Title: Implications of mass customisation on business information systems

Authors: Andreas J. Dietrich, Stefan Kirn, Ingo J. Timm

Addresses: University of Hohenheim, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Business Administration, Department B.A. Information Systems II, Schwerzstrabe 35, D-70599 Stuttgart, Germany. ' University of Hohenheim, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Business Administration, Department B.A. Information Systems II, Schwerzstrabe 35, D-70599 Stuttgart, Germany. ' University of Bremen, Center for Computing Technologies (TZI) and Collaborative Research Center (SFB 637) on 'Autonomous Logistics Processes – A Paradigm Shift and its Limitations', Universitaetsallee 21–23, D-28359 Bremen, Germany

Abstract: Modern information and communication technologies like the internet or mobile computing are enforcing changes of Business Information Systems (BIS) in the context of an evolving e-business and global economy. This paper analyses the impact of mass customisation on future BIS, with a focus on globally distributed value chains. Consequently, we address the question of how to scale mass customisation in existing supply webs. New and innovative concepts are needed to keep transaction costs low and information logistics transparent. Using a case study from the footwear industry, we present an innovative multiagent approach, which uses information represented with explicit machine-understandable semantics for coordinating and negotiating activities throughout the supply web.

Keywords: mass customisation; business information systems; supply chain management; SCM; multi-agent systems; agent-based systems; product models; e-business; electronic business; global value chains; footwear industry; semantics; semantic web; intelligent agents; web services; ontologies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMASSC.2006.008623

International Journal of Mass Customisation, 2006 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.218 - 236

Published online: 12 Jan 2006 *

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