Strategic simulation models as a new methodological approach: an application to information technologies integration, lean/just-in-time and lead-time

Hypothesis contrast using statistical models with Structural Equations is a technique widely used in Supply Chain Management research. However, this technique provides a static vision of the observed reality, as a snapshot of that reality at a specific moment in time. In the Supply Chain Management context, dynamic analyses are also necessary to visualize the business behaviour in different scenarios projected in the future. These dynamic analyses can be performed using System Dynamics Models. Strategic simulation emerges for this purpose, as a new path that allows for prospective strategic analysis. This paper presents a methodological proposal to carry out simulations at a strategic level, using the complementarity between Structural Equation Models and System Dynamics Models. This proposal is illustrated by two applications: first, to the case of Community Cloud use, Supply Chain Integration and their impacts on operational performance; second, to the specific case of information technology integration and lean/just-in-time practices on lead-time performance.