Managing Product Variety in Multinational Corporation Supply Chains: A Simulation Study Investigating Flow Time

摘要: Today’s business environment is characterised by globally dispersed supply and manufacturing networks. In addition, the level of product variety continues to increase in almost all sectors. Managing context international operations has received very little attention date research literature. Here we present findings from a simulation study investigating impact variety, lead-time demand uncertainty on production flow time within multinational corporation (MNC) context. A generic model used investigate increasing combination with an setting. The focuses upstream activities forecasting, inbound manufacturing. structure logic are based insights gained empirical real MNC network. shows that detrimental time. presence uncertainty, high levels result much longer times relative more stable conditions. greatest when involves critical materials required early process entail long set-up times. value it quantifies potential impacts different factors Implications for managing discussed, particularly respect in-bound materials. postponement strategies need some cases fundamental redesign mitigate negative noted. could be extended incorporate downstream distribution, logistics transport activities, multiple sites routes.