Title: Multi-agent-based supply chain management: a case study of requisites

Authors: Per Hilletofth, Tehseen Aslam, Olli-Pekka Hilmola

Addresses: School of Technology and Society, University of Skovde, P.O. Box 408, SE-541 28 Skovde, Sweden. ' School of Technology and Society, University of Skovde, P.O. Box 408, SE-541 28 Skovde, Sweden. ' Lappeenranta University of Technology, Kouvola Research Unit, Prikaatintie 9, FIN-45100 Kouvola, Finland; University of Skovde, P.O. Box 408, SE-541 28 Skovde, Sweden

Abstract: Supply Chains (SCs) are becoming increasingly complex, and intensified competition in the end markets has started to create a situation where cooperation requirements between companies are increasing, and old mechanistic operations management solutions are becoming obsolete. In this paper we analyse a real-life situation in Alpha|s manufacturing plant in Sweden, which serves northern European countries in consumer markets. Case study findings reveal that the product-mix flexibility requirements are high and lead-time requirements in manufacturing as well as purchasing take weeks or months, not days. Based on the empirical observations, we propose an agent system for this company and discuss different levels of decision making, operative responsibilities and decision time horizons.

Keywords: supply chain management; SCM; complexity; agent-based systems; multi-agent systems; MAS; Sweden; manufacturing; product mix flexibility; lead times.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNVO.2010.031217

International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 2010 Vol.7 No.2/3, pp.184 - 206

Published online: 26 Jan 2010 *

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