A Generic, Cloud-Based Representation for Supply Chains (SC's)

Abstract

As a very recent IT paradigm, Cloud Computing is gaining momentum and receiving more and more interest in literature. With various characteristics such as offering flexibility, cost reductions, platform independence and on-demand service, cloud approach opens up tremendous opportunities from Supply Chain (SC) perspective. However, extant literature reveals that adoption and assimilation of the technology is not mature in SC domain and cloud-based modelling initiatives are only recent. To fill this gap, this study discusses the opportunities of cloud computing from SC perspective and proposes a generic representation based on cloud philosophy. The proposed representation is conceptual, flexible and customizable, utilizing and highlighting the cloud benefits in a multi-partner setting. Therefore, this article is an answer to the research questions: "what are the opportunities of cloud philosophy for SC domain?" and "how can supply chains be represented generically based on cloud technology in multi-actor environment?". Contribution of this study lies in comprehensive treatment of cloud computing and supply chain intersection as well as the generic representation.