Impulse synchronization strategy for supply chains considering combined effects and demand saturation

Abstract

Supply chains often face sudden changes in production, distribution, and consumption as a result of factors such as pandemics, Black Friday, and mass production by manufacturers; this is called the ”impulse phenomenon.” The effect of the impulse phenomenon on the supply chain system can be positive or negative. Understanding how to use the impulse phenomenon to synchronize supply chain systems and avoid chaos is therefore important for supply chain management. Existing studies mainly use continuous synchronization strategies as a means to avoid chaos in supply chain systems; however, a discrete impulse synchronization strategy is easier to implement. Considering combined effects of consumption,distribution,production and demand saturation, this study constructs a supply chain system composed of a manufacturer, distributor, and retailer. We then construct a supply chain system with uncertain parameters and input disturbance. Using Lyapunov stability theory and matrix inequality, we obtain the impulse synchronization strategies of two supply chain systems. Finally, taking China’s supply chain system of corn, wheat, and rice as an example, we compare goodness of fit. The production, distribution, and consumption of rice are controlled using a temporary storage purchase policy, batch ordering, and promotion activities, and the effectiveness of the impulse synchronization strategy is verified. Our results show the following: (1) Considering combined effects and demand saturation, the supply chain system has better goodness of fit and better impulse synchronization. (2) When a chaotic supply chain system deviates from its expected state, if impulse intensity and the time interval satisfy Theorem 1 or 2, the supply chain system can be restored to its expected state; if not, the synchronization effect might not be achieved. (3) Generally, when impulse intensity is low, the time interval is short, if impulse intensity is high, the time interval should be longer.