Modelling dynamic bottlenecks in production networks

Abstract

Bottlenecks, as the key ingredients for improving the performances of the production networks, have been profoundly studied. However, the major definitions of bottlenecks are derived in terms of the throughput and based on the Theory of Constraints (TOC). Moreover, due to the complex dynamic characteristics of bottlenecks, it is not straightforward to localise bottlenecks before the specific measures can be applied on them. Distinguishing from the traditional view at the bottlenecks, this paper therefore develops a systematic and comprehensive definition of the dynamic bottlenecks of the production networks based on the Bottleneck Oriented Logistic Analysis (BOLA). Our main focus is to model and visualize the defined dynamic bottlenecks using practical data. Finally, the practical application of the proposed research as well as its procedures is discussed according to the Logistic Operating Curves (LOC). © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.