Robust Control of Bullwhip Effect for Supply Chain System With Time-Varying Delay on Basis of Discrete-Time Approach

Abstract

The existence of time delay causes the operation of supply chain system to aggravate the instability, induce bullwhip effect and reduce overall performance. In this paper, a discrete mathematical model with time-varying delay is constructed to investigate supply chain inventory network system with time-varying delay. Based on the proposed discrete mathematical model with time-varying delay, the inventory control strategy is desgined by using Lyapunov-Krosovskii functional analysis method. The feasibility analysis of supply chain inventory control strategy on bullwhip effect and the influence factors of time-varying delay are discussed by means of numerical simulation. The results prove that the inventory control strategy can restrain bullwhip effect effectively. It provides a novel approach to study supply chain inventory network system with time-varying delay from discrete perspective.INDEX TERMS Supply chain system, bullwhip effect, inventory, time-varying delay, sensitivity analysis.

Nonlinear optimal control for supply chain networks under time-delays

“…Supply chain networks are often subjected to disruptions such as time-delays and the "bullwhip effect" [11][12]. Time-delays are mainly due to the lack of synchronization between the individual units and due to transport of materials and products [13][14]. The "bullwhip effect" takes the form of amplification of demand from a downstream site to an upstream site and can provoke redundant inventory, excessive production and financial losses [15][16].…”