The bullwhip effect in supply chains

Abstract

The bullwhip effect occurs when the demand order variabilities in the supply chain are amplified as they moved up the supply chain. Distorted information from one end of a supply chain to the other can lead to tremendous inefficiencies. Companies can effectively counteract the bullwhip effect by thoroughly understanding its underlying causes. Industry leaders are implementing innovative strategies that pose new challenges: 1. integrating new information systems, 2. defining new organizational relationships, and 3. implementing new incentive and measurement systems. Distorted information from one end of a supply chain to the other can lead to tremendous inefficiencies: excessive inventory investment, poor customer service, lost revenues, misguided capacity plans, inactive transportation, and missed production schedules. How do exaggerated order swings occur? What can companies do to mitigate them?