Our focus herein is on developing an effective taxonomy for the simultaneous and real-timemanagement of supply and demand chains.More specifically,the taxonomy is developed in terms ofits underpinning components and its research foci.From a components perspective,we first considerthe value chain of supplier,manufacturer,assembler,retailer,and customer,and then develop aconsistent set of definitions for supply and demand chains based on the location of the customer orderpenetration point.From a research perspective,we classify the methods that are employed in themanagement of these chains,based on whether supply and/or demand are flexible or fixed.Interestingly,our taxonomy highlights a very critical research area at which both supply and demandare flexible,thus manageable.Simultaneous management of supply and demand chains sets the stagefor mass customization which is concerned with meeting the needs of an individualized customermarket.Simultaneous and real-time management of supply and demand chains set Our focus herein on developing an effective taxonomy for the simultaneous and real-time management of supply and demand chains. More specifically, the taxonomy is developed in terms ofits underpinning components and its research foci. From a components perspective, we first considerthe value chain of supplier, manufacturer, assembler, retailer, and customer, and then develop aconsistent set of definitions for supply and demand chains based on the location of the customer order penetration point. Focus a research perspective, we classify the methods that are employed in the management of these chains , based on whether supply and / or demand are flexible or fixed.Interestingly, our taxonomy highlights a very critical research area at which both supply and demandare flexible, thus manageable .imultaneous management of supply and demand chains sets the stagefor mass customization which is concerned with meeting the needs of an individualized customermarket.Simultaneous and real-time management of supply an d demand chains set