

In several cases there already exists an initial plan (e.g., using rolling schedules or frame plans).

By contrast, when the initiator is the supplier, it is referred to as downstream planning.

In the second step one regards the decentralized problem and designs such a contract protocol that approaches or even achieves the performance of the first-best.Ī contract is said to coordinate the channel, if thereby the partners' optimal local decisions lead to optimal system-wide performance. The result is a first-best solution which provides bound on the obtainable system-wide performance objective. At first, one assumes a central decision maker with complete information who solves the problem. The general method for studying coordination consists of two steps. Finally, the third component should guarantee that the partners act upon to the common goals of the supply chain. The second component should support the information visibility and transparency both within and among the partners and facilitates the realization of real-time enterprises. The appropriate planning methods are necessary for optimizing the behavior of the production. an incentive scheme for aligning the individual interests of the partners.an infrastructure and protocol for information sharing, and.local planning methods which consider the constraints and objectives of the individual partners,.In general, a contracting scheme should consist of the following components: These are called coordination mechanisms or schemes, which control the flows of information, materials (or service) and financial assets along the chains. The theory of channel coordination aims at supporting the performance optimization by developing arrangements for aligning the different objectives of the partners. Some practical realizations of this approach are Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR), Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) and Quick Response (QR). Recently, partners in permanent supply chains tend to extend the coordination of their decisions in order to improve the performance for all of the participants. The decentralized decision making in supply chains leads to a dilemma situation which results in a suboptimal overall performance called double marginalization. 2.1.7 Basic model and solution technique.

