A tactical demand-supply planning framework to manage complexity in engineer-to-order environments: insights from an in-depth case study. Issue 5 (4th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shurrab, Hafez; Jonsson, Patrik; Johansson, Mats I.
• Is Part Of: Production planning & control. Volume 33:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 462
• Page End: 479
• Publication Date: 2022-04-04
• Subjects: Order fulfilment process -- tactical planning -- engineer-to-order -- complexity -- case study; Production planning -- Periodicals; Production control -- Periodicals; 658.5
• DOI: 10.1080/09537287.2020.1829147
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-7287

Abstract

Abstract: The challenging demand-supply balancing in engineer-to-order (ETO) environments is often attributed to complexity. This study expands the understanding of managing complexity to obtain demand-supply balancing, focussing on the tactical planning logic of the order fulfilment process. An in-depth single case study was conducted and data describing the order fulfilment process at a construction company were collected and analysed. Findings suggest a tactical-level planning process framework, incorporating nine key decisions and three crucial activities, and their potential complexity-reducing and complexity-absorbing impact. The study contributes to the theoretical discussion of complexity in management practices, linking demand-supply balancing as a performance measure. The findings guide practitioners in ETO settings on anticipating potential medium-term consequences of key decisions on capacity. This emphasises the need of proper IT support to apply knowledge generated from previous projects and conduct comprehensive and robust scenario-based analyses.