Flexibility in logistic systems—modeling and performance evaluation

This paper examines potential benefits of flexibility in logistic systems. It briefly reviews flexibility concepts and existing flexibility frameworks before suggesting a bottom-up framework for flexibility in logistic systems. Then, one among the proposed system logistic flexibility types, denoted...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of production economics 2003-08, Vol.85 (2), p.155-170
Main Authors: Barad, M, Even Sapir, D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Design of experiments
Flexibility
Information systems
Logistics
Performance measures
Studies
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Summary:This paper examines potential benefits of flexibility in logistic systems. It briefly reviews flexibility concepts and existing flexibility frameworks before suggesting a bottom-up framework for flexibility in logistic systems. Then, one among the proposed system logistic flexibility types, denoted here trans-routing flexibility, is quantitatively investigated. The research focuses on flexibility's benefits exclusive of cost considerations. Logistics dependability, a customer oriented logistic performance measure is introduced. The analysis is framed in a multi-factor design of experiments (DOE) that considers factors representing changes in operational and environmental conditions of a logistic system and design factors, such as trans-routing flexibility, acting as countermeasures to changes. The model stems from a military logistics scenario easily adaptable to an industrial or service environment. Using DOE to examine the important interactions between the factor effects contributes to a better understanding of the logistics decision problems and their eventual solutions.
ISSN:0925-5273
1873-7579
DOI:10.1016/S0925-5273(03)00107-5