Timing-configuration of Value Network Flows

Although intuitively clear, implementing the principle of postponement is challenging in business practice since it involves configuring a complete supply chain thereby hindering business implementation. An alternative approach to timing product supplies from a single firm perspectiveembedded in value network context is proposed based on more recent studies on the principles of postponement and speculation. This approach highlights product supply timing from an individual firm’s decision-making embedded in a value network context as well as wider environment. This approach was developed by integrating primarily Alderson’s (1950) original view of postponement with his later transvection (Alderson 1965) approach to marketing channels. The transvectionhighlights value network flows; product transformation supported by adapted information in relation to sequentially organized intermittent decisionmaking events. In addition flows of people and monetary flows are modeled. The purpose of this study is to model the configuration of timing in value networks based on individual flowsconfiguration and interaction between these different flows.