An integrated interpretive structural modeling and a graph-theoretic approach for measuring the supply chain complexity in the Indian automotive industry

Abstract

Purpose Easily employable quantitative supply chain complexity (SCC) measures considering the significant dimensions of complexity as well as the drivers that represent those dimensions are limited in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and a graph-theoretic approach to quantify SCC by a single numerical index considering the interdependence and the inheritance of the SCC drivers. Design/methodology/approach In total, 18 SCC drivers identified from the literature are clustered according to the significant dimensions of complexity. The interdependencies established through ISM and inheritance values of SCC drivers are mapped into a Variable Permanent Matrix (VPM). The permanent function of this VPM is then computed and the resulting single numerical index is the measure of SCC. Findings A scale is proposed by computing the minimum and maximum threshold values of SCC with the help of expert opinions of the Indian automotive industry. The complexity of commercial and passenger vehicle sectors within the automotive industry is measured and compared using the proposed scale. From the results, it is identified that the number of suppliers, increase in spare-parts due to shortened product life-cycle and demand uncertainties increase the SCC of the passenger vehicle sector, while number of parts, products and processes, variety of products and process and unreliability of suppliers increase the complexity of the commercial vehicle sector. The result indicates that various SCC drivers have a different impact on determining the SCC level of these two sectors. Originality/value The authors propose an integrated method that can be readily applied to measure and quantify SCC considering the significant dimensions of complexity as well as the interdependence and the inheritance of the SCC drivers that contribute to those dimensions. This index further helps to compare the complexity of the supply chain which varies between industries.

A Conceptual Framework on Implementing Additive Manufacturing Technology Towards Firm Competitiveness

“…All responses from experts are then correlated through consensus of the individual's judgments (Horenbeek and Pintelon 2014). The consensus method of correlation is the most effective in this type of analysis (Dwivedi et al 2017;Kavilal et al 2018). Factors description sheet is provided to all the experts to avoid biases.…”

Modelling the drivers of responsiveness of automotive supply chain using an integrated fuzzy DEMATEL-ISM approach

“…The ISM technique was executed based on the literature (Bhosale and Kant, 2016; Gorane and Kant, 2013; Katiyar et al , 2018; Kavilal et al , 2018; Kumar and Dixit, 2018; Lamba and Singh, 2018; Luthra et al , 2011; Mishra et al , 2017; Shanker and Barve, 2021; Sindhu et al , 2016; Yadav and Singh, 2020) as follows: Step 1 : Identifying the drivers of supply chain responsiveness; Step 2 : Establish the interrelationship between the identified drivers from expert opinion; Step 3 : Construct the structured self-interaction matrix (SSIM) to establish contextual relationships among the drivers. The opinion of the experts was used for the construction of the SSIM.…”

“…The ISM technique was executed based on the literature (Bhosale and Kant, 2016;Gorane and Kant, 2013;Katiyar et al, 2018;Kavilal et al, 2018;Kumar and Dixit, 2018; Integrated fuzzy DEMATEL-ISM approach Lamba and Singh, 2018;Luthra et al, 2011;Mishra et al, 2017;Shanker and Barve, 2021;Sindhu et al, 2016;Yadav and Singh, 2020) as follows:…”

Enhance or impair: how does downstream complexity influence supply chain resilience with reconciling effects of intelligent manufacturing?

“…As is pointed out by Simons (1962), a complex socio-technique system is "made up of a large number of parts that interact in a non-simple way". With no exception, supply chain is also a complex system composed of a series of components (Kavilal et al, 2018). Therefore, complexity is an important concept that cannot be avoided when studying supply chain systems.…”