RSS 1.0Supply Chain Management
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EFFICIENT CROWD MANAGEMENT DURING HAJJ: CHALLENGES, INNOVATIONS, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONSThe Hajj pilgrimage, one of the largest annual mass gatherings globally, presents significant challenges in crowd management due to the sheer volume of participants and the geographical constraints of the event. This literature review explores the multifaceted strategies employed to ensure the safety and efficiency of pilgrim movement during Hajj. By examining historical incidents, current practices, and technological advancements, this review identifies critical success factors and areas needing improvement. Key strategies include the integration of advanced surveillance systems, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics to manage crowd density and flow. The implementation of sophisticated communication networks and mobile applications has enhanced coordination and information dissemination among authorities and pilgrims. Additionally, infrastructural modifications and strategic planning based on crowd science principles have been pivotal in mitigating risks. Despite these advancements, challenges such as cultural sensitivities, logistical complexities, and the dynamic nature of crowd behavior persist. The review concludes with recommendations for future research and practice, emphasizing the need for continuous innovation and collaborative efforts to enhance the safety and experience of millions of pilgrims undertaking this sacred journey.
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Covid-19 and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Industry - Risk Mitigation Strategies.The Covid-19 virus, declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11th March 2020, has left a huge impact on supply chains. The disparities between supply and demand caused great concerns for multinational organizations, as companies struggled to manage their supply chains effectively. This has elicited research questions on the impact of pandemics on supply chain resilience and risk management. As a result. there was a significant amount of related work in literature evaluating the impacts of the pandemic on supply chains. Nonetheless, there is a lack of existing literature tailored to address the impacts of COVID-19 on supply chain vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical industry in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, existing literature has failed to effectively devise mitigation strategies to implement in the Saudi pharmaceutical industry and enhance resilience. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the correlation between supply chains and COVID-19 and asses the impacts it had on the supply chain of pharmaceutical companies based in Saudi Arabia. In addition, it seeks to emphasize the importance of enhancing future pharmaceutical supply chains in Saudi Arabia by proposing adequate mitigation strategies. This research employs a questionnaire that was targeted to individuals working in the pharmaceutical industry in Saudi Arabia to assess their understanding of the disruptions caused by the pandemic and gain insight into their experiences. Findings from this study revealed that there were significant impacts of COVID-19 on the supply chain of pharmaceutical companies in Saudi Arabia and highlighted the need for strategies to mitigate risk in the future.
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Forecasting Downloads for Gacha Games: A Comparative Study of Predictive Models & User Acquisition StrategiesOur research aims to help game developers enhance the quality of Gacha games and increase their popularity among players. We used forecasting techniques and a survey of 177 participants to predict the number of downloads and identify common issues leading to player attrition. Our findings suggest accurate forecasting and issue resolution can boost downloads and player retention rates. Linear regression was the optimal method for predicting the number of downloads for Genshin Impact V3.4, with a predicted count of about 3.85 million. In contrast, exponential smoothing was the most accurate method for Honkai Impact 3rd, with a scheduled download count of 25.96 thousand. We collected data from reputable sources, including Statista, VG Insights, research articles, and YouTube videos. Our research offers practical recommendations for game developers seeking to enhance the quality of their gacha games and their popularity among players.
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Assessing the Efficacy of Risk Mitigations & Preventions in Supply Chain Risk Management Using Fmea & Paired T TestThis study aims to assess the efficacy of risk mitigation and prevention strategies in supply chain risk management (SCRM) using failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and paired t-test. The research is particularly relevant in the context of Industry 4.0 and Supply Chain 4.0, which introduce new technological risks and disruptions. The paper discusses the significance of SCRM in the Industry 4.0 era, the different types of supply chain risks, and the importance of quality management and Six Sigma methodologies for SCRM. The paper employs previous studies where FMEA was used to identify and prioritize risks to implement risk mitigations to reduce risk, and a paired t-test to evaluate the effectiveness of risk mitigation and prevention strategies. The findings aim to provide insights that can help organizations enhance the resilience and sustainability of their supply chains in the face of emerging challenges.
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Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency through Railway Logistics for the Industrial Regions in Saudi ArabiaRailways logistics have been developed since the 19th century; however, until today, utilizing the characteristics of the railway to provide a sustainable supply of raw materials to the industrial regions from the logistics hub increases the efficiency of their supply chain. Supplying raw materials from the logistics hub to the industrial regions grants cost reduction, reliability of the manufacturer’s material supply, positively affecting production capacity, restocking interval time, and social and environmental responsibility. The objective of this study is to highlight the benefits of railway logistics to enhance the economy and improve operational capacity. This research used a mixed method to highlight critical elements of railway freight characteristics and compared them to truck freight characteristics to view the limitation of each approach to decide the optimal solution for the case via cost, environment, social economy, and future potential. The outcomes of this study will be valuable to both the industry manufacturers and the economy.
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IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN SUPPLY CHAIN INTERGRATION PROCESSCovid-19 is a highly infectious respiratory virus that has caused a significant threat to different countries in the world. To curb the spread of the virus, various governments have formulated measures and restrictions on multiple parts of their nations, and the economy has been dramatically affected. Such efforts include restricted movements and total lockdowns in most affected places. The supply chains globally have been disrupted, and putting up with the demands in the market has become difficult. The lockdowns have affected the supply chain integration process as various organizations try to adapt to the new normal. This paper focuses on the challenges facing the supply chain integration process during the pandemic. The paper also focuses on how various supply chains adapt to the new normal caused by the covid-19 pandemic and the effective strategies to help the supply chains maintain efficiency during the pandemic. To evaluate the extent of the covid-19 impacts, this paper surveyed various public and private organizations. The participants in the study gave their views on the multiple impacts of the covid-19 on the supply chain integration process. The opinions provided by the respondents established practical recommendations on improving the resilience of the supply chains at the present times and in future.
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Analyzing the causes and impact of essential medicines and supplies shortages in the supply chain of the Ministry of health in Saudi Arabia: A quantitative survey studyBackground: Investigating the causes and impact of essential medicines and supplies shortages in the supply chain of the MOH in Saudi Arabia could be the initial step in setting innovative strategies for mitigating this issue. This study aimed to identify the key factors contributing to essential medicines and supplies shortages in the supply chain of the MOH in Saudi Arabia and assess their impact on healthcare delivery. Methods: A structured questionnaire was designed to collect relevant data on the causes and impact of essential medicines and supplies shortages. A representative sample of healthcare professionals, from various healthcare MOH facilities in Saudi Arabia. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 26 was used for the data analysis. Results: A total of 379 respondents participated in the study, 73.7% were males, 51.2% were aged 36–45 years, 23.5% were supply chain professionals, and 32.9% reported an experience of >15 years. 90.0% of the participants reported that they personally have experienced shortages of essential medicines and supplies in the MOH supply chain in KSA. Inadequate planning, forecasting, and procurement were identified as the most significant contributing factors for shortages by about half (48.5%). At least two-thirds of the participants agreed with all strategies adopted for mitigating the issue of shortages. Conclusions: The impact of shortages on patients and healthcare professionals was found to be substantial. The study also identified several key strategies to reduce shortages that received strong support from the participants.
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APPLIED SERVICE BLUEPRINT IN A CLINIC AND A DRIVING SCHOOL IN JEDDAHThis dissertation investigates the application of the service blueprint approach in clinics and driving schools in Jeddah, with a focus on improving safety standards and service quality. By exploring the potential benefits, challenges, and implications of the applied blueprint methodology, the research aims to contribute insights for optimizing both clinical procedures and driver education programs. The concept of blueprint and how to put it into practice in a real-life case study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study reveals significant findings from case studies conducted at X Clinic and a prominent driving school in Jeddah, shedding light on the experiences of patients and learners. In the concluding, which also included some useful recommendations based on the results and analysis chapter. These will help Jeddah Driving School improve its business development strategies and service quality procedures moreover the clinics The observations and recommendations provided aim to enhance the overall service delivery process in these essential domains.
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The Evaluation inventory forecasting techniques is a case study in Saudi AirlinesInventory management professionals in the supply chain often face the challenge of anticipating future product sales to achieve customer satisfaction while reducing inventory costs. Although several forecasting methods are available, some might be difficult to implement due to complex processes or unreliable sales data. This study will apply different forecasting techniques using proposed datasets to provide a general guideline for sales forecasting in time series. The main goal is to help supply chain management professionals understand the prediction performance measures and choose the best forecasting method for their needs.
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Optimizing Supply Chain Dynamic, A Comparative Analysis of Kanban with Six Sigma in the Food Beverage IndustryTo enhance efficiency and reliability, this study investigates the benefits of implementing Kanban Lean Practice to support reconfigurable just-in-time (JIT) supply operations. JIT delivery guarantees lean production, which is essential to reduce inventory and capital hoarding, restricted only to raw materials. By reviewing relevant literature, this research project highlights the significance of establishing dependable and adaptable supply chains in the industry to cater to demand diversification while using various raw materials and components at the beginning of production flows. Although physical Kanban cards have limitations when applied to mass customization and the industrial era, Kanban is still a potent JIT strategy with visual indicators that can activate demand diversification. Therefore, The purpose of this paper is to evaluate how well Kanban systems can accommodate demand heterogeneity, resulting in more reliable supply chains and production lines.
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Forecasting Downloads for Gacha Games: A Comparative Study of Predictive Models and User Acquisition StrategiesThis research aims to provide solutions to help game developers improve the quality of gacha games and increase the number of downloads. In this paper, forecasting techniques were used to predict the number of downloads for Genshin Impact V3.4 and Honkai Impact 3rd V6.6, and measure the forecast accuracy. Additionally, a survey was conducted with 177 participants to identify the most common issues that cause players to quit the games. Overall, this research provides insights into improving the quality of gacha games and increasing their popularity among players. The findings suggest that accurate forecasting and addressing common issues can lead to increased downloads and player retention. The results showed that linear regression was the most accurate method for forecasting future downloads of Genshin Impact V3.4, which are expected to be 3.85 million. The most accurate method for Honkai Impact 3rd was exponential smoothing, with an expected download count of 25.96 thousand. The data and information used in this research were collected from Statista, VG Insights, research articles, and YouTube videos.
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Artificial Intelligence Technology Application in Supply Chain Management: Systematic Literature ReviewThe systematic literature review is a basic scientific procedure that enables researchers to see the "lay of the land" in a field. The value of this systematic literature review resides in providing a clear and thorough assessment of the currently available data. Identify any questions that have clear answers based on the evidence and for which further study is not required. As a result, authors can enhance their understanding of the topic of interest, create new research questions, and acquire critical abilities for synthesizing current literature. In a systematic review, research findings are found, assessed, and synthesized to provide a current evidence summary that can support evidence-based practice. This paper used systematic literature to identify the application of artificial intelligence technology in supply chain management. The data was collected from three databases, and several research, inclusion, and exclusion criteria were applied in searching. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to answer the research questions, which sought to identify the supply chain processes that applied artificial intelligence technology and which Artificial intelligence technologies were most commonly used. After applying the search criteria, the review's result indicates that forecasting is one of the most common supply chain processes using AI, and the most common technology used in forecasting is machine learning.
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Digital Transformation in Hospitality and Tourism Service Management: A Case Study on The Application of Service BlueprintNowadays, technology is becoming an essential aspect of everyone's life. Mobile phones, tv, laptops, tablets, etc., all represent types of technology that we use daily. The hospitality and tourism industries are transforming digitally through advanced technology such as VR, AR, and AI. This transformation will result in a massive increase in both sectors. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is actively making tourism and hospitality more accessible. Through the 2030 vision, The Kingdom aims to enforce great efforts and investments in the tourism sector. They are investing billions of dollars into hotels, resorts, and travel to achieve Vision 2030 goals for the tourism industry to increase its share of the national income to over 10%. As technology becomes a part of human life, this study examines the importance of digital transformation in the hospitality and tourism industries and how it will affect their service management. The service blueprint is used in this study to know the customer process from the first to the end point of action and observe how the technology is used and helped in the process by implementing the service blueprint in two different case studies: Movenpick Hotel in Makkah city, and the Biennale Islamic Arts exhibition in Jeddah. The results show that technology helped improve the service and best meet customer satisfaction in the two studies.
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The apprehensions of millennials regarding air travel post COVID-19 pandemic.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, air travel was entirely prohibited, prompting concerns about its safety and value. It is crucial for the aviation sector to address these worries to make flying more comfortable. Future research should explore whether concerns vary across generations. Investigating how Millennials' perceptions and willingness to fly change after their first post-pandemic flight is also recommended. The aviation industry has been severely impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, leading to reduced interest in air travel due to restrictions and health concerns. Ensuring the safety of flying is paramount for the industry's recovery, especially with rising global vaccination rates. Recognizing and addressing people's fears is essential to boost passenger confidence. The travel and tourism sector significantly contribute to the global economy, representing 10.3% of the GDP in 2019 and playing a vital role in job creation. Despite its growth, the industry faces economic uncertainty due to various crises. The survey's purpose is to gauge Millennials' perception of flying safety post-COVID-19 and their willingness to take international leisure flights. Identifying risk factors and safety precautions valued by Millennials aims to inform post-pandemic travel strategies. The study focuses on Finnish Millennials who haven't traveled abroad for pleasure during the pandemic.
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Supporting socio-emotional development in students within families in the post-COVID-19 era: The role of early educators during the pandemic.The COVID-19 virus has disrupted early teacher actions that traditionally promote social and emotional development due to its transmission mechanism and necessary adjustments. This study, conducted in an early care and education (ECE) setting during the pandemic, examines the relationship between professional development, perceived stress, comfort with safety measures, and quarantine status with teachers' social-emotional development practices (SEDP). A quantitative approach was employed, utilizing a survey questionnaire distributed through email and WhatsApp to 100 Saudi Arabian university students and teachers aged 21 to 50. Both English and Arabic versions of Google Forms were utilized, with questions revised for clarity and relevance. Data analysis was performed using Google Forms and Excel, aided by messaging apps and social media for dissemination. The results, presented as percentages and figures, demonstrated a notable association between higher levels of social and emotional development practices and increased comfort with safety measures. Furthermore, a statistically significant correlation was found between teachers' stress levels and heightened use of social and emotional development techniques. These findings underscore the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on early educators' SEDPs, stress levels, and overall well-being.
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Critical Success Factors Impacting the Management and Growth of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Amid the COVID-19 PandemicThe Covid-19 virus, a novel virus belonging to the same family as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020. As the number of cases increased, the global population demonstrated its adaptability in addressing the pandemic. These adaptations involved practices such as maintaining physical distance, wearing masks, consistently sanitizing high-touch surfaces, and abstaining from traditional gestures of affection like hugs and handshakes. Consequently, these changes not only affected individuals' personal lives but also had repercussions for businesses. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) play a critical role in fostering entrepreneurship, supporting economic growth, alleviating poverty and hunger, and creating job opportunities. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the business landscape, posing a threat to the survival of SMEs. Hence, the objective of this study was to identify the key success factors (KSFs) crucial for establishing and managing SMEs in the aftermath of COVID-19. While numerous KSFs contribute to the growth and management of SMEs, this research specifically focused on five as particularly crucial for post-COVID-19 growth and management: 1) strategic planning, 2) human resources, 3) finance, 4) operations, and 5) marketing. The study targeted SMEs in Jeddah, KSA, with a sample size of 108 participants, utilizing a random online questionnaire containing fifteen closed-ended questions in a quantitative approach to comprehensively determine the KSFs. Descriptive and inferential statistics, presented in tables and figures, were provided by the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The study's findings underscored the importance of each chosen factor in ensuring SME development and management after COVID-19. This research is significant as it furnishes entrepreneurs with practical information about achieving success in SMEs within a post-COVID-19 market.
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Understanding the Criteria Employed by Saudi Arabian Consumers in Assessing Fast Fashion OnlineExpressing one's style and personality often involves the physical act of dressing up, making the fashion industry one of the most globally influential. Constantly adapting to societal, economic, and technological influences, the fashion industry has seen a significant transformation in recent decades, notably with the emergence of fast fashion—a model characterized by the rapid production of clothing and jewelry using inexpensive and low-quality materials. Originating with Zara's founders, Amancio Ortega and Rosalia Mera, the fast fashion model has been adopted by major retailers like SheIn, H&M, and Forever 21 due to its efficiency in meeting consumer demand and maximizing profit. Despite its economic advantages, the mass production associated with fast fashion is criticized for its environmental impact. Additionally, a shift toward online shopping, driven by factors such as convenience and an expanded product range, has become increasingly prevalent, especially with the accessibility of online stores from any location with internet connectivity. This study delves into the consumer decision-making process when purchasing online, exploring whether the COVID-19 quarantine influenced buying decisions and, if so, how. Understanding these factors becomes crucial as online shopping continues to gain popularity, and individuals shift away from in-person interactions. The research focuses on the understanding of fast fashion online among Generations Y and Z in Saudi Arabia post-COVID-19. Employing a quantitative survey questionnaire, the study aims to discern the differences in attitudes and behaviors toward fast fashion between these two generations. The collected data lays the foundation for further exploration of the demographic characteristics and decision-making processes of Y and Z customers when purchasing fast fashion online. Ultimately, the research reveals that Generation Z places a higher value on fast fashion after COVID-19 compared to Generation Y.
