Modelling and simulating SCM scenarios in food supply chains

Literature suggests that the integrated planning, co-ordination and control of business processes and activities in the supply chain, known as Supply Chain Management (SCM), results in increased consumer value. The objective of our research is to obtain insight into the applicability of the SCM concept in food supply chains from a logistical point of view, and to find a method to analyse and, if beneficial, reengineer the supply chain to improve supply chain performance. As part of our research, this paper presents a method for modelling the dynamic behaviour of food supply chains and evaluating alternative designs of the supply chain infrastructure and operational management and control by applying discrete-event simulation.