Our focus herein is on developing an effective taxonomy for the simultaneous and real-timemanagement of supply and demand chains.More specifically,the taxonomy is developed in terms ofits underpinning components and i...Our focus herein is on developing an effective taxonomy for the simultaneous and real-timemanagement of supply and demand chains.More specifically,the taxonomy is developed in terms ofits underpinning components and its research foci.From a components perspective,we first considerthe value chain of supplier,manufacturer,assembler,retailer,and customer,and then develop aconsistent set of definitions for supply and demand chains based on the location of the customer orderpenetration point.From a research perspective,we classify the methods that are employed in themanagement of these chains,based on whether supply and/or demand are flexible or fixed.Interestingly,our taxonomy highlights a very critical research area at which both supply and demandare flexible,thus manageable.Simultaneous management of supply and demand chains sets the stagefor mass customization which is concerned with meeting the needs of an individualized customermarket.Simultaneous and real-time management of supply and demand chains set the stage forreal-time mass customization(e.g.,wherein a tailor first laser scans an individual's upper torso andthen delivers a uniquely fitted jacket within a reasonable period,while the individual is waiting).Thebenefits of real-time mass customization can not be over-stated as products and services becomeindistinguishable and are co-produced in real-time,resulting in an overwhelming economicadvantage.展开更多
文摘Our focus herein is on developing an effective taxonomy for the simultaneous and real-timemanagement of supply and demand chains.More specifically,the taxonomy is developed in terms ofits underpinning components and its research foci.From a components perspective,we first considerthe value chain of supplier,manufacturer,assembler,retailer,and customer,and then develop aconsistent set of definitions for supply and demand chains based on the location of the customer orderpenetration point.From a research perspective,we classify the methods that are employed in themanagement of these chains,based on whether supply and/or demand are flexible or fixed.Interestingly,our taxonomy highlights a very critical research area at which both supply and demandare flexible,thus manageable.Simultaneous management of supply and demand chains sets the stagefor mass customization which is concerned with meeting the needs of an individualized customermarket.Simultaneous and real-time management of supply and demand chains set the stage forreal-time mass customization(e.g.,wherein a tailor first laser scans an individual's upper torso andthen delivers a uniquely fitted jacket within a reasonable period,while the individual is waiting).Thebenefits of real-time mass customization can not be over-stated as products and services becomeindistinguishable and are co-produced in real-time,resulting in an overwhelming economicadvantage.
