Paper Info
Title
The application of discrete event simulation and system dynamics in the logistics and supply chain context
Abstract
Discrete event simulation (DES) and system dynamics (SD) are two modelling approaches widely used as decision support tools in logistics and supply chain management (LSCM). A widely held belief exists that SD is mostly used to model problems at a strategic level, whereas DES is used at an operational/tactical level. This paper explores the application of DES and SD as decision support systems (DSS) for LSCM by looking at the nature and level of issues modelled. Peer reviewed journal papers that use these modelling approaches to study supply chains, published between 1996 and 2006 are reviewed. A total of 127 journal articles are analysed to identify the frequency with which the two simulation approaches are used as modelling tools for DSS in LSCM. Our findings suggest that DES has been used more frequently to model supply chains, with the exception of the bullwhip effect, which is mostly modelled using SD. Based on the most commonly used modelling approach, issues in LSCM are categorised into four groups: the DES domain, the SD domain, the common domain and the less common domain. The study furthermore suggests that in terms of the level of decision making involved, strategic or operational/tactical, there is no difference in the use of either DES or SD. The results of this study inform the existing literature about the use of DES and SD as DSS tools in LSCM.
Year
DOI
Venue
2012
10.1016/j.dss.2011.11.015
Decision Support Systems
Keywords
Field
DocType
common domain,discrete event simulation,decision support system,sd domain,modelling approach,des domain,system dynamic,tactical level,strategic level,dss tool,decision support tool,modelling tool,supply chain context,system dynamics,logistics and supply chain management
Computer science,Decision support system,Operations research,Simulation modelling,Bullwhip effect,Supply chain management,System dynamics,Supply chain,Discrete event simulation
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
52
4
0167-9236
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
32
1.84
43
Authors
2
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Antuela A. Tako118215.35
Stewart Robinson258350.51