Marcel Groten

Human factors in supply chain management

Human behavior in supply chains is insufficiently explored. Wrong decisions by decision makers leads to insufficient behavior and lower performance not only for the decision maker, but also for other stakeholders along the supply chain. In order to study the complex decision situation, we developed a supply chain game in which we studied experimentally the decisions of different stakeholder within the chain. 121 participants took part in a web-based supply chain game. We investigated the effects of gender, personality and technical competency on the performance within the supply chain. Also, learnability and the effect of presence of point-of-sale data are investigated. Performance depended on the position within the chain and fluctuating stock levels were observed in form of the bullwhip effect. Furthermore, we found that risk taking had an impact on the performance and that the performance improved after the first round of the game.

Cognition-Enhanced, Self-optimizing Production Networks

This research area focuses on the management systems and principles of a production system. It aims at controlling the complex interplay of heterogeneous processes in a highly dynamic environment, with special focus on individualized products in high-wage countries. The project addresses the comprehensive application of self-optimizing principles on all levels of the value chain. This implies the integration of self-optimizing control loops on cell level, with those addressing the production planning and control as well as supply chain and quality management aspects. A specific focus is on the consideration of human decisions during the production process. To establish socio-technical control loops, it is necessary to understand how human decisions are made in diffuse working processes as well as how cognitive and affective abilities form the human factor within production processes.

High Resolution Supply Chain Management – A Structural Model for Optimized Planning Processes Based on Real-Time Data

The following paper presents an approach for enabling manufacturing companies to cope with dynamic environment conditions and the increasing planning complexity of present supply chains. High Resolution Supply Chain Management (HRSCM) strives to meet these challenges by applying cybernetic principles to the Production Planning and Control (PPC). Therefore, standardized information channels and coordination mechanisms are defined to be able to react even faster and more flexible. The presented structure of the HRSCM is derived from principles of the Viable System Model. Based on this the different system elements of the HRSCM, their functions and their interactions are described. Finally it is outlined how the developed model will be experimentally evaluated and gradually enhanced in future to enable improved decisions on all levels of production under volatile environmental conditions.

Simulation of a cybernetic distribution network: Applying the Viable System Model (VSM)

Designing viable and integrative distribution networks is challenging for big companies as the economic conditions get more dynamic. Only a holistically designed distribution network can consider all important parameters. Thus, the aim of this study is to propose a holistic approach how distribution networks can be designed. Hereby the Viable System Model was applied. Standardized communication channels were able to be defined. The developed methodology was simulated and compared to other models. In conclusion this proposed approach enables companies to reduce stocks, lead times, manpower and leads to an increase of the service level.

Digitalisierung der Supply-Chain

Kurzfassung Die fortschreitende Digitalisierung und die Etablierung dahingehender Strukturen stellt Unternehmen vor neue Herausforderungen. Die Studie „Digitalisierung der Supply-Chain“ widmet sich dieser Thematik und ermittelt in Zusammenarbeit mit 82 Führungskräften aus dem Sektor der Metallindustrie den aktuellen Level der Digitalisierung und die diesbezüglich geplanten Maßnahmen in den beteiligten Unternehmen. Ferner werden Schlüsselfaktoren für die Etablierung der Digitalisierung sowie der Einfluss der Digitalisierung auf unterschiedliche Unternehmensbereiche thematisiert.