NEXT-NET research activities have been based on the methodology at fig.1. In particular, for what concerns the goals of the project:
Goal 1: Creation of a European network of stakeholders in supply chains (SCs) from the discrete manufacturing, process, logistic and ICT industries, reaching a critical mass of relevant stakeholders from all targeted industries and scientific domains. Experts involved through several actions like workshops, seminars, consultation, expert elicitation and interviews.
Goal 2: The consortium has conducted a deep analysis of the megatrends and trends which will influence the SCs of the future considering different dimensions: political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental. This analysis is based on a systematic literature review of more than 300 reports, grey literature, sectorial studies, strategic roadmaps, governmental reports and scientific papers and on workshops with experts.
Goal 3: definition of 1) MACRO-SCENARIOS: Future scenarios have been created, and out of 12 scenarios presenting high degree of consistency 6 of them have been selected for their probability of occurance and the expected potential pressure for changes on the supply chain caused by a scenario have been evaluated in an expert workshop. 2) MICRO-SCENARIOS are based on supply chain characteristics and scenarios. The most appropriate SC scenarios have been defined, which are categorized into eight dimensions: Product & Service, Supply Chain Paradigm, Technology Level, Sourcing & Distribution, Supply Chain Configuration, Manufacturing Systems, Sales Channels and Sustainability.
Goal 4. Development of the Strategic Research and Innovation agenda based on:
1) TECHNOLOGIES MAPPING to SUPPLY CHAIN MODELS: analysing European roadmaps and other scientific reports to identify 18 enabling technologies for future SC highlighting their TRL and implications on the SC performance and mapping the enabling technologies to the future supply chain scenarios.
2) SPECIFIC CHALLENGES related to the SC processes and strategies and to associate the listed technologies to each scenario and SC strategies.
3) SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE: Wide consultation with experts was held to select 10 supply chain strategies for the next decade which are: Hyper-Connected SC, Disaster Relief SC, Global SC, Urban SC, Resource Efficient SC, Human Centered SC, Closed-Loop SC, Customer-Driven SC, Service Driven SC, Biointelligent SC. For each of them a set of research and innovation prioritieis, with impact and timeframe have been defined. (see fig. 2 for the overall framework).
4) POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS: based on key horizonal issues that can impact the future development of the SC strategies, some policy recommendations have been identified as input for future developments of Horizon Europe. These policy recommendations are related to:
i) Assuring appropriate standards and legislation for European SCs (such as Fostering harmonisation of legislation and standards on European SCs, Disseminating standards among European SC stakeholders, Facilitating and boosting multimodal transportation);
ii) Educating and training professionals for the future SCs for developing the workforce of the future);
iii) drafting international agreements aiming at future European SCs (such as Promoting bi- and multi-lateral agreements that consider an overall SC perspective, Supporting the establishment of R&D networks for advancements and dissemination of SC-related topics);
iv) Supporting and fostering incentives and funding scheme (such as enhancing collaboration based on European Projects results with a platform for data repository, Establishing a prize to support and spread best practices in the SC, Creating synergies between public and private sectors in funding);
v) Promoting reference bodies for European SCs through the Creation of a European SC knowledge hub
vi)Establishing infrastructure for fostering of future European SCs (with actions to upgrade infrastructures for low-emission supply chains, to Promote 5G and Beyond as well as autonomous vehicles (AVs) to improve urban supply chains).
