Theorizing a new agenda on
Mass Customization
Alexander Tsigkas, Democritus University of Thrace
Abstract. This work provides a theory necessary to shift mass customization from a mere physical product level to a perspective of total value system. Mass customization is the social production system currently evolving based upon Knowledge as the origin of value creation. Value is seen through the increasing involvement of the passive consumer turning into an active consumer. In modern capitalism, value is created through the mainstream economy based on the labour theory of value founded by Karl Marx. In the post-capitalist society value will be mostly created through the procumer economy and will be governed by a theory of value based on knowledge. The new economy goes further and beyond the experience economy of Josef Pine. It is argued that mass customization must break the limitizing borders of mass configuration, and follow its natural evolution from mass individuation towards mass personification. Aristoteles, four reasons for any natural change, are taken as the basis for categorizing knowledge. Heidegger’s phenomenology is adapted to approach the individuation process necessary for mass customization.
Keywords: procumer economy, knowledge theory, Aristotle, Heidegger, phenomenology
An Approach of a Flexible Manufacturing Thinking System for Lean-Flow Implementation for Mass Customization industries
Christos Chatzopoulos, Democritus University of Thrace
Alexander Tsigkas, Democritus University of Thrace
Agis Papantoniou, Technology Institute of Pireus
Abstract. Systems thinking for the development of a flexible manufacturing system
supported by methodologies of agile manufacturing, is the premise of this work. This
system will be a basic platform for implementing a lean-flow manufacturing concept for a
large variety of industries. Its ambition is to decrease the time of designing, scheduling
and executing manufacturing in a lean-flow fashion for Mass Customization environment.
In a chaotic demand, the industries know the exact details for production a very short
time, after the customized order. The cost and the waste of organizing and managing the
utilities and the resources are very high. In this paper, a comprehensive theory is
developed, taken as a basis for the development of an IT platform. The theory concerned
is the first step in order to decrease the cost of production. Such an IT-tool will be
developed in the future to generate a Lean-flow Compatible product named Lean-Flow
product generator. Keywords. System Thinking Platform, Flexible Manufacturing Systems, Agile
Manufacturing, Lean-Flow Manufacturing, Mass Customization, Configurators, Lean
Flow Generator
Mapping of Mass Customization Activities in Central and Southeast Europe
Zoran Anisic1, Boris Tudjarov2, Alexander Tsigkas3, Christos Chatzopoulos3, Robert Freund4
1 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Novi Sad, Serbia.
2 Technical University of Sofia, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Bulgaria.
3 Democritus University of Thrace, School of Engineering, Production Engineering & Management, Xanthi, Hellenic Republic.
4 MAIBIS eG, Mannheim Institute of Business Intelligence and Security.
Abstract: The paper presents results of mapping different activities and subjects in the field of mass customization and personalization (MCP) in Central and Southeast Europe. The results of mapping are presented in Google Maps, divided into four main groups: research institutions, companies, national websites and dedicated conferences. The map is open to everyone, accessible through the Internet, displaying information about the relevant people and institutions. It can be concluded that mass customization business model was first adapted by national universities and then successfully transferred to SME`s and entrepreneurs. The aim is to set up a network of knowledge to help researchers and companies to implement their ideas smoothly.
Keywords: Mass Customization and Personalization, Central and Southeast Europe, Google Maps, Mapping, Network of Knowledge.
Open Innovation for Entrepreneurs in Central European Region
Robert Freund1, Christos Chatzopoulos2, Alexander Tsigkas2, Zoran Anisic3
1 MAIBIS eG, Mannheim Institute of Business Intelligence and Security.
2 Democritus University of Thrace, School of Engineering, Production Engineering & Management, Xanthi, Hellenic Republic.
3 Universty of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Novi Sad, Serbia.
Abstract: Innovation plays a key role in business success. In many organizations, especially those with a traditional approach, innovation is often only seen as valid when it is completely „homemade“. This traditional view of innovation – Closed Innovation - completely disregards the growth market of demand-driven innovation. Democratizing Innovation through the Open Innovation approach will lead to more and better employment opportunities However, more and more companies are successfully using the Open Innovation model as inspiration for new products and services. In this paper it is argued, that Open Innovation Initiatives for SME in Central European Region can be a key element in implementing national and regional economic strategy.
Keywords:Open innovation, Entrepreneurs, Central Europe FROM DESIGN TO MANUFACTURING FOR MASS CUSTOMIZATION
Alexander Tsigkas, Christos Chatzopoulos
Democritus University of Thrace / Department of Production Engineering & Management, Greece
Abstract: According to the Lean Philosophy it is important to see the waste of time not only during the manufacturing process but also during the designing cycle of a product. It is required more time for the transformation of information from the design phase to the manufacturing phase. It is advisable, that research is conducted toward waste reduction or elimination. The fundamental issues of this transformation will be supported by theoretical rules and principles. These rules and principles should have as a basic background the customer. The rules and the principles should characterize this transformation as a flexible activity that reduces and gradually eliminates the waste of time. In order to achieve this goal, beyond the theoretical base of these rules and principles, a platform should be created, which will accomplish this transformation.
Key Words: Mass Customization/Lean Philosoph/Waste of time/Disigning/Manufacturing/VSM (Value Stream Mapping).
How to Improve Customer Interaction through the Concept of Multiple Competences
Robert J. Freund, Germany
Alexander Tsigkas, Democritus University of Thrace / Department of Production Engineering & Management, Greece Abstract: The interaction among companies and customers is a complex interrelationship, in which the capability towards self organization (competence) from the side of the customers as well as the companies plays a very important role. In this paper, approaches will be examined that deal with Mass Customization and Interactive Value Creation in order to determine if they respond to today’s requirements. Finally it will be shown how the concept of multiple competences can improve the process of customer interaction.
Intelligent Agents Assisted Value Adding Communities for Mass Customization
Alexander Tsigkas, Democritus University of Thrace / Department of Production Engineering & Management, Greece
Robert J. Freund, Robert Freund, Germany
Abstract: This paper proposes the design of an innovative management model for supply networks. This model promotes the requirement for close cooperation and adaptability as well as flexibility of ad-hoc structures throughout the supply network of custom made products and services. Structures of this type will respect principles that differ from the classical model of the industrial age, and evolve towards becoming self organizing and self adapting entities. This type of structures will be organized, so that they provide flexible interfaces for plugging and adapting rather speedily into other ad-hoc co-operations for the purpose of providing custom made products and services. Once the purpose for which this “Virtual Integration” has been served, integration can be abandoned partially or completely and other structures can be formed in order to continue offering custom made and individual products or services in a new form.
Keywords: Supply Networks, Supply Chain Management, Intelligent Agents, Mass Customization.
Overview of current research results of Mass Customization
Igor Fürstner, Zoran Anišić, Ilija ĆosićPolytechnicall Engineering College, Subotica / Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the current research results in the field of mass customization worldwide. In the first chapter, general information about main fields of interest concerning mass customization is presented. The following chapters deal with various approaches in the research area, showing some of the interesting results. The last chapter deals with the proposed future research possibilities in the area of mass customization in the context of presented overview. Key Words: Mass Customization, Product Configuration, Customer, Knowledge Support Systems, Product Configurators.
CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES TOWARD PERSONALIZATION IN E-LEARNING – MIAPP PROJECT
Patryk Babiarz, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA
Maciej Piotrowski, University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszów, Poland
ABSTRACT: In recent years a gradually more significant awareness of the potential benefits of adaptivity in e-learning has been witnessed. This has been mainly driven by the understanding that the perfect model of individualized learning - learning tailored to the specific requirements and preferences of the learner, cannot be achieved, at a massive scale, using traditional instructive approaches. The main goal of this report is to present the contemporary approaches to the personalization applied to e-learning, pointing the advantages and disadvantages of the personalization, its goals and forms combined with the recommendations of the future work in the context of lasting challenges of e-learning personalization. The report discuses briefly the multiple intelligence approach investigated in the MIapp research project.
KEYWORDS: E-learning, personalization, multiple intelligences.
Web Virtual Reality for Product Customization
Boris Tudjarov, Angel Bachvarov, Ilia Boyadjiev Technical University of Sofia, Bulgaria
Abstract: The main goal of our work is to present and discuss an approach to provide direct customers’ participation in the design process in form of a pre-sale service, based on use of the Web Virtual Reality. Core element of implementation such a service is the 3Dproduct model web configurator. This configurator provides as feedback in the customer’s web-browser not only the appropriate graphical representation of newly developed product, but information about product installation and operational area, animation of product action and dynamical change of assembly model and its components parameters such as dimensions of form, dimensions of dispositions and etc. Key Words: Product Customization & Individualization, VR-Modelling, 3D Web Configurator, Virtual Product Family, Product Design. |
