Research Report: AI Impact on Supply Chain Management - ABF plc

This research report investigates the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chain management, specifically examining its impact on Associated British Foods plc (ABF plc). The report addresses the challenges faced by supply chains, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and explores how AI can be utilized to overcome these issues. The study includes a literature review, research methodology, ethical considerations, and limitations. It aims to evaluate the use of AI in supply chain management, identify challenges faced by organizations during the pandemic, and assess AI strategies used to mitigate these challenges. The report also features a capstone project plan and a research journey diary, providing a comprehensive overview of the research process and findings. The research utilizes a positivist approach with a deductive strategy, employing a quantitative research method with a sample size of 20 participants. The findings are analyzed to understand the practical implications of AI in supply chain management and contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

Research in Action
1

Executive summary
This report include the basic research report within the organisation and its impact on the
supply chain management system. This report include the basic definition of supply chain
management and their policies that may be related to the growth and success of the company
within market due to the challenges face by supply chain management. This report include
capstone project plan, ethics, limitation, literature review and journey diary of the process of
completing research.
2

Table of Contents
Executive summary .........................................................................................................................2
Introduction .....................................................................................................................................4
Literature review .............................................................................................................................5
To evaluate the use of artificial intelligence in supply chain management............................5
To identify different challenges faced by supply chain management in organisation during
covid-19..................................................................................................................................5
To evaluate different strategies of artificial intelligence within supply chain used to overcome
the above challenges...............................................................................................................6
Timescales........................................................................................................................................7
Research Methodology ...................................................................................................................8
Ethics..............................................................................................................................................10
Limitations ....................................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................11
Capstone Project plan ...................................................................................................................12
Appendix 1.....................................................................................................................................18
An application for ethical approval......................................................................................18
Appendix 2.....................................................................................................................................23
Research journey diary.........................................................................................................23
3

Introduction
As most of the companies are facing issues due to covid-19, there are lots of issues which
are related to different environment including social, economic and health. In this research, the
chosen organisation is Associated British Foods plc, British international food processing and
retail industry headquarter in London. This organisation is founded in 1935 and it is a public
limited company. This research include the major solution which are face by them in order to
apply supply chain management with the help of artificial intelligence (Akerkar, 2019). This
report include aims, objective, Literature review, research methodology, ethical issues and
limitation of research. Further it will include a capstone project plan and ethical form and daily
research diary.
Problem statement: Due to major pandemic issues which are face by the companies it is
become important to analysis the situation and make a strong impact on growth and declining
situation in future of company. Many of the companies are facing issues related to supply chain
management in order to manage their policies which can be sustained due to different artificial
intelligence.
Research Aim: “To evaluate the use of artificial intelligence in supply chain management to
overcome the impact of Covid-19. A case study of Associated British Foods plc.”
Research Objectives:
 To evaluate the use of artificial intelligence in supply chain management.
 To identify different challenges faced by supply chain management in organisation
during covid-19.
 To evaluate different strategies of artificial intelligence within supply chain used to
overcome the above challenges.
Research Questions:
 Explain the meaning of artificial intelligence in supply chain management?
 What are the challenges faced by organisation in order to manage supply chain
management during covid-19.
 What are the strategies of artificial intelligence within supply chain management used to
overcome the above challenges.
4

Literature review
To evaluate the use of artificial intelligence in supply chain management
According to the view point of Jacobs, (2021); supply chain management is the
significant tool for the companies who are facing major challenges through ineffective use of
supply chain. Due to the impact of Covid-19 the retail industry are facing major issues in order to
complete the extended need of the customer in market without having appropriate supply chain
management. In the recent time companies are facing major issues and pandemic like covid-19,
so it is important for them to analysis and understand the impact of supply chain management
and contingency plans that can help the manufacturing companies in uncertainties with having
the right way to access (Baryannis and et.al., 2019). The accurate inventory and management
tools are related to the basic structure, having warehousing facilities, enhanced safety and further
the use of artificial intelligence are helpful in enhancing safety and reduce operational cost.
There are several use of supply chain management is all related to basic growth and
measurement of company in order to analysis and use sustainability in the management of
company while having appropriate supply chain management. The use of artificial intelligence
and measurement of company are related to having sufficient techniques and related to the
growth of company (Artificial Intelligence (AI) In supply chain and logistic supply, 2021). There
are several more benefits that can be used and manage as per proper planning, and make
scheduling activities which are related to smart supply chain management within organisation.
Which further include smart decision making, end-to-end visibility, and complete the basic
inventory and demand management system that help the organisation in order to analysis the
system and make perfect balance in mastering the inventory management for the art of inventory
system (Smith, 2020).
To identify different challenges faced by supply chain management in organisation during covid-
19
In Associated British Foods plc, there are lots of challenges they are facing due to the use
of ineffective measurement of supply chain. In the company the use of different trade
isolationism and major pandemic are related to growth measurement of the company in market.
As per the view point of Belda, (2021); he will advise most of the company are related to major
use of supply chain management as it will help in reducing major challenges. But there are lots
5

of issues which are face by the companies that are face by the Associated British Foods plc, as
some of the basic challenges are related to slowed digital data and make transformation in order
to analysis and major different aspect and process of company. This will make a disruption
within an organisation in order to analysis the behaviour and make sure about the products
services which are related to basic abilities and management. When the company are not provide
effective management policies and measurement that would be related to basic abilities and
growth of company (Crisis as a catalyst to face supply chain challenges, 2021). All of the above
challenges are faced by the chosen organisation and this research will be helpful for them to
make good approaches in sustainable growth within market which are used to make overcome
their basic issues which they are suffering after the pandemic occur at the global level.
To evaluate different strategies of artificial intelligence within supply chain used to overcome the
above challenges
As per the statement of Balte, (2021); In the world of high competition, and basic
responsibilities, the environment is feel dynamic and make unpredictable approaches. That must
be related to different challenges and their strategies to overcome the potential risks. They are
trying to work and apply artificial intelligence tool in order to make realistic expectation, know
more about the companies product and their technologies. As these two approaches are useful for
making more benefits of company and try to overcome the issues that may be related to supply
chain management tools. Further the data of the company and their value chain are the blood and
raw material (Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Supply Chain Planning: The Future is Here & Now,
2021). Another strategies which are used by the company is to use automated critical analysis
which are one of the best strategy to overcome the data and make sure about the growth and
perspective which are related to supply chain management with having complex operations.
Further the chosen organisation can easily manage and related to the growth and success of
artificial intelligence in order to make different warehousing management system that are
actually provide a support to the organisation and make effective support (Ehteram and et.al.,
2017). With the help of learning abilities they can manage and work on the E-commerce age and
make supportive machine languages which are work as per improving increasing strategies in
order to make control within organisation. The company can easily make more help desk which
are helpful in analysing the situation and work as per more appropriate stages to interface the
interception and make high level of communication within society(Zijm and Klumpp, 2016).
6

Timescales
Gantt chart
7

Research Methodology
This is the method that are helpful in analysing the situation, which are helpful in
analysing the situation and make appropriate research design. This research methodologies are
propounded by Saunder. As they said that this research onion is all related to effective progress
report and make a research methodologies which can be designed (Hansen and Bøgh, 2021). It
mainly include basic 5 to 6 layer or stages which help to identifying different situation in order to
analysis and make effective approaches. Its layered are described and analysis below:
 Research Philosophies: There are many approaches which are used for making research
philosophies that will include positivist, interpretive and pragmatist. For completing this
research, positivist approaches are used for making effective and use independent
knowledge about the subject being studied and make more scientific approaches in order
to complete the basic phenomena. Positivism approach is helpful and analysing in
8

different philosophies and make non inherently which are related to better than any of the
other policies.
 Research Approach: Mainly there are two main approaches are used for completing
research which are related to conductive and deductive approaches. In order to complete
this research deductive approach is used as it will help the researcher to conduct the pre-
conducted research and make smart approaches (Koh, Orzes and Jia, 2019). In inductive
approach the new research and outcome is conduct with the help of new theory. So the
deductive approach is used as it will help the company to make effective strategies for
analysing the outcome and make effective approaches.
 Research strategies: There are different type of method which are used and manage as
different interviews, experimental approaches, interview and many quantitative and
qualitative methods. In the following method and strategies quantitative method are used
for completing this research. As it will help the researcher to analysis the data and make
effective approaches. The chosen sample size for completing this research outcome are
20, and this will help the researcher to analysis the reaction of people who are related to
basic approaches.
 Research Methods: In order to complete this research, sample, questionnaire is related
for the growth and measurement of data collection which are related to the basic concept
of validity. These all are come under the primary and secondary data methodologies. In
this research both method of data are used and analysed for competing research. The
qualitative method are used on the basis of proper research and this will not be able to
make effective approaches within research (Min, Zacharia and Smith, 2019). This will be
methods for conducting for make better approach and work as per the basic requirement
of the company and try to achieve their basic abilities with the other team management.
 Research Analysis: This is the final layer of the research which are used and manage as
per the above techniques and procedures. It has been clarity explained and manage as per
the growth and success of the research. And it will be helpful in concluding the analysis
and interpretation of the data. This analysis of the data are helpful in understanding the
concept and make effective approaches due to the acceptance of different measurement
and practical approaches.
9

Ethics
In the research it is very important for the researcher in order to make discipline the study
and make sure about the behavioural consent in order to analysis the behaviour of respondent.
They have to make confidentiality report, informed consent, and many more risk which are
related to different participants and make more confidentiality report for conducting the primary
research(Plastino and Purdy, 2018). While in secondary research the researcher needed to make
academic integration and they should not make cop of any previous research.
Limitations
In order to complete this research it is considered that there are lots of issues and
limitation are concluded in for maintaining different sector of research. With the help of above
research data and analysis, some of the limitation are facing in order to complete the research:
 There are some major designing and methodologies that make impacted which are get
influenced by the interpretation and finding of the research. To find out the best data
within organisation are related to difficult task and to evaluate the growth of research.
 To choose the right sample size for the researcher in order to analysis the behaviour and
make suitable right strategies to work and manage as per the basic requirement. If the
sample size get too small or too big then to analysis the data is not become an easy task
(Roth and et.al., 2016). It would be make more issues and challenges in order to analysis
and interpret ate the data as per their basic records and analysis.
 To make the prior research studies and try to analysis better foundation base and analysis
are helpful but at the same time it would be difficult for the researcher. The research
topic, true analysis, though, consult are very important for researchers. And it become the
limitation for the company to analysis the problem and find out the solutions (Skilton and
Hovsepian, 2017).
10

References
Books and Journals
Akerkar, R., 2019. Artificial intelligence for business. Springer.
Baryannis, G. and et.al., 2019. Supply chain risk management and artificial intelligence: state of
the art and future research directions. International Journal of Production
Research, 57(7), pp.2179-2202.
Ehteram, M. and et.al., 2017. Optimization of chain-reservoirs’ operation with a new approach in
artificial intelligence. Water Resources Management, 31(7), pp.2085-2104.
Hansen, E.B. and Bøgh, S., 2021. Artificial intelligence and internet of things in small and
medium-sized enterprises: A survey. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 58, pp.362-
372.
Koh, L., Orzes, G. and Jia, F.J., 2019. The fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0):
technologies disruption on operations and supply chain management. International
Journal of Operations & Production Management.
Min, S., Zacharia, Z.G. and Smith, C.D., 2019. Defining supply chain management: in the past,
present, and future. Journal of Business Logistics, 40(1), pp.44-55.
Plastino, E. and Purdy, M., 2018. Game changing value from Artificial Intelligence: eight
strategies. Strategy & Leadership.
Roth, A. and et.al., 2016. Knowledge creation and dissemination in operations and supply chain
management. Production and Operations Management, 25(9), pp.1473-1488.
Skilton, M. and Hovsepian, F., 2017. The 4th industrial revolution: Responding to the impact of
artificial intelligence on business. Springer.
Smith, M.J., 2020. Getting value from artificial intelligence in agriculture. Animal Production
Science, 60(1), pp.46-54.
Zijm, H. and Klumpp, M., 2016. Logistics and supply chain management: developments and
trends. In Logistics and supply chain innovation (pp. 1-20). Springer, Cham.
Online
Balte, M., (2021), Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Supply Chain Planning: The Future is Here &
Now. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.europeanbusinessreview.com/artificial-
intelligence-ai-in-supply-chain-planning-the-future-is-here-now/>. (Accessed on 2nd
april 2021)
Belda, J., (2021), Crisis as a catalyst to face supply chain challenges. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.accenture.com/us-en/blogs/business-functions-blog/crisis-as-a-
catalyst-to-face-supply-chain-challenges>. (Accessed on 2nd april 2021)
Jacob, t., (2021), Artificial Intelligence (AI) In supply chain and logistic supply. [Online].
Available through: <https://throughput.world/blog/topic/ai-in-supply-chain-and-
logistics/>. (Accessed on 2nd april 2021)
11

Capstone Project plan
This is the project which show and complete the details which are included in sum up the
skills and competencies which are related to during course and completion of action plan in data
analysis and interpretation of the questionnaire. This project include the basic structure which are
related to all over the summary of project.
Time schedule Time duration How to complete
Research 15-20 days In order to complete this research, I complete a
market survey and try to gather informative
collection in the time period.
Data Analysis 5 days For this I tried to work and gather all information
from maximum 20 respondents and make analysis
form that.
Plan and collect the data 30 days For complete my planning and collection procedure
I used different sources and make effective
approaches to analysis the data and elaborate them
in an organised manner.
Interpretation 5 days This could be effective and helpful to show the
analysis and interpretative the nature and behaviour
of systematic order.
Recommendations 2 days This would be come out after completing my
research and make effective recommendations will
help my different perspective and knowledge.
This would be explained in an more organised and authenticate manner with the help of more
elaborate way to analysis questionnaire and its interpretation with graphs.
Questionnaire Frequency
Q.1 Did you understand the concept of supply chain management with the
use of artificial intelligence?
a) Yes 15
12

b) No 5
Q.2 What are the major challenges faced by Associate British food plc, in
order to apply effective supply chain management?
a) Slow down the use of digital technologies 8
b) Disruption in products order cycle 5
c) declining in the productive growth rate 7
Q.3 what are the basic strategies which are used by the chosen organisation
for concerning about the use of artificial intelligence after the outbreak of
covid-19?
a) Set realistic expectation 8
b) Company use different technologies 6
c) Dive into the data form 6
Q.4 Did you really think that artificial intelligence can help the issues
which are related to make supply chain management?
a) Yes 17
b) No 3
Q.5 Did you want to suggest some suggestion for the Associated British
food Plc.
Ans. ….
Theme 1: concept of supply chain
Questionnaire Frequency
Q.1 Did you understand the concept of supply chain management with the
use of artificial intelligence?
a) Yes 15
b) No 5
13

Interpretation
From the above graph it is interpretative that people are using different concept and they
are aware with the use of artificial intelligence and supply chain management. Out of 20
respondent, 15 said yes and 5 said no for the relation of supply chain management and their basic
concept.
Theme 2: challenges face by company
Q.2 What are the major challenges faced by Associate British food plc, in
order to apply effective supply chain management?
a) Slow down the use of digital technologies 8
b) Disruption in products order cycle 5
c) declining in the productive growth rate 7
14
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
concpet of supply chain
management

Interpretation
from the above graph it is concluded that there are most of the challenges which are face
by company. And out of 20 respondent 8 said, slow down the use of digital technologies. 5 said
that disruption in production cycle and 7 said that decline rate of productivity are applicable with
the company.
Theme 3: strategies which are used by chosen organisation
Q.3 what are the basic strategies which are used by the chosen organisation
for concerning about the use of artificial intelligence after the outbreak of
covid-19?
a) Set realistic expectation 8
b) Company use different technologies 6
c) Dive into the data form 6
15
slow down the use of digital technologies
discruption in products
declining in productive growth rate
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
challenges face by the
organisation

Interpretation:
it is concluded that out of 20 respondent, 8 said that make a realistic expectation, 6 said
the use of company in different technologies and last 6 said that make a diver of the data which
can be set and make appropriate standard of the company to use realistic approaches and
standard.
Theme 4: Link between artificial intelligence
Q.4 Did you really think that artificial intelligence can help the issues
which are related to make supply chain management?
a) Yes 17
b) No 3
16
set relaistic expectation
company use differnet technologies
dive into the data form
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
strategies used by organsiation

Interpretation:
from the last graph it can be concluded that 17 said that they think about the relationship
of artificial intelligence and having effective supply chain management within organisation. So it
can be said that the use of artificial intelligence are being very helpful in considering different
type of strategies for overcome the issues of supply chain management.
17
yes no
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Link in between artifical
intelligence and supply chain
management

Appendix 1
An application for ethical approval
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of
data collected from human participants are required to gain ethical approval before
commencing their research. Please answer all relevant questions and note that your
form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor.
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully
with your Unit Tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your research
project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic Details
Project title: To evaluate the use of artificial intelligence in supply chain
management to overcome the impact of Covid-19. A case study of Associated British
Foods plc.
Student name: ...................................................................................
Student ID number: ...................................................................................
Programme: ...................................................................................
College: ...................................................................................
Intended research start date: ............................................
Intended research end date: ...........................................
Section 2: Project Summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as part of your project:
Interviews:  Questionnaires:  Observations:  Use of Personal Records: 
18

 Data Analysis:  Case Study:  Survey:  Narrative Enquiry: 
 Other (please specify):
..............................................................................................................................................
......................
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants? Adults: 
How will participants be recruited (identified and approached)?
By using random sampling method, 20 staff members of company will be
recruited.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Through e-mail or questionnaire
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it
be made clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any
time?
Through questionnaire instrument investigator can obtain consent from
selected participant in easy manner. As it will be written in the form.
Studies involving questionnaires / interviews: Will participants be given the option
of omitting questions they do not wish to answer?
Yes:  No: 
If No please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising
from this.
Studies involving observation:
Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed consent to be
19

observed.
Yes:  No: 
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation
(i.e. give them a brief explanation of the study)?
Yes:  No: 
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?
(This could be a brief summary of your findings in general)
Yes:  No: 
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with Data
Protection Act (2018) Yes:  No: 
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Research
During the research: Where will the data be stored? Mobile and laptops
Research
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used? Yes:  No:

If yes, please provide further details: After the research: Where will the data be
20

stored?
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format? Will data be kept
for use by other researchers? Yes:  No: 
If yes, please provide further details:
Section 5: Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work which may raise ethical
concerns? If so, please outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may
arise as a result of your research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply.
Ethical concerns may include, but are not limited to the following:
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics.
 Risks to participants and/or researchers.
 Confidentiality/anonymity.
 Disclosures/limits to confidentiality.
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer,
sharing, encryption, protection).
 Reporting.
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
21

Appendix 2
Research journey diary
Date Source Brief summary of information Personal opinion and
thoughts
25/03/21 Balte, M., (2021),
Artificial
Intelligence
(AI) in Supply
Chain
Planning:
The Future is
Here & Now.
[Online].
Available
through:
<https://www
.europeanbusi
nessreview.co
m/artificial-
intelligence-
ai-in-supply-
chain-
planning-the-
future-is-
here-now/>.
(Accessed on
2nd april
2021)
This report include the detailed
information of the supply chain
management strategies and their
policies which are useful for the
company to manage different
techniques and solution with the
hep of artificial intelligence.
I learned that future
planning of supply chain
management is very
important as it would be
helpful for me to
understand about
different use of artificial
intelligence.
27/03/21 Belda, J., (2021),
Crisis as a
catalyst to
face supply
chain
challenges.
[Online].
Available
through:
<https://www
.accenture.co
m/us-en/blogs
/business-
functions-
This will include the basic report
of supply chain management of
different challenges. Which are
used and manage which are
helpful for considering different
aspect that may be related to
major challenges.
I analysed that there are
different uses and
management of
analysing challenges and
make effective approach
of company and their
team members.
22

blog/crisis-as-
a-catalyst-to-
face-supply-
chain-
challenges>.
(Accessed on
2nd april
2021)
23