Supply Chain Complexity


The concept covers activities related to identifying, measuring, analysing and controlling complexity. It presents some examples and discusses the strengths, capabilities and success factors embedded in the complexity of supply chains.

Technique Overview

Supply Chain Complexity Definition

Analysis of supply chain complexity can be achieved by categorising it into three complexity types: decision-making complexity, structural complexity and behavioural complexity (Calinescu et al., 2001).

Supply Chain Complexity Description *

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Business Evidence

Strengths, weaknesses and examples of Supply Chain Complexity *

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Business Application

Implementation, success factors and measures of Supply Chain Complexity *

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Professional Tools

Supply Chain Complexity videos and downloads *

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Further Reading

Supply Chain Complexity web and print resources *

Supply Chain Complexity references (4 of up to 20) *

  • Aspentech (2010) Shell Adopts Global Supply Chain Process to Increase Profitability: Drive 'enterprise first' Strategy Leveraging. White paper. [online] Available at: www.aspentech.com/case_files/shell.pdf [Accessed 25 November 2011].
  • Blecker, T. and Kersten, W. (Eds.) (2006). Complexity Management in Supply Chain: Concepts, Tools and Methods. Erich Schmidt Verlach GmBh & Co: Belrin.
  • Blecker, T., Kersten, W. and Meyer, C. (2005) Development of an Approach for Analysing Supply Chain Complexity. MPRA Paper No. 5284, posted 7 November 2007. [online] Available at: mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/5284/ [Accessed 06 January 2012].
  • Bozarth, C., Warsing , D., Flynn, B. and Flynn, E. (2009) The Impact of Supply Chain Complexity on Manufacturing Plant Performance. International Journal of Operations Management, Vol. 27(1).

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