Title: Supply chain multi-structural (re)-design

Authors: Dmitry Ivanov

Addresses: Professur fur Produktionswirtschaft und Industriebetriebslehre, Fakultat fur Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Technische Universitat Chemnitz, 09126 Chemnitz, Germany

Abstract: In the framework of Supply Chain (re)-Design (SCD), different structures (functional, organisational, informational, etc.) are (re)-formed. These structures are interrelated and change in their dynamics. How is it possible to avoid structural incoherency and consistency and to achieve comprehensiveness by (re)-designing supply chains? This paper introduces a new approach to simultaneous multi-structural SCD with structure dynamics considerations. For the conceptual and mathematical models, we propose to apply multi-structural macro-states and dynamical alternative multi-graphs. The research approach is theoretically based on the combined application of operations research, agent-based modelling and control theory. The results show the multi-structural and inter-disciplinary treatment allows comprehensive and realistic SCD problem formulation and solution. We emphasize the flexibility of the proposed approach and optimisation-supported simulation. The proposed methodology enhances managerial insight into supply chains at the strategic and tactical levels and serves to assist decision-makers in SCD.

Keywords: SCD; supply chain design; supply chain redesign; multiple structure design; structure dynamics; multi-structural states; dynamical alternative multi-graphs; optimisation; heuristics; simulation; supply chain management; SCM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISM.2009.026203

International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 2009 Vol.5 No.1, pp.19 - 37

Published online: 28 May 2009 *

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