Research on Model of Information Sharing in Mass Customization Supply Chain

Abstract

Characteristics of the information flow of Mass Customization supply chain is the focus of this study. The MC supply chain has its own characteristics and the flow of information in MC supply chain could improve and be optimized when compared with traditional production mode. This paper summarizes the information flow path of the MC supply chain and emphasizes the importance of information sharing. The Information Center model of information sharing could better fits characteristics of MC supply chain. In 1987, Stan Davis first introduced the concept of Mass Customization in Future Perfect. In 1993, in the Mass Customization: the New Future in Business Competition, Joseph. Pine II demonstrated the effectiveness of Mass Customization production mode (Joseph 1993). The writer of Agile Product Development for Mass Customization,David. M. Anderson considered that the transition from Mass Production to Mass Customization is inevitable and emphasized the importance of the information flow in MC (David 1999). 1. FEATURES OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN IN MASS CUSTOMIZATION Mass Customization (MC) is a production mode that customizes any number of products for individual customers or small-batch and multi-category markets based on the cost and speed of Mass Production organically combining the contradictory modes of Mass Production and Customization Production. Today market changes more rapidly than before; complexity of customization is increasing; delivery time is becoming shorter and the entire supply chain involves more enterprises hence the MC supply chain needs to emphasize the importance of information and build an Agile Supply Chain. The characteristics of MC Supply Chain are as follows: (1) Emphasis on information. In Mass Customization the supply information, manufacturing information, stock information, demand information, logistics information etc. will sufficiently flow in the supply chain and form an interacted information flow. (2) Information Technology-intensive. In MC supply chain Information 4224 ICLEM 2010: Logistics for Sustained Economic Development © 2010 ASCE