We can distinguish between threetypes of supply chain complexity: static, dynamic and decision making.
Whilestatic (structural) complexity describes the structure of the supply chain, thevariety of its components and strengths of interactions; dynamic(operational) complexity representsthe uncertainty in the supply chain and involves the aspects of time andrandomness. The static–dynamic distinction has been primarily used to studycomplexity in manufacturing systems (Calinescu,Efstathiou, Schirn, & Bermejo, 1998; Calinescu, Efstathiou, Sivadasan,& Huaccho Huatuco, 2001; Calinescu, Efstathiou, Sivadasan, Schirn, &Huaccho Huatuco, 2000; Deshmukh, Talavage, & Barash, 1992; Deshmukh,Talavage, & Barash, 1998; Frizelle & Woodcock, 1995; Huaccho Huatuco,Efstathiou, Calinescu, Sivadasan, & Kariuki, 2009; Seyda Serdarasan, 2012) and supplychains (Isik, 2010; Sivadasan, Efstathiou,Frizelle, Shirazi, & Calinescu, 2002; Sivadasan et al., 1999).Decision making complexity involves both static and dynamic aspects ofcomplexity (Calinescu, Efstathiou, HuacchoHuatuco, & Sivadasan, 2001; Calinescu, Efstathiou, Sivadasan, et al., 2001;Efstathiou, Calinescu, & Blackburn, 2002; Manuj & Sahin, 2011; SeydaSerdarasan, 2012).