Abstract
The effectiveness of military supply chain networks is an important reference for logistics decision-making, and it is crucial to evaluate it scientifically and accurately. This paper highlights the problem from the perspective of dynamic and discrete networks. A topological structure model with the characteristics of dynamic and discreteness is used to describe the structure of military supply chain networks (MSCNs). In order to provide a platform for evaluating the effectiveness, simulation algorithms based on topological structure models for MSCNs are presented. Considering military and economic factors, evaluation metrics including supply capability and supply efficiency are proposed. By applying the model and algorithms to a POL supply network in a theater, we obtain the values of supply capability and efficiency metrics in a dynamic environment. We also identify an optimal solution from multiple feasible solutions to help decision-makers to make scientific and rational decisions by using exploratory analysis method. The results show that new evaluation metrics can capture important effectiveness requirements for military supply networks positively. We also find the proposed method in this paper can solve the problem of evaluating the effectiveness of dynamic and discrete network effectiveness evaluation in a feasible and effective manner.
Highlights
Networks are ubiquitous in our daily lives, such as the communication networks that we use to contact each other by cell phones, social networks that reflect the connections between people, and molecular structure networks that illustrate the nature of the material [1,2,3]
For Military supply chain networks (MSCNs), it can be argued that the supply capability is high if the inventory levels of demand nodes are above a specified threshold (e.g., 0 or more than 10% of inventory levels) continuously throughout the course of the military action
We take MSCNs as an example to analyze the effectiveness evaluation of dynamic and discrete networks, the method is relevant to other discrete networks
Summary
Networks are ubiquitous in our daily lives, such as the communication networks that we use to contact each other by cell phones, social networks that reflect the connections between people, and molecular structure networks that illustrate the nature of the material [1,2,3]. An important feature of this type of network is that its topological relationships and structure are constant In other words, these are continuous networks [4]. Military supply chain networks (MSCNs) are one of the most common discrete networks. In a military supply chain network, supply units and battalions rely on supply orders to connect dynamically. Since traditional research on the effectiveness evaluation of military supply chain normally includes only a few entities [11], when it comes to strategic-level paradigms with hundreds of entities in an MSCN, these methods are no longer satisfactory. We adopt the complex network view of supply chains and study the effectiveness and efficiency of MSCNs as discrete networks. The paper gives a conclusion and discusses possible directions for future research
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
