Managing innovation and operations complexity in multi-tier high-tech systems supply chains

High-tech supply chains are structurally complex in terms of product and process. The supply chain is a multi-tier network and multiple companies are involved in the development and production of key components, key modules, before the final product can be assembled, specifically for a customer. At the customer site the product is serviced, implying repairs and upgrades that may involve again multiple companies in the supply chain. In our research we focus on the coordination of innovation, manufacturing, and service activities in the multi-tier network. We distinguish between strategic design questions that concerns robustness and resilience of the network, and tactical and operational design questions that concern the operational coordination of innovation, manufacturing and service activities. The methodologies used are Agent Based Modelling and analysis and optimization of stochastic multi-item multi-echelon production-inventory systems.The deliverables are scientific journal papers, prototype software tools and pilot implementations of research findings at the partner companies.