1. |
- Hilletofth, Per, et al.
(author)
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Agent-based decision support for maintenance service provider
- 2010
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In: International Journal of Services Sciences. - : Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.. - 1753-1446 .- 1753-1454. ; 3:2/3, s. 194-215
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Operations performed by a maintenance service provider (MSP) can include the entire maintenance function or select activities; these need to be well-balanced in terms of utilisation rate of own resources, maintenance cost incurred and the uptime of the customers’ production systems. MSPs face challenges due to the task of planning several non-associated plants and with a frequent lack of reliable information. In this research work, an agent-based decision support system of service-related maintenance has been developed. Research shows that this approach can improve the understanding of the problem domain and also generate a basis for decision-making and structural changes.
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2. |
- Hilletofth, Per, et al.
(author)
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Supply chain management in fashion and textile industry
- 2008
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In: International Journal of Services Sciences. - : Inderscience. - 1753-1446 .- 1753-1454. ; 1:2, s. 127-147
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In fashion and textile business, the demand changes rapidly due to fashion trends and a volatile market situation. This demand is unpredictable and could vary and change completely in a short time, creating high difficulties for supply chain. To create a leagil (lean and agile) supply chain is one observed way for a fashion and textile retailing company to optimise its performance and to remain competitive. One good example from such is fashion retailer Zara, which has adopted leagile approach and combined this with key success factors for fashion retailing. However, in this paper, we argue that the leagile approach is not a universal solution in the fashion and textile business. For some fashion and textile companies, the lean approach is more adequate. Case study findings and simulation results reveal that the lean and leagile approach could coexist as different strategy alternatives – simulation results favour leagile strategy, while five year profitability analysis shows lean apparel retailer H&M to have higher profitability than Zara.
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3. |
- Bruch, Jessica, et al.
(author)
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Creating a competitive edge when designing production systems : facilitating the sharing of design information
- 2012
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In: International Journal of Services Sciences. - : InderScience Publishers. - 1753-1454. ; 4:3-4, s. 257-276
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- When designing production systems, design information must be shared among functions at the manufacturing company and the external equipment supplier in order to integrate the various work activities. In this paper, factors facilitating the sharing of design information are analysed based on an in-depth case study of a supplier in the automotive industry. First, our findings show that the sharing of design information is promoted by formalisation. Second, informal coordination mechanisms are more crucial for internal integration between specialised functions than for external integration with the equipment supplier. Finally, our findings indicate that personal and language barriers appear more difficult to overcome than organisational bounds or geographical distance. Altogether, the findings provide strong evidence for the importance of sharing design information when designing more sophisticated production systems.
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