Analysis of the bullwhip effect with order batching in multi‐echelon supply chains

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of batching on bullwhip effect in a model of multi‐echelon supply chain with information sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

The model uses the system dynamics and control theoretic concepts of variables, flows and feedback processes and is implemented using iThink^® software.

Findings

It has been seen that the relationship between batch size and demand amplification is non‐monotonic. Large batch sizes, that when combined in integer multiples can produce order rates that are close to the actual demand, produce little demand amplification, i.e. it is the size of the remainder of the quotient that is the determinant. It is further noted that the value of information sharing is greatest for smaller batch sizes, for which there is a much greater improvement in the amplification ratio.

Research limitations/implications

Batching is associated with the inventory holding and backlog cost. Therefore, future work should investigate the cost implications of order batching in multi‐echelon supply chains.

Practical implications

This is a contribution to the continuing research into the bullwhip effect, giving supply chain operations managers and designers a practical way into controlling the bullwhip produced by batching across multi‐echelon supply chains.

Originality/value

Previous similar studies have used control theoretic techniques and it has been pointed out that control theorists are unable to solve the lot sizing problem. Therefore, system dynamic simulation has been applied to investigate the impact of various batch sizes on bullwhip effect.

Citation

Hussain, M. and Drake, P.R. (2011), "Analysis of the bullwhip effect with order batching in multi‐echelon supply chains", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 41 No. 10, pp. 972-990. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600031111185248