New paradigms in planning and control across manufacturing supply chains ‐ The utilisation of Internet technologies

TLDR

Internet technologies can transform manufacturing supply chains by making demand and capacity data visible to all participants, enabling proactive planning rather than the traditional reactive approach. The study aims to investigate how Internet technologies affect manufacturing planning and control operations. The authors propose creating supply webs and an interactive partnering model to support Internet‑based manufacturing planning and control.

Abstract

Discusses some of the key elements of research which will investigate the role of the Internet within the manufacturing supply chain and, in particular, focuses on its impact on the manufacturing planning and control operation. Although much of the current Internet discussion focuses on sales and marketing applications, step change improvements in the management of the supply chain are possible using the same fundamental technologies. However, it is argued that a paradigm shift in the way in which manufacturing companies plan and control their operations is required if full advantage is to be gained; an alternative to the traditional linear transfer of information within supply chains is required. The Internet provides the opportunity for demand data and supply capacity data to be visible to all companies within a manufacturing supply chain, consequently companies can be in a position to anticipate demand fluctuations and respond accordingly. This is in contrast to the more established reactive approach. This paper proposes the development of supply webs and a more interactive approach to supply chain partnering and identifies some of the research issues within this context to facilitate the development of Internet‐based manufacturing planning and control.