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India initiated its ethanol fuel blending program (EBP) two decades ago to enhance energy security, reduce crude imports, and promote low-carbon transportation. However, despite government initiatives and policies, the EBP has made slower progress than anticipated. For the long-term adoption and success of the EBP, the following critical areas must be analyzed: integrated ethanol production from multiple feedstocks, demand and linkage to industries requiring ethanol, impact on the environment and revenue prospects, and evaluation of the policy measures adopted. This study addresses these topics by analyzing the interaction between various industries (demand) and ethanol production from multiple sources (supply) using system dynamics modeling. Simulation and scenario analysis have been used to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of ethanol blends under the influence of various policy parameters. The findings indicate that, contrary to the conventional belief, the production of ethanol directly from sugarcane juice does not significantly threaten food security. Higher blending ratios yield enhanced environmental benefits and revenues in the short term, but these are outweighed by the long-term benefits of lower blending ratios. The findings also indicate that encouraging second-generation ethanol production from rice stalks and increasing the blending ratios will reduce CO[sub.2] emissions. However, the goals set for blending cannot be achieved until measures to diversify feedstocks and improve the infrastructure for ethanol production are scaled up., Author(s): Gaurav Kumar (corresponding author) [1]; Ramakrushna Padhy [2]; Debabrata Das [3]; Sushmita A. Narayana [3] 1. Introduction It is challenging to meet rising energy demands in an era of [...]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a systemic analysis of the complex interaction of factors affecting the reverse logistics (RL) processes in a pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC). Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a systems thinking approach. Initial problem structuring involved the analysis of behavior-over-time of main variables and incorporated stakeholder analysis. Further, a participative group model building process was used to develop a systems model. Findings – The model was analysed to identify a set of feedback loops operating in the system responsible for the complexities of the problem. To address this, the stakeholders identified three strategic interventions. The first intervention relates to returns avoidance by alleviating market flooding of medicines, second intervention aims at improving the infrastructure for quality and performance management and the third targets balanced risk sharing between the main stakeholders involved in the supply chain. The findings suggest strong linkage between RL network design and key activities in returns management. The study lays a platform for developing a simulation model. Research limitations/implications – Data collection was confined to stakeholders belonging to a PSC based in the South Indian state of Kerala and excluded the participation of doctors due to practical constraints. The application of systems thinking and modelling was limited to the qualitative phases of the methodology. Practical implications – The study illustrates a participative process capable of revealing the differing viewpoints of multiple stakeholders involved in a PSC. Originality/value – It provides a holistic approach based on the systems thinking and modelling methodology for analysing the complexities related to RL in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]