A Case Study on the Interaction between Physical and Knowledge Flows in Manufacturing Systems

Paper in proceeding, 2005

The importance of administration in manufacturing systems was long time overlooked focusing instead on physical flows. However, efficient management of the information flows is critical for the efficiency of the whole system. A model of interactions between the physical and knowledge processes in a manufacturing firm is presented here through a supply chain management perspective. Empirical data is gathered from a case study and discrete event simulation. The negative influence of over production on administration activities is studied and the causes for this behaviour are discussed. Congestion in knowledge processes can be avoided by means of controlling information carriers.