Unexpected occurrence like natural calamity, abruptly change in customer demands, upgradation of technologies, necessity of compatible suppliers etc. is the most challenging issues even for efficient global supply chain management. Therefore, modeling of responsive supply chain is an emerging technology for sustaining any firm/industry in future competitive environment. In this paper, an attempt has been made to not only analyze the performance of efficient supply chain management but also how to improve the performance of existing supply chain with the objective of developing a modeling of responsive supply chain management. The complexity of the model is also highlighted with the help of numerical example. This paper also explores the possibility to mathematical modeling of the responsive supply chain which will be an emerging topic for researchers and practitioners. The modeling of responsive supply chain can be employed as a competitive strategy for e-commerce, green supply chain, and compatible supplier selection problem. The another salient feature of this paper is that a distinct comparative literature review of the lean, agile, efficient, and responsive supply chain management has been presented.

Double-sided trimming shear machine is used for longitudinal both–sided trimming of steel plates and simultaneous scraping of trimmed edges at specific length. Side trimming shear (STS) executes the most vital role in increasing the productivity of plate mill and due to its feature, efficiency of plate mill division is enormously increases. In general, frequency of the occurrence of breakdown in STS machine is a most challenging task when STS performs side trimming and scrap cutting machining process. Bhilai Steel Plant (Steel Authority of India at Bhilai) in India is continuously facing a problem due to breakdown of STS machine. The use of separate knife for side trimming and scrap cutting reduces the possibility of scrap jamming which is a major reason for breakdown of STS machine. Researchers and practitioners also suggest the use of arc guillotine shear for side trimming and straight guillotine shear for scrap cutting for minimizing the breakdown in STS machine. The aim of this study is to describe the problems faced by the steel industry as well as the necessary steps which should be taken for improvement of the productivity of STS machine and also it has made contribution to Bhilai Steel Plant by its growth and prosperity. The methodology of study is purely qualitative and the results point out the problems, its implications, steps taken to improve the overall productivity of Bhilai steel plant.

Supply chain is a complicated networking of suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, distributors and end customers. Through this network, we can easily see the flow of raw materials, information and money. In the modern global manufacturing environment, change has become a constant phenomenon. Change occurs due to fluctuation in technology, environmental requirements, regulatory policies, societal needs and the last but economy is the most important thing. Uncertainties in supply and demand, globalization of the market, shorter product life cycle, the increasing use of manufacturing product, fast development of information technology, diversified demand of customer for products distribution and logistics partners are responsible for making more complex supply chain network. Because of all these phenomena emergence of Next–Generation of supply chain management is inevitable. Therefore, in this article we try to incorporate several issues and concerns regarding future supply chain such as natural disasters, problems in outsourcing and import-export issues associated with goods, raw material and several related issues such as taxation, cultural aspects, risk, reliability and last but not the most important one is associated with environmental issues. During the next-generation of supply chain management, the mode of production as well as management is changing from product oriented towards customer’s demand or service oriented. Another salient feature of this paper is to demonstrate how to do the planning and management of the next-generation supply chain so that it would maximize profit in the chain rather than maximizing profit of an organization in isolation.