Mass Customization Process Research Articles

Research on Collaborative Strategy of Supply Chain Management under the Background of NIKE Mass Customization

Abstract: With the continuous advancement of technology and the popularization of the Internet, consumers' demand for personalized products is increasingly high. Traditional production modes have been unable to meet consumers' demands for product uniqueness and personalized experiences, which requires manufacturing enterprises to shift towards mass customization modes with unique advantages in production efficiency and cost control. Taking Nike as an example, this paper analyzes its supply chain problems based on its financial report. It then explores Nike's mass customization process using C2M and 3D printing, as well as information collaboration methods in the supply chain. Additionally, the paper analyzes AR-based virtual fitting technology and evaluates Nike's internal matrix organizational structure for customization and collaboration. From the perspectives of Nike's technology level and internal organizational structure, this paper analyzes the supply chain management and information collaboration process in its mass customization process, aiming to provide references for related manufacturing industries in enterprise operation and technology application during the mass customization process.

Embracing the Digital Intelligence: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Mass Customization

This paper provides an insightful exploration of Mass Customization (MC), a rising trend in the modern manufacturing landscape that couples the efficiency of large-scale production with the allure of personalized products. It elucidates MC’s operational, market-related, and customer engagement challenges, offering optimization strategies grounded in digital intelligence technology and Supply Chain Agility (SCA). The paper delves into the role of 3D printing, Flexible Manufacturing Systems, data-driven designs, and Digital Twin Technology, illustrating how these technologies can enhance MC processes. It also underscores the importance of SCA in mediating the complex relationship between these technologies and MC capabilities, thus offering a nuanced understanding of its implementation. The study concludes that the integration of digital intelligence technology, paired with the enhancement of SCA, can effectively navigate the complexities of MC, providing a competitive edge in today’s volatile market landscape. This research is a significant theoretical and practical guide for organizations aspiring to transition toward MC amidst the digital revolution.

Exploring online consumer reviews of customized apparel products

PurposeVirtual try-on (VTO) technology with three-dimensional (3D) body scanning in a mobile application is a relatively new technique for selling custom-fit apparel. VTO involves scanning and measuring one's body and visualizing the fit of a garment on a 3D avatar. The purpose of this study is to explore consumers' experiences toward the custom-fit T-shirts and online mass customization (MC) services using the VTO technology found in online consumer reviews (OCRs).Design/methodology/approachA total of 297 OCRs were collected from the Amazon's Made for You site that uses VTO technology for the MC process. A qualitative content analysis, within a mixed method research process, was used to determine systematically the meanings within qualitative data with quantitative results. In the qualitative approach, combinations of two coding processes were employed, which were concept-driven (i.e., deductive/a priori) and data-driven (i.e., inductive/emergent) coding processes. In the quantitative approach, the prevalence of each coding in terms of its valence was calculated based on frequencies. Intercoder reliability reached 96 per cent.FindingsIn OCRs of customized apparel products and online MC services using VTO technology, consumers described expectations, perceived performance, dis/confirmation, dis/satisfaction, outcomes of dis/satisfaction and descriptive information. Those with expectations often expressed skepticism about the product and the MC process using VTO technology at the pre-consumption stage. In OCRs, they used four product dimensions and two service dimensions of perceived performance. Consumers had positive (negative) confirmation when the performance of the T-shirts and/or services worked better (worse) than their expectations. The OCRs also included dis/satisfaction with a product and/or service, its outcomes and descriptive information.Originality/valueThis study identified a resulting framework to identify the content in OCRs of the custom-fit T-shirts and online MC services that use VTO technology. This study extends the expectation confirmation theory by adding multiple dimensions (i.e., four product dimensions and two service dimensions) as well as more outcomes of dis/satisfaction (not limited to repurchase intentions). This study provides practical suggestions for online MC companies who are using or planning to use VTO technology on how to improve consumers' satisfaction with customized T-shirts using VTO technology.

Robotic sheet metal folding: Tool vs. material programming

This research explores how deductive engineering thinking, as opposed to an abductive design rationale, can influence how robotic methods of fabricating building components are developed. The goal of this research is to demonstrate how creative thinking can introduce alternative robotic fabrication techniques targeted for the architectural mass-customization process. For this purpose, we chose robotic dieless sheet metal folding as the main fabrication technique, due to its wide range of applications in both the architectural construction and manufacturing industries. Two robotic sheet metal folding projects were developed. The first, an example of tool programming, took advantage of an engineering approach and was focused on the affordances of the tool (an industrial robotic arm). The second project, one of material programming, employed a design methodology and was directed towards the affordances of the material (i.e., stainless steel sheet metal). By discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, this research argues that both engineering and design should be considered required and complementary processes in the development of new creative fabrication solutions, allowing them to and make the overall production process more efficient.

Flow Experience and Consumer Willingness to Pay in Online Mass Customization Processes

This research aims to identify the effects of perceived product value and flow experience during product design on willingness to pay (WTP) and purchase probability in online mass customization. The participants were asked to design shoes to their taste in a custom shoe website. After the design experience, the participants were asked to complete the questionnaire. The analyses suggest that flow experience has a direct effect on consumers’ WTP and an indirect effect on purchase probability through the mediating role of perceived value of mass customized products. Furthermore, perceived value of a mass customized product has a significant effect on purchase probability and no effect on WTP found in the analyses.

Efficient virtual garment fit evaluation infrastructure based on synthetic avatar target customer groups for MtM application

Customization becomes more and more popular and influences the product development process in apparel industry. In addition to individualized products, the fit of garments is very important for the customization. Numerous tools are used to take the right measurements, to transport individual posture information and to implement these data correctly into a product pattern based on a predefined construction system. Unfortunately, in most cases the mass customization process takes place without a fitting session. Usually fit and design will be checked in the last process step, when the product is already manufactured. Virtual product development is a powerful tool to change this process getting an early fit and design check. By using a test population representing the target group, it is possible to check the sizing and to screen the fit of a product on individual bodies and postures in a short time. In a joint project between the Virtual Lab of Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences and Avalution GmbH, a practical approach for the implementation of a fitting session to a mass customization product development process was developed. The entire process has a three-level structure: First, the avatar population is built up using garment specific body measurements. Connected to a 3D simulation program, an automatic process of determining the made-to-measure (MtM) values, carrying out the MtM grading and the fitting on the selected avatar are initiated. In a special application, the digital try-ons are finally output as images in different physical aspects for evaluation.

An exploratory study of fit and size issues with mass customized men's jackets using 3D body scan and virtual try-on technology

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential for mass customization with fit and size issues using 3D technology in men's jacket development. The study tested a fit mass customization process that employed 3D body scanning and 3D virtual simulation technology and the results are summarized as follows. First, the fit evaluation for the final virtual jacket was improved from the first virtual jacket. Second, during the virtual jacket evaluation process, the participants made various requests to change the fit of their virtual jacket. The large-size group made more requests for alterations to their virtual jackets than the medium- and small-size groups. Third, the study underlines certain improvements needed before the technology can be used for apparel mass customization. The chest circumference, back width, and sleeve length of the real jacket each tended to be slightly tighter or shorter than that of the virtual jacket. Fourth, the study suggests that the jacket made from the mass customization process was satisfactory to potential male consumers, as the actual jacket from the mass customization scenario in this study was evaluated as being better than a ready-to-wear jacket. 3D technology is identified as an innovative tool for future tailors and the menswear industry, particularly aimed at young male consumers. The current study shows the potential for the use of this technology for menswear development.

Review of a process prioritization in mass customization

Purpose – The present article aims to analyze the content of process prioritization methods and possibilities of its application in the context of Mass Customization. Design/methodology/approach – As the analysis is based on exploratory approach, qualitative methodology is the main tool used in the research. Moreover, author do not aim at providing conclusive answers to research questions; in opposition, generating relevant insights about a current situation is a goal. Findings – Results suggest that prioritization methods and principles are compatible, necessary and can be successfully applicable to Mass Customization at different process stages or even this concept types. In addition, this research reveals the need to have a combined and multidimensional prioritization at the beginning of Mass Customization processes. Research limitations/implications – Main research limitations can be divided into two parts. Firstly, when prioritization is taken into consideration, it is noticed that a limited scope of research focus on combined prioritization models as well as their effect on organizations results, especially in Public and Non-governmental sector. Secondly, in a case of concept of Mass Customization and its analysis, scientific discussions show extremum transitions to Big Data, Internet platform capabilities and overall customer flow management via modern economic theories in the last decades. Therefore, a lack of sufficient scientific attention to important parts of prioritization severely affect customer input, Design and Infrastructure of Mass Customization. In addition, both parts require not only proper understanding of the theoretical background but also following detail description of practical implication tools and guidelines as well as defining possible application effect. Since this article is based on the theoretical literature review, case studies and comparative analysis towards a practical implication are elaborated briefly. Practical implications – This research may serve as relevant insights into the context of the Mass Customization system and processes, where organizations constantly cope with prioritization by making a number of decisions on product selection, specifications, quantities, or pricing. From the perspective of process prioritization, the research serves as a concise review of main quantitative and qualitative methods, showing their demand of alignment and effect for Mass Customization. Originality/Value – The main value of the presented article can be described as a holistic theoretical focus on different types of prioritization methods and underlying points where it takes effect in Mass Customization concept. Moreover, the selected research object and findings are also valuable and applicable for organizations of different type, sector and working field Keywords: process prioritization, optimization, combined methods, Mass Customization Research type: general review. JEL classification: M19.

Augmenting measure sensitivity to detect essential, dispensable and highly incompatible features in mass customization

Mass customization is the new frontier in business competition for both manufacturing and service industries. To improve customer satisfaction, reduce lead-times and shorten costs, families of similar products are built jointly by combining reusable parts that implement the features demanded by the customers. To guarantee the validity of the products derived from mass customization processes, feature dependencies and incompatibilities are usually specified with a variability model. As market demand grows and evolves, variability models become increasingly complex. In such entangled models it is hard to identify which features are essential, dispensable, highly required by other features, or highly incompatible with the remaining features. This paper exposes the limitations of existing approaches to gather such knowledge and provides efficient algorithms to retrieve that information from variability models.

The factors influencing consumers' perceived complexity of online apparel mass customization service usage

Abstract Mass customization is a marketing strategy to meet consumer needs for variation and uniqueness of products. Although there are quite a few studies quantitatively investigated the options provided by mass customization process, scholarly work related to mass customization has provided mixed results on consumer perception of complexity and their responses. The purpose of the study is to derive the factors that influence consumer complexity perception in online apparel mass customization process and consumers' needs to enhance mass customization services. Data were collected by conducting focus group interviews of which 29 participations in 4 groups. The results of the study suggested that consumers perceived complexity through mass customization process due to too many choice options. However, the effect of number of options on respondents’ complexity perception was different depending on consumer characteristics such as consumer expertise and fashion involvement, and the characteristics of consumer preference development. Shopping context such as shopping purpose is another moderating factor. This study also suggests that a variety of marketing strategies which can enhance mass customization services affect the relationship between the number of options and consumers’ complexity perception. The findings of the study provide academic and managerial implications.Keywords: online mass customization, perceived complexity, number of choice options

Stigmergy in Scheduling Process of Holonic Manufacturing Systems

This paper present the new approach of the Holonic Manufacturing Systems. The new concept take in consideration an associated or augmented property to belong a different concepts inspired from biological social live. The new challenge on the new millennium in manufacturing process conduct in a more sophisticated and diversification techniques to approach the planning and scheduling and finally the managing complex processing in industrial environment. The answer for new context of the globalization and the mass-customization is a high responsivness in a distributed space of orders, products, resources or other necessity. To be able to answer on to mass customization process is mandatory to have a high degree of flexibility. The last major modeling in the Holonic Manufacturing Systems and Multi-agent Systems try to integrate all the aspect could be a substantial contribution to a new value compare to the classical systems.

Mass customization Process for the Social Housing. Potentiality, Critical Points, Research Lines

The demand for lengthening the life cycle of the residential estate, engendered with the economical and housing crisis since the last few years, brings out, in the course of time, the need for conservation and improvement works of the property house performances, through the direct involvement of the users. The possibility of reducing maintenance and adjustment costs may develop into a project resource, consistent to the participation and cooperation principles, identifying social housing interventions. With this aim, the BETHA group of the d’Annunzio University is investigating the potentiality of technological transfer of the ‘mass customization’ process from the industrial products field to the social housing segment, by detecting issues, strategies and opportunities.

B2C Mass Customization in the Classroom

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to describe an internet‐based mass customization assignment in Operations Management/Supply Chain Management classes where students utilize the Web site of a company that offers a customized product. Students evaluate the user interface, judge the value proposition of the product they demonstrate, and discuss issues of product design, process design and scheduling, inventory management, Supply Chain Management, marketing, and competitors. The students learn about mass customization from both the producer's perspective and the consumer's perspective. Through their own research and the class presentations students are able to develop a better understanding of the implementation requirements and challenges of mass customization. The assignment is highly interactive and has been successfully used in Operations Management and Supply Chain Management courses at under‐graduate and graduate levels and at multiple universities. In addition, practitioners interested in implementing a mass customization process can use the assignment as a brainstorming or benchmarking exercise.

Evolution law for products’ components: A result for mass customization manufacture

To forecast exactly the key components’ quantities needed for the mass customization in complex machine manufacturing, a weighted acyclic networks directed model is constructed, and the power-law distribution of the topological properties for the networks is mined, which makes the relationship between the sum quantities of products and components as well as the relationship between the sum quantities of products and key components clear. The conclusion is that it is an equilibrium network if the time-scale is short and it is a non-equilibrium network if the time-scale is long. As for the evolution law for the components in the mass customization process, the exponent for equilibrium networks is 0.99 and the exponent for non-equilibrium networks is 1.36.

Rozważania na temat modelowania i symulacji odzieży na wirtualnym manekinie adaptującym się

This work is part of a reorganizing strategy of the manufacturing chain for the textile clothing. The main objective is to develop a new concept of clothing creation to reduce time and costs of product development. Two industrial markets have been analyzed, the ready-to-wear (Mass production) and the ready to measure (mass customization). We notice that the effects of globalization lead to produce quickly in order to avoid copying and require constant renewal of collections in a very short time. The production is no longer local, it is now imperative to communicate the data in digital form through the Internet. This analysis of the clothing making business shows the need to evolve to a 3D virtual world correlated with industrial needs raised at the international measurement campaigns. The latter advised to work with 3D virtual models within the morphologies of the human body to prevent the return of unsold cloths. This need has transformed the concept of table size in the concept of high morphotypes segmentation. To meet all these criteria, methods of work must be changed, designers must adapt to the modern world of virtual 3D internet. Also, we propose a concept of creating clothing virtual 3D model adaptive morphotypes.The first chapter presents the state of the art of the subject in the different areas representative of the study, ie: anthropometry, biometrics and means of measurement, design virtual clothing heavily virtual.The second chapter is devoted to modelling of the human body through the implementation and development of an adaptive model morphotypes.The third chapter provides a model of 3D virtual clothing associated with the previous model. An ease model is integrated upstream of the global model to control the well being and the drape of garment. Orientation of the application into a mass customization process has led to precisely adjusted ease parameters using the tools of image treatment.The last chapter represents our contribution to the extension of the clothing dynamic model through the establishment of a non-linear fabric model with the parameters value calculated by genetic algorithms using a suitable methodology to identify the process.

Characteristics of Mass Customization and 3D Optimization Strategy for the Remanufacturing Systems

With the development of the remanufacturing industry,it is required that the function and performance of remanufactured products not only should reach or even exceed that of new ones,but also should adapt to the customers' demands of diversification and individuation and the changeable competition market as new ones. Based on the theory of mass customization,the bi-directional characteristics for mass customization are unveiled,which originate from the maximization of the remanufacturing rate and the customers' demands of diversification and individuation. And further,a mass customization process model for remanufacturing systems is established. By considering the processes of both manufacturing and remanufacturing together,a 3D-customization optimization strategy of mass customization process in the remanufacturing systems is proposed,which includes the product structure dimension,remanufacturing process dimension and part reuse dimension. Based on the remanufacturing practice of lathe and gear hobbing machine of a certain company,the application of the optimization strategy for mass customization is introduced.

Fuzzy scheduling of a build-to-order supply chain

The overwhelming majority of the literature in the area of supply chain planning and scheduling considers the traditional make-to-stock (MTS) environment. However, manufacturers of assembled products such as cars, computers, furniture, etc. adopt the build-to-order supply chain (BOSC) to become agile in a mass customization process in order to meet diversified customer requirements. In this paper we propose an integrated production–distribution planning model for a multi-echelon, multi-plant and multi-product supply chain operating in a build-to-order (BTO) environment. The uncertainties associated with estimation of the various operational cost parameters are represented by fuzzy numbers. The BOSC scheduling model is thus constructed as a mixed-integer fuzzy programming (MIFP) problem with the goal of reducing the overall operating costs related to component fabrication, procurement, assembling, inspection, logistics and inventory, while improving customer satisfaction by allowing product customization and meeting delivery promise dates at each market outlet. An efficient compromise solution approach by transforming the problem into an auxiliary multi-objective linear programming model is also suggested.

Evaluation and selection in product design for mass customization: A knowledge decision support approach

Mass customization has been identified as a competitive strategy by an increasing number of companies. Family-based product design is an efficient and effective means to realize sufficient product variety, while satisfying a range of customer demands in support for mass customization. This paper presents a knowledge decision support approach to product family design evaluation and selection for mass customization process. Here, product family design is viewed as a selection problem with the following stages: product family (design alternatives) generation, product family design evaluation, and selection for customization. The fundamental issues underlying product family design for mass customization are discussed. Then, a knowledge support framework and its relevant technologies are developed for module-based product family design for mass customization. A systematic fuzzy clustering and ranking model is proposed and discussed in detail. This model supports the imprecision inherent in decision making with fuzzy customers' preference relations and uses fuzzy analysis techniques for evaluation and selection. A neural network technique is also adopted to adjust the membership function to enhance the model. The focus of this paper is on the development of a knowledge-intensive support scheme and a comprehensive systematic fuzzy clustering and ranking methodology for product family design evaluation and selection. A case study and the scenario of knowledge support for power supply family evaluation, selection, and customization are provided for illustration.

Acceptance of Mass Customization of Apparel: Merchandising Issues Associated With Preference for Product, Process, and Place

The purpose of our research was to examine apparel merchandising issues associated with mass customization. A questionnaire was developed to explore preferences for mass customization product, process, and place that have the potential of affecting success of a mass customization program. The questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 131 college students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, McNemar tests, within-subject ANOVA, and Bonferroni multiple comparisons. Successful mass customization of apparel at retail is dependent on identification of appropriate dimensions of product, process, and place. Our implications address merchandising issues associated with customer involvement in customizing design and fit of apparel products in retail store settings.