Development of an assessment tool to control supply chain volatility

This doctoral thesis seeks to contribute to research on supply chain volatility by three individual research studies. The goal of the thesis is to develop an assessment tool that enables supply chain managers to critically evaluate the current state of chain volatility of a product’s supply chain. Building on a systematic literature review and insights from two group exercises with supply chain managers, the thesis develops a conceptualization of the dimensions and sources of supply chain volatility. Based on that, the impact of supply chain volatility sources is assessed by applying a Analytic Hierarchy Process and strategies dealing with the most important sources are developed. Subsequently, the supply chain volatility assessment tool is developed that is based on a performance benchmark among 87 manufacturing firms. Additionally a supply chain volatility management framework is proposed that outlines the main management areas and antecedents of successful supply chain volatility management.