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Outlook of Complexity and Complication on Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Abbasi, Maisam LU ; Nilsson, Fredrik LU ; Lumsden, Kenth and Waidringer, Jonas (2009)
Abstract
Purpose of this paper

This paper aims to contribute to the logistics complexity discourse driven at the NOFOMA conference with a novel perspective on complication vs. complexity in studying and managing logistics and supply chains.



Design/methodology/approach

Research approach is based on description, exploration and analysis of root causes and origins of supply chain complication and complexity.



Findings

The results suggest that classification of complication and complexity in logistics is a substantial precedent in modelling, measurement, and management of complexity. Complexity classification renders better management of emergent patterns, behaviour, quality as well as... (More)
Purpose of this paper

This paper aims to contribute to the logistics complexity discourse driven at the NOFOMA conference with a novel perspective on complication vs. complexity in studying and managing logistics and supply chains.



Design/methodology/approach

Research approach is based on description, exploration and analysis of root causes and origins of supply chain complication and complexity.



Findings

The results suggest that classification of complication and complexity in logistics is a substantial precedent in modelling, measurement, and management of complexity. Complexity classification renders better management of emergent patterns, behaviour, quality as well as risk of any logistics system.



Research limitations/implications (if applicable)

The classification could increase understanding of logistics complexity by guiding researchers in developing logistics concepts and models with appropriate assumptions and conditions. This could provide more accurate frameworks for the development of e.g. smart freight concepts, intelligent supply chains, supply chain risk models or logistics management as such.



Practical implications (if applicable)

In practice, represented emergent patterns of combination of different classes of complexity could be analyzed. Together with insights from characteristics of complex systems, better measurement and management of supply chains is yielded.



What is original/value of paper

This works presents utter frames for classification of complication and complexity of logistics and supply chains. Furthermore, it introduces a novel perspective for studying complex systems such as supply chains, both in theory and practice. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Working paper/Preprint
publication status
submitted
subject
keywords
Supply chain, Logistics, Complexity, Complex systems, Management
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3a8f928d-8b3b-4fc1-b3df-a3b8edf2cd8a (old id 1982059)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 14:33:06
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:20:57
@misc{3a8f928d-8b3b-4fc1-b3df-a3b8edf2cd8a,
  abstract     = {{Purpose of this paper<br/><br>
This paper aims to contribute to the logistics complexity discourse driven at the NOFOMA conference with a novel perspective on complication vs. complexity in studying and managing logistics and supply chains.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Design/methodology/approach<br/><br>
Research approach is based on description, exploration and analysis of root causes and origins of supply chain complication and complexity. <br/><br>
<br/><br>
Findings<br/><br>
The results suggest that classification of complication and complexity in logistics is a substantial precedent in modelling, measurement, and management of complexity. Complexity classification renders better management of emergent patterns, behaviour, quality as well as risk of any logistics system.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Research limitations/implications (if applicable)<br/><br>
The classification could increase understanding of logistics complexity by guiding researchers in developing logistics concepts and models with appropriate assumptions and conditions. This could provide more accurate frameworks for the development of e.g. smart freight concepts, intelligent supply chains, supply chain risk models or logistics management as such. <br/><br>
<br/><br>
Practical implications (if applicable)<br/><br>
In practice, represented emergent patterns of combination of different classes of complexity could be analyzed. Together with insights from characteristics of complex systems, better measurement and management of supply chains is yielded. <br/><br>
<br/><br>
What is original/value of paper<br/><br>
This works presents utter frames for classification of complication and complexity of logistics and supply chains. Furthermore, it introduces a novel perspective for studying complex systems such as supply chains, both in theory and practice.}},
  author       = {{Abbasi, Maisam and Nilsson, Fredrik and Lumsden, Kenth and Waidringer, Jonas}},
  keywords     = {{Supply chain; Logistics; Complexity; Complex systems; Management}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Working Paper}},
  title        = {{Outlook of Complexity and Complication on Logistics and Supply Chain Management}},
  year         = {{2009}},
}