Implications of agent-based supply chain games

The increased prevalence of network-enabled supply chains and out-sourcing of business processes suggests a stronger role for simulation tools, such as multi-agent systems, in supply chain management. We report on a new supply chain management game in the 2003 Trading Agent Competition and the design and experiences of our agent, PSUTAC. We discuss how using a shared mental model approach can help SCM designers address the role of information flow in an uncertain market environment. We conclude with a discussion about future implications to SCM of such trading agent simulations.