Assessing the Vulnerability of Supply Chains: Advances from Engineering Systems

Abstract

Vulnerability assessments focus on extended sets of hazards and threats, and seek to ensure that adequate resources exist to restore system functionality to a stable level within a reasonable amount of time. Multiple frameworks for vulnerability assessments in supply chains report on tools that can support this analysis. The purpose of this chapter is to inform supply chain researchers and practitioners of emerging trends and advances from engineering design that can benefit supply chain risk management, and set these in the context of a previously published methodology (Asbjørnslett 2009) for vulnerability assessment in the supply chain. Specific advances that will be addressed include: Epoch-era analysis for structuring event taxonomies and scenarios.Failure mode thinking for low-frequency, high-impact (LFHI) events.Design structure matrices and axiomatic design principles for function–form mapping in the supply chain as a tool for ensuring adequate levels of redundancy, flexibility, and identification of latent functionality.