Mass Customization Service Research Articles

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.

Joint optimization decision of service provider selection and CODP positioning based on mass customization in a cloud logistics environment

PurposeBy introducing the mass customization service mode into the cloud logistics environment, this paper studies the joint optimization of service provider selection and customer order decoupling point (CODP) positioning based on the mass customization service mode to provide customers with more diversified and personalized service content with lower total logistics service cost.Design/methodology/approachThis paper addresses the general process of service composition optimization based on the mass customization mode in a cloud logistics service environment and constructs a joint decision model for service provider selection and CODP positioning. In the model, the two objective functions of minimum service cost and most satisfactory delivery time are considered, and the Pareto optimal solution of the model is obtained via the NSGA-II algorithm. Then, a numerical case is used to verify the superiority of the service composition scheme based on the mass customization mode over the general scheme and to verify the significant impact of the scale effect coefficient on the optimal CODP location.Findings(1) Under the cloud logistics mode, the implementation of the logistics service mode based on mass customization can not only reduce the total cost of logistics services by means of the scale effect of massive orders on the cloud platform but also make more efficient use of a large number of logistics service providers gathered on the cloud platform to provide customers with more customized and diversified service content. (2) The scale effect coefficient directly affects the total cost of logistics services and significantly affects the location of the CODP. Therefore, before implementing the mass customization logistics service mode, the most reasonable clustering of orders on the cloud logistics platform is very important for the follow-up service combination.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper includes two aspects. One is to introduce the mass customization mode in the cloud logistics service environment for the first time and summarize the operation process of implementing the mass customization mode in the cloud logistics environment. Second, in order to solve the joint decision optimization model of provider selection and CODP positioning, this paper designs a method for solving a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model using a multi-layer coding genetic algorithm.

FedTwin: Blockchain-Enabled Adaptive Asynchronous Federated Learning for Digital Twin Networks

The fast proliferation of digital twin (DT) establishes a direct connection between the physical entity and its deployed digital representation. As markets shift toward mass customization and new service delivery models, the digital representation has become more adaptive and agile by forming digital twin networks (DTNs). The DTN institutes a real-time single source of truth everywhere. However, there are several issues preventing DTNs from further application, including centralized processing, data falsification, privacy leakage, lack of incentive mechanism, and so on. To make DTN better meet the ever changing demands, we propose a novel block-chain-enabled adaptive asynchronous federated learning (FedTwin) paradigm for privacy-preserving and decentralized DTNs. We design Proof-of-Federalism (PoF), which is a tailor-made consensus algorithm for autonomous DTNs. In each DT's local training phase, generative adversarial network enhanced differential privacy is used to protect the privacy of local model parameters, while a modified Isolation Forest is deployed to filter out the falsified DTs. In the global aggregation phase, an improved Markov decision process is leveraged to select optimal DTs to achieve adaptive asynchronous aggregation while providing a rollback mechanism to redact the falsified global models. With this article, we aim to provide insights to forthcoming researchers and readers in this under-explored domain.

PSS Value Transformation: From Mass-Manufactured Vehicles to Provision of Mass-Customized Services – A Case Study of Designing and Prototyping Customized Digital Services for SAIC Motor in China

AbstractThis work focuses on exploring how to transform the PSS strategy through conceptual design and prototyping to a way in which different stakeholders in the case car company – SAIC Motor – can experience and give feedback on the PSS strategy, analyze the impact of the PSS strategy on the process of customized digital service design in a traditional Chinese car company. Also, the work discusses how to increase the service value for different stakeholders in the overall PSS system.

Optimal pricing in mass customization supply chains with risk-averse agents and retail competition

We analytically investigate the optimal pricing decisions in a mass customization (MC) supply chain with one risk averse manufacturer and two risk averse competing retailers. The manufacturer is the Stackelberg leader, which offers a wholesale pricing contract to the retailers. After receiving the wholesale price, each retailer decides the retail selling price for the MC product simultaneously. We first prove the existence of a unique pricing equilibrium and then derive the optimal prices. After that, we focus our attention on exploring how the degree of risk aversion of each supply chain agent affects the optimal prices as well as consumer welfare, supply chain profitability, and credit deposit under a competitive setting. We find that a more risk averse manufacturer will offer a lower wholesale price, which leads to lower retail selling prices offered to the market. For the retailers, if a retailer is more risk averse, it will make the manufacturer offer a higher wholesale price and it will set a lower retail selling price; however, whether the competing retailer will increase or decrease the retail selling price depends on the level of competition. We examine the impacts brought by the market demand uncertainties as well as the respective demand correlation. We conclude by revealing that in the sufficiently competitive market environment, consumers enjoying MC services are benefited more but the supply chain profitability may decrease more (depending on how risk averse the agents are) when (i) the manufacturer and retailers are more risk averse, (ii) demand uncertainties and the correlation between market demands are higher. We also find that the retailers need to pay more credit deposit if the manufacturer is more risk averse or the demand correlation is higher. Finally, we consider the MC product improvement scheme in the extended model and reveal that it is a Pareto improving optimal measure if the supply chain agents are not too risk averse and the increment in production cost is sufficiently small.

Research on Development of Mass Customization Service Mode Integrated with Artificial Intelligent Technology

Research on Development of Mass Customization Service Mode Integrated with Artificial Intelligent Technology

Service modularity and architecture – an overview and research agenda

PurposeServices are highly important in a world economy which has increasingly become service driven. There is a growing need to better understand the possibilities for, and requirements of, designing modular service architectures. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the roots of the emerging research stream on service modularity, provide a concise overview of existing work on the subject, and outline an agenda for future research on service modularity and architecture. The articles in the special issue offer four diverse sets of research on service modularity and architecture.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is built on a literature review mapping the current body of literature on the topic and developing future research directions in service modularity and architecture.FindingsThe growing focus on services has triggered needs to investigate the suitability and implementation of physical-product-focused modularity principles and theories in service contexts, and to search for principles/theories that enhance services. The expanding research stream has explored various aspects of service modularity in empirical contexts. Future research should focus on service-specific modularity theories and principles, platform-based and mass-customized service business models, comparative research designs, customer perspectives and service experience, performance in context of modular services, empirical evidence of benefits and challenges, architectural innovation in services, modularization in multi-provider contexts, and modularity in hybrid offerings combining service and tangible product modules.Originality/valueNine areas are recommended for further research on service modularity and architecture. The introductory piece also discusses the roots of service modularity and provides an overview of current contributions.

The development of outbound logistics services in the automotive industry

PurposeThe automotive industry has been studied extensively, but few studies focus on outbound logistics in automotive supply chains, or on the logistics service provider’s (LSP’s) point of view. Furthermore, there is hardly any research on service model innovation in LSPs. The purpose of this paper is to narrow these research gaps.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on a single-case study – an LSP that specializes in services for the automotive industry. The paper examines the company’s service models and their development over time.FindingsThe findings show how the case company has moved towards multifaceted service models through a number of radical and incremental innovations. Moreover, it has used the same methods in developing all its new service models, and has applied modularity principles in service innovation to achieve better process efficiency and service effectiveness.Research limitations/implicationsThe rather narrow focus of this study – automotive logistics in a specific area – decreases the generalizability of the findings beyond this context. However, the single-case approach offers in-depth insights, and the analytical frameworks developed herein for service models is applicable in other contexts.Practical implicationsThe analysis may help LSPs and service companies in their service design and development. The use of modularity principles makes it easier to offer mass-customized services and to develop efficient processes.Originality/valueThis study narrows a research gap in examining outbound logistics services in the automotive supply chain and focussing on the LSP’s perspective.

A scheduling model of logistics service supply chain based on the mass customization service and uncertainty of FLSP’s operation time

Building on previous research, this paper establishes a new multi-objective program scheduling model of Logistics service supply chain that considers the uncertainty of operation time for functional logistics service providers (FLSPs) in a mass customization service environment. This model aims to minimize total scheduling costs, minimize the difference between the scheduled and actual time of each service process, and maximize the average satisfaction of FLSPs. Considering the differences in target priority, the goal programming method is applied to solve the model hierarchically. In addition, the effects of scheduling parameters on scheduling objectives are provided after numerical analysis.

Critical characteristics for the implementation of mass-customized services

Purpose – This paper aims to propose a method to determine which mass customization (MC) characteristics should be prioritized in mass-customized service design. Design/methodology/approach – Looking at manufacturing MC systems and conducting a literature review, it is not possible to observe a methodological step to define customized service design as the one we propose in this work. Results show a systematic classification of MC characteristics based on MC enablers and service enablers. These enablers are related by a quality function deployment (QFD) matrix and rewritten using a reverse QFD procedure. Findings – In the end, it was possible to determine which characteristics should be prioritized in mass-customized services. Research limitations/implications – Two case studies were performed: one with an electric power supplier and another one with a university. Practical implications – It shows that despite easy customization, organization is not always interest in service features customization. The explanation in these two cases is customization cost, which compared to the benefit does not seem advantageous for the organization. Originality/value – This paper creates a methodology to design a first phase in customized services in Latin American services and that is the original contribution.

Perceived Risk of Online Apparel Mass Customization

Given the growing interest in online apparel mass customization (OAMC), retailers must understand how consumers perceive the risk of OAMC, which is distinct from general online shopping for apparel. However, no study has provided an empirical analysis of various dimensions of this risk. The present study proposes a multi-item scale developed through item generation, purification, and validation for measuring consumers' perceived risk of OAMC and identifies eight dimensions of this perceived risk. The results have important theoretical and practical implications. Practitioners would be able to enhance their communication ability with their consumers and improve their online mass customization services by reducing certain risk dimensions.

Revenue-Sharing Contract Models for Logistics Service Supply Chains with Mass Customization Service

The revenue-sharing contract is one of the most important supply chain coordination contracts; it has been applied in various supply chains. However, studies related to service supply chains with mass customization (MC) are lacking. Considering the equity of benefit distribution between the members of service supply chains, in this paper, we designed two revenue-sharing contracts. The first contract for the maximum equity of a single logistics service integrator (LSI) and single functional logistics service provider (FLSP) in a two-echelon logistics service supply chain was designed by introducing the fair entropy function (“one to one” model). Furthermore, the method is extended to a more complex supply chain, which consists of a single LSI and multiple FLSPs. A new contract was designed not only for considering the equity of an LSI and each FLSP but also for the equity between each FLSP (“one toN” model). The “one to one” model in three-echelon LSSC is also provided. The result exemplifies that, whether in the “one to one” model or “one toN” model, there exists a best interval of customized level when the revenue-sharing coefficient reaches its maximum.

A Determination Method of Optimal Customization Degree of Logistics Service Supply Chain with Mass Customization Service

Customization degree is a very important field of mass customization. Its improvement could enhance customer satisfaction and further increase customer demand while correspondingly it will increase service price and decrease customer satisfaction and demand. Therefore this paper discusses how to deal with such issues in logistics service supply chain (LSSC) with a logistics service integrator (LSI) and a customer. With the establishment of customer demand function for logistics services and profit functions of the LSI and the customer, three different decision modes are proposed (i.e., customization degree dominated by LSI, customization degree dominated by customer, and customization degree decided by concentrated supply chain); many interesting findings are achieved. Firstly, to achieve customization cooperation between LSI and customer, measures should be taken to make the unit increase cost of the customized logistics services lower than a certain value. Secondly, there are differences between the optimal customization degree dominated by LSI and that dominated by customer. And in both cases, the dominator could realize more profit than the follower. Thirdly, with the profit secondary distribution strategy, the modified decentralized decision mode could accomplish the maximum profit achieved in centralized decision mode and meanwhile get the optimal customization degree.

Definição de características críticas na implementação de serviços customizados em massa

O objetivo deste trabalho é definir quais características de customização em massa (CM) presentes em sistemas de manufatura podem ser priorizadas no projeto de serviços customizados em massa. Propõe-se uma classificação de importância de características de customização a serem priorizadas na implementação de serviços customizados, tendo-se como critérios os habilitadores de CM e os habilitadores de serviços combinados através de uma matriz de relacionamentos característica do QFD (desdobramento da função qualidade) e corrigidos, a partir da ponderação dos gestores do serviço, usando-se um procedimento de QFD reverso. No final do estudo foi possível determinar as características prioritárias do serviço customizado em massa. Dois casos de estudo foram realizados para exemplificar a operacionalização da metodologia, um em uma distribuidora de energia elétrica e outro em uma universidade privada.

Modelo para classificação de características de customização em massa para serviços

Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar quais e como são as relações entre as características de customização em massa e as estratégias de serviços. Para tanto, foi organizado um estudo que mapeia as características de customização em massa e as classifica para a área de serviços. A classificação é apresentada através de um framework que utilizou a variável nível de customização como critério de classificação. Pode-se observar que nem todas as características da customização em massa usadas para manufatura podem ser aplicadas na área de serviços. Além disso, as características de manufatura classificadas em qualquer nível de customização, não podem ser replicadas em sua totalidade quando aplicada aos serviços. No fim do estudo, verificam-se também pontos fortes e fracos do framework gerado em função da variável nível de customização. Dois casos de análise ilustram a aderência do framework as práticas organizacionais.

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

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

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

Optimal Return Service Charging Policy for a Fashion Mass Customization Program

Mass customization (MC) service is a pertinent industrial practice in the fashion industry. To foster trust and enhance demand, some brands now allow dissatisfied customers to return the MC fashion product for a full refund minus a service charge. The service charge is a measure to avoid the abuse of the return right and to subsidize the operations cost (e.g., shipping) and loss from the return. Motivated by this observed industrial practice, this paper analytically examines the optimal return service charge policy. We separate the study into two cases—those of risk-neutral and those of risk-averse MC companies, respectively. For each case, we derive the closed-form expression of the optimal return service charge, and we conduct analytical sensitivity analysis to illustrate how different important parameters in the model affect the optimal return service charge. In addition, by comparing the two cases, we reveal how the MC service provider's level of risk aversion affects the optimal return service charge policy. Finally, we derive the conditions under which it is optimal to offer a zero return service charge (i.e., free return with a full refund). These conditions provide insight on the real-world practice in which some fashion companies offer free return service to their registered members but not to every customer.

Understanding of Healthcare Design

Healthcare industry scope grows quickly due to the serious aging problems and the concerns towards health and well-being life increasing continuity. The peoples’ recognition towards healthcare is not limited on the life extending; they pay more attention to how to ensure and develop normal functioning of a living organism, how to enjoy the whole process and so on. Therefore, the demand for ealth-related products and services increases. Recently, many domestic, foreign enterprises and related research institutes do a lot of researches about healthcare and healthcare design, but the data or research about overall understanding of healthcare-related classification and different design methods to be used in the each healthcare part is not enough and clear, so the basic study to help understanding healthcare and healthcare design, with the diverse social issues and developing trends as the base, is very necessary. In this study, classified the healthcare field by existing activities and issues about healthcare, and analysis each part develop and design direction, as well as design method. And took two examples to explain the healthcare design more clearly, one is healthy city design which is design for public healthy people and the other is case study about new mass customization service process model for the artificial knee joint, which is the case study design for unhealthy people by applying with service design method.From the two case study we could see the relationship between service design. The study for healthcare design is only a starting, under the interventions of multidisciplinary, the study are and study method of healthcare design will be more diversification. By importing service design method into the healthcare design industry could form a completely circle and improve the quality of healthcare industry.

Parallel Processing of Product Configuration for Cloud-Based Mass Customization Service Platform

The greatest feature of cloud-based mass customization service platform is massive parallel processing of information. So the good or bad of the parallel processing determines the precision and efficiency of cloud-based mass customization service platform. This paper brings up the method of parallel processing of configuration design for the cloud-based mass customization service platform. The parallel processing of product configuration is performed by ABC analysis, parallel BOM and product family. Finally this research has been applied for customization product: Gearbox, and has improved the efficiency of parallel processing for the cloud-based mass customization service platform.