MACE-SCM: A multi-agent and case-based reasoning collaboration mechanism for supply chain management under supply and demand uncertainties

2007 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 690-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
O KWON ◽  
G IM ◽  
K LEE
2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 180-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Jahani ◽  
Masrah Azrifah Azmi Murad ◽  
Md. Nasir bin Sulaiman ◽  
Mohd. Hasan Selamat

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach that integrates three complementary perspectives, multi-agent systems, fuzzy logic and case-based reasoning. Unsatisfied customers, information overload and high uncertainty are the main challenges that are faced by today’s supply chains. In addition, a few existing agent-based approaches are tied to real-world supply chain functions like supplier selection. These approaches are static and do not adequately take the qualitative and quantitative factors into consideration. Therefore, an agent-based framework is needed to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed approach integrates three complementary perspectives, multi-agent systems, fuzzy logic and case-based reasoning, as a common framework. These perspectives were rarely used together as a common framework in previous studies. Furthermore, an exploratory case study in an office furniture company is undertaken to illustrate the value of the framework. Findings – The proposed agent-based framework evaluates supply offers based on customers’ preferences, recommends alternative products in the case of stock-out and provides a collaborative environment among agents who represent different supply chain entities. The proposed fuzzy case-based reasoning (F-CBR) approach reduces the information overload by organizing them into the relevant cases that causes less overall search between cases. In addition, its fuzzy aspect addresses the high uncertainty of supply chains, especially when there are different customers’ orders with different preferences. Research limitations/implications – The present study does not include the functions of inventory management and negotiation between agents. Furthermore, only the case description and case retrieval phases of the case-based reasoning approach are investigated, and the remaining phases like case retaining, case reusing and case revising are not included in the scope of this paper. Originality/value – This framework balances the interests of different supply chain structural elements where each of them is represented by a specific agent for better collaboration, decision-making and problem-solving in a multi-agent environment. In addition, the supplier selection and order gathering mechanisms are developed based on customers’ orders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-134
Author(s):  
Lihua Chen ◽  
Liying Wang ◽  
Yingjie Lan

Purpose In this paper, the main focus is on supply and demand auction systems with resource pooling in modern supply chain from a theoretical modeling perspective. The supply and demand auction systems in modern supply chains among manufacturers and suppliers serve as information sharing mechanisms. The purpose of this paper is to match the supply and demand such that a modern supply chain can achieve incentive compatibility and economic efficiency. The authors design such a supply and demand auction system that can integrate resources to efficiently match the supply and demand. Design/methodology/approach The authors propose three theoretic models of modern supply chain auctions with resource pooling according to the Vickrey auction principle. They are supply auction model with demand resource pooling, demand auction model with supply resource pooling, and double auction model with demand and supply resource pooling. For the proposed auction models, the authors present three corresponding algorithms to allocate resources in the auction process by linear programming, and study the incentive compatibility and define the Walrasian equilibriums for the proposed auction models. The authors show that the solutions of the proposed algorithms are Walrasian equilibriums. Findings By introducing the auction mechanism, the authors aim to realize the following three functions. First is price mining: auction is an open mechanism with multiple participants. Everyone has his own utility and purchasing ability. So, the final price reflects the market value of the auction. Second is dynamic modern supply chain construction: through auction, firm can find appropriate partner efficiently. Third is resources integration: in business practices, especially in modern supply chain auctions, auctioneers can integrate resources and ally buyers or sellers to gain more efficiency in auctions. Originality/value In the paper, the authors propose three theoretic models and corresponding algorithms of modern supply chain auctions with resource pooling according using the Vickrey auction principle, which achieves three functions: price mining, dynamic modern supply chain construction and resources integrating. Besides, these proposed models are much closer to practical settings and may have potential applications in modern supply chain management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-202
Author(s):  
Siti Amalia ◽  
Dio Caisar Darma ◽  
Siti Maria

At the beginning of the emergence of Covid-19, there was panic buying in Indonesia which caused an unusual situation in supply management. Although the handling of this epidemic has entered a "new normal", the availability of stocks of electronics, automotive, pharmaceuticals, food, and others is running low and out of control, so supply chain management is needed. The purpose of this article is to try to see the extent of the transformation in supply and demand in Indonesia. With this in-depth literature, the supply chain model is likely to transform globally, given that many companies are confused about management being unable to cope with drastic changes in the market. The demand patterns over the past period indicate a shift from offline to online storefronts. Even though it has now entered a transition to a new normal and shopping outlets are slowly opening up, online shopping or demand patterns are predicted to last a long time. Therefore, supply chain actors, especially farmers, logistics entrepreneurs, and shipping services, inevitably have to be able to quickly adapt to changing patterns in Indonesia. There is an imbalance between the demand and supply sides. Food supply chains tend to be unique in comparison to the supply chains of other products and services.


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