This book focuses on the applications of optimal control theory to operations strategy and supply chain management. It emphasizes the importance of optimal control theory as a tool to analyze and understand fundamental issues in the respective fields. Delving deeper, the book also elaborates on how optimal control theory provides managerial and economic insights, enabling readers to comprehend the dynamic activities and interactions in operations. Given that optimal control theory is not a dominant approach to studying operations management in the current literature, this book fills that gap by showing its effectiveness as a tool to supplement other methodologies in operations.

This book focuses on the applications of optimal control theory to operations strategy and supply chain management. It emphasizes the importance of optimal control theory as a tool to analyze and understand fundamental issues in the respective fields. Delving deeper, the book also elaborates on how optimal control theory provides managerial and economic insights, enabling readers to comprehend the dynamic activities and interactions in operations. Given that optimal control theory is not a dominant approach to studying operations management in the current literature, this book fills that gap by showing its effectiveness as a tool to supplement other methodologies in operations.

This edition of Supply Chain Management (SCM) was revised to appeal to a wider readership besides students taking SCM courses. Global supply chain managers and researchers in the fields of SCM and operations strategy would find it a useful reference. Rather than discuss the technical issues of SCM, the book focuses on the strategic perspectives and approaches of SCM. Students learn to identify SCM issues from the top management's perspective. The book also presents real-world managerial problems and incorporates case studies for connecting theories with practices. By exploring the fundamental issues of SCM, managers acquire a new learning perspective that enables them to solve problems in a more sustainable and innovative manner rather than use short-term, ad hoc solutions. Finally, it distils various theoretical concepts to allow researchers to observe real SCM issues in a managerial context which allows for practical, meaningful and impactful research to be carried out.