Title: Application of aggregate production planning models in developing countries

Authors: A. Gunasekaran, H.B. Marri

Addresses: Department of Management, University of Massachusetts, North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300, USA. Department of Industrial Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract: Application of Aggregate Production Planning (APP) models has not received due attention from industries in developing countries (DCs). However, with the development of Information Technology in DCs, the application of such models has become significant for improving productivity. Realising the importance of a systematic management in DCs, an attempt has been made in this paper to discuss the application of APP models in DCs. The main objective of APP is to identify the optimum level of work force and production speed requirements to cushion the effect of fluctuations in demand. Many researchers, in order to estimate the work force size and production rate by minimising the total production cost, have followed different types of approaches. The APP models discussed here are for validating their applications in developing countries like India, Malaysia, Mexico and Brazil. A detailed analysis has been reported in this paper on the applicability of the APP models for industries in DCs. The suggestions for modifications in considering the parameters of APP models for DCs environments are presented.

Keywords: APP models; application; developing countries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMDM.2002.002475

International Journal of Management and Decision Making, 2002 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.229-242

Published online: 18 Jul 2003 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article