New paradigms in planning and control across manufacturing supply chains ‐ The utilisation of Internet technologies

Discusses some of the key elements of research which will investigate the role of the Internet within the manufacturing supply chain and, in particular, focuses on its impact on the manufacturing planning and control operation. Although much of the current Internet discussion focuses on sales and marketing applications, step change improvements in the management of the supply chain are possible using the same fundamental technologies. However, it is argued that a paradigm shift in the way in which manufacturing companies plan and control their operations is required if full advantage is to be gained; an alternative to the traditional linear transfer of information within supply chains is required. The Internet provides the opportunity for demand data and supply capacity data to be visible to all companies within a manufacturing supply chain, consequently companies can be in a position to anticipate demand fluctuations and respond accordingly. This is in contrast to the more established reactive approach. This paper proposes the development of supply webs and a more interactive approach to supply chain partnering and identifies some of the research issues within this context to facilitate the development of Internet‐based manufacturing planning and control.