Configurable Supply Chain: Framework, Methodology and Application

Dynamic nature of modern supply chains leads to frequent changes in the supply chain structure. Appropriate decision-modelling mechanisms are required to support decision-making in such an environment. This paper discusses general requirements for a methodology governing modelling of reconfigurable supply chain and develops supply chain configuration methodology according to these requirements. Two main features of the proposed methodology are information modelling and hybrid modelling. Information modelling enables systematic formalisation of modelling problems and processes. Hybrid modelling combining optimisation and simulation allows for comprehensive evaluation of alternative configurations subject to dynamic and stochastic factors. The methodology is applied to deal with a multicriteria supplier selection problem. Specific optimisation and simulation models are developed for this particular problem. These models are integrated using meta-modelling