Network-analysis approaches to deal with causal complexity in a supply network

Large integrated supply networks can exhibit several complex system characteristics. In such systems, researchers tend to misperceive feedback relationships and have difficulty in identifying dynamic causal behaviour, even when they have an understanding of the underlying structural relationships within a system. Supply-network researchers often make use of simulation models, but this is only appropriate if a high degree of knowledge concerning the supply network is available. Many disciplines, including a limited number of supply network researchers, have used network analyses to represent complex systems, and several advanced graph theory techniques exist to support such studies. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of network-analysis approaches in order to analyse supply networks. The research was carried out in four case-study areas within a sugarcane-production-and-processing environment and demonstrates two network-analysis approaches. Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from di...