Title: An information-based model for multi-plant firms

Authors: Rogerio De Matos Dias, Luiz Antonio Joia

Addresses: FGV/EBAPE Fundacao Getulio Vargas, Escola Brasileira de Administracao Publica e de Empresas, Praia de Botafogo, 190 5th Floor, Rio de Janeiro RJ, 22–253–900, Brazil. ' FGV/EBAPE Fundacao Getulio Vargas, Escola Brasileira de Administracao Publica e de Empresas, Praia de Botafogo, 190 5th Floor, Rio de Janeiro RJ, 22–253–900, Brazil.

Abstract: This paper seeks to develop, apply and test an information-based model capable of integrating the management of supply chain operations in geographically dispersed companies, known as multi-plant firms. In order to accomplish this, both case study and action research methods are used within a representative world-class mining-metallurgical firm, namely Rio Doce Manganes S.A. The research also intends to prove that the proposed information-based model is able to provide planning and control features at the operational, tactical and strategic level for the firm, due to its ability to increase the speed and quality associated with analysis and decision processes. Furthermore, after analysing the outcomes of the model and assessing the contributions afforded by it to the company under analysis, the article seeks to create a general model that can be applied in other firms with similar characteristics.

Keywords: multi-plant firms; information systems; supply chain management; SCM; production planning; production control; Brazil; supply chain integration; agile systems; agile supply chains; mining; metallurgy; agile manufacturing; distributed manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2006.010945

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2006 Vol.1 No.2, pp.114 - 132

Published online: 19 Sep 2006 *

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