Mitigation of the ripple effect in supply chains: Balancing the aspects of robustness, complexity and efficiency

The robustness of supply chains, i.e. their ability to cope with external and internal disruptions and disturbances, is of vital importance. The complicated interrelationships of supply chains' robustness, complexity and efficiency are outlined and analyzed in the paper. Aiming to balance these aspects and to compare different supply chain settings in a reliable way, measures are provided for characterizing both structural and operational robustness / complexity of supply chains. A methodology and a framework for the holistic evaluation of supply chains' robustness, complexity and efficiency are also highlighted. Their applicability is illustrated by the results of a case study on distribution networks, indicating that the three aspects can be balanced while mitigating the ripple effect. (C) 2021 CIRP.