Title: Visualisation for system learning in supply chains

Authors: Magnus Lindskog, Mats Abrahamsson, Hakan Aronsson

Addresses: Logistics Management, Department of Management and Engineering, Linkoping University, SE-581 83 Linkoping, Sweden. ' Logistics Management, Department of Management and Engineering, Linkoping University, SE-581 83 Linkoping, Sweden. ' Logistics Management, Department of Management and Engineering, Linkoping University, SE-581 83 Linkoping, Sweden

Abstract: Contemporary supply chains are vastly complex, and decisions made by actors have system-wide consequences that these might not be able to foresee. There are gaps between |best practice|-founded theory and actual practice in supply chains. To remedy this, we argue, the supply chain actors need to enhance systems knowledge. There is a need to support development of mental models about systemic structures in the supply chain. This is difficult, if not outright impossible, to achieve in real-life settings. A supply chain visualisation microworld engine has therefore been developed, which forms the basis of a learning arena that supports system learning for the supply chain actors.

Keywords: logistics; mental models; microworld engines; simulation; supply chain management; SCM; systemic structures; visualisation; learning; knowledge management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2007.015508

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2007 Vol.2 No.2, pp.170 - 191

Published online: 22 Oct 2007 *

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