A Typology of Production Control Situations in Process Industries

Discusses the variety of production control situations within process industries. Following a literature review, a typology is introduced which discriminates between two extreme types of process industries:batch/mix and process/flow businesses. Reviews the research in production and inventory control in each of the extreme types. Identifies a control framework for operations management in process/flow businesses. Notes that although detailed scheduling approaches for batch/mix businesses exist, a control framework for the latter is missing. Concludes that operations management in batch process industries needs considerable research attention.