Volume 17, Number 4

From Linear to Circular: Design-Based Operational Research for Closed-Loop Manufacturing Supply Chains

  Authors

Sathish Krishna Anumula, IBM Corporation, USA

  Abstract

In the rapidly evolving landscape of global supply chains, where digital disruptions and sustainability imperatives converge, traditional operational frameworks often struggle to adapt. This paper introduces the Design-Based Supply Chain Operations Research Model (DSCORModel), a novel extension of the Design SCOR (D-SCOR) framework, which embeds operational research (OR) techniques to enhance decision-making, resilience, and environmental stewardship. Building on the foundational processes of DSCOR—such as Design, Orchestrate, Plan, Order, Source, Transform, Fulfil, and Return—DSCORModel incorporates predictive analytics, simulation modelling, and optimization algorithms to address contemporary challenges like supply chain volatility and ESG (environmental, social, governance) compliance.
Through a comprehensive literature synthesis and methodological approach involving case-based simulations and practical implementation, we explore DSCORM's hierarchical structure, performance metrics, implementation strategies, and digital modernization pathways. Results from simulated scenarios indicate potential efficiency gains of 15-25%, reduced carbon footprints by up to 20%, and improved agility in dynamic markets. Discussions delve into practical implications for industries like manufacturing and logistics, highlighting barriers such as data integration hurdles and the need for skilled workforces. By humanizing supply chain management—emphasizing collaborative, adaptive strategies over rigid automation—DSCORM positions itself as a blueprint for sustainable growth. Conclusions underscore its role in advancing digital transformation, with recommendations for future empirical validations in realworld settings [1][2].

  Keywords

SCOR Operations, Design SCOR, Design for Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, DSCORModel, DSORM, Operational Research, Digital Transformation, Sustainability, Resilience