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Article
Publication date: 29 July 2014

Juan D. Mendoza, Josefa Mula and Francisco Campuzano-Bolarin

The purpose of this paper is to explore different aggregate production planning (APP) strategies (inventory levelling, validation of the workforce and flexible production…

2419

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore different aggregate production planning (APP) strategies (inventory levelling, validation of the workforce and flexible production alternatives: overtime and/or outsourcing) by using a system dynamics model in a two-level, multi-product, multi-period manpower intensive supply chain (SC). Therefore, the appropriateness of using systems dynamics as a research method, by focusing on managerial applications, to analyse APP policies is proven. From the combination of systems dynamics and APP, recommendations and action strategies are considered for each scenario to understand how the system performs and to improve decision making on APP in the SC context.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design analyses a typical factory setting with representative parameter settings for five different conventional APP policies – inventory levelling, workforce variation, overtime, outsourcing and a combination of overtime and outsourcing – through deterministic systems dynamics-based simulation. In order to validate the simulation model, the results from published APP models were replicated. Then, optimisation is conducted for this deterministic setting to determine the performance of all these typical policies with optimal parameter settings. Next, a Monte Carlo stochastic simulation is used to assess the robustness of such performances in a variety of demand settings. Different aggregate plans are tested and the effect that events like demand variability and production times have on the SC performance results is analysed.

Findings

The results support the assertion that the greater the demand variability, the higher the flexibility costs (overtime, outsourcing, inventory levelling, and contracts and firings). As greater inter-month oscillations appear, which must be covered with additional alternatives, the optimum number of employees must be determined by analysing the interchanges and marginal costs between capacity oversizing costs (wages, idle time, storage) and the costs to undersize it (penalties for lowering safety stocks, delayed demand, greater use of overtime and outsourcing). Accordingly, controlling the times to avoid increased costs and penalties incurred by delayed demand becomes an essential important task, but one that also depends on the characteristics of this variability.

Practical implications

This paper has developed a modelling approach for APP in a manpower intensive SC by applying system dynamics. It includes a simulation model, the analysis of several scenarios, the impact on performance caused by variability events in the parameters, and some recommendations and action strategies to be subsequently applied. The modelling methodology proposed can be employed to design-specific models for each SC.

Originality/value

This paper proposes an APP system dynamics approach in a two-level, multi-product, multi-period manpower intensive SC for the first time. This model bridges the gap in the literature relating to simulation, specifically system dynamics and its application for APP. The paper also provides a qualitative description of the various pros and cons of each analysed policy and how they can be combined.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 34 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 April 2009

Cristina Climent, Josefa Mula and Jorge E. Hernández

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the business processes of a bank by considering a graphical and a descriptive view in order to find critical processes and to…

3447

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the business processes of a bank by considering a graphical and a descriptive view in order to find critical processes and to improve them.

Design/methodology/approach

A methodology with which the business processes are modeled based on the flow diagram (FD) and integrated definitions (IDEF0) techniques.

Findings

Detects the descriptive and graphical view of the main critical business processes of a bank. Allows to propose correct and effective improvements to them and considers different views and degrees of detail.

Research limitations/implications

This study considers a static view of the processes. A future line of research includes the simulation of the critical business processes of the bank detected with the modeling techniques herein proposed.

Practical implications

The business process modeling techniques apply to one subsidiary of a bank company, and can thus be extended to all subsidiaries to compare their performance and to apply the improvements by considering global objectives.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a structured modeling to capture the critical business processes of a bank through well‐known techniques, such as the FDs and IDEF0, and helps compare and detect these relevant aspects for the bank.

Details

Business Process Management Journal, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-7154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 August 2011

Josep Capó‐Vicedo, Josefa Mula and Jordi Capó

This paper aims to provide a social network‐based model for improving knowledge management in multi‐level supply chains formed by small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

3350

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a social network‐based model for improving knowledge management in multi‐level supply chains formed by small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

This approach uses social network analysis techniques to propose and represent a knowledge network for supply chains. Also, an empirical experience from an exploratory case study in the construction sector is presented.

Findings

This proposal improves the establishment of inter‐organizational relationships into networks to exchange the knowledge among the companies along the supply chain and create specific knowledge by promoting confidence and motivation.

Originality/value

This proposed model is useful for academics and practitioners in supply chain management to gain a better understanding of knowledge management processes, particularly for the supply chains formed by SMEs.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2008

Raul Rodriguez Rodriguez, Raul Poler Escoto, Josefa Mula Bru and Angel Ortiz Bas

The purpose of this research paper is to present a conceptual model for collaborative forecasting management (CFM) developed within a European project's context.

2318

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to present a conceptual model for collaborative forecasting management (CFM) developed within a European project's context.

Design/methodology/approach

This research follows a constructivist approach. After analysing different frameworks relating to such a thematic, and once their main weaknesses were identified, it was decided to develop the CFM framework that provides collaborative enterprises with a simple, efficient, robust and useful framework.

Findings

The paper describes a CFM model, which finds a place in the extended collaborative supply chain context, where several supply chains collaborate to deliver a product or service pack to final customers, thus forming the so‐called meta‐value chain, creating an extended value proposition.

Practical implications

Even though this proposal has been tested in one of the project's pilots, obtaining good results in terms of achieved and potentially achievable advantages, it should be tested further by implementing it in other collaborative organisations with the main objective of enriching and extending it to other sectors.

Originality/value

The CFM proposal came up as the result of applying innovative ideas between collaborative organisations supported by e‐collaboration practices, creating new paths for other disciplines.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 June 2011

Josep Capó‐Vicedo, Josefa Mula and Jordi Capó

This paper seeks to provide a social network‐based model for improving knowledge management in multi‐level supply chains formed by small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

3088

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide a social network‐based model for improving knowledge management in multi‐level supply chains formed by small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

This approach uses social network analysis techniques to propose and represent a knowledge network for supply chains. Empirical experience from an exploratory case study in the construction sector is also presented.

Findings

This proposal improves the establishment of inter‐organizational relationships into networks to exchange knowledge among the companies along the supply chain and to create specific knowledge by promoting confidence and motivation.

Originality/value

This proposed model is useful for academics and practitioners in supply chain management to gain a better understanding of knowledge management processes, particularly for supply chains formed by SMEs.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2008

Raul Poler, Jorge E. Hernandez, Josefa Mula and Francisco C. Lario

This paper seeks to propose an overall model of collaborative forecasting for networked manufacturing enterprises.

3001

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to propose an overall model of collaborative forecasting for networked manufacturing enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

Contributions by several authors to collaborative forecasting have been analysed from different viewpoints. A collaborative‐forecasting model for networked manufacturing enterprises has been proposed and validated by means of a simulation study.

Findings

This model significantly reduces the inventory levels of the whole network and improves customer service.

Research limitations/implications

Simulation experiments were done with the enterprise network herein described. Future research will include the simulation of more complex enterprise network scenarios with different characteristics.

Practical implications

The model can be implemented node‐to‐node, since not all the companies in the network have to participate, thus facilitating implementation and propagation throughout the network.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new structured planning and forecasting collaboration model for networked manufacturing enterprises.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 19 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 2 May 2008

Vipul Jain and Lyes Benyoucef with David Bennett

544

Abstract

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 19 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

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