Analysis of complexity and simulation usage in manufacturing smes

Abstract

Discrete event simulation (DES) is a powerful decision support methodology particularly suited to complex systems where the relationship between individual components is difficult to comprehend. This study aims to investigate DES usage and its relevance in manufacturing SMEs using a surveybased calculated complexity value for each organisation. A study was conducted to assess Irish manufacturing SMEs' perception of their organisation's complexity versus a survey-based calculated complexity value. Complexity levels were then used to determine the potential for DES usage. Respondents were also asked to respond on DES awareness and usage. This study suggests that manufacturing SMEs seem to underestimate the complexity of their systems and consequently the usefulness of DES. The poor uptake of DES among manufacturing SMEs can be partly attributed to a lack of awareness. This paper presents a call to action by the DES modelling community including practitioners, academics and software vendors in support of manufacturing SMEs.