Ettore Settanni

Abstract: This paper discusses the application of digital twin concepts, prevalent in the factory unit operations environment, to the supply chain context. While the concept of digital twin is relatively recent in the manufacturing context, its application has now emerged within a wider supply chain context. It is unclear in this broader application what might the benefits of such an approach be in terms of operational control, replicability and efficiency. Following a literature review, the attributes of a Digital Twin Supply Chain (DTSC) are defined, highlighting similarities and differences from the traditional factory perspective that places the emphasis on equipment and unit operations. Selected DTSC attributes are then applied within a selection of industry case studies where advanced manufacturing technologies and industrial digitalisation are expected to provide new capability in terms of more distributed made-to-order manufacturing (e.g., in pharmaceuticals supply chains), as well as enhanced visibility, traceability and authentication (e.g., in organic food supply chains).

TL;DR: In this article , the authors define cross-platform effect as the value accrued by a platform on one side of a multiplatform configuration as capability for the opposite side platform evolves, and argue that aligning crossplatform effect across digital and physical infrastructure enhances system outcomes.

TL;DR: The economic counterpart of LCA, known as Environmental Life Cycle Costing (LCC), is of increasing concern for LCA practitioners Just like LCA may concern food products Yet, the literature provides few applications of LCC to food products and, more generally, to nondurable products as mentioned in this paper.