Applying Goldratt's Theory of Constraints to reduce the Bullwhip Effect through agent-based modeling

Authored by Jose Costas, Borja Ponte, la Fuente David de, Raul Pino, Julio Puche

Date Published: 2015

DOI: 10.1016/j.eswa.2014.10.022

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: NetLogo

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

In the current environment, Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a major concern for businesses. The Bullwhip Effect is a proven cause of significant inefficiencies in SCM. This paper applies Goldratt's Theory of Constraints (TOC) to reduce it. KAOS methodology has been used to devise the conceptual model for a multi-agent system, which is used to experiment with the well known `Beer Game' supply chain exercise. Our work brings evidence that TOC, with its bottleneck management strategy through the Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) methodology, induces significant improvements. Opposed to traditional management policies, linked to the mass production paradigm, TOC systemic approach generates large operational and financial advantages for each node in the supply chain, without any undesirable collateral effect. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Tags
Management Supply chain systems information