Ma, h: of Distribution Chain

In today s buyers‘ market, the enterprises that are able to win the market will win the competition. That is why the study on distribution chain is attracting extensive attentions from academics and industry. In this book, an integrated methodology is developed to a distribution chain. A distribution chain will be ed in three phases. In the pre- phase, all possible distributors are evaluated quantitatively, and a set of eligible distributors are selected to a distribution chain. In the phase, a set of models are developed to a distribution chain. The main results include: configuration of the distribution chain (including number and location of distributors), inventory control parameters at each node, and product delivery routes between different nodes. In the post- phase, to verify the results, the distribution chain ed above is simulated, and its performance is evaluated. This book should be especially useful to managers, practitioners, researchers, and consultants who are concerned with distribution chain (or supply chain) planning, operation and performance evaluation.