Search results

This paper presents a methodology for the development of a new tool for the formation of a virtual enterprise. The formation phase mainly deals with inviting potential collaborators to virtual enterprise, and developing a supply chain; supply chain development is done collaboratively by all the collaborating enterprises. The methodology for realizing a new e‐commerce tool is primarily aimed at satisfying the needs of small‐to‐medium‐sized enterprises, and has the following features: Web‐based; inexpensive; supports collaboration; and increases pipeline visibility and demand visibility.

The main work in this paper covers a methodology, tools and implementation techniques for automation of supplier selection procedures as an e‐commerce application. The work could be divided into two main parts. First, the development of a modeling methodology which can be used for automation of supplier selection procedures. By this modeling methodology, supplier selection procedures are divided into pre‐selection, selection and the post‐selection procedures. The selection procedure is further divided into the following stages: bidder selection, partner selection, and performance evaluation. The second part is about realization of automation. Three modules for automation are identified; they are the data collection system for bidder selection stage, the inference engine for partner selection stage, and the performance evaluation engine for the performance evaluation stage.

Purpose – The study sets out to explore the use of an iterative approach for designing distribution chain in an agile virtual environment; in an agile virtual environment, quick adaptation to changing market situation and automation of supply chain management processes are essential. Design/methodology/approach – The iterative approach consists of two parts: the strategic model and the tactical model. First, the strategic model (including number of distributors, location of distributors) is determined. Then, based on the output of the strategic model, the tactical model (i.e. the inventory planning at each node, and vehicle routeing between different nodes of the chain) is determined. After determining the tactical model, the operation‐related parameters from the tactical model are input into the strategic model again, and the configuration of distribution chain is re‐optimized. Such iterations proceed until the design result converges. Findings – The proposed iterative design process provides many advantages such as reuse of knowledge, adaptive to changing market conditions, modular design, and optimal results guaranteed by mixed mathematical usage. The proposed approach is also realizable as a supply chain management software tool. Originality/value – An important contribution of this study is the iterative process that uses three different types of mathematics. For determination of the strategic model mixed integer programming is used. Determination of the tactical model is effected using genetic algorithm and probability theory.

First this paper introduces the concepts of virtual manufacturing system (VMS). The host enterprise and the multiple numbers of supply and distribution enterprises that make up a VMS, and the hierarchical and horizontal relationship that exists between these enterprises are explained. The steps involved in formation and operation of a VMS are then analyzed in detail. Second, we present a three view based methodological approach to make a multi‐agent model of VMS. Finally, with the help of a testing prototype, we show how to develop an autonomous Internet based data collection system for operation of VMS in accordance with the proposed methodological approach.