A special issue of International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling
This special issue aims to present the latest thinking on modelling and simulation beyond traditional operations, manufacturing and supply chain boundaries. The increasing diversity of supply chain structures, the emerging business collaboration models, the increasing levels of outsourcing, recycling, after sales and developments in servitization all present challenges to the functionality of existing tools and their application.
Significant work has been done on modelling and simulating “simple” service or production systems as well as business processes and supply chains. Such work examines flows of parts, products or information. However, with business models that have emerged from industry and commerce, there are challenges to the functionality of tools and techniques for model building and the understanding of performance through modelling. Information and product flows may have to be combined, the products may never leave the system and products may be returned from the field.
Examples of emerging business models include:
- The growing industry for recycling and remanufacturing, which presents challenges for how to model an operation that has uncertain inputs that need disassembling and possibly reassembly. For example, the EU's directive for end-of-life vehicles presents challenges to model operations that have to meet targets on reuse, recycling and recovery.
- Servitization, such as product service systems, where the manufactured product is part of a service offering. In the case of Rolls-Royce's "power by the hour" approach, the manufactured product is owned throughout by the manufacturer to provide a service to the airline. Another example is the approach operated by Xerox for the supply and operation of photocopiers/digital printers. Additionally, integrated product health management systems may monitor the product in service and sensors provide signals to the supply chain that a product needs maintenance, repair or overhaul.
- Increased levels of outsourcing amongst companies, resulting in extended but tightly coupled supply chains. The flow of product and information is potentially more complex than in-house operations.
Papers may include either theoretical or empirical research. Suitable themes in this issue include but are not limited to the following:
- How do we use simulation modelling and analysis techniques beyond "traditional" manufacturing and supply chains?
- What are the challenges and potential solutions for modelling the return, remanufacture and recycling of products
- How can services or servitization be modelled and simulated?
- Can "product service systems" be modelled to understand differences between "traditional" supply chains and service-led supply chains?
- What are the challenges to modelling collaborations between companies?
- How can data from the field or market be incorporated into business models and simulations?
- How can planning and control systems be included in models that stretch beyond "simple" operational boundaries?
- Combined modelling techniques for modelling and simulation new business models
Deadline for submission of manuscripts: 31 January, 2008
Notification of acceptance/rejection to authors: 31 March, 2008
Final (camera-ready) papers submission: 31 July, 2008
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