Revisiting information systems to support a dynamic supply chain: issues and perspectives

Abstract

This article is aimed at providing a broad review of the main approaches to information related issues in a dynamic supply chain, through the description of the main characteristics, techniques, ongoing developments and research activities. The literature is examined from the perspective of the existing information systems that support supply chain dynamics at operational and strategic levels, with its inherent focus on web-enabled collaboration among supply chain partners. Various issues related to integration of core processes across organisational boundaries through improved communication, partnerships, alliances and cooperation in vague and uncertain conditions are also addressed. We review the recent trends in supply chain management and analyse how diverse modelling techniques such as agent technology and Petri net can be applied to support dynamic supply chain configuration. The purpose of this article is to consolidate the existing research efforts concerning the issues related to information systems in dynamic supply chains, and to identify promising emerging issues for further study in this area.

Keywords:

• supply chain dynamics
• multi-agent systems
• Petri nets
• information systems
• supply chain collaboration