Select supplier-related issues in modelling a dynamic supply chain: potential, challenges and direction for future research

Abstract

This paper is aimed at providing a broad review of the main approaches to supplier-related issues especially supplier selection, supplier–buyer relationships, supplier–buyer flexibility in relationships in a dynamic supply chain, through the description of the main characteristics, techniques, ongoing developments and research activities. Also, the issues relating to integration of core processes across organisational boundaries through improved communication, partnerships, alliances and cooperation are addressed, with its inherent focus on Web-enabled collaboration among the suppliers and the buyers. The aim of this paper is to consolidate the existing research efforts concerning the supplier-related issues, and to identify promising emerging issues for further study in this area. More specifically, this work analyses how diverse modelling techniques such as agent technology, petri nets, fuzzy logic and data mining can be applied to support dynamic supply chain configurations with reference to supplier-related issues.

Keywords:

• supplier selection
• supplier–buyer relationships
• multi-agent
• fuzzy logic
• supply chain management