Material Flow Theory Research Articles

ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ МАТЕРИАЛЬНОГО ПОТОКА В УСЛОВИЯХ ЦИФРОВОЙ ЭКОНОМИКИ: МЕСТО И РОЛЬ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ ЦИФРОВОГО ДВОЙНИКА

The article provides an overview of theoretical studies and modern trends in the development of the concept of “digital economy” and analyzes the technical and economic foundations of such changes, and also identifies the directions of further development of such studies. The difference between engineering and technical and economic approaches to the problem of production management is actualized. It is concluded that the problems of production and supply chains in the digital economy require an integrated, technical and economic approach. It is also concluded that the theory of material flow (logistics) should be based on the knowledge in the field of economic theory, with the active use of the concept of SCM 4.0. The characteristic of the modern stage is given - the rejection of traditional, hierarchical models of building organizations in favor of “streaming” ones. The urgency of digitalizing supply chain models is argued. At the same time, the important role of combining the knowledge of different specialists in the implementation of the function of organizing material flows is shown. The importance of Industry 4.0 in improving the rational use of resources, predictability, transparency and quality of the economy is shown. The features of the modern economy, technical and economic methods and technologies of SCM 4.0 are correlated. In conclusion, the article considers the concept of “digital twin” of supply chain processes, which correlates with the methods of simulation. Simulation and digital twin are here optimization procedures, optimal control, important and promising technical procedures of Industry 4.0. Basing on the study of Western and Russian science literature, the characteristics and properties of “digital twins”, their importance for the management of production and other processes in the supply chain, and directions for further research of this phenomenon are highlighted.

Physical distribution, logistics, supply chain management, and the material flow theory: a historical perspective

The evolution from physical distribution to logistics, and then to supply chain management has invoked many interesting studies in recent years. By applying the material flow theory that expands attributes of logistics to coordination of environment, economy, and society, this paper examines the evolution from a unique perspective: sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary review of the evolution of physical distribution, logistics, supply chain management, and their new stage-material flow theory. The paper aims at tracing how concepts and findings in physical distribution, logistics, supply chain management, and material flow have been developed and extended continually. The results show that the requirements for material flow services vary with the economic development level in different countries and that material flow service is required to be compatible with a country's development stage. The paper concludes that the MF theory is the option for dealing with the overwhelming complexity of material flow systems in the global economy of the twenty-first century.

An evolving trajectory – from PD, logistics, SCM to the theory of material flow

The growing interest in the material flow (MF) theory has invoked much interesting research in recent years. Although the MF theory is relatively new, a review of the related literature from a historical perspective shows that MF theory represents a new stage of the evolutionary development of interrelated subjects such as Physical Distribution (PD), Logistics, and Supply Chain Management (SCM). The purpose of this paper is to provide a summative review of the evolution of the subjects of PD, Logistics, and SCM, and their new development, MF theory. The paper aims at tracing how concepts and findings in PD, Logistics, SCM, and MF have been developed and have evolved. The study shows that PD evolved to Logistics in middle of the 1980s; starting from the late 1990s, Logistics has evolved to SCM; and today PD, Logistics, and SCM can be considered to be under the umbrella provided by a new theory called MF theory. This paper points out that MF theory is a necessity to deal with the overwhelming complexity of material flow systems in the global economy of the twenty-first century.

Modeling Processing Cell Architecture by Material Flow Simulation

This paper is based on specific applications of Material Flow Theory (MFT) in industrial engineering material flow management (MFM). The accent is put on exploring different possibilities to increase productivity and profit in processing architectures using the MFM approach based on virtual modelling and simulation. In this context the paper presents a case study using virtual modelling of a flexible processing architecture and MFM simulation algorithms for diagnosis and optimization. The virtual model of the processing architecture will be used as a tool for identifying and eliminating the flow concentrators and obtaining an improved productivity of the system.

An enhanced model framework of personalized material flow services

A growing concern about the consumer behavior in Internet economy has spurred the study of Material Flow, resulting in a unique type of consumer behavioral analysis. This research proposes an enhanced conceptual model for Personalized Material Flow Services for consumer behavior. In the era of Internet information technology, customer's taste tends to be personalized for their market demand. It is observed that there are number of "Long Tail" phenomena in several successful e-commerce business cases. However, the Long Tail phenomenon is an open question for our research in terms of its role in e-commerce marketing. In the proposed model-X-Party Personalized Material Flow Services, three elements are discussed. They are "providing", "locating" and "obtaining" based on X-Party Material Flow theory for which the concept of virtual collector, information filter and Material Flow coordinator are discussed. Business examples of Amazon, Dangdang and Taobao are used to analyze the elements of the virtual collector, information filter and Material Flow coordinator of the Personalized Material Flow Service system.

Systems science and enterprise integration, technological economics and the theory of material flow

Systems science and enterprise integration, technological economics and the theory of material flow

Theory and applications of X party material flow

AbstractX party material flow (XPMF) is a new type of material flow (MF) under the emerging new information technology. Based on the theory of MF, this paper analyses the recent research progress that was made in XPMF from the angle of bio‐evolution complexity including factor type primitive reconstruction driving type XPMF, enterprise primitive fractal synergetic type XPMF, adapting primitive swarm intelligence XPMF. Such progress has enriched and systematized the research of XPMF theory. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Material flow and circular economy

AbstractAt present, the economy is increasingly internationally interconnected. Economic globalization requires systems approaches to promote sustainable economic development. The theory of material flow (MF) is one of the new theories that could positively contribute to the economic globalization. The theory of MF is also closely related to the concept of circular economy, as the pattern of material flow can be considered as a closed feedback process for circulatory purpose that is consisted of ‘resources‐production‐material flow‐consumption‐recycled resources’. It corresponds to the circular economy's development pattern of ‘resources‐products‐recycled resources’. In view of the pattern of material flow and its relevance to the circular economy, it is concluded that the theory of MF will contribute to the recirculation of natural resources, optimal utilization of resources, improving natural environment and especially the sustainable global economic development. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The theory of material flow substance

AbstractIn this paper, we put forward the theory of material flow (MF) substance for the first time based on the MF Theory. We consider that that MF is a comprehensive body of substances; and transportation, storing, LUH (loading, unloading and handling) and distribution processing are the four independent links of MF substance. Transportation, storing and LUH are the three indispensable links; of which, transportation and storing are the core links and LUH is the auxiliary link. Distribution processing is the expanded link of MF substance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The concept and theory of material flow

This paper, for the first time, presents seven main theories under the Material Flow (MF) Theory, namely "Material flow theory", "Comprehensive MF theory", "MF element theory", "MF nature theory", "MF science and technology theory", "MF engineering theory" and "MF industry theory". The paper points out that the MF is the collective term for the flow of macroscopic goods and that of microcosmic substances. The material flow is not only an economic phenomenon, but also social and natural ones. There is not only economic MF, but also social and natural ones. The economic MF is the core for the MF, and the social and natural MF is the basis for the MF; no matter whether in nature, society or economic circles, the MF comprises of five basic elements: Material, Flow, Owner, Region and Time, among which Material is the core one; the MF is divided into intrinsic and extrinsic ones by nature. Its intrinsic natures include Material, Flow, Owner, Region and Time; its extrinsic natures include Party, Service, Management, Technology and Economy. The MF science and technology is a scientific and technological field with very strong comprehensibility, dealing with subjects including natural science, engineering technology and science, and human and social studies; the MF engineering is a syntheses comprising of six MF elements or six MF forces. The MF's hard science and technology and its soft science and technology can be applied to national economy in the most efficient way, with the fundamental purpose to benefit the mankind; the MF is not only an industry, but also a backbone industry, and even a backbone industry group. The paper provides some insights into future enterprise integration in a global supply chain environment.