The Utilization of Shared Demand Information in a Textile Supply Chain

摘要

The focus of this paper is information exploration using alternative utilization models to test how a supply chain responds to demand changes. From the feedback perspective of system dynamics, it is found that the echelon stock policy generates a more complex feedback structure than the installation stock policy; and has different time patterns of inventory adjustment actions. Considering the relative higher cost for small- and medium- size enterprises to adopt advance information technology in our textile supply chain case, this paper further examines the impact of information technology in the echelon stock policy and the installation stock policy. The findings show that information technology investment could be more beneficial for supply chains with the installation stock policy. Finally, this paper mixes the PID controller design concept with the two information utilization models and so suggests further development for information utilization designs.