Md Fazle Alahi Bhuiyan has been recognized with the Supply Chain Excellence Award 2026 for research examining how emerging digital technologies can contribute to more efficient, responsive, transparent, and sustainable supply chains among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The recognition was announced during the International Royal Golden Fellow Award 2026 Ceremony and the Second International Conference on AI-Driven Innovation, Modern Technology and Multidisciplinary Research in Patent Development — Patent Gen Beta 2.0 2026, held on August 28–29, 2026. Following the review of numerous research submissions, the selection committee identified Bhuiyan’s research as closely aligned with the conference’s emphasis on technological innovation and multidisciplinary research. The award was conferred by Eudoxia Research University, USA, and Eudoxia Research Centre, India.

Bhuiyan’s study investigates the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain in transforming supply-chain operations within SMEs, which frequently operate under greater financial, technological, and managerial constraints than larger enterprises. The research also considers the relationship between digital technology adoption, lean operational practices, sustainability initiatives, and supply-chain performance.

The study analyzed firm-level survey and performance data from 300 SMEs across manufacturing, logistics, distribution, retail, agri-food, and technology-enabled service sectors. Quantitative techniques included descriptive analysis, multiple linear regression, feature selection, and cross-validation.

The findings revealed differences in both technology adoption and performance relationships. IoT recorded the highest average adoption level at 0.510, followed by AI at 0.495 and blockchain at 0.471. In the regression analysis, AI produced the largest positive coefficient at 3.93, while IoT recorded a coefficient of 3.46. Blockchain showed a smaller positive coefficient of 1.46, reflecting a more focused potential role in areas such as traceability, verification, transparency, and data integrity.

The research suggests that AI and IoT may have important applications in demand forecasting, inventory management, operational monitoring, logistics responsiveness, supplier evaluation, and risk prediction. Meanwhile, blockchain can support greater visibility and verification across interconnected supply-chain networks. Cross-validation further indicated that a model using two selected features achieved the strongest predictive score, suggesting that greater model complexity does not necessarily guarantee improved predictive performance.

The research also connects digital transformation with sustainability priorities, including waste-management efficiency, carbon-footprint reduction, and circular-economy practices. Rather than treating technology adoption as an isolated investment, the study highlights the importance of integrating digital capabilities with lean management, sustainability planning, and organizational capacity.

The award selection process for Patent Gen Beta 2.0 2026 was overseen by an internationally constituted Central Organizing Committee comprising distinguished scholars, academic leaders, researchers, and institutional representatives. The committee was led by Chief Patron Prof. Dr. Rhituraj Saikia, President of Eudoxia Research University, USA, with Patron Prof. Dr. Caleb Moyo, Vice-Chancellor, providing strategic guidance. Convener Prof. Dr. Dimitrios A. Karras, Dean, School of Science, coordinated the academic framework, supported by Organizing Secretary Prof. Dr. Joseph Dunston, Academic Director, Eudoxia Research Centre, India. The committee also included Dr. Arun Kumar Sao, Coordinator Dr. Smreeti Mehta, Registrar, Eudoxia Research University, USA, Dr. Namrata Kumari, Deputy Registrar, UWRIC, UK, Moderator Dr. MushinaKafiah Huda, Director, Eudoxia Research Centre, India, and other distinguished academic and professional members. Their collective expertise ensured a structured, credible, and internationally oriented award selection process.

The findings hold particular relevance for SMEs in Bangladesh, where businesses across manufacturing, logistics, retail, distribution, and agri-food sectors are increasingly seeking ways to improve efficiency and resilience. The research provides a structured perspective for organizations considering how different digital technologies can address specific operational challenges while supporting more sustainable and transparent supply chains.

Bhuiyan’s recognition at Patent Gen Beta 2.0 2026 highlights the growing importance of research-driven approaches to digital transformation and the role of emerging technologies in addressing contemporary supply-chain challenges facing SMEs in Bangladesh and internationally.