Dynamics of supply chains: a multilevel (logistical – informational – financial) network perspective

In this paper, we propose a multilevel network perspective for the conceptualization of the dynamics underlying supply chains in the presence of competition. The multilevel network consists of: the logistical network, the informational network, and the financial network. We describe the behavior of the network decisionmakers, which are spatially separated and which consist of the manufacturers and producing firms, the retailers, and the consumers located at the demand markets. We propose a projected dynamical system, along with stability analysis results, that captures the adjustments of the commodity shipments and the prices over space and time. A discrete-time adjustment process is described and implemented in order to illustrate in several numerical examples the evolution of the commodity shipments and prices to the equilibrium solution.