Article ID: | iaor20122618 |
Volume: | 137 |
Issue: | 1 |
Start Page Number: | 176 |
End Page Number: | 189 |
Publication Date: | May 2012 |
Journal: | International Journal of Production Economics |
Authors: | Haijema Ren, van der Vorst Jack G A J, Vlajic Jelena V |
Keywords: | agriculture & food, design, combinatorial optimization |
After years of emphasis on leanness and responsiveness businesses are now experiencing their vulnerability to supply chain disturbances. Although more literature is appearing on this subject, there is a need for an integrated framework to support the analysis and design of robust food supply chains. In this paper we present such a framework. We define the concept of robustness and classify supply chain disturbances, sources of food supply chain vulnerability, and adequate redesign principles and strategies to achieve robust supply chain performances. To test and illustrate its applicability, the research framework is applied to a meat supply chain.