Stability of the Supply Chain Based on Disruption Classification

Original scientific paper Disruptions can destroy the stability of a supply chain resulting in losses in business, thus, determining the influence of various disruptions on a supply chain is significant. However, current studies have mainly concentrated on the stability of a supply chain under normal conditions, exploring the effects of inventory level on the system state and omitting the influences of disruptions. With the lack of analysis on the characteristics of disruption when modelling switched system, disruptions were classified and the lead time of each disruption level was determined. Dual switch rules were proposed considering the stock dynamics and lead time delays. A switched system model of the supply chain with multiple delays was then constructed. System stability under different level disruptions was investigated using simulation method. Results show that the stability scope of inventory adjustment coefficients decreases as transport lead time and distance coefficients increase. Disruption classification has different effects on the supply chain. Under high level disruption, the inventory level of manufacture significantly changes, and the supply chain system loses its stability and encounters difficulty in recovering its stable state. However, under general disruption, the supply chain system recovers to stability gradually. The present exploration enriches the switched modelling method of the supply chain and helps its chain members prevent and respond to disruptions effectively.