Production systems in multi-tier value networks are nowadays facing major challenges with regard to supply network operations planning. Many existing solutions neglect feedback mechanisms and operate under the assumption of isolated supply chains. However, even for intra-enterprise planning across production plants, hurdles hamper a successful business usage. As an innovative approach decentralized planning grounds on consensus-like agreements between equal partners - both intra- and inter-enterprise - through communicative, negotiation-like processes. Thus research activities aim at developing appropriate coordination mechanisms for decision making in tactical operations planning between independent supply chain partners for yielding consistent plans.
