Date of Award
2024
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Department
Business Administration
First Advisor
Mehmet Gokhan Yalcin
Abstract
This dissertation consists of two essays on airline supply chains (ASC). Managing ASC is inherently challenging, and the impact of COVID-19 and recent disruptions has only added to the complexity. Timely delivery of inventory in the right quantities is crucial, making effective supply chain management (SCM) essential for airlines. However, optimizing supply chain operations in the airline industry is an intricate task, fraught with unique challenges. High capital expenditures, fuel price fluctuations, and substantial maintenance costs must be navigated, while continuous technology and fleet investments require a precise balance in inventory management to avoid obsolete parts and missed deliveries. The pandemic has introduced additional hurdles, including supplier material sourcing struggles and demand forecasting uncertainty, while also exposing weaknesses in often-overlooked aspects of the supply chain, such as people and capital equipment flows.
The first essay aims to address the gap in research on ASC, which are complex networks of functions and players that rely on intense collaboration and strategic alliances. Despite their importance, ASCs face numerous challenges, including operational disruptions, supply chain failures, and external shocks. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the need for resilience and optimization in ASCs. Through a multi-method approach combining systematic literature review (SLR) and expert insights, this study seeks to develop a comprehensive framework for ASCs, identifying their components, activities, flows, and relationships. The research aims to contribute to the understanding of ASCs and provide practitioners with a tool to anticipate and manage future disruptions in all aspects of the airline value chain, most importantly in one of its critical components highlighted by experts during the design of the ASC: the spare parts supply chain.
The airline industry's complex ecosystem relies on a seamless spare parts supply chain to ensure aircraft safety and efficiency. However, the industry's unique characteristics and highly regulated environment create significant challenges, including parts forecasting, management, and safety issues. Expert opinions highlight the potential of blockchain technology to address these challenges due to its immutable nature. Despite this, blockchain adoption remains limited in the airline industry, particularly in spare parts SCM.
The second essay explores the potential of blockchain technology in transforming the airline spare parts supply chain. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for resilience and innovation in the airline industry, particularly in SCM. Despite its promise, blockchain technology faces challenges in adoption, including technology immaturity, lack of guidance, and legislative ambiguity. This study aims to investigate the drivers and barriers to blockchain technology adoption in the airline spare parts supply chain, providing insights into the factors facilitating its adoption and strategies to overcome obstacles. The research seeks to contribute to the existing body of knowledge, exploring the transformative potential of blockchain technology in enhancing supply chain efficiency, transparency, and trust.
Recommended Citation
Tchoutan Ngoudjou, Gervais, "AIRLINE SUPPLY CHAINS: A SUPPLY CHAIN FLOW APPROACH" (2024). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 1675.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/1675