MACE-SCM: A multi-agent and case-based reasoning collaboration mechanism for supply chain management under supply and demand uncertainties

The importance of collaboration in the supply chain has led scholars to suggest diverse approaches for problems in the collaboration process. Questions still remain about which method is best when coordinating and sharing information in the presence of various supply and demand uncertainties. Hence, this paper aims to propose an integrated framework based on multi-agent collaboration and case-based reasoning that can resolve various collaboration issues in the supply chain. To show the framework's feasibility, we implemented a prototype system: MACE-SCM. MACE-SCM provides more flexible and extensible solutions to help address emerging uncertainties. The validation results reveal the importance of intensive collaboration for maximum efficiency in the supply chain. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.