On determining leading coalitions in supply chains: methodology and application

Supply chain collaboration has the potential to address issues of inefficiency and lack coordination that often drives down competitiveness supply chains. However, in chains is difficult due ever increasing complexity conflicting objectives prevalent chains, a growing challenge be able identify optimal configuration benefits as whole. The inherent lead emergence so-called orchestrators help coordinate enable collaboration. In this paper we specific problem an orchestrator might face: given set coalitions could form chain, together with means by which collaborative should allocated, coalition form? We propose new methodology based on what call leading selection problem, borrows concepts from cooperative game theory ensure stability fairness final selection. proposed applied linear production processes where agents collaborate pooling their resources, computational study performed large instances order gain insight into working methodology.