Product Deletion Decisions for Adjusting Supply Chain Strategy: A Case Study From the Food Industry

Abstract

Supply chains are formed around the products they accommodate; timely adjustment of the products portfolio is essential for the supply chain s competitiveness. Product management decisions can be used as an operational strategic tool to adjust supply chain performance and strategy, i.e., through removing burdensome products, rollover, or revitalizing them. Despite the instrumental role of product deletion decisions, limited attention has been directed toward this operations management topic. This article introduces the product deletion score for the periodic and proactive product appraisal for possible revitalization and deletion decisions. For this purpose, a multimethod multicriteria decision-making framework is developed to provide a systematic approach for the strategic assessment of products. Given the depth and width of the product portfolios in the food industry and the complexities involved in their supply chain, a case study from this sector is conducted to inform other industry situations. Exploring the case-specific decision factors pertinent to this sector, we showed that product deletion decisions can be applied as a managerial instrument for adjusting the competitive and operational aspects of the supply chains.