Stochastic Programming Models for Managing Product Variety

摘要: In the last decade, there has been an increasing emphasis on producing specialized products for different segments in market as a means providing better service to customers. Manufacturers have adopting strategies including (but not limited to) (i) integration of marketing, manufacturing and distribution activities within supply chain (see Cohen Lee 1988 Billington 1993), (ii) accurate response changes needs Fisher et al. 1994), (iii) flexibility process using concepts such delayed differentiation 1996 Tang 1998), (iv) incorporation commonality at product design stage Hayes, Wheel-right Clark Ulrich Eppinger 1995), (v) adoption flexible technologies (vi) implementation just-in-time practices set-up reduction Hall 1983), order reduce costs improve customer satisfaction. Kekre Srinivasan (1990) suggest that may mitigate any possible adverse effect proliferation.