Synchronisation transitions in supply chain networks

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the transition process between synchronous and desynchronous states in supply chain networks, which is strongly correlated to network topology. While most research has focused on the merits of steady-state synchronisation behaviour, very little has been published on the interdependencies between structural and dynamic synchronisation properties in supply chain networks. Synchronisation processes are described by a variety of coherent state dynamics that exhibit very different transition paths. In this research, we developed a new coupled oscillator model to analyse and evaluate these transient dynamics in more detail. Canonical network models are first described, including hub-and-spoke, tree-mesh, and tree topologies, which are then applied to real-world problems in the automotive industry. We found specific synchronisation transitions in automotive supply networks such as explosive and delayed synchronisation. In particular, we show that (i) in a hub-and-spoke supply network, the number of suppliers per hub affects synchronisation transitions only at larger frequency spreads, (ii) scale-free networks with short path lengths generated by the power law connectivity are unable to synchronise as long as a critical cluster coefficient is exceeded, and (iii) interruptions in tree networks cause nonlinear synchronisation losses for upstream suppliers as a function of the interruption time.

KEYWORDS:

• Supply chain networks
• network synchronisation
• automotive supply chains
• synchronisation transitions

Data availability statement

The software models that support the findings of this study are openly available in GitHub repository at https://github.com/12klug/oscillator. For more information, potential readers are requested to contact the author.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Florian Klug

Florian Klug is a Professor of Supply Chain Management at the Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany. He holds a PhD degree in operations management from the Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria. Following a number of years in international consultancy, he moved into logistics management at Audi. His research focuses on nonlinear dynamics in supply chains. He is especially interested in the possibilities of physical modelling in supply networks. Current research topics are the application of oscillator models for the analysis of synchronisation transitions, bullwhip and applying quantum algorithms to supply network planning.