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Feedback and feedforward as systemic frameworks for operations control

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Alan Fowler

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Abstract

Argues that in increasingly turbulent and complex environments, the tools of "systems thinking" may provide a valuable resource in the drive to attain integration between strategic and operational objectives. Particular examples in the domain of production control and supply-chain management are presented as illustrations of the dynamicist's paradigm. Hence it is suggested that familiar concepts such as JIT/Kanban and supply chains are actually special cases of generic feedback control principles, while pure MRP is a classic example of feedforward. In practice, the complexities of real world operations require combinations of these two approached and the paper therefore assesses the implications of these theoretical concepts, for design of practical operations systems.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Fowler A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: International Journal of Operations and Production Management

Year: 1999

Volume: 19

Issue: 2

Pages: 182-204

Print publication date: 01/01/1999

ISSN (print): 0144-3577

ISSN (electronic): 1758-6593

Publisher: Emerald

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01443579910247428

DOI: 10.1108/01443579910247428

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