How to support plant managers in strategizing volume-oriented changeability in volatile and uncertain times – Deriving requirements for a practice-oriented approach

Abstract

Volume-oriented Changeability (VoC) contributes to a production plant’s profitability and competitiveness in the face of increasing demand volatility and uncertainty, which is characterized by more frequent and severely affecting extreme events. Strategizing VoC in practice entails overcoming obstacles due to dynamic and interdependent target conflicts. Currently, a dedicated and applicable approach is lacking. Based on identified obstacles, requirements are derived for providing plant’s general managers conceptual and methodical support within strategizing VoC. The requirements constitute the result of this paper and should be taken into account by subsequent research on academically sound and practical relevant approaches for the defined purpose.