Developing a Conceptual Framework for Simulation Analysis in a Supply Chain Based on Common Platform (SCBCP)

 

M. Fathollah¹, F. Taham*², A. Ashouri³

 

^1,2 Industrial Engineering Department, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.

³ Industrial Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran *farzam@ind.iust.ac.ir

 

ABSTRACT

As a competitive advantage in modern organizations, product diversification may cause complexities in today's extended supply chains. However, the Common Platform (CP) Strategy, as a concept of gaining maximum variety by minimum production elements, is believed to be one of the answers to eliminate or decrease these complexities. The main purpose of this paper is to provide a simulation framework for modeling the supply network of a case study in automotive industry in order to study the impacts of part commonality through the chain. The electrical wiring harness is selected as the main part to be studied according to essentiality and challenges of its procurement for the production of cars (as occurred in this case and many other studies). The paper does not provide the simulation results but it rather builds up the required foundation and gathers the relevant content to develop a realistic simulation model by closely studying the impacts of part multiplicity on different functional areas of the selected supply network and extracting the critical success factors of applying part commonality.

Keywords: Supply Chain Management, Common Platform, Part Commonality, Simulation Framework, Conceptual Modeling.

 

RESUMEN

Como ventaja competitiva en las organizaciones modernas, la diversificación de productos puede causar complejidades en las cadenas de suministro extendidas actuales. Sin embargo, se cree que la Estrategia de Plataforma Común (PC), como concepto relacionado con obtener máxima variedad con un mínimo de elementos de producción, es una de las respuestas para eliminar o disminuir estas complejidades. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es proporcionar un marco de simulación para modelar la red de suministro de un caso de estudio en la industria automotriz con el fin de estudiar los efectos de la estandarización de componentes a través de la cadena. Se ha elegido el arnés del cableado eléctrico como la parte principal a estudiarse por su esencialidad y desafíos que plantea su adquisición para la producción de automóviles (como ocurrió en este caso y en muchos otros estudios). El presente trabajo no proporciona los resultados de la simulación sino que más bien establece la base requerida y reúne el contenido adecuado para desarrollar un modelo realista de simulación estudiando cuidadosamente los efectos de la multiplicidad de partes en las diferentes áreas funcionales de la red de suministro seleccionada e identificando los factores críticos de éxito en la aplicación de la estandarización de componentes.

Palabras clave: Administración de cadenas de suministro, plataforma común, estandarización de componentes, marco de simulación, modelado conceptual.

 

DESCARGAR ARTÍCULO EN FORMATO PDF

 

References

[1] Habchi, G., Berchet, C., 2003. A Model For Manufacturing Systems Simulation With a Control Dimension. Simulation Modeling Practice and Theory 11, 21–44.         [ Links ]

[2] Heikkila, J., Appelqvist, P., 2004. Product Structures, Modularity and Platforms. Design of production system, Helsinki University of Technology.         [ Links ]

[3] Guilherme, E., Vieira, Osmar, C. J., 2005. A Conceptual Model for the Creation of Supply Chain Simulation Models. Proceedings of the 2005 Winter Simulation Conference.         [ Links ]

[4] Rabelo, L., Eskandaric H., Shaalan T., Helal M., 2007. Value chain analysis using hybrid simulation and AHP. International Journal of Production Economics 105, 536–547.         [ Links ]

[5] Jain, S., Collins, L.M., Workman, R.W., Ervin, E.C., 2001. Development of a High–Level Supply Chain Simulation Model. Proceedings of the 2001 Winter Simulation Conference.         [ Links ]

[6] Chang, Y., Makatsoris H., 2006. Supply Chain Modeling Using Simulation. International Journal of Simulation Vol. 2, No. 1.         [ Links ]

[7] Ellram, L., Cooper, M., 1993. Characteristics of supply chain management and the implications for purchasing and logistics strategy. International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 4, No. 2, 1–10.         [ Links ]

[8] Dong, M., 2001. Process Modeling, Performance Analysis and Configuration Simulation in Integrated Supply Chain Network Design. Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.         [ Links ]

[9] Meyer, Lehnard, 1997. The Power of Product Platforms: Building Value and Cost Leadership. New York: The Free Press.         [ Links ]

[10] Fathollah, M., Shafia, M.A., 2006. A Survey of Common Platform Applications and Research Issues for Industries and Industrial Engineers. The International Journal of Applied Management and Technology, Vol. 4, Num 2, 18–46.         [ Links ]

[11] Hillier, M.S, 2002. The costs and benefits of commonality in assemble–to–order systems with a (Q,r)–policy for component replenishment. European Journal of Operational Research 141, 570–586.         [ Links ]

[12] Brockelman, S., Jones, D., Poe, K., 2002. Product and Technology Platforms. Research & Technology Executive Council.         [ Links ]

[13] Huang, G.Q, 2005. The power of product platforms in mass Customization. International Journal of Mass Customization, Vol. 1.         [ Links ]

[14] Kim, C.S., Tannock, J., Byrne, M., 2004. State of the art review techniques to model the supply chain in an extended enterprise. Operations Management Division, University of Nottingham.         [ Links ]

[15] Ulrich, K., Bradley, J.R., 2002. The effect of product variety on supply–chain performance. European Journal of Operational Research.         [ Links ]

[16] Huang, G.Q., Zhang, X.Y., Liang, L., 2004. Towards Integrated Optimal Configuration of Platform Products, Manufacturing Processes, and Supply Chains. Journal of Operations Management.         [ Links ]

[17] Lau, A.K.W., Yam, R.C.M., 2005. A case study of product modularization on supply chain design and coordination in Hong Kong and China. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management.         [ Links ]

[18] Er, M., MacCarthy, B., 2006. Managing product variety in multinational corporation supply chains: A simulation study. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management.         [ Links ]

[19] Walsh, K.D., Walsh, T.A, Hershauer J.C., Tommelein, I.D., Sawhney, A., 2002. Lead Time Reduction Via Pre–Positioning of Inventory In Industrial Construction Supply Chain. Proceedings of the 2002 Winter Simulation Conference.         [ Links ]

[20] Terzi, S., Cavalieri, S., 2004. Simulation in the supply chain context: a survey. Computers in Industry 53 3–16.         [ Links ]

[21] Agard, B., Tollenaere, M., 2002. Design of Wire Harnesses For Mass Customization, International Conference on Integrated Design and Manufacturing in Mechanical Engineering, May 14–16 2002.         [ Links ]

[22] Ng, F.M., Ritchie, J.M., Simmons, J.E.L., 2000. The design and planning of cable harness assembly. Inst. Mechanical Engineers Proceedings, Vol 214 Part B.         [ Links ]

[23] Gunasekaran, A., Patal, C., Tiritroglu, C., 2001. Performance Measures and Metrics in a Supply Chain Environment. International Journal of Operations and Production Management.         [ Links ]

[24] Tummala, V.M.R., 2006. Assessing Supply Chain Management Success Factors: A Case Study. International Journal of Supply Chain Management.         [ Links ]

[25] Gonzalez, J.P., Otto, K.N., Baker, J.D., 2001. Assessing Value In Platform Product Family Design. Res. Engineering Design.         [ Links ]

[26] Derrick, E.J., Balci, O., Nance, R.E., 1989. A Comparison of Selected Conceptual Frameworks For Simulation Modeling. Proceedings of the 1989 Winter Simulation Conference.         [ Links ]

[27] Rossetti, M.D., Chan, H.T., 2003. A Prototype Object–Oriented Supply Chain Simulation Framework. Proceedings of the 2003 Winter Simulation Conference.         [ Links ]

[28] Kleijnen, J., Smits, M.T., 2003. Performance metrics in supply chain management. Journal of the Operational Research Society 0, 1–8.         [ Links ]

[29] Gunasekarana, A., Patel C., McGaughey, R.E., 2004. A framework for supply chain performance measurement. International Journal of Production Economics 87 333–347.         [ Links ]

[30] Wacker, J. G., 1998. A definition of theory: research guidelines for different theory–building research methods in operations management. Journal of Operations Management 16, 361–385.         [ Links ]

[31] Ellram, L. M., 1996. An Application of the Case Study Method in Logistics Research. The Journal of Business Logistics, Volume 17, No. 2, 93–138.         [ Links ]