Flexible Supply Networks Research Articles

Sustainability and intermodality in humanitarian logistics: a two-stage multi-objective programming formulation

AbstractWhen managing crises and disasters, decision-makers face high uncertainty levels, disrupted supply chains, and damaged infrastructure. This complicates delivering resources that are essential for the survival of the victims. Flexible and adaptable supply networks are needed to ensure a consistent flow of relief to the areas affected by disasters. Intermodality is a valuable approach when infrastructure is damaged, as it allows the use of different delivery modes to reach demand areas. Nevertheless, involving different transportation modes has an impact on the environment. Looking at the importance of helping victims and considering the environmental impact of humanitarian operations for long-term sustainability, intermodality and carbon emission reduction measures can be an interesting combination. This area, however, is currently understudied. This article introduces a two-stage stochastic formulation to fill that gap. The model addresses facility location, resource allocation, and intermodal relief distribution considering carbon emission reduction in facilities, intermodal activities, and distribution. The formulation minimises costs and the level of shortage of relief. The model is tested using a case study in Sinaloa, Mexico, to investigate the impact of intermodality and carbon emission reduction measures on costs and shortage of relief for disaster victims. The findings confirm that the model proposed allows for the diversification of transportation modes and reduces carbon emissions whilst achieving a good level of performance in both metrics. The comparison with a benchmark model without intermodality and carbon reduction measures suggests that the formulation can increase flexibility and reduce the level of CO2 emissions whilst maintaining high satisfaction rates.

Linking supply network flexibility with mass customization capability

PurposeThe importance of supply network flexibility (SNF) in the development of mass customization capability (MCC) has been implied in the literature but seldom subjected to empirical investigation. To fill the gap and contribute to MC literature, this paper aims to examine the role of SNF in facilitating the development of MCC of organizations. Furthermore, it has been investigated whether the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) strengthens the above relationship.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the supply chain literature and dynamic capability theory, the study proposes a research framework depicting the interconnectedness among the variables of interest. The proposed framework has been tested using structural equation modelling based on partial least squares by using the data collected from a questionnaire-based survey of a sample of Indian manufacturing organizations.FindingsThe findings indicate that the dimensions of SNF, namely, sourcing flexibility and supplier flexibility, positively affect the MCC of the organizations and the strength of these relationships is further amplified by the implementation of ICTs.Practical implicationsThe study shows the managerial opportunities for the development of a flexible and competent supply network to facilitate the development or enhancement of MCC.Originality/valueThis study contributes to scant literature by providing empirical evidence for the relationship between SNF and MCC. Further, this study enriches the understanding of the crucial role of ICT by exploring its moderating effect on the relationship between the variables of interest.

Synthesis of flexible supply networks under uncertainty applied to biogas production

This contribution presents the application of a systematic tool for the synthesis of flexible supply networks under uncertain conditions. The proposed methodology consists of four steps during which an inflexible supply network constructed under nominal conditions progressively develops into a flexible network. First-stage variables are determined by a two-scenario mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model in which uncertain parameters deviate through specified ranges from their nominal values. The second-stage variables are determined by one-scenario Monte Carlo stochastic optimization. The approach is demonstrated on an illustrative case study of an agricultural biogas supply network with the objective being to maximize economic, eco- and viability profits. Flexible biogas supply networks with 28 uncertain parameters were achieved with acceptable computational effort. The expected economic and viability profits decreased compared to nominal profits by around 8%, while the eco-profit increased slightly as a result of higher utilization of less burdensome raw materials.

Flexible supply network planning for hybrid shipment: a case study of memory module industry

The modern supply chain network has geographically spread out across the globe. The performance of a customer service level is highly dependent on the effectiveness of its supply chain planning. To improve the service provided to downstream customers, planners must not only decide order allocation among multiple distribution centres but also consider reducing the order-to-delivery time. Directed shipment delivery from manufacturing sites provides the flexibility of direct shipment; however, it also makes order allocation more difficult. In this study, a flexible supply network planning (FSNP) model based on integer linear programming is developed for the memory module industry. In addition to multisite order allocation planning, the FSNP model explicitly considers directed shipment from manufacturing sites for reducing the order-to-delivery time. Furthermore, the combination of characteristics of the memory module industry, such as multilevel and multisite production environments, multiple-to-multiple product structures, transportation and production lead times and capacity constraints, makes FSNP highly complicated. The results of the experiments reveal that the FSNP model improves supply chain planning regarding order due date and inventory and transportation costs.

Semantic Service Integration for Intelligent Decision Support in Flexible Supply Net-Works

Problems of semantic service integration to enable interoperability between an intelligent decision support system of supply networks’ participants and environmental resources are considered.

Principles of Dynamic Configuration of Flexible Supply Networks Based on Semantic Service Composition

In a complex business network finding a supplier can be a very time consuming task. In advanced supply networks like Build-to-Order supply chains, this task should be carried out under time constraints and under uncertainties both in suppliers and in the orders. The technology of semantic service oriented architectures is aimed to support such kind of tasks, enabling construction of self-organizing flexible supply networks. A novel approach to dynamic network members’ discovery and selection based on competence profiles included in provided service descriptions is proposed. The approach is grounded in a method for service discovery with incomplete information using query expansion techniques. The approach is illustrated by example from automotive industry.

Dynamic configuration of flexible supply networks based on semantic service composition

In a complex business network finding a supplier can be a very time consuming task. In advanced supply networks like build-to-order supply chains, this task should be carried out under time constraints and under uncertainties both in suppliers and in the orders. The technology of semantic service oriented architectures is aimed to support such tasks, enabling self-organising flexible supply networks (FSN). A novel approach to dynamic network members’ discovery and selection based on competence profiles included in provided service descriptions is proposed. The approach is based on the idea to characterise all FSN members by their functions or services and to describe them via profiles thus defining their roles. The profiles described by the application ontology are associated with agent-based services that negotiate to take into account explicit and tacit preferences of the enterprises, in order to dynamically configure a network on demand. Semantic service discovery and dynamic composition are used to accomplish this task.

Resilience refused. Wasted potentials for improving food security in Dhaka

In 2007 and 2008, Bangladesh was subject to a food crisis — the outcome of multiple causes — which had a severe impact on the urban poor of the country's capital. Dhaka's food supplies were repeatedly disconnected due to floods and cyclones, yet there was always enough food in the megacity thanks to wholesale traders' diverse and flexible supply networks. Despite the interim government's eviction drives aimed at slum dwellers and street vendors, the food hawkers still managed to distribute prepared food throughout the city. And despite rapidly rising food prices, most of the urban poor found ways to endure the crisis. In this article, we look at the people who made Dhaka's food system resilient enough to avoid catastro phe. We discuss three relevant actor groups food traders in wholesale markets, street food vendors, and poor consumers — and investigate the roles they play in keeping the city fed, and how they act in the light of crises. Neither these actors nor their contributions to urban food security are acknowledged by the state, nor are they substantially supported. Significant potentials for a resilient urban food system thus remain unpromoted and even blocked. Resilience is being refused.

A Mathematical Model for Vehicle Routing Problem in a Flexible Supply Network

A Mathematical Model for Vehicle Routing Problem in a Flexible Supply Network

Modelling Competence Demand for Flexible Supply Networks

Many industrial domains experienced during the last decade a shift towards flexible and collaborative strategies adapted for global markets, like flexible supply networks. Competence management offers concepts and approaches which can be applied to identify, systematically develop and integrate organizational competence of suppliers in such networks. Based on a requirement analysis and two case studies, the paper investigates competence supply in flexible supply networks. The contributions of this paper are (1) requirements to competence management in flexible supply networks, (2) an approach to express competence demand based on enterprise models, and (3) recommendations how to adjust enterprise modelling practices and techniques based on the two cases studies.

Integrated Modeling Management of Flexible Supply Networks

A combined approach to description and analysis of control processes in flexible supply networks (FSN) is presented. The changeability of FSN structures necessitates investigation and planning of structure-dynamics control. The processes of FSN structure-dynamics control are described via a system of analytical and simulation models. General principles of joint use of these models within a simulation system were worked out. The problems of parametric and structural adaptation of the models are discussed. Theoretical results were implemented in program prototypes of a computer-aided structure-dynamics control system.

Self-Configuration of Flexible Supply Networks: Profile-Based Information Support

Appearance of flexible supply networks has set up a number of problems to be solved. One of the key problems is information support for efficient configuration of such a network. Solving this problem requires a number of technologies to be involved. The technologies include: ontology management for interoperability, context management for situation awareness, competence profiling for network members description, Web-services for information exchange. The paper presents an approach to information support of flexible supply network configuration based on the above technologies.

ISSUES IN SUPPLY CHAIN STABILITY ESTIMATION IN FLEXIBLE SUPPLY NETWORKS AND POSSIBLE METHODS AND TOOLS FOR THEIR DECISION

Abstract The modern supply chain management is facing the challenge of design efficient and stable supply networks. It confirms the newly published international standards ISO 28000 on supply chain (SC) security management, development of Supply Chain Event Management (SCEM) techniques and information tools, and introduction of additional performance indicators on supply chain reliability in the SCOR model 9.0. That is why it becomes necessary to consider the criterion of supply chain stability as a primary SC performance criterion. The paper proposes a framework for stability analysis of SC plans resulted from a flexible networking of supply network partners. We elaborate basics of the SC stability analysis in the flexible supply networks settings taking into account managerial (and not automated) decision making in SC. We present mathematical models for the SC plan stability analysis. We introduce a method of attainability areas and provide multi-criteria dynamic models of the SC stability analysis with interval data. The framework is implemented in software. One of the key advantages of the proposed tool is a simple results interpretation for decision-makers in the form of geometrical figures.

Ontology-Based Knowledge Sharing in Flexible Supply Networks

Appearance of flexible supply networks can be considered as a response to changes in global markets. Networks can be seen as a step beyond the linear supply chain topography. However, when dealing with multiple organizations and multiple processes within a complicated network, identifying and locating a member that has responsibility and/or competence in a particular part of the network can be a laborious, time-consuming process. Knowledge sharing is aimed to assist in solving this problem. An approach presented is based on application of such technologies as ontology and context management to knowledge sharing.