{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,19]],"date-time":"2026-04-19T00:28:18Z","timestamp":1776558498085,"version":"3.51.2"},"reference-count":43,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,21]],"date-time":"2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1737417600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/site-policies"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["GS"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,18]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-subheading\">Purpose<\/jats:title><jats:p>Supply chains, as prototypical uncertain systems, are crucial for national security and socioeconomic development. Grey system theory (GST) is an effective tool for addressing uncertainties and has played a pivotal role in related research within the supply chain domain. This study aims to systematically summarize the research achievements and knowledge structures pertaining to GST in supply chain studies. Current and potential research hotspots are also analyzed.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-subheading\">Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title><jats:p>CiteSpace is used to conduct a bibliometric analysis of 1,617 articles sourced from the Web of Science (WOS). The analysis aims to summarize the current state of research and the knowledge structure in the field. A strategic diagram incorporating two data indicators, namely, novelty and concern, is constructed based on keyword clustering to identify and analyze current and potential research hotspots.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-subheading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>Studies utilizing GST to guide supply chain practices have attracted the interest of scholars from 205 research institutions across 85 countries and regions globally, which earned recognition from 183 high-level academic journals. In this field, the School of Economics and Management at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics stands out as a core research institution, with Professor Deng Julong, who is the founder of GST, being the most frequently cited scholar. Current research hotspots are complex equipment supply chains, drivers and challenges in supply chain management, supply chain risk management, closed-loop supply chain and supply chain operation in the big data era. In addition, emerging research hotspots include digital and intelligent logistics technology, sustainable supplier management, determinants and flexibility of supply chain contracts, supply chain strategy, purchase management, grey prediction of demand and consumption, grey forecasting and economy efficiency, China-specific issues and grey model construction.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-subheading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>The bibliometric analysis reveals the current state and knowledge structure of research in this field. Previous studies on research hotspots have primarily relied on subjective judgments, which lacked empirical data support. This study constructs a strategic diagram incorporating two data indicators, namely, novelty and concern, to provide a more objective and reliable analysis of research hotspots.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/gs-10-2024-0113","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,18]],"date-time":"2025-01-18T06:58:51Z","timestamp":1737183531000},"page":"124-144","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":9,"title":["Grey system theory in supply chain: emerging hotspots and trends"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4876-693X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Peng","family":"Jiang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-8995-6382","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Zhaohu","family":"Dong","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7856-6379","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hong","family":"Sun","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Yingchun","family":"Song","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Qingqing","family":"Zou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]}],"member":"140","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,21]]},"reference":[{"issue":"1","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref001","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"328","DOI":"10.1109\/tem.2020.3016988","article-title":"A systematic literature review of supply chain resilience in small-medium enterprises (SMEs): a call for further research","volume":"70","year":"2023","journal-title":"IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management"},{"issue":"2-3","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref002","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"627","DOI":"10.1007\/s10479-021-03956-x","article-title":"Artificial intelligence-driven innovation for enhancing supply chain resilience and performance under the effect of supply chain dynamism: an empirical investigation","volume":"333","year":"2024","journal-title":"Annals of Operations Research"},{"issue":"2","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref003","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"263","DOI":"10.1108\/gs-05-2015-0018","article-title":"Grey systems theory in economics - a historical applications review","volume":"5","year":"2015","journal-title":"Grey Systems: Theory and Application"},{"issue":"10","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref004","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0223994","article-title":"Visualizing a field of research: a methodology of systematic scientometric reviews","volume":"14","year":"2019","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"issue":"11","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref005","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/math11112530","article-title":"Uncertainty analysis and optimization modeling with application to supply chain management: a systematic review","volume":"11","year":"2023","journal-title":"Mathematics"},{"issue":"22","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref006","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6908","DOI":"10.1080\/00207543.2021.1906971","article-title":"Linkages between big data analytics, circular economy, sustainable supply chain flexibility, and sustainable performance in manufacturing firms","volume":"60","year":"2022","journal-title":"International Journal of Production Research"},{"issue":"5","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref007","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/axioms11050228","article-title":"A two-stage multi-criteria supplier selection model for sustainable automotive supply chain under uncertainty","volume":"11","year":"2022","journal-title":"Axioms"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref008","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rineng.2024.102006","article-title":"A grey approach to assess the challenges to adopting sustainable production practices in the apparel manufacturing industry: implications for sustainability","volume":"22","year":"2024","journal-title":"Results in Engineering"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref009","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2021.121335","article-title":"Integrating the circular economy and industry 4.0 for sustainable development: implications for responsible footwear production in a big data-driven world","volume":"175","year":"2022","journal-title":"Technological Forecasting and Social Change"},{"issue":"6","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref010","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"770","DOI":"10.1177\/0165551520930907","article-title":"A topic analysis method based on a three-dimensional strategic diagram","volume":"47","year":"2021","journal-title":"Journal of Information Science"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref011","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2024.123310","article-title":"Bibliometric analysis of sustainable tourism using CiteSpace","volume":"202","year":"2024","journal-title":"Technological Forecasting and Social Change"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref012","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"684","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2018.08.176","article-title":"Forecasting the number of end-of-life vehicles using a hybrid model based on grey model and artificial neural network","volume":"202","year":"2018","journal-title":"Journal of Cleaner Production"},{"issue":"4","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref013","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"681","DOI":"10.1108\/gs-04-2020-0056","article-title":"Coordination and competition in two-echelon supply chain using grey revenue-sharing contracts","volume":"11","year":"2021","journal-title":"Grey Systems: Theory and Application"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref014","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2022.121524","article-title":"Prioritizing and overcoming biomass energy barriers: application of AHP and G-TOPSIS approaches","volume":"177","year":"2022","journal-title":"Technological Forecasting and Social Change"},{"issue":"6","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref015","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"890","DOI":"10.1002\/sd.1860","article-title":"Green supplier selection for sustainable development of the automotive industry using grey decision-making","volume":"26","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sustainable Development"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref016","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1007\/s11846-024-00756-y","article-title":"Integrating supply chain risk management activities into sales and operations planning","year":"2024","journal-title":"Review of Managerial Science"},{"issue":"2","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref017","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.im.2022.103747","article-title":"How to build supply chain resilience: the role of fit mechanisms between digitally-driven business capability and supply chain governance","volume":"60","year":"2023","journal-title":"Information and Management"},{"issue":"1","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref018","first-page":"1","article-title":"Memorabilia of the establishment and development of grey system theory","volume":"36","year":"2024","journal-title":"Journal of Grey System"},{"issue":"2","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref019","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"402","DOI":"10.3846\/tede.2021.14433","article-title":"An overview of fuzzy techniques in supply chain management: bibliometrics, methodologies, applications and future directions","volume":"27","year":"2021","journal-title":"Technological and Economic Development of Economy"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref020","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.1016\/j.spc.2020.10.019","article-title":"Redesigning supply chains using blockchain-enabled circular economy and COVID-19 experiences","volume":"27","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sustainable Production and Consumption"},{"issue":"1","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref021","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.1111\/jscm.12313","article-title":"Building an antifragile supply chain: a capability blueprint for resilience and post-disruption growth","volume":"60","year":"2024","journal-title":"Journal of Supply Chain Management"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref022","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"316","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbusres.2021.07.056","article-title":"Supply chain recovery challenges in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic","volume":"136","year":"2021","journal-title":"Journal of Business Research"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref023","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1125","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbusres.2022.01.037","article-title":"Supply chain management during and post-COVID-19 pandemic: mitigation strategies and practical lessons learned","volume":"142","year":"2022","journal-title":"Journal of Business Research"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref024","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2022.131877","article-title":"Structural relationships of a firm\u2019s green strategies for environmental performance: the roles of green supply chain management and green marketing innovation","volume":"356","year":"2022","journal-title":"Journal of Cleaner Production"},{"issue":"6","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1378","DOI":"10.1108\/ijoem-12-2021-1926","article-title":"Key supply chain strategies for post-COVID-19 recovery: evidence from an Indian smart furniture industry","volume":"18","year":"2023","journal-title":"International Journal of Emerging Markets"},{"issue":"2","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref026","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/jbl.12373","article-title":"New product family demand planning: addressing SKU-level spread bias","volume":"45","year":"2024","journal-title":"Journal of Business Logistics"},{"issue":"3","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref027","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"237","DOI":"10.1080\/23302674.2018.1435835","article-title":"Modelling and optimal lot-sizing of integrated multi-level multi-wholesaler supply chains under the shortage and limited warehouse space: generalised outer approximation","volume":"6","year":"2019","journal-title":"International Journal of Systems Science-Operations and Logistics"},{"issue":"9-10","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref028","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"875","DOI":"10.1080\/09537287.2020.1837935","article-title":"Supplier resilience assessment in project-driven supply chains","volume":"33","year":"2022","journal-title":"Production Planning and Control"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref029","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cie.2023.109172","article-title":"Resilience and sustainability enhancements in food supply chains using Digital Twin technology: a grey causal modelling (GCM) approach","volume":"179","year":"2023","journal-title":"Computers and Industrial Engineering"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref030","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cie.2021.107833","article-title":"Optimum path for overcoming barriers of green construction supply chain management: a grey possibility DEMATEL-NK approach","volume":"164","year":"2022","journal-title":"Computers and Industrial Engineering"},{"issue":"4","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref031","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"723","DOI":"10.1108\/gs-06-2022-0059","article-title":"Grey system theory in engineering: a bibliometrics and visualization analysis","volume":"12","year":"2022","journal-title":"Grey Systems: Theory and Application"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref032","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cie.2019.106212","article-title":"An integrated fuzzy QFD and grey decision-making approach for supply chain collaborative quality design of large complex products","volume":"140","year":"2020","journal-title":"Computers and Industrial Engineering"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref033","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eswa.2024.124170","article-title":"Forecast combination using grey relational analysis and Choquet fuzzy integral for container throughput forecasting","volume":"252","year":"2024","journal-title":"Expert Systems with Applications"},{"issue":"3","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref034","first-page":"66","article-title":"A bibliometric analysis on grey system theory and its application in 1982-2021","volume":"34","year":"2022","journal-title":"Journal of Grey System"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref035","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.asoc.2024.111256","article-title":"Strategic outsourcing in reverse logistics: neutrosophic integrated approach with a hierarchical and interactive quality function deployment","volume":"152","year":"2024","journal-title":"Applied Soft Computing"},{"issue":"9","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref036","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2501","DOI":"10.1108\/md-05-2017-0458","article-title":"A combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) method for multi-criteria decision-making problems","volume":"57","year":"2019","journal-title":"Management Decision"},{"issue":"4","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref037","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"538","DOI":"10.1080\/10548408.2023.2285927","article-title":"Cruise hotel sustainable supplier management using a grey-based decision support framework","volume":"41","year":"2024","journal-title":"Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing"},{"issue":"18","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref038","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/math10183230","article-title":"An approach for supply chain management contract selection in the oil and gas industry: combination of uncertainty and multi-criteria decision-making methods","volume":"10","year":"2022","journal-title":"Mathematics"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref039","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpe.2021.108396","article-title":"Digital supply chain management in the COVID-19 crisis: an asset orchestration perspective","volume":"245","year":"2022","journal-title":"International Journal of Production Economics"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref040","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.knosys.2024.111581","article-title":"Time-varying polynomial grey prediction modeling with integral matching","volume":"290","year":"2024","journal-title":"Knowledge-Based Systems"},{"issue":"4","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref041","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"733","DOI":"10.1108\/gs-10-2023-0099","article-title":"Organizational culture's influence on supply chain performance analysis with fuzzy grey cognitive maps","volume":"14","year":"2024","journal-title":"Grey Systems: Theory and Application"},{"key":"key2025021904373889400_ref042","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpe.2023.108817","article-title":"Impact of supply chain digitalization on supply chain resilience and performance: a multi-mediation model","volume":"259","year":"2023","journal-title":"International Journal of Production Economics"},{"issue":"4","key":"key2025021904373889400_ref043","first-page":"122","article-title":"Network mapping of the grey model research-A visualized analysis using CiteSpace","volume":"31","year":"2019","journal-title":"Journal of Grey System"}],"container-title":["Grey Systems: Theory and Application"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/GS-10-2024-0113\/full\/xml","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/GS-10-2024-0113\/full\/html","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,25]],"date-time":"2025-07-25T00:46:20Z","timestamp":1753404380000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"http:\/\/www.emerald.com\/gs\/article\/15\/1\/124-144\/1239118"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,21]]},"references-count":43,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,21]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,18]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1108\/GS-10-2024-0113"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/gs-10-2024-0113","relation":{},"ISSN":["2043-9377","2043-9385"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2043-9377","type":"print"},{"value":"2043-9385","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,21]]}}}