Proposal Revision:

This proposal offers a comprehensive approach that considers both the vertical and horizontal aspects of supply chain management. To provide a clearer understanding, I will outline each approach separately, and we can discuss the details in our upcoming meeting.

Vertical approach

Horizontal Approach

Supply chain digitalization/information flow

Strategic management/Consumer behavior

The first aspect of the proposal focuses on supply chain digitalization and information flow. To achieve practical and technical digitalization, we can narrow it down to one type, such as blockchain. We can focus on identifying bottlenecks within one party, such as freight forwarders, and propose potential improvements and solutions, such as creating a blockchain-based Bill of Lading. We can also analyze the ways and impact of replacing physical bills of lading within that scope. Measuring and evaluating the possible outcomes will lead to better sustainability for supply chain management.

Moreover, the proposal aims to review and narrow down the most effective parties involved in strategic management and consumer behavior, such as freight forwarding. As freight forwarders are B2B and involve primarily work with corporate customers. their role in the market and correct decision-making within it will determine their relationship with corporate customers and other parties.

It is essential to consider the psychological characteristics of corporate consumers when determining sustainability and efficiency. Similarly, freight forwarders' preferences or resistance can affect customer stickiness.

Behavioral bottlenecks and significant solutions can be evaluated and incorporated into technical parts, such as handling a bill of lading.so in case of changes in case efficiency of bill of lading as an example by using blockchain or AI both depend on employees adapting the system and the impact of the technology on them. Therefore, mapping out the flow of information within freight forwarders will help determine the necessary steps for achieving better sustainability and efficiency.

The second aspect of the proposal considers the impact of both digitalization and strategic management on information flow. Therefore, for any possible transition, the role of behavioral and strategic management will be taken into account. A projection of freight forwarders' role in possible transitions, technical solutions, and strategic analyses will be presented together. We will apply a sustainability perspective to the analysis of common parts. We will also review the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), alternative routes, and scenarios to compare and identify the most efficient routes. Using the information flow efficiency outcomes, we will derive the BRI outcomes.

Possible Added Values

Our proposal aims to resolve supply chain barriers through strategic management and information flow to achieve sustainability and efficiency. The process will provide new insights into supply chain management through a combination of technical and managerial perspectives. This outcome will be a significant step towards achieving sustainability. Most of the available literature in this area primarily focuses on technical aspects and does not delve into strategic management or behavioral aspects in depth. Additionally, these studies are mostly separate from each other. Reviewing and analyzing these parts together will reveal new insights once they have been narrowed down. Research in this area could benefit from our comprehensive approach.

Furthermore, our proposal offers possibilities to connect different projects by touching on different areas. By doing so, we can bring them together, which will help us achieve our goals efficiently.

Overall, our comprehensive approach aims to identify and address the most critical issues in supply chain management by integrating technical and managerial perspectives. By doing so, we can achieve better sustainability and efficiency, resulting in new insights that could benefit research in this area.