Analyzing the role of digital twins in developing a resilient sustainable manufacturing supply chain: A grey influence analysis (GINA) approach

Abstract

Digitalization initiatives and technology are essential for risk management and for maintaining a sustainable manufacturing system during disruptions and failures. This research has identified and analyzed the impact of digital twins on the manufacturing supply chain (MSC) in enhancing the resilient-sustainable capabilities of the production systems. Both sustainability and resilience are interrelated concepts and have recently gotten attention from researchers because of the rising complexity in the supply chain. This research study has identified the seventeen resilient sustainable factors in the digitally driven MSC through extant literature and experts' opinions. This research work has used a novel technique, grey influence analysis (GINA), for causal analysis of the factors. After analysis, based on total influence score, visibility (VIS) and coordination (COO) ranked first and second, respectively. These are the most influencing factors because of the adoption of digital twins (DTs) in the MSC. The DT in MSC for the resilient-sustainable systems will improve the visibility, and supply chain players must collaborate and connect to effectively manage risks and ensure the sustainability of all links in the digital supply chain. This research study is helpful for practitioners, researchers, and managers working in digitally driven MSC.