Benchmarking manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems : An empirical study of Hong Kong supply chains

Examines the manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems in three supply chain environments in Hong Kong, based on a questionnaire survey. Studies five MPC modules: master production scheduling; capacity requirements planning; material planning; purchasing; and inventory control. Studies the performance of each MPC module. The supply chain environments that are taken into consideration include agile, leagile, and lean. Based on a weighted organizational performance index, the sample organizations are segregated into three groups: high, average, and low performers. For each of the performance groups, benchmarks the performance ratings of the MPC system and its five modules, subject to different supply chain environments. Concludes that: MPC system performance really has a positive effect upon organization performance; four of the proposed benchmarking modules of the MPC systems can be used to assess an organization’s strengths and weaknesses with regard to their use in planning and control of manufacture; and supply chain strategy may associate with the MPC system performance.