Title: Solving time critical newspaper production/distribution system: a case study of Matichon Newspaper Company in Thailand

Authors: Rawiwan Puikaew

Addresses: RMIT University, Plenty Rd., Bundoora VIC 3083, Australia

Abstract: This paper studies the time critical production/distribution system in Matichon, one of many newspaper companies in Thailand. The main problem is the uncertainty of delivery delay occurred due to traffic and other unexpected events. The need of solving this problem brings to the proposed solution being investigated in which the firm decides to construct two additional production/distribution centres. The volatile environment renders traditional system analysis approach inadequate to provide a dynamic view of the logistics system. A new method based on latest service support system approach is adopted in this paper to examine whether the proposed solution will produce benefits. The analysis findings are, firstly, new system provides significant benefits for the company in terms of product quality improvement, enhancing on-time delivery and reducing potential risks. Secondly, the financial outcomes of both systems indicate that proposed solution create greater values for the company than the current system. Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty in financial variation in the future, the results from financial sensitivity analysis in three market conditions suggest that the proposed solution would not create sufficient long term value that can compensate for the risks due to changes in the business environment.

Keywords: newspaper logistics; newspapers; production-distribution systems; system design; case study; Thailand; time-critical production-distribution; newspaper production; newspaper distribution; product quality improvement; on-time delivery; risk reduction; uncertainty.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2013.055008

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2013 Vol.6 No.3, pp.284 - 306

Received: 01 Jul 2012
Accepted: 14 Feb 2013

Published online: 18 Jul 2014 *

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