Multi Agent Systems in Logistics: A Literature and State-of-The-Art Review

73 Pages Posted: 3 Nov 2008

See all articles by Niels Lang

Niels Lang

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)

Hans Moonen

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Department of Technology and Operations Management

F. Jordan Srour

Lebanese American University - Department of Information Technology and Operations Management

Rob Zuidwijk

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Rotterdam School of Management (RSM); Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM)

Date Written: 31 2008 7,

Abstract

Based on a literature survey, we aim to answer our main question: “How should we plan and execute logistics in supply chains that aim to meet today’s requirements, and how can we support such planning and execution using IT?” Today’s requirements in supply chains include inter-organizational collaboration and more responsive and tailored supply to meet specific demand. Enterprise systems fall short in meeting these requirements The focus of planning and execution systems should move towards an inter-enterprise and event-driven mode. Inter-organizational systems may support planning going from supporting information exchange and henceforth enable synchronized planning within the organizations towards the capability to do network planning based on available information throughout the network. We provide a framework for planning systems, constituting a rich landscape of possible configurations, where the centralized and fully decentralized approaches are two extremes. We define and discuss agent based systems and in particular multi agent systems (MAS). We emphasize the issue of the role of MAS coordination architectures, and then explain that transportation is, next to production, an important domain in which MAS can and actually are applied. However, implementation is not widespread and some implementation issues are explored. In this manner, we conclude that planning problems in transportation have characteristics that comply with the specific capabilities of agent systems. In particular, these systems are capable to deal with inter-organizational and event-driven planning settings, hence meeting today’s requirements in supply chain planning and execution.

Keywords: supply chain, multi agent systems, MAS

JEL Classification: L15, O32, M, L22, R41

Suggested Citation

Lang, Niels and Moonen, Hans and Srour, Faith Jordan and Zuidwijk, Rob A., Multi Agent Systems in Logistics: A Literature and State-of-The-Art Review (31 2008 7,). ERIM Report Series Reference No. ERS-2008-043-LIS, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1290929

Niels Lang (Contact Author)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)

P.O. Box 1738
Room T08-21
3000 DR Rotterdam, 3000 DR
Netherlands

Hans Moonen

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Department of Technology and Operations Management ( email )

RSM Erasmus University
PO Box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands
+31 10 408 1403 (Phone)
+31 10 408 9010 (Fax)

Faith Jordan Srour

Lebanese American University - Department of Information Technology and Operations Management ( email )

Shannon Hall, 3106
Chouran Beirut, 1102 2801
Lebanon

Rob A. Zuidwijk

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) ( email )

P.O. Box 1738
Room T08-21
3000 DR Rotterdam, 3000 DR
Netherlands

Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM)

P.O. Box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands

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