Robust Structural Equations for Designing and Monitoring Strategic International Facility Networks

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Kouvelis, Panos; Munson, Charles L.; Yang, Shilei
• 署名单位: Washington University (WUSTL); Washington State University; Southwestern University of Finance & Economics - China
• 刊物名称: PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1059-1478
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1937-5956.2012.01418.x
• 发表日期: 2013
• 页码: 535-554
• 关键词: global network design; PLANT LOCATION; structural equations modeling; Supply chain management

摘要

Using predictive global sensitivity analysis, we develop a structural equations model to abstract from the details of a large-scale mixed integer program (MIP) to capture essential design trade-offs of global manufacturing and distribution networks. We provide a conceptual framework that describes a firm's network structure along three dimensions: market focus, plant focus, and network dispersion. Normalized dependent variables are specified that act as proxies for a company's placement into our conceptual network classification via the calculation of just a few key independent variables. We provide robust equation sets for eight cost structure clusters. Many different product types could be classified into one of these groups, which would allow managers to use the equations directly without needing to run the MIP for themselves. Our numerical tests suggest that the formulas representing the network structure driverseconomies of scale, complexity costs, transportation costs, and tariffsmay be sufficient for managers to design their strategic network structures, and perhaps more importantly, to monitor them over time to detect potential need for adjustment.