Short answer

Incorporate simulation modelling into the design process for supply chains to proactively address environmental impact and operational robustness.

Field: Commercial Production
Source: Preprints.org (2019)
Method: Simulation modelling
Evidence: Strong effect

Simulating lean supply chains with variability and emissions data can optimize resource allocation, inventory, and shipping to minimize environmental impact and prevent disruptions. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Preprints.org. Using Simulation modelling, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate simulation modelling into the design process for supply chains to proactively address environmental impact and operational robustness.

Study

Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactStrong effect

Lean Supply Chain Simulation Reduces Emissions and Resource Use

Simulating lean supply chains with variability and emissions data can optimize resource allocation, inventory, and shipping to minimize environmental impact and prevent disruptions.

Preprints.org · 2019

Key Findings

01A methodology for building lean supply chain simulation models was established.
02The simulation can incorporate delivery time variability and vehicle emissions.
03The model facilitates decision-making regarding fleet size, inventory, shipment quantities, and frequency to reduce pollution and prevent supply chain interruptions.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate simulation modelling into the design process for supply chains to proactively address environmental impact and operational robustness.

How to apply

Use simulation software to model your supply chain, inputting realistic data on delivery times, distances, and vehicle types to test the impact of different operational strategies on emissions and potential disruptions.

Project actions

01Clearly define the scope and boundaries of your simulated supply chain.
02Ensure your simulation model accurately reflects real-world constraints such as distances, travel times, and potential delays.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop a methodology for constructing and simulating lean supply chains that accounts for delivery time variability and vehicle emissions to optimize resource utilization and minimize environmental impact.

MethodSimulation modelling

ProcedureA supply chain for a fictitious company and its suppliers was modelled using Promodel software. Google Tools were used to determine distances between entities. The model incorporated variability in supplier delivery times and an equation to calculate vehicle pollution emissions. Various scenarios were simulated to assess the impact of different operational decisions.

ContextSupply chain management and logistics

Variables

IV["Delivery time variability","Number of vehicles","Inventory levels","Shipment quantities","Shipment frequency"]

DV["Pollution emissions","Supply chain interruptions (stock-outs)","Resource utilization"]

CV["Supply chain network structure","Distances between entities","Vehicle types (assumed for emissions calculation)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a practical methodology for supply chain simulation.
+Integrates both operational efficiency and environmental performance.

Limitations

The complexity of real-world supply chains can be difficult to fully capture in a simulation. Data availability for accurate emissions calculations might be a challenge.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the simulation depends on the stability of the software and the consistency of input parameters. Validity is enhanced by incorporating realistic data for distances, delivery times, and emissions factors, and by comparing simulation outputs to known performance metrics if available.

Think critically

How might the choice of simulation software or the specific emissions calculation formula influence the outcomes and subsequent design decisions?

Design Principles

"Optimize supply chain operations through simulation by integrating variability and environmental performance metrics."

This research provides a practical methodology for designers and operations managers to proactively identify and mitigate inefficiencies and environmental costs within complex supply networks. By incorporating real-world variability and pollution factors into simulation models, businesses can make informed decisions that enhance both operational performance and sustainability.

What This Means for Your Design

You can use computer simulations to test how changes in your supply chain (like how often you ship things or how many trucks you use) affect pollution and if the supply chain will break down.

How to use in your project

1.Use the methodology described to build a simulation model for a chosen product or system's supply chain.
2.Analyze the simulation results to justify design decisions related to efficiency, resource use, and environmental impact.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research demonstrates the utility of simulation modelling in optimizing supply chain performance. By developing a lean supply chain model that incorporates delivery time variability and vehicle emissions using software like Promodel, it is possible to identify strategies that minimize resource consumption and environmental impact while ensuring operational continuity. This approach provides a robust framework for making informed decisions regarding inventory management, transportation logistics, and shipment frequencies.

Source

Preprints.org

Methodology to Analyze the Productive and Environmental Performance of a Supply Chain through Simulation Scenarios

journal · 2019

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about lean supply chain simulation reduces emissions and resource use?: Incorporate simulation modelling into the design process for supply chains to proactively address environmental impact and operational robustness. Evidence: Preprints.org (2019).
Why does "Lean Supply Chain Simulation Reduces Emissions and Resource Use" matter for design?: This research provides a practical methodology for designers and operations managers to proactively identify and mitigate inefficiencies and environmental costs within complex supply networks. By incorporating real-world variability and pollution factors into simulation models, businesses can make informed decisions that enhance both operational performance and sustainability.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate simulation modelling into the design process for supply chains to proactively address environmental impact and operational robustness.
What were the main findings?: A methodology for building lean supply chain simulation models was established.. The simulation can incorporate delivery time variability and vehicle emissions.. The model facilitates decision-making regarding fleet size, inventory, shipment quantities, and frequency to reduce pollution and prevent supply chain interruptions.
What research method was used?: Simulation modelling.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Preprints.org.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Use simulation software to model your supply chain, inputting realistic data on delivery times, distances, and vehicle types to test the impact of different operational strategies on emissions and potential disruptions.
What are the limitations?: The study used a fictitious company and specific geographic constraints; real-world implementation may require further adaptation. The accuracy of emissions calculations depends on the quality of the input data.