An informal survey of multi‐echelon inventory theory

Abstract Contained herein is an informal nonmathematical survey of research in multi‐echelon inventory theory covering published results through 1971. An introductory section defines the term, “multi‐echelon,” and establishes the kinds of problems involving multi‐echelon considerations. Subsequent sections provide surveys of research on deterministic and stochastic multi‐echelon inventory control problems, allocation models, and multi‐echelon planning and evaluation models. A final section discusses the present state of the art and suggests directions for future research. A bibliography of papers concerning multi‐echelon inventory theory and applications is included.