Intro -- Contents -- Series Foreword -- Preface -- Chapter 1. Introduction to Design Structure Matrix Methods -- The Complex World of Systems -- What Is the DSM? -- Matrix-Based Tools for Modeling System Architectures -- Types of DSM Models -- A Brief History of DSM -- Structure of This Book --...

This research explores the effect of proposed management policies and related structures on the dynamics of value streams, particularly under demand instability. It relies on methods from the systems thinking and modeling literature and was designed to fulfill three main objectives. Objective...

Two important areas of decision-making in distribution system design involve facility loca-tion and inventory policy determination. Facility location analyzes questions such as howmany facilities should be opened, where they should be located, and which customers shouldbe assigned to which DCs....

Lean production prescribes training workers on all tasks within the cell to adapt to changes in customer demand. Multi-skilling of workers can be achieved by cross-training. Cross-training can be improved and reinforced by implementing job rotation. Lean production also prescribes using job...

We study the benefits of resource flexibility, considering two different flexibility structures. First, we want to understand the impact of the firm's pricing strategy on its resource investment decision, considering a partially flexible resource. Secondly, we study the benefits of a flexible...

The slow rate of corporate improvement is not due to lack of knowledge of six sigma or lean. Rather, the fault lies in making the transition from theory to implementation. Managers need a step-by-step, unambiguous roadmap of improvement that leads to predictable results. This roadmap provides...