Publikationen

Formal models that support multi-criteria decision making represent a strongly growing area in sustainable supply chain management research. However, uncertainties and risks are seldom considered in quantitative models for green supply chain (SC) design. The paper at hand suggests a hybrid approach to configure an eco-efficient SC for a new product under consideration of economic and environmental risks. Discrete-event simulation is applied to assess the financial, operational and environmental performance of different SC configuration options while the value-at-risk concept is adapted to evaluate related SC risks. The analytic hierarchy process is employed to solve the resulting multi-criteria decision problem of choosing the best option. The approach is illustrated at a case example of a fast moving consumer goods manufacturer.

The task of supply chain (SC) configuration is to establish a product-specific SC for new products. Apart from cross-regional network aspects and inter-disciplinary factors, the problem complexity is driven by dynamics and uncertainties of short product life cycles. SC configuration affects SC performance and value creation. Hence, resulting impacts have to be measured and compared under consideration of dynamics and uncertainties. In the conceptual part of this paper, dynamics and uncertainties of SC configuration are integrated into a conceptual framework for value-based supply chain management. In the model-based part of this paper, this framework is linked to a discrete-event simulation model. The performance outcomes and value impacts of SC configuration options are empirically assessed in a case study of a fast-moving consumer goods manufacturer. The shortfalls of cost-focused decision-making without consideration of capital-related factors and non-financial aspects are illustrated.

The research question addressed is to which extent supply chain management (SCM) creates value from cost and working capital. The paper provides an empirical evaluation including insights on important criteria for value creation. In a secondary data analysis, 10 leading fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies are benchmarked regarding the value created from cost of goods sold (COGS) and working capital within the time horizon 2003–2008. The study applies benchmarking methodology and a discounted cash flow (DCF) based model for quantifying value contributions. It is shown that SCM is realized in a value-adding way with different emphasis on COGS or working capital. Monetarily working capital components (trade payables, trade receivables) have a high relevance for value creation. Continuous improvements and long lasting developments of value drivers are more appropriate for value creation than alternating improvements and deteriorations. Timing aspects of value driver developments have to be considered for value creation. The value of the paper stems from empirical comparison of value created by working capital and COGS and from evidence of important criteria for value creation. Further analysis based on cost components as well as benchmarking with different or extended content, such as fixed asset performance or cross-industry benchmarking, leave room for future research.