Title: A KM motivated web-based supply chain simulator: facilitating e-learning for SMEs

Authors: S. Wadhwa, Avneet Saxena, Anil Kumar

Addresses: Department of of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India. ' Department of of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India. ' Department of of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India

Abstract: The Knowledge Management (KM) driven dynamic supply chain holds future competitive potential for improved business performance. Dynamic supply chains can change their structures and chain partners dynamically. Hence, they are more complex to deal with, especially for the Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Global chains can have SMEs as multiple-autonomous players with varying technical cultures (affects knowledge mindsets), managerial background (affects decision knowledge) and SCM exposures (affects knowledge-sharing attitudes). These knowledge-sharing and knowledge-evolving activities offer several opportunities and challenges for SMEs to contribute effectively to the supply chain business performance as a virtual chain member. This paper presents the application of a web-based simulator model that is based on Decision Knowledge Sharing (DKS) for improved business performance in supply chains. This simulator offers different levels of knowledge sharing and allows a scenario analysis. It also offers an e-learning potential that motivates business performance improvement in SCM context.

Keywords: virtual supply chain management; VSCM; SCM; knowledge management; KM; e-learning; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; decision knowledge sharing; DKS; web-based simulation; modelling; online learning; business performance management; dynamic supply chains.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2006.009037

International Journal of Business Performance Management, 2006 Vol.8 No.2/3, pp.207 - 228

Published online: 16 Feb 2006 *

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