Models for Supply Chain Management: A Taxonomy

This paper proposes a reasoned taxonomy of the models for supply chain management (SCM). The aim is to help managers select the SCM models most appropriate to their problems and objectives. The taxonomy is based on two dimensions, namely the type of SCM problem and the modeling approach. SCM problems are classified into two main classes, namely configuration and coordination. Four different modeling approaches are considered: conceptual, analytical, artificial intelligence and simulation. The related literature is reviewed according to the proposed taxonomic criteria and areas for further research are identified. Ilaria Giannoccaro and Pierpaolo Pontrandolfo DIMeG – Politecnico di Bari viale Japigia 182, Bari, Italy