Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 34 |
| Journal | Electronic markets |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 4 Apr 2025 |
Abstract
Mature inventory management is central to supply chain automation (SCA) as it enables targeted automation and autonomization of relevant process variants. Inventory management divides stock-keeping units (SKUs) into a manageable number of groups, enabling effective and efficient handling of different strategic inventory policies. Multi-criteria ABC (MCABC) is a standard method for evaluating SKUs. However, holistic, risk-reducing, and value-adding inventory analyses are not standard practice, even though one-dimensional analyses are outdated from a research perspective. In cooperation with a case study company, we set up an end-to-end MCABC inventory analysis, analyze 21 inventory management tools, conduct an exhaustive literature review (n = 108), a global survey of 60 practitioners, and a focus group discussion with four practitioners. We develop and discuss an interlinked process-reference model for mature inventory management. We provide actionable insights for researchers and practitioners to establish resilient, value-added, and sustainable inventory management practices as a foundation for targeted SCA.
Keywords
- Inventory management, MCABC analysis, Process–reference model, Resilient supply chain, Sustainability
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
- Business and International Management
- Economics, Econometrics and Finance(all)
- Economics and Econometrics
- Computer Science(all)
- Computer Science Applications
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
- Marketing
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
- Management of Technology and Innovation
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In: Electronic markets, Vol. 35, No. 1, 34, 12.2025.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Mature inventory management for supply chain automation
T2 - An interlinked process-reference model
AU - Grützner, Lukas
AU - Voss, David
AU - Breitner, Michael H.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.
PY - 2025/4/4
Y1 - 2025/4/4
N2 - Mature inventory management is central to supply chain automation (SCA) as it enables targeted automation and autonomization of relevant process variants. Inventory management divides stock-keeping units (SKUs) into a manageable number of groups, enabling effective and efficient handling of different strategic inventory policies. Multi-criteria ABC (MCABC) is a standard method for evaluating SKUs. However, holistic, risk-reducing, and value-adding inventory analyses are not standard practice, even though one-dimensional analyses are outdated from a research perspective. In cooperation with a case study company, we set up an end-to-end MCABC inventory analysis, analyze 21 inventory management tools, conduct an exhaustive literature review (n = 108), a global survey of 60 practitioners, and a focus group discussion with four practitioners. We develop and discuss an interlinked process-reference model for mature inventory management. We provide actionable insights for researchers and practitioners to establish resilient, value-added, and sustainable inventory management practices as a foundation for targeted SCA.
AB - Mature inventory management is central to supply chain automation (SCA) as it enables targeted automation and autonomization of relevant process variants. Inventory management divides stock-keeping units (SKUs) into a manageable number of groups, enabling effective and efficient handling of different strategic inventory policies. Multi-criteria ABC (MCABC) is a standard method for evaluating SKUs. However, holistic, risk-reducing, and value-adding inventory analyses are not standard practice, even though one-dimensional analyses are outdated from a research perspective. In cooperation with a case study company, we set up an end-to-end MCABC inventory analysis, analyze 21 inventory management tools, conduct an exhaustive literature review (n = 108), a global survey of 60 practitioners, and a focus group discussion with four practitioners. We develop and discuss an interlinked process-reference model for mature inventory management. We provide actionable insights for researchers and practitioners to establish resilient, value-added, and sustainable inventory management practices as a foundation for targeted SCA.
KW - Inventory management
KW - MCABC analysis
KW - Process–reference model
KW - Resilient supply chain
KW - Sustainability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105003472479&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s12525-025-00783-x
DO - 10.1007/s12525-025-00783-x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105003472479
VL - 35
JO - Electronic markets
JF - Electronic markets
SN - 1019-6781
IS - 1
M1 - 34
ER -