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A microcomputer‐based information management and capacity planning system for discrete parts manufacturing is described. The two primary components of the system are: (1) framework for information management and schedule generation, and (2) heuristic methods for workload balancing. The databases facilitate streamlining and standardisation of the information used on the production floor. The schedules generated by the system help the user in developing machine level capacity plans. The automatic workload balancing heuristics provide an effective way to refine the initial schedules to balance the workload and to satisfy user specified constraints.

This paper presents an integrated framework for the selection of attributes used in the evaluation of advanced manufacturing systems. The primary focus in the development of this framework is the modularity of the framework so that it is applicable to a wide range of advanced manufacturing systems with differing process configurations and technologies. Based on data collected from industry and the current body of knowledge, decision attributes were identified and ranked relatively against each other, forming a hierarchy of decision attributes. To simplify the hierarchy, making it more user‐friendly in real‐world applications, each decision attribute was also evaluated relative to the strength of its relationships to other decision attributes. Several decision attributes were found to be highly correlated with others, resulting in a new, single decision attribute. The final decision attribute hierarchy provides managers responsible for making capital decisions involving advanced manufacturing technologies with a framework for their decision making.

Managing supply‐chain operations is critical to any company’s ability to compete effectively. Success in today’s markets depends on the ability to balance a stream of products and processes to stay competitive. Companies are constantly evaluating every area of operations to ensure that productivity and cost objectives are realistic and attainable. Research has been carried out to investigate the measurement systems used in today’s distribution centers. Five distribution centers in the Pacific Northwest were selected for this study. The characteristics of these five distribution centers and their measurement systems are discussed in this paper. A cross‐case analysis is provided, which gives a view of a typical measurement system used in today’s distribution centers.

A heuristic algorithm, designed for freeze‐drying operations in the food processing industry, is developed for a multistage system with parallel machines and resource constraints. The system is extremely complex owing to factors such as stage capacities, resource constraints and requirements, set‐up charges, product mix, order sizes, and co‐ordination of multiple stages. The primary objectives are meeting due dates, minimizing workflow time, and maximizing equipment utilization. The system is implemented to generate production schedules in a microcomputer‐based operating environment.

This paper aims to examine the factors that drive the exporter’s influence toward halal meat supply chain adoption by encompassing the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory in the context of Pakistan.

Using DOI as an underpinning theory, this study evaluates halal supply chain adoption by collecting data from the members of associations from Pakistan. A total of 258 useable responses were received, and PLS-SEM was adopted using SmartPLS.

The exporter’s adoption of the halal supply chain is determined not only by perceived relative advantage and perceived compatibility but also by perceived complexity, religious beliefs and awareness.

Though this study has practical and managerial implications, it has few limitations. Further studies need to be conducted in other contexts as well with a larger population.

There are limited studies that have tested DOI theory in the context of the halal meat supply chain in Pakistan. Therefore, the author extends the diffusion theory of innovation in the current work. Further, this paper will be a helpful reference guide for academicians, practitioners and researchers.