Decoupling the value chain
by Jan Olhager, Erik Selldin, Joakim Wikner
International Journal of Value Chain Management (IJVCM), Vol. 1, No. 1, 2006

Abstract: All value chains are not designed the same way. A major determinant is the type of product that is to be supplied through the chain or network, calling for different types of value chains. An interesting model for this selection is the one developed by Fisher, arguing that products can be characterised as being either functional or innovative, and that supply chains are either physically efficient or market-responsive. Certain combinations of products and supply chains are assumed to provide matches whereas other combinations lead to mismatches. This paper combines this approach with the concept of a customer order decoupling point. We distinguish between a product supply decoupling point and a demand mediation decoupling point. A decoupling point divides the value chain into two distinct parts; one upstream with certain characteristics and one downstream with distinctly different characteristics. In this paper we specifically explore how the Fisher model can be used to characterise the role and features of upstream versus downstream value chain operations relative to the product supply decoupling point and the demand mediation decoupling point.

Online publication date: Mon, 13-Feb-2006

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Value Chain Management (IJVCM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com