Agent-oriented simulation framework for handling disruptions in chemical supply chains

Abstract

To cope with increasing vulnerability, global business especially chemical manufacturing companies need to actively manage (the risk of) disruptive events in their supply chains. This calls for systematic frameworks to guide their efforts. Further, due to the complexity of today's global supply chains, decision making tools are needed to provide support in different stages of the supply chain disruption management process. This paper presents an agent-oriented simulation framework for disruption management in supply chains. This simulation framework provides a flexible modelling and simulation environment for decision makers to experiment with different types of disruptions and disruption management strategies. The application of the simulation model to support decision-making in different steps of the pre- and post-disruption management processes is illustrated using a lube oil supply chain case study.