Distributed supply chain network modelling and simulation: integration of agent-based distributed simulation and improved SCOR model

Abstract

Agent-based distributed simulation is an efficient methodology for modelling and analysing such complex adaptive systems as dynamic supply chain networks. However, it lacks an acceptable generic standard. Supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model is a cross-functional framework widely accepted as an industry standard. It provides the standard processes, performance metrics, best practices and associated software functionalities for modelling, evaluating and improving supply chain networks. However, it is a static tool. Integration of agent-based distributed simulation and SCOR model can exploit their advantages to form a generic methodology for modelling and simulation of a wide range of supply chain networks. Therefore, this paper proposes a methodology for distributed supply chain network modelling and simulation by means of integration of agent-based distributed simulation and an improved SCOR model. The methodology contains two components: a hierarchical framework for modelling supply chain network based on the improved SCOR model and agent building blocks integrating the standard processes from the SCOR model. The hierarchical framework provides an approach for structure modelling in any level with different granularities based on the improved SCOR model, and allows rapidly mapping a supply chain network into the structure model of a multi-agent system; while agent building blocks are quite useful and convenient to fill the structure model to fulfil its function modelling. With the approach of structure modelling and function filling, not only can the process of agent-based supply chain network modelling be accelerated, but also the built models can be reused and expanded. Because the hierarchical framework is based on the conceptual framework of SCOR model and agent building blocks integrate the standard processes from SCOR model, the proposed methodology is more generic. In addition, the issues of sub-model synchronisation and data distribution management in the agent-based distributed simulation implementation are taken into consideration and the corresponding solutions for these issues are proposed. Finally, an example of a supply chain network is modelled and implemented to illustrate the proposed methodology and related solutions.

Keywords:

• distributed supply chain network
• modelling and simulation
• agent-based distributed simulation
• SCOR model
• integration methodology

Acknowledgement

For helpful previous studies, the author of this paper is grateful to Jie Lin and his research team at Tongji University in China. The author also would like to thank the editors and all anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments.

Funding

This work was supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number LQ13G010003]; and Zhejiang Philosophy and Social Science Planning Project of China [grant number 13NDJC039YB].