Supply chain learning using a 3D virtual world environment

Abstract

This paper discusses the use of virtual world technology in relation to the unsustainability of the current levels of greenhouse gas emissions, related to business travel. If it can be demonstrated that the use of virtual worlds enables users to participate in meetings and other events in a manner that benefits the individual and the organisation, without the need for the individuals to meet ‘face to face’, then overall, business travel can be reduced. However creating the virtual environment that engages the user in ‘meaningful’ discourse, requires testing the environment against specific targets. This paper discusses that in the context of Supply Chain Management within the Insurance business, knowledge transfer is a key factor, that is currently conducted through ‘standard’ channels, primarily emails and the telephone. A number of team meetings are also organised, since it is felt that ‘face to face’ contact between members is necessary. Business travel for participants contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, for this study, the use of 3D Virtual World (VW) tools to discover if knowledge sharing and learning within a horizontal supply chain managed by a principal insurer, was effective and reduced the need for ‘face to face’ meetings. A set of web based tools, applications and exercises supporting the formation of communities of inquiry and promoting knowledge transfer and learning, through social interaction is presented. These results are from a pilot study that was run over a four month period across an insurance supply chain, to explore how suppliers and the principal insurer shared knowledge, using these tools. With the IoT (Internet of Things) generating multiple sources of ‘streamed’ data, the potential for using this type of data in a format that allows users to access data that is ‘understandable’ to them, is expanding. Within the insurance industry, and specifically home claims, a key priority is to have current and meaningful data on physical events and conditions available to their stakeholders and members of the supply chain. This is to enable them to make correct and timely decisions on claims, for example, weather related claims. Therefore an environment was designed and created, which used live streaming data from the United States Geological Survey, and a variety of VW tools and techniques to illustrate this data, and to orient it to make it relevant to the home claims teams.