Title: A comparison of mathematical modelling approaches for stability analysis of supply chains

Authors: Bernd Scholz-Reiter; Thomas Makuschewitz; Fabian Wirth; Michael Schonlein; Sergey Dashkovskiy; Michael Kosmykov

Addresses: BIBA – Bremer Institut fur Produktion und Logistik GmbH, University of Bremen, Hochschulring 20, 28359 Bremen, Germany. ' BIBA – Bremer Institut fur Produktion und Logistik GmbH, University of Bremen, Hochschulring 20, 28359 Bremen, Germany. ' Institute for Mathematics, University of Wurzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Wurzburg, Germany. ' Institute for Mathematics, University of Wurzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Wurzburg, Germany. ' Centre of Industrial Mathematics, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany. ' Centre of Industrial Mathematics, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany

Abstract: Production and transportation processes along a supply chain are dynamic. In particular they are subject to perturbations (e.g., breakdown of a resource) that can destabilise the network. Stability is a major property of a supply chain that is essential for a sustainable relationship to its customers. In order to verify the stability of a given supply chain different criteria have been developed. This paper addresses the problem of choosing a proper mathematical modelling approach for a real world network in order to investigate stability. For this reason we discuss different modelling approaches. Each of these approaches can model different characteristics of a supply chain and features a specific stability criterion. By comparing these approaches the paper supports choosing a proper modelling approach for a real world supply chain.

Keywords: supply chain dynamics; mathematical modelling; stability analysis; supply chain management; SCM; supply chain stability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2011.042629

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2011 Vol.10 No.2, pp.208 - 223

Published online: 06 May 2015 *

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