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In most supply chains (SCs), transaction relationships between suppliers and customers are commonly considered to be an extrapolation from a linear perspective. However, this traditional linear concept of an SC is egotistic and oversimplified and does not sufficiently reflect the complex and cyclical structure of supplier-customer relationships in current economic and industrial situations. The interactional relationships and topological characteristics between suppliers and customers should be analyzed using supply networks (SNs) rather than traditional linear SCs. Therefore, this paper reconceptualizes SCs as SNs in complex adaptive systems (CAS), and presents three main contributions. First, we propose an integrated framework of CAS network by synthesizing multi-level network analysis from the network-, community- and vertex-perspective. The CAS perspective enables us to understand the advances of SN properties. Second, in order to emphasize the CAS properties of SNs, we conducted a real-world SN based on the Japanese industry and describe an advanced investigation of SN theory. The CAS properties help in enriching the SN theory, which can benefit SN management, community economics and industrial resilience. Third, we propose a quantitative metric of entropy to measure the complexity and robustness of SNs. The results not only support a specific understanding of the structural outcomes relevant to SNs, but also deliver efficient and effective support to the management and design of SNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a methodological framework for conceptual modeling of assembly supply chain (ASC) networks. Models of such ASC networks are divided into classes on the basis of the numbers of initial suppliers. We provide a brief overview of select literature on the topic of structural complexity in assembly systems. Subsequently, the so called Vertex degree index for measuring a structural complexity of ASC networks is applied. This measure, which is based on the Shannon entropy, is well suited for the given purpose. Finally, we outline a generic model of quantitative complexity scale for ASC Networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study a dual-channel closed-loop supply chain in which a manufacturer considers the market waste products recovery and remanufacture, and a retailer considers provide services to customers. We build a Stackelberg game model and a centralized game model in a static and dynamic state, respectively, and analyze the two dynamic models by mathematical analysis and explore the stability and entropy of the two models using bifurcation, the basin of attraction, chaotic attractors, and so on. The influences of service level and profit distribution rate on the system's profit are discussed. The theoretical results show that higher price adjustment speed will lead to the system lose stability with a larger entropy value. In the Stackelberg game model, the stability of the system increases as the service value and the recovery rate increases; in the centralized model, the stability of the system decreases with the increase of the service value and increases with the recovery rate increases. When the Stackelberg game model is in a stable state, the manufacturer's profit increases first and then decreases, and the retailer's profit first decreases and then increases as the service value of the retailer increases. The research will serve as good guidance for both the manufacturer and retailer in dual-channel closed-loop supply chains to improve decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]