Digital Industrial Platforms for Realising Dynamic and Resilient Supply Chains (DIP4DuR)

Problem definition

In the field of SCM, digital industrial platforms present a potential avenue for enhancing the flexibility and resilience of supply chains, which are often constrained by their inherent rigidity. The scientific community is advocating for transformational SCM, which is primarily focused on enhancing resilience in response to the growing volatility of supply chains. The question of which platform-based solutions can be employed to implement transformational SCM and achieve an increase in dynamism and resilience is only partially addressed in the SCM literature.

Research objective

The objective of the DiP4DuR research project is to establish a conceptual framework for the transformation of inflexible supply chains into dynamic and resilient value creation systems through the utilisation of digital industrial platforms. In order to achieve this, the project aims to identify successful configurations of digital marketplaces and matching platforms of supply chain management (SCM) with regard to their dynamics and resilience. From this, hypotheses are derived regarding the anticipated alterations to the configuration of global chains.

Research approach

The terms "digital industrial platforms" and "dynamics" are initially defined from the perspective of SCM and distinguished from related terms. A scientifically sound typification of relevant industrial platforms is then developed with regard to their contribution to value creation, dynamics and resilience. Based on this, an understanding of the interaction of currently established and future relevant industrial platforms with regard to the dynamisation and resilience of supply chains is derived. A future vision of a platform-based supply chain is then developed, and platform-specific characteristics for increasing dynamisation and resilience are identified.

Results and potential applications of the project

The findings of the individual studies are disseminated within the SCM community. A glossary will be compiled for the purpose of facilitating interdisciplinary discourse, and will be continuously developed and made available to the public. To facilitate the transfer of results, a focus group comprising senior supply chain managers from a range of business sectors will also be established during the course of the project. Should additional research questions emerge during the course of the project, they will be incorporated into the research roadmap of the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, Center for Applied Research on Supply Chain Services SCS, which is headed by the chair holder. In particular, the project results are to be integrated into the further development of the 'platform-based SCM 2030' maturity model, the principal features of which have already been established. On this basis, a tool for scientific consulting for manufacturing companies is to be created.