratusny et al., 2022 ). In the dynamic business environment, semiconductor industry manufacturing firms need to develop their dynamic capabilities to successfully address the volatile situations for survival ( Mousavi et al., 2019 ; Song & Dong, 2024 ).

Conclusions

The present study has taken a novel attempt to enrich the extant literature by synthesizing the factors which include the risks, resilience, and complexities facilitating and impeding the smooth adaptation of GSCM in the semiconductor industry. This study has highlighted how the semiconductor industry could comply the policies and regulations of the governments while adopting the GSCM. This study has also discussed how the business practices in the semiconductor industry which consumes huge energy and pollutes the environment could use green supply chain practices that could lead to business sustainability and fulfils existing environmental related regulations to achieve sustainability goals. This research work has successfully been able to integrate TOE framework along with DCV to develop a hybrid theoretical framework highlighting how semiconductor industry can ensure better adoption of GSCM to achieve their sustainability goals. The proposed framework acts as a tool and guideline for future researchers who intend to ensure GSCM practices in other types of industries by updating the proposed model commensurate with the context of that study. Thus, the proposed model acts as a baseline for future researchers. This study has successfully been able to identify the factors like risk, resilience, and complexity which affect the adoption of GSCM. This study has also found that improvement of dynamic capabilities of the organizations related to semiconductor industry helps to successfully adopt GSCM. Finally, this study has also demonstrated that government policies and regulations have considerable influence on organizations towards achieving sustainability goals through adoption of GSCM.