Toward understanding today's supply chain problems: a system thinking approach
by J. Brian Atwater; Paul H. Pittman; Linda Christiansen
International Journal of Logistics Economics and Globalisation (IJLEG), Vol. 10, No. 2, 2023

Abstract: Recent studies have concluded supply chain managers should develop a systemic understanding of their supply chains. This paper proposes the use of a systems dynamics tool called a causal loop diagram (CLD) to provide that systemic perspective. We start with a discussion of the theoretical evolution of the fields of supply chain management and system dynamics. We then show how to create a CLD, and then use the tool to draw a series of generic diagrams illustrating how supply chains have evolved and the key connections driving them today. We then demonstrate the use of a CLD by showing how the generic CLD developed in the paper can help surface key questions supply managers should ask when making strategic supply chain decisions. We conclude by identifying several other issues supply chain managers face and discuss the role CLDs can play in assisting them.

Online publication date: Tue, 18-Jul-2023

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Logistics Economics and Globalisation (IJLEG):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com