RoRA-SCM—Review of the Integration of Flexibility Planning in Supply Chains

Abstract

Planning in supply chains is characterized by uncertainties. These can be disruptive as well as operational risks, but also business opportunities. To deal with uncertainties, various approaches suggest supply chains that are robust, resilient, and agile (RoRA). To accomplish this, flexibility is necessary. Aspects of flexibility in supply chain management (SCM) have been analyzed from different angles. But still a holistic concept on how flexibility planning can be integrated in the process of supply chain planning does not exist. This paper gives an overview on optimization models used for flexibility planning in supply chains and identifies the characteristics of such a planning process. Which tasks of SCM the components of flexibility planning have to be integrated in is discussed along the structure of the supply chain planning matrix. An outlook on further research on flexibility planning in RoRA-SCM is also given.