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Supply Chain Finance

Yunbo Long 486 words 3 minutes Finance Risk Management Working Capital

Supply chain finance (SCF) encompasses a set of financial instruments, practices, and technologies designed to optimise the management of working capital and liquidity across supply chain networks. By bridging the gap between the flow of goods and the flow of funds, SCF solutions—such as reverse factoring, dynamic discounting, and inventory financing—enable buyers and suppliers to unlock value trapped in trade receivables and payables.

The growing complexity of global supply chains, coupled with increasing pressure on margins and cash flow, has driven significant interest in SCF from both industry and academia. Recent advances in data analytics, machine learning, and blockchain technology are transforming traditional SCF models, enabling more accurate credit risk assessment, automated invoice processing, and real-time visibility into financial flows across multi-tier networks.

Research in this field examines topics ranging from the design of optimal SCF programmes and the role of digital platforms, to the application of AI for credit scoring and fraud detection in trade finance. As supply chains face heightened volatility and uncertainty, the strategic importance of SCF in ensuring financial resilience and supporting sustainable sourcing practices continues to grow.

We invite you to explore the curated collection of key publications below, offering a comprehensive view of the evolving landscape of supply chain finance research.

List of Publications

  1. Gelsomino, L.M., Mangiaracina, R., Perego, A. and Tumino, A., 2016. Supply chain finance: A literature review. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 46(4), pp.348-366. [PDF]
  2. Hofmann, E., 2005. Supply chain finance: Some conceptual insights. Beiträge Zu Beschaffung Und Logistik, pp.203-214. [PDF]
  3. Caniato, F., Gelsomino, L.M., Perego, A. and Ronchi, S., 2016. Does finance solve the supply chain financing problem?. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 21(5), pp.534-549. [PDF]
  4. Wuttke, D.A., Blome, C. and Henke, M., 2013. Focusing the financial flow of supply chains: An empirical investigation of financial supply chain management. International Journal of Production Economics, 145(2), pp.773-789. [PDF]
  5. Xu, X., Chen, X., Jia, F., Brown, S., Gong, Y. and Xu, Y., 2018. Supply chain finance: A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Production Economics, 204, pp.160-173. [PDF]
  6. Camerinelli, E., 2009. Supply chain finance. Journal of Payments Strategy & Systems, 3(2), pp.114-128. [PDF]
  7. Pfohl, H.C. and Gomm, M., 2009. Supply chain finance: Optimizing financial flows in supply chains. Logistics Research, 1(3), pp.149-161. [PDF]