Development of supplier relationship including cost of defectives in the cyclic production

In the supply chain situation, a decision regarding supplier relationship is of high importance. This usually happens on the basis of supplier company parameters. In order to satisfy the demands, a buyer company often expects the supplier company to expedite their operations, i.e., to enhance the related production rate. In this context, presently the focus of this article is on the cyclic production environment at the supplier company premises. Any practical production process is expected to generate defective products also along with the normal usable products. After an estimation of this and the costs concerning defectives, it needs to be modelled in the cyclic manufacturing. This article incorporates specifically the cost of defectives along with the other relevant costs. After developing an interest in the inclusion of these costs, the supplier company is categorised. A contribution of this article is the development of supplier relationship in the discussed environment.     

A simulation testing and analysis of aggregate production planning strategies

In this study, a hybrid discrete event simulation (DES) and system dynamics (SD) methodology is applied to model and simulate aggregate production planning (APP) problem for the first time. DES is used to simulate operational-level and shop-floor activities incorporated into APP and estimate critical time-based control parameters used in SD model of APP and SD is used to simulate APP as a collection of aggregate-level strategic decisions. The main objective of this study is to determine and analyse the effectiveness of APP strategies regarding the Total Profit criterion by developing a hybrid DES–SD simulation model for APP in a real-world manufacturing company. The simulation results demonstrated that the priority of APP strategies with regards to Total Profit criterion is: (1) the pure chase strategy, (2) the modified chase strategy, (3) the pure level strategy, (4) the modified level strategy, (5) the mixed strategy and (6) the demand management strategy, respectively. The APP system is first simulated under mixed strategy (basic scenario) conditions to include all APP capacity and demand options in constructed SD simulation model to show a comprehensive view of APP components and their interdependent interactions. Then, the obtained results will be used as Total Profit measure to compare with system's performance under some experimental scenarios applying different APP strategies.     

Literature review of material flow control mechanisms

We review mechanisms which control the flow or material into and within a manufacturing line. These material flow control (MFC) mechanisms address the problem of when to release material into a manufacturing line and when workcentres should be authorized to produce. The MFC mechanisms reviewed include: Kanban, CONWIP, workload regulating, starvation avoidance, BORA, maximum load limit, MRP, the base stock system, workload control, and production authorization cards.     

A hierarchical production plan for a make-to-order steel fabrication plant

A three-tiered hierarchical production plan (HPP) for a strictly make-to-order steel fabrication plant with the objective of developing a production plan and master schedule for a set of product archetypes is implemented. Data are collected from an actual steel fabrication plant located in the Midwestern section of the US. An aggregate linear programming model, a non-linear disaggregate model and a master production schedule comprise the respective tiers. Appropriate models provide the forecasts needed in the first two tiers. A production plan and master schedule based on data collected at the plant, benefits expected for its implementation and practical limitations are reported.     

The Effects of a Combined Goal Setting,Feedback and Incentive Intervention on Job Performance in a Manufacturing Environment

Abstract

Baked anodes are used in finished aluminum production. Employees of a large multinational aluminum smelter were responsible for the production of more than 3500 baked anodes per week. During a 74 week long baseline (A) condition, production of unusable anodes exceeded 300 per week or 8.6 percent of their nominal 3500 anode production requirement. A problem analysis suggested that this high rate of defective anodes might have been due to weak antecedents, inefficient work procedures and weak performance contingencies. An intervention package that included a combination of goal setting, performance feedback, and tangible rewards was designed to strengthen antecedents and consequences of job performance. A performance feedback system was introduced with and remained constant across the three types of performance contingent rewards and three successively higher goal levels. The three reward and goal combinations were introduced to “strengthen” antecedents and performance contingencies within an A-B1-B2-B3-A with reversal to baseline conditions design. Anode reject rates were lower (better performance) during the three intervention phases compared to both the pre- and post-intervention baseline phase data. A dramatic performance improvement (lowered rate of rejects) was observed during the B3 phase that included the highest performance goal. These data demonstrate that a treatment combination of specific goal setting, feedback and tangible rewards can “strengthen” antecedents and performance contingencies resulting in improved objective performance in a manufacturing environment.     

论毛泽东关于社会主义商品生产的思想

从1956年底到1960年初,毛泽东在总结我国社会主义建设经验教训的过程中,提出了关于发展社会主义商品生产的许多正确思想,但也存在着一定的局限性。“文化大革命”期间,他在认识和对待社会主义商品生产问题上发生了重大失误。全面了解毛泽东关于社会主义商品生产的思想,对于我们总结历史的经验和教训,正确认识我国社会主义市场经济建设,都具有重要意义。     

乡镇企业吸纳农村劳动力就业力度下降的原因分析——基于面板数据的实证研究

促进农村劳动力的就地转移就业是新型城镇化建设的重中之重,能够吸纳农村劳动力就地转移就业的主要载体就是乡镇企业。但是,当前一个不争的事实就是乡镇企业对农村劳动力的吸纳力度不断下降。主要原因有:乡镇企业资本对劳动力的替代并不是很强,乡镇企业没有足够的增长来吸纳劳动力,大多数省份的乡镇企业技术进步偏向仍然是劳动偏向型。国家应继续保持甚至加强对劳动密集型乡镇企业的政策扶持以及创造条件形成乡镇企业的规模经济和集聚效应,从而吸纳更多的农村劳动力通过进入乡镇企业实现就地转移就业。     

农户安全生产意愿影响因素分析

通过调查方法采集了陕西眉县206户猕猴桃生产农户安全生产意愿的数据,并结合计划行为理论（TPB）对农户安全生产意愿的影响因素展开分析。研究得出的结构方程模型（SEM）显示,TPB贴合农户安全生产决策的实际,行为态度、主观规范和知觉行为控制等变量对农户安全生产意愿均表现出显著正向影响。研究认为,基层政府应积极培育农户安全生产责任意识,开展生产技能培训,发展农村经济合作社,发挥规制和服务双项功能。     

流行文艺生产的语境变迁与价值重构

流行文艺生产作为一种特殊的精神生产与现代人类生活联系紧密。20世纪80年代以来,中国流行文艺的生产在改革开放政策的促进下蓬勃发展,但市民文化力量的增强使流行文艺生产不可避免地带有商品生产的属性,主流文艺的价值取向和道德标杆遭遇消解。显然,流行文艺的生产需要核心价值观的引领,立足民族性的弘扬,追求作品的审美价值和精神情操,以满足人民日益增长的物质和精神生活需要。     

从流通过程看待新型农业经营主体的本质

分别从"G-W-G'(G+g)"的三个阶段、总体"G-W-G'(G+g)"过程及资本周转等角度剖析新型农业经营主体和传统农业经营主体的行为,得出二者之间的本质区别在于前者生产目的是g,而后者的生产目的是W。提出在尊重市场配置资源的决定性作用的前提下,政府需完善法律制度,确保各种生产要素具有明晰、完备的产权;完善财政制度,为现代生产要素中的农业现代科技的创新和推广提供财政保障;监督各种不同生产要素定价机制;为商品顺利走向市场提供必要的信息和财政支持。