Lars Skjelstad

RFID for the extended lean enterprise

Purpose – In the traditional sense, information technology has often been viewed as a contributor to waste within lean production. However, as the business world changes and competition from low‐cost countries increases, new models must be developed which deliver competitive advantage by combining contemporary technological advances with the lean paradigm. The purpose of this paper is therefore to contribute within this area, and it aims to evaluate the supporting role of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in the context of lean thinking. The paper also aims to consider the application of RFID in order to revolutionize the lean paradigm, and to propose a framework for the use of RFID in order to create the extended lean enterprise, which the authors suggest can improve the competitiveness of manufacturing supply chains.Design/methodology/approach – The papers applied research methodology is case study. Having first explored the relevant literature surrounding the topic, the paper presents a...

Proposing a Standard Template for Construction Site Layout: A Case Study of a Norwegian Contractor

Having an efficient construction site layout can significantly impact the productivity, cost and safety of a construction project. Construction site layout planning is therefore recognized as a critical step in construction planning by researchers. In literature this is often described as an optimization process where some objectives (e.g. safety, cost savings) are pursued within the constraints of the site and facilities requirements. Such models are usually complex and difficult for practitioners to apply, and usually result in each project having its unique site layout plan. The authors challenge this by proposing a standard layout template that can easily be utilized in planning of multiple construction sites. It is argued that each site should be treated as a factory and that similarity between sites should be pursued due to the nature of the construction industry. The template has been developed in collaboration with a Norwegian contractor, utilizing the action research approach.

Front-End/Back-End Integration in Mass Customization: Challenges and Opportunities

Many mass customization challenges can be ascribed to insufficient integration of front-end (e.g., customer choice navigation processes, product configuration, user interfaces, and customer behavior patterns) and back-end (e.g., order management, purchasing and production planning and control) systems. To succeed as a mass customizer, customer/manufacturer integration is critical. This paper provides in-depth insights to integration challenges and opportunities based upon a case study of four manufacturing companies. For solution space and product development, high uncertainty in new idea generation, lack of systematic product and solution space development, and limited knowledge of what is the “right” solution space are identified as challenges with opportunities for improvement. Regarding choice navigation, many companies have limited direct contact with end customers due to sales through dealers and resellers. Associated inefficient information flows are another challenge. The companies acknowledge opportunities related to advisory support during the sales process, as well as enhanced external collaboration with, e.g., complementary actors. With respect to back-end systems, inefficient information flows also occur here. This, in combination with a large number of freestanding ICT systems, results in cumbersome production planning and execution. This is complicated even more by incorrect basic data. Finally, there are major opportunities in automatic visualization and efficient utilization of key information from the entire value chain. In addition to outlining several directions for further research, the paper provides in-depth, company-based insights to key integration development areas, which managers may use when developing their own mass customization practices.

The Importance of Choice Navigation in Starting Configurator Projects

Choice navigation can support customers in identifying their own solutions while minimizing complexity and the burden of choice. Product configurators are used as an interactive tool to help customers in this process. For companies aiming to develop a configurator from scratch, there are many hurdles. Particularly for SMEs, there are additional challenges, such as shortage of resources, experience, and knowledge in developing a viable configurator tool. In this paper, we explore the process of designing choice navigation through a product configurator tool. We review existing methodologies and propose a new process model. Empirical data come from a case study of three SMEs embarking on the process of establishing a choice navigation tool. The proposed model is developed in the context of the research project CustomR. The new process model is cyclic and customer-driven and aims to develop need-based configurators (as opposed to a linear, technology-driven, and function-based approach). The paper reports on challenges and success factors from an ongoing configurator development project.

Information Support for Supplier Kit Preparation

Information support in kit preparation is critical for the design of efficient kitting systems. Existing literature is dominated by studies that address in-house kitting and order picking support in warehouse settings and that are based upon laboratory experiments. This study explores critical aspects of information support for kit preparation outsourced to partners in the supply chain based upon empirical evidence of a web application for kitting adopted in a real-life case of a manufacturer and a supplier. Detailed insights to kitting efficiency, information sharing and user acceptance are presented. Critical aspects are identified primarily related to the relationship and interaction between companies, quality of information sharing, usefulness, parts identification efficiency, and joint improvement and development efforts. This work highlights the importance of considering supply chain information sharing in outsourced kitting.

Challenges in Choice Navigation for SMEs

As mass customization is becoming a more widely adopted business strategy, not only large companies but also SMEs are beginning to adopt mass customization. Previous research suggests that in order to become a successful mass customizer, companies must hold three fundamental capabilities: solution space development, choice navigation, and robust process design. Since mass customization often requires complex systems related to these three capabilities, this is often resource consuming and can thus be challenging for SMEs due to the smaller scale compared to traditional mass customizers. This paper analyzes six cases of SME mass customizers, by describing and comparing the challenges they have been faced with implementing mass customization. This paper focuses specifically on the capability choice navigation and thus addresses the expected benefits and challenges these companies have encountered in relation to product selectors, product configurators, or other systems used for matching customer requirements with selection within the company’s product variety.

A Profile Chart Approach for Defining the Solution Space of a Production Network

Norwegian leisure boat manufacturers have experienced a transition from large to small production series during the last years following a general decline in demand. They are forced to transform large-scale operations into handling small volumes of highly customized products while maintaining the same level of cost efficiency. The literature presents several frameworks that can help to “crack the code” of mass customization. However, the mass customization strategy is still little understood and deployed in industry. There is thus a need to develop more in-depth understanding of how companies can get started and enhance their mass customization capabilities. This paper presents a chart approach for defining the solution space of a leisure boat production network. Opportunities and limitations of the suggested approach are also addressed.

How to Foresee and Capture the Effects of RFID Implementation

RFID technology is, according to both industry and academia, one of the most promising new technologies for improving logistics and manufacturing excellence this decade. This research provides a structured approach for identifying benefits from RFID-implementation, which would be useful for the many manufacturing companies that are still in the phase of considering employing this technology. Based on action research in two Norwegian pilot implementation projects, a framework has been developed for foreseeing, sorting, and capturing the effects of introducing RFID in goods manufacturing value chains. Effects are described in several general performance objective areas, such as cost, time, quality and environment, rather than being calculated in terms of money solely. The key is to systematically highlight possible affected performance areas and the consequences these effects have on each other and on different parts of the value chain.