Distribution problems deal with distribution from a number of sources to a number of destinations. Each source offers amounts of goods, while each destination demands quantities of these goods. The object is to find the cheapest transporting schedule that satisfies demand without violating...

Describes a two‐ and, later, a three‐dimensional view of supply chain dynamics within a theoretical framework derived from research carried out in the UK automotive industry. However, the authors believe that the models developed have a far wider applicability than this narrow sectoral and...

Both practitioners and research scientists have noted a number of problems regarding measurement activities during the past decade. The problems reported suggest that measurement activities are fragmented both within and across organizations. Expands on a systems perspective on supply chain...

A conceptual framework for the analysis of vulnerability in supply chains is developed. The conceptual framework is limited to the inbound logistic flow of manufacturers. The study has been performed as a two‐step process. Step one explores the concept of vulnerability from the point of view...

Buyer‐supplier relationships play an important role in an organization’s ability to respond to dynamic and unpredictable change. If the relationship is too restrictive, flexibility will be difficult to achieve and, if it is too lenient the risk of opportunism will be present. This paper...

Considers the dynamical effect of lateral emergency transhipments within a supply chain. It tests various different strategies for improving customer service via the MIT Beer Game. Four distinct strategies are considered. “Electronic point of sales (EPOS)”, where marketplace information is...

Activity‐based costing (ABC) is a tool used by managers to more closely approximate the “true costs” of operations. The application of ABC in logistics is more commonplace today than just a few years ago, though still far short of universal. Sound tracking of operational costs is critical...

The demand amplification effect has been well described in the literature over many years. This paper reports the results of a research project carried out in the UK automotive component supply chain, which set out to eliminate the effect in practice. The paper describes the progression from the...

Response surface methodology (RSM) is used for optimality analysis of the cost coefficients in mixed integer linear programming. This optimality analysis goes beyond traditional sensitivity and parametric analysis in allowing investigation of the optimal objective function value response over...

A simulation approach to measuring supply chain performance is evaluated which incorporates order release theory. Within manufacturing a number of order release mechanisms have been developed. The importance of order release is first examined and its applicability to monitoring the performance...