Which Manufacturing Logistics Decisions are Supported by Operational Research? A Literature Survey <s> System boundary (spatial scope) <s> This paper sets out to consider O.R. as a problem-solving methodology in relation to other systems-based problem-solving methodologies. A ‘system of systems methodologies’ is developed as the interrelationship between different methodologies is examined along with their relative efficacy in solving problems in various real-world problem contexts. In a final section the conclusions and benefits which stem from the analysis are presented. The analysis points to the need for a co-ordinated research programme designed to deepen understanding of different problem contexts and the type of problem-solving methodology appropriate to each. <s> BIB001 </s> Which Manufacturing Logistics Decisions are Supported by Operational Research? A Literature Survey <s> System boundary (spatial scope) <s> Contributors. Preface. Acknowledgements. A New Paradigm of Analysis (Jonathan Rosenhead and John Mingers). SODA ---- The Principles (Colin Eden and Fran Ackermann). SODA ---- Journey Making and Mapping in Practice (Fran Ackermann and Colin Eden). Soft Systems Methodology (Peter Checkland). Soft Systems Methodology in Action: Participative Creation of an Information Strategy for an Acute Hospital (Peter Checkland). The Strategic Choice Approach (John Friend) Gambling with Frozen Fire? (Allen Hickling). Robustness Analysis: Keeping Your Options Open (Jonathan Rosenhead). Robustness to the First Degree (Jonathan Rosenhead). Drama Theory and Confrontation Analysis (Peter Bennett, Jim Bryant and Nigel Howard). The M&A Play: Using Drama Theory for Mergers and Acquisitions (Nigel Howard). An Overview of Related Methods: VSM, System Dynamics and Decision Analysis (John Mingers and Jonathan Rosenhead). Multimethodology ---- Mixing and Matching Methods (John Mingers). Mixing Methods in Practice (Richard Ormerod). Diverse Unity: Looking Inward and Outward (John Mingers and Jonthan Rosenhead). Index. <s> BIB002 </s> Which Manufacturing Logistics Decisions are Supported by Operational Research? A Literature Survey <s> System boundary (spatial scope) <s> It has been argued that production/operations management (P/OM) emerged as a true functional field of management only during the 1980s. If this is the case then one can hypothesize that P/OM research must have changed considerably during the last decade. To test this hypothesis all the articles published in the first ten volumes of the International Journal of Operations & Production Management were categorized using a framework based on research process reported. Explains the development of this framework and presents the data generated from the categorization process. These clearly show that during the 1980s the content of P/OM research increasingly became of a macro and soft nature. <s> BIB003 </s> Which Manufacturing Logistics Decisions are Supported by Operational Research? A Literature Survey <s> System boundary (spatial scope) <s> This paper presents a literature survey on recent use of discrete-event simulation in real-world manufacturing logistics decision-making. The sample of the survey consists of 52 relevant application papers from recent Winter Simulation Conference proceedings. We investigated what decisions were supported by the applications, case company characteristics, some methodological issues, and the software tools used. We found that the majority of applications has been reported in production plant design and in the evaluation of production policies, lot sizes, WIP levels and production plans/schedules. Findings also suggest that general-purpose DES software tools are suitable in most of these cases. For different possible reasons, few applications for multi-echelon supply chain decision-making have been reported. Software requirements for supply chain simulations also seem to differ slightly from those for established application areas. The applications described were carried out in a variety of different industries, with a clear predominance in the semiconductor and automotive industries. <s> BIB004
The spatial scope of the applications in the survey is distributed with 2 applications at supply chain level; 35 at enterprise level; 31 at facility level; and 12 at production unit level. Thus, only two applications cross organisational boundaries, considering supply chains consisting of several independent actors. Similar findings have also been reported in other survey papers BIB004 BIB003 . This is surprising in view of recent years' focus on supply chain management. A possible explanation is that concepts such as supply chain management and global optimization are still relatively new. Only recently, larger parts of supply chains have been analyzed in a holistic way. The novelty character of supply chain simulations may increase the reluctance of industry to reveal the benefits obtained from such studies. Another possible explanation is that logistics decision problems that cross organisational boundaries are characterized by differing strategies and interests, lack of trust and openness, and lacking IT-integration. As a consequence, they may not be easily analysed using quantitative OR techniques. These findings and the explanation are in line with theoretical work on the suitability and limitations of OR; such work emphasizes that in order for OR to be an appropriate approach, high consensus between stakeholders is imperative BIB002  BIB001 .