Title: Managing product variety through component commonality: concept and application

Authors: A.H.M. Shamsuzzoha, Petri T. Helo

Addresses: Department of Production, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Finland. ' Department of Production, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Finland

Abstract: In this paper, we have reviewed and analysed different factors and issues for product variety management and their effects on production planning strategies. An example is taken from a truck manufacturing company to demonstrate how component commonality issue influences on developing product-mix within same product family. Agile supply and demand network software is used to investigate the commonality value and its effects on product variety management. We have also applied design structure matrix methodology for better ordering or sequencing of components in order to create clusters or modules which might be useful for making variety.

Keywords: ASDN; agile networks; supply and demand networks; component commonality; customised products; DSM; design structure matrix; enterprise development; mass customisation; product variety; agility; variety management; production planning; truck manufacturing; product mix; product families; component clusters; component modules.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2009.025949

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2009 Vol.7 No.2, pp.183 - 199

Published online: 25 May 2009 *

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