Digital supply chain: An industrial perspective

Abstract

This perspectives article outlines and discusses the future of supply chains. The existing challenges and flaws in supply chains design and management are described, motivating the need for the next‐generation supply chains. We present a holistic paradigm for viewing and analyzing supply chains as networks of networks with various dimensions, hierarchies, and players with their various forms of decision‐making. Cyber‐Physical Systems is offered as a key enabler to obtain a digital supply chain exhibiting the features of heterogeneity, interoperability, modularity, customizability, decentralization, autonomy, and cooperativity. The role of virtual assistants is described, along with research directions to create the technology for establishing true digital supply chains. The role of Process Systems Engineering (PSE) is outlined with the hope that the ideas discussed will motivate the PSE community to become active participants in attaining the next‐generation supply chains.