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1 – 10 of over 109000
Article
Publication date: 1 August 2006

Andrea P. Kern and Carlos T. Formoso

Traditional cost management systems adopted by construction firms have many problems, which are widely discussed in the literature: the information provided by them is usually…

3943

Abstract

Traditional cost management systems adopted by construction firms have many problems, which are widely discussed in the literature: the information provided by them is usually too late, and tends to be too aggregated and too distorted to be relevant for production management. The main objective of this research work is to propose a project cost planning and control model for construction firms. This model aims to support the development of production management systems, in which cost management and production planning and control can be gradually integrated, in order to overcome the existing limitations of cost accounting systems. The scope of the model was limited to building projects carried out by small and medium sized companies, involved in both product development and production. The development of the model was based on the literature review and also on the results of nine empirical studies conducted in four different Brazilian construction firms. The model suggests the integrated application of three fairly well known cost management techniques: operational cost estimating, S‐curves and target costing. By using this set of tools, it is expected that cost management will become more proactive, and able to deal with the dynamic, uncertain and complex construction environment that exists in most projects. The model was partially tested in two case studies, in which it provided key information for supporting decision making related to design, production planning and contracts with suppliers.

Details

Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-4387

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1988

Overview All organisations are, in one sense or another, involved in operations; an activity implying transformation or transfer. The major portion of the body of knowledge…

3744

Abstract

Overview All organisations are, in one sense or another, involved in operations; an activity implying transformation or transfer. The major portion of the body of knowledge concerning operations relates to production in manufacturing industry but, increasingly, similar problems are to be found confronting managers in service industry. It is only in the last decade or so that new technology, involving, in particular, the computer, has encouraged an integrated view to be taken of the total business. This has led to greater recognition being given to the strategic potential of the operations function. In order to provide greater insight into operations a number of classifications have been proposed. One of these, which places operations into categories termed factory, job shop, mass service and professional service, is examined. The elements of operations management are introduced under the headings of product, plant, process, procedures and people.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Article
Publication date: 5 December 2016

Patrik Jonsson and Paulina Myrelid

The purpose of this paper is to define supply chain information utilisation and explore how its antecedents impact shared information utilisation in information receiver’s planning

1721

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define supply chain information utilisation and explore how its antecedents impact shared information utilisation in information receiver’s planning processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a literature review and exploratory case study of three supplier dyads of original equipment manufacturers. This study presents a four-phase model of supply chain information utilisation, and identifies how information sharing, information quality, and intended information usage are antecedents of actual usage of information shared in supply chains. In the dyads, 35 potential information utilisation situations are analysed.

Findings

Inter- and intra-organisational factors are antecedents of information utilisation, by their effects on the four phases of utilisation. Composite information sharing, social network governance, human process involvement, and formal planning processes are important antecedents, which are not much emphasised in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

The study focusses on routinised sharing of formal demand-related planning information in supply chain dyads. The analysis is based on three case dyads which are chosen to be complementary in several respects, and where there is access to rich data.

Practical implications

Understanding phases and antecedents could support managers in developing information sharing strategies.

Originality/value

The literature does not explicitly consider information utilisation, or related antecedents or effects. However, by defining information utilisation and proposing a multi-phase utilisation model, this study can explain the performance effect of information sharing. In addition, the composite information variable is defined. This is the first attempt to conceptualise and explore antecedents of information utilisation in supply chains.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 36 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 August 2013

N. Faber, M.B.M. de Koster and A. Smidts

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how warehouse management, understood as a cluster of planning and control decisions and procedures, is organized and driven by task…

18359

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how warehouse management, understood as a cluster of planning and control decisions and procedures, is organized and driven by task complexity (TC) and market dynamics (MD).

Design/methodology/approach

A multi‐variable conceptual model is developed based on the literature and tested among 215 warehouses using a survey.

Findings

The results suggest that TC and MD are the main drivers of warehouse management, measured by planning extensiveness (PE), decision rules complexity, and control sophistication. Differences between production and distribution warehouses are found with respect to the relationship between assortment changes and PE. Furthermore, TC appears to be a main driver of the specificity of the warehouse management (information) system (WMS).

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on 215 warehouses in The Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium); future research may test the model on a different sample. More research should be conducted to further validate the measures of the core dimensions of warehouse management.

Practical implications

Different levels of TC and MD characterize warehouses. Such a characterization is a first step in determining generic warehouse functionalities and helping managers to decide on the best software for their warehouse operations.

Originality/value

The paper defines the core dimensions of warehouse management, makes them measurable, tests them and assesses how these drivers impact specificity of WMS. The paper shows that PE in production warehouses is driven by different variables than in distribution centers.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 33 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 15 September 2022

Selva Staub

The impact of rapidly developing technologies on digitalization of production and planning has affected all sectors in a short period. This impact has led to both positive and

Abstract

The impact of rapidly developing technologies on digitalization of production and planning has affected all sectors in a short period. This impact has led to both positive and negative outcomes. While it is helping the decision-makers to make better and more productive choices, it also can create a cluster of information and data that can put an undue burden on processes. Today, we call this Industry 4.0, which is defined as the use of digital technologies, based on data processing, the end-to-end connection of value chains, and ensuring data fluidity. Industry 4.0 consists of technologies such as cyber-physical systems, internet of things, cloud computing, big data and analysis, autonomous vehicles, and augmented reality. With the digitalization of the entire production and planning processes, data-based applications are made; thus it is important to protect data in this context, pointing to the critical importance of cybersecurity. Companies are constantly working on taking the necessary cybersecurity measures to prevent exposure to any cyberattacks. One of the biggest steps toward the development of production and planning is undoubtedly the integration and adaptation of blockchain technology. The use of blockchain technologies has been a major breakthrough for the sector in order to effectively meet customer needs, ensure information security, reduce costs, and achieve rapid growth. With digital transformation, production and planning must comply with the principle of transparency. In this context, integrating blockchain technologies into the production and planning ecology for data security will provide companies with a serious competitive advantage.

Details

Conflict Management in Digital Business
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-773-2

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2004

Massimo Bertolini, Maurizio Bevilacqua, Eleonora Bottani and Antonio Rizzi

This paper presents the results of a panel of experts, made up of academics in the field of operations and supply chain management, enterprise requirement planning software…

3314

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a panel of experts, made up of academics in the field of operations and supply chain management, enterprise requirement planning software developers, and end‐users, whose work has aimed at defining the main features that characterize an enterprise modeller for the fashion industry. The characteristics required by the enterprise requirement planning enterprise modeller have been identified, with specific attention to the production planning and control module. Because of the peculiarities of this line of business, it is widely recognized that both vendors and buyers would benefit from such a tool. For the formers, the availability of a pre‐customized reference model would represent a competitive advantage in the marketplace, for the latter, on the other hand, it would enhance the effectiveness, the efficiency and the likelihood of success of the enterprise requirement planning implementation project.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 September 2014

Linea Kjellsdotter Ivert and Patrik Jonsson

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the context affects successful use of advanced planning and scheduling (APS) systems in sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes…

3093

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the context affects successful use of advanced planning and scheduling (APS) systems in sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes, and how individual, technological, and organizational (ITO) dimensions affect this procedure.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative case study of two APS system-supported S&OP processes. The work aims to generate propositions concerning the relationships among the use of APS system, the context, ITO dimensions, and fulfillment of S&OP aims.

Findings

Use of APS systems was especially appropriate in support of S&OP processes in complex planning environments and when S&OP aims were ambitious. ITO dimensions were important influences on successful APS system use in most contexts. APS systems were not considered appropriate when having S&OP processes with ambitious aims and low individual and organizational maturities. Use of APS systems was also inappropriate when the extent of technological maturity was minimal. S&OP processes with ambitious aims, operating within a complex planning environment, are difficult if not impossible to implement without the support of APS systems.

Practical implications

The suggestions on when APS systems should be used in different S&OP environments will be useful to companies implementing or about to implement APS systems.

Originality/value

APS systems offer great potential if they are effectively used to support S&OP, still the use of APS system in S&OP is unexplored. The paper shows how the context and the ITO dimensions affect the successful use of APS systems in S&OP processes.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 34 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2016

Patrik Jonsson and Jan Holmström

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a research agenda for supply chain planning (SCP) relevant for practice.

5034

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a research agenda for supply chain planning (SCP) relevant for practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors critically evaluate academic literature on SCP in order to understand how problems are addressed in their particular context, what the outcomes are, and the mechanisms producing the observed outcomes. Four categories of SCP are studied: sales and operations planning (S & OP), supply chain master planning, supply chain materials management, and collaborative materials management. The authors introduce the concept of enabling mechanisms to identify specific innovations in materials management and production management that can facilitate the future improvement of SCP.

Findings

The critical evaluation of current SCP theory presents very limited results that are of practical relevance. SCP is not presented as an intervention and the results are not in a form that is actionable for practitioners. The body of literature is almost absent in addressing problems according to context, it presents limited evidence of intended outcomes, and it fails to identify unintended outcomes. As a consequence, research is unable to bolster theoretical understandings of how outcomes – both intended and unintended – are achieved. In the forward-looking research agenda the authors leverage the understanding of the enabling mechanisms in order to propose research to make mature S & OP and novel types of SCP implementable.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is an example of a structured approach to developing a research agenda that is relevant to practice and can be used more widely in logistics and supply chain management.

Practical implications

This paper presents a research agenda to close the gap between practice and promise in SCP.

Originality/value

The authors operationalize what constitutes practical relevance for an established field of research.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 46 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 September 2008

Petri Helo, Pornthep Anussornnitisarn and Kongkiti Phusavat

This paper aims to analyse expectation and reality in enterprise resource planning implementation from the consultants' and software vendors' point of view and process these…

8304

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse expectation and reality in enterprise resource planning implementation from the consultants' and software vendors' point of view and process these further as requirements of future IT systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A small‐scale survey among Finnish enterprise resource planning system (ERP) software vendors and consultants on ERP implementation challenges is analysed (n=59). The results are connected to existing literature in the field of deploying ERP systems in the form of discussion.

Findings

The consultants' opinions show similar results with studies conducted with companies using ERP systems. The implementer's point of view shows clearly the challenge of using standardized ERP packages for various requirements on different levels. Although the sales presentations tend to emphasize the general purpose and flexibility of software packages, the dilemma between customization and vanilla system remains. The implementer's viewpoint emphasises challenges in operations: production planning, materials management, sales and marketing.

Research limitations/implications

The complexities of large ERP systems represent a true challenge from the knowledge transfer point of view. Standardized ERP packages implement standardized approaches, which has been a key benefit. The results show that the challenges are related to production planning and materials management.

Practical implications

Software vendors and consultants have a thorough knowledge of ERP implementation, but still the key challenges remain much the same. ERP project deployment requires careful planning with regard to the change management aspects, but also IT related technical aspects. The paper presents a checklist for matching the ERP system with the specific requirements of the company.

Originality/value

The results of the survey triangulate and justify many aspects found in previous research. From the consultants' point of view developments in production planning and complex products are especially needed. Initial solutions and further research are outlined.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 108 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1993

Alexander Ardishvili and Arthur V. Hill

Seeks to identify and compare the production planning and controlpractices in the small machine tool and non‐fashion textile industriesin the Commonwealth of Independent States…

Abstract

Seeks to identify and compare the production planning and control practices in the small machine tool and non‐fashion textile industries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The survey results provide valuable background information for researchers and practitioners who are seeking ways of helping the economy in the former Soviet republics move towards a more effective system. The findings on the emerging linkages between production and the market are particularly interesting and provide insights into manufacturing practices that will be of use to prospective international joint venture partners. In addition, insights from the experience in the CIS may also help scholars develop a more general theory of manufacturing excellence that can be of use in any manufacturing context. The study is particularly timely as the Soviet command‐control systems disintegrate and many world leaders are beginning to promise technical assistance to help restructure the economy in the former Soviet republics.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 13 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 109000