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Flores-García, ErikORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0003-0798-0753
Alternative names
Publications (10 of 15) Show all publications
Flores-García, E. (2021). Decision Making in Production System Design – Approaches and Challenges. , 34(2)
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Decision Making in Production System Design – Approaches and Challenges
2021 (English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
National Category
Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-34789 (URN)000534292200001 ()2-s2.0-85077979443 (Scopus ID)
Projects
INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development
Available from: 2017-02-05 Created: 2017-02-05 Last updated: 2023-12-04Bibliographically approved
Flores-García, E., Bruch, J., Wiktorsson, M. & Jackson, M. (2020). What guides information consensus? Approaching the reduction of equivocality in process innovations. International Journal of Manufacturing Research IJMR, 15(1), 73-89
Open this publication in new window or tab >>What guides information consensus? Approaching the reduction of equivocality in process innovations
2020 (English)In: International Journal of Manufacturing Research IJMR, ISSN 1750-0591, Vol. 15, no 1, p. 73-89Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This study investigates the achievement of information consensus and the reduction of equivocality in process innovations. Drawing on the operations management literature, a new framework to guide information consensus in the reduction of equivocality in process innovations is proposed. The analysis is based on a real-time case study in the heavy vehicle industry. The results show that information consensus is not achieved by a single event, but active work towards this goal is necessary, and a clear set of pre-requisites is needed for achieving information consensus. The concepts of strategic objective, decision areas, and external and internal fit are identified as pre-requisites for achieving information consensus about the purpose, characteristics, and functionalities of process innovations.

Keywords
production, process innovation, case study, equivocality, strategic objective, decision area, external fit, internal fit, uncertainty
National Category
Engineering and Technology Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-43935 (URN)10.1504/IJMR.2020.105488 (DOI)000849828700004 ()2-s2.0-85081399153 (Scopus ID)
Projects
INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development
Available from: 2019-06-11 Created: 2019-06-11 Last updated: 2022-11-18Bibliographically approved
Flores-García, E., Bruch, J., Wiktorsson, M. & Jackson, M. (2019). Challenges of Discrete Event Simulation in the Early Stages of Production System Design. International journal of industrial engineering, 26(5), 819-834
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Challenges of Discrete Event Simulation in the Early Stages of Production System Design
2019 (English)In: International journal of industrial engineering, ISSN 1072-4761, E-ISSN 1943-670X, Vol. 26, no 5, p. 819-834Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This study analyzes the challenges of applying discrete event simulation in the early stages of production system design. Highlighting the implications of new production processes and technologies leading to improved competitiveness, this study provides novel contributions to the understanding of discrete event simulation based on three case studies of the transformation of legacy production systems in the heavy vehicle industry. The findings of this study show that equivocal or ambiguous understanding about new production processes or technologies, and uncertainty about necessary data input and the interrelation of subsystems in production, are critical in addressing discrete event simulation-related challenges. These findings highlight the need for an established process to manage assumptions and simplifications during the design, development, and deployment of discrete event simulation models as a countermeasure against uncertainties, improving manufacturing system design and practice.

Keywords
production system design; discrete event simulation; case study; innovation; uncertainty; equivocality
National Category
Human Computer Interaction
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-45526 (URN)000498192800010 ()
Projects
INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development
Available from: 2019-10-11 Created: 2019-10-11 Last updated: 2021-02-25Bibliographically approved
Ruiz Zúñiga, E., Flores-García, E., Urenda Moris, M. & Syberfeldt, A. (2019). Challenges of Simulation- ased Optimization in Facility Layout Design of Production Systems. In: Advances in Transdisciplinary Engineering: . Paper presented at 17th International Conference on Manufacturing Research, ICMR 2019, incorporating the 34th National Conference on Manufacturing Research, NCMR 2019, 10 September 2019 through 12 September 2019 (pp. 507-512). IOS Press BV
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Challenges of Simulation- ased Optimization in Facility Layout Design of Production Systems
2019 (English)In: Advances in Transdisciplinary Engineering, IOS Press BV , 2019, p. 507-512Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

Facility layout design (FLD) is becoming more challenging than ever as manufacturing moves from a traditional emphasis on mass production to an emphasis on mass customization, which requires increased flexibility and adaptability. Of the software tools that support FLD, simulation and optimization are the most powerful - especially when combined in simulation-based optimization (SBO). The aim of this study is to identify the challenges of using SBO in FLD of production systems. To date, the challenges of SBO and FLD have been addressed in separate streams of literature. This paper also presents two novel contributions based on two case studies involving Swedish manufacturers. First, it shows that the challenges of using SBO in FLD identified in the literature are not the most important in industrial environments, where precedence must be given to the challenges of complexity, data noise, and standardization. Second, it shows that the challenges of SBO in FLD are not technological in nature but stem from the increased complexity of the factories required by modern manufacturing companies.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
IOS Press BV, 2019
Keywords
challenges, facility layout design, Simulation-based optimization, Computer aided software engineering, Computer software, Industrial research, Optimization, Plant layout, Increased flexibility, Industrial environments, Manufacturing companies, Mass customization, Production system, Simulation and optimization, Simulation-based optimizations, Manufacture
National Category
Economics and Business
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-58830 (URN)10.3233/ATDE190089 (DOI)2-s2.0-85102887728 (Scopus ID)9781614994398 (ISBN)
Conference
17th International Conference on Manufacturing Research, ICMR 2019, incorporating the 34th National Conference on Manufacturing Research, NCMR 2019, 10 September 2019 through 12 September 2019
Available from: 2022-06-13 Created: 2022-06-13 Last updated: 2022-06-13Bibliographically approved
Flores-García, E., Bruch, J., Wiktorsson, M. & Jackson, M. (2019). Decision Making Approaches in Process Innovations: An Explorative Case Study. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management JMTM, 32(9), 1-25
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Decision Making Approaches in Process Innovations: An Explorative Case Study
2019 (English)In: Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management JMTM, ISSN 1741-038X, Vol. 32, no 9, p. 1-25Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the selection of decision-making approaches at manufacturing companies when implementing process innovations.Design/methodology/approach: This study reviews the current understanding of decision structuredness for determining a decision-making approach, and conducts a case study based on an interactive research approach at a global manufacturer. Findings: The findings show the correspondence of intuitive, normative, and combined intuitive and normative decision-making approaches in relation to varying degrees of equivocality and analyzability. Accordingly, the conditions for determining a decision-making choice when implementing process innovations are revealed. Research limitations/implications: This study contributes to increased understanding of the combined use of intuitive and normative decision-making in production system design. Practical implications: Empirical data are drawn from two projects in the heavy-vehicle industry. The study describes decisions, from start to finish, and the corresponding decision-making approaches when implementing process innovations. These findings are of value to staff responsible for the design of production systems. Originality/value: Unlike prior conceptual studies, this study considers normative, intuitive, and combined intuitive and normative decision-making. In addition, this study extends the current understanding of decision structuredness, and discloses the correspondence of decision-making approaches to varying degrees of equivocality and analyzability.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Sweden: , 2019
Keywords
intuitive, normative, decision-making, process innovation, equivocality, analyzability, casestudy, production system design
National Category
Engineering and Technology Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-45496 (URN)10.1108/JMTM-03-2019-0087 (DOI)000506697800001 ()2-s2.0-85077979443 (Scopus ID)
Projects
XPRES - Excellence in Production ResearchINNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development
Available from: 2019-10-09 Created: 2019-10-09 Last updated: 2023-12-04Bibliographically approved
Andersson, S. K., Flores-García, E. & Bruch, J. (2019). Enabling problem-based education in collaboration with manufacturing companies. In: : . Paper presented at 26th EurOMA Conference: Operations Adding Value to Society, 17th - 19th June 2019, Helsinki, Finland.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Enabling problem-based education in collaboration with manufacturing companies
2019 (English)Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

A focus on problem-based education is crucial as students need to complement academic knowledge with real-life projects. Several concepts in problem-based education have been tried over the years with focus on preparing students for working life. This paper aims at creating a list of recommendation on how to enable learning in problem-based education. To do so, we collect data in a problem-based course at Mälardalen University in Sweden. The resulting list of recommendations contributes with guidelines on what to do, and what to avid to successfully enable learning in problem-based education

Keywords
Problem-based Learning, Production System Development, Education
National Category
Other Engineering and Technologies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-52169 (URN)
Conference
26th EurOMA Conference: Operations Adding Value to Society, 17th - 19th June 2019, Helsinki, Finland
Funder
XPRES - Initiative for excellence in production research
Available from: 2020-10-29 Created: 2020-10-29 Last updated: 2021-01-07Bibliographically approved
Sanno, A., Oberg, A. E., Flores-García, E. & Jackson, M. (2019). Increasing the Impact of Industry-Academia Collaboration through Co-Production. Technology Innovation Management Review, 9(4), 37-47
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Increasing the Impact of Industry-Academia Collaboration through Co-Production
2019 (English)In: Technology Innovation Management Review, E-ISSN 1927-0321, Vol. 9, no 4, p. 37-47Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Increased competition and globalization motivate us to join forces to enhance the impact of the research conducted. Collaboration between organizations with different views can, however, be difficult to manage and needs awareness and skills to meet different expectations. This article will consider both a mutual industrial and academic perspective into the development of action research and, in six research project cases, empirically explore how the impact can be enhanced by considering certain key factors in the research process. How the phases of problem formulation, methodology, and results are managed is critical for the success of a collaboration and, thereby, its impact. Counter-productive forces that could dilute the progress over time need to be considered given that combining practical relevance and scientific rigour comes with challenges.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
CARLETON UNIV GRAPHIC SERVICES, 2019
Keywords
action research, industry-academia collaboration, co-production, impact, collaboration, rigour, relevance, key factors
National Category
Economics and Business
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-43515 (URN)10.22215/timreview/1232 (DOI)000467408500005 ()2-s2.0-85083053840 (Scopus ID)
Projects
INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development
Available from: 2019-05-27 Created: 2019-05-27 Last updated: 2023-08-28Bibliographically approved
Flores-García, E. (2019). Supporting Decision-Making in the Design of Production Systems: A Discrete Event Simulation perspective. (Doctoral dissertation). Eskilstuna: Mälardalen University
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Supporting Decision-Making in the Design of Production Systems: A Discrete Event Simulation perspective
2019 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Manufacturing companies are introducing process innovations, namely new production processes or technologies, to achieve increased competitiveness. Production systems design can ensure the fulfillment of process innovations. However, literature shows that the staff responsible for the design of production systems face unfamiliar circumstances, lack of consensus or understanding (equivocality), and absence of information (uncertainty). Hence, manufacturing companies find it difficult to support decision-making in the design of production systems leading to increased competitiveness. One way to support decision-making during production systems design is through discrete-event simulation (DES). However, there is limited understanding of the application of DES in decision-making support, in this context.

Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to support decision-making through DES in the design of production systems involving process innovations. To this end, the thesis reviews the current understanding of production system design, including decision-making and DES. This thesis adopts a qualitative case study method to extract empirical data from three production systems design projects of a manufacturing company in the heavy vehicle industry.

The thesis offers several contributions. Firstly, the findings identify the conditions of use, challenges, requirements, and activities essential for the utilization of DES during production system design related to process innovations. These important findings are critical for supporting decision-making when manufacturing companies renew their production processes. Secondly, this thesis reveals that determining the conditions of use of DES for supporting decision-making rests on the structuredness of a decision (e.g. its degree of equivocality or analyzability), and the quantitative or qualitative nature or DES models. Thirdly, the results describe four novel findings about the challenges undermining the use of DES including equivocality, uncertainty, and the lack of a structured approach and the absence of resources for DES use. Fourthly, the results reveal three requirements necessary for the use of DES including analyzing information consensus, specifying the activities of conceptual models, and coordinating DES models with the information needs. Fifthly, this thesis provides three valuable findings describing additional activities in the design of production systems related to defining the objectives of DES models, and facilitating a structured approach and the management of resources for the use of DES.

This thesis present a framework that contributes to the use of DES for decision-making support at manufacturing companies. Based on this framework, managers of those companies can supervise formal activities involving the use of DES in production systems design.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Eskilstuna: Mälardalen University, 2019
Series
Mälardalen University Press Dissertations, ISSN 1651-4238 ; 299
Keywords
production system design; Discrete Event Simulation; process innovation; decision-making
National Category
Engineering and Technology Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics
Research subject
Innovation and Design
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-45542 (URN)978-91-7485-443-5 (ISBN)
Public defence
2019-11-29, Filen, Mälardalens högskola, Eskilstuna, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Projects
INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development
Funder
Knowledge Foundation
Available from: 2019-10-15 Created: 2019-10-15 Last updated: 2020-10-20Bibliographically approved
Johansson, B., Bärring, M., Flores-García, E., Bruch, J. & Wahlström, M. (2018). Challenges of data acquisition for simulation models of production systems in need of standards. In: Proceedings - Winter Simulation Conference: . Paper presented at 2018 Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2018; The Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre, Gothenburg; Sweden; 9 December 2018 through 12 December 2018 (pp. 691-702). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Challenges of data acquisition for simulation models of production systems in need of standards
Show others...
2018 (English)In: Proceedings - Winter Simulation Conference, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. , 2018, p. 691-702Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

In this paper, we analyze the challenges in data acquisition for simulation models of production systems based on two cases from the robotics and aerospace industries. Unlike prior research, we focus not only on the challenges of data acquisition but also on how these challenges affect decisions in production systems. We examine this linkage using the concepts of strategic objectives, decision areas, and internal fit from operations management literature. Empirical findings show that for data acquisition to lead to improved production system performance it is necessary to develop standards. Standards should consider ownership of data by different functions within a manufacturing company, alignment of data to performance measurements, and the connection between data, information, and production decisions. Using these concepts, this paper proposes a set of guidelines that facilitate the standardization of data acquisition for simulation models in production systems. We conclude by discussing the managerial implications of our findings. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2018
National Category
Computer and Information Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-42945 (URN)10.1109/WSC.2018.8632463 (DOI)000461414100056 ()2-s2.0-85062603218 (Scopus ID)9781538665725 (ISBN)
Conference
2018 Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2018; The Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre, Gothenburg; Sweden; 9 December 2018 through 12 December 2018
Projects
INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development
Available from: 2019-03-22 Created: 2019-03-22 Last updated: 2020-12-22Bibliographically approved
Flores-García, E., Wiktorsson, M., Bruch, J. & Jackson, M. (2018). Revisiting challenges in using Discrete Event Simulation in early stages of Production System Design. In: International conference of advances in production management systems APMS: . Paper presented at International conference of advances in production management systems APMS, 27 Aug 2018, Seoul, South Korea (pp. 534-540). Springer, 535
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Revisiting challenges in using Discrete Event Simulation in early stages of Production System Design
2018 (English)In: International conference of advances in production management systems APMS, Springer, 2018, Vol. 535, p. 534-540Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

This paper presents challenges of using discrete event simulation when supporting decision in early stages of production system design, when significant changes are introduced. It was based on three real-time case studies performed at one manufacturing company during 2014-2016. Challenges in the cases were mapped to previous literature, pointing out discrepancies and highlighting three additional challenges, specifically related to issues in the early stages of the pro-duction system design process. The significant change introduced to the assembly system, and the early phases of evaluation put significant challenges to the use of discrete event simulation and the study points out further efforts needed to support manufacturing companies under change, with an established industrial structure and legacy systems to consider.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer, 2018
Keywords
production system design, discrete event simulation, case study.
National Category
Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-40903 (URN)10.1007/978-3-319-99704-9_65 (DOI)000511438700065 ()2-s2.0-85053277124 (Scopus ID)978-3-319-99703-2 (ISBN)978-3-319-99704-9 (ISBN)
Conference
International conference of advances in production management systems APMS, 27 Aug 2018, Seoul, South Korea
Projects
INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development
Available from: 2018-09-12 Created: 2018-09-12 Last updated: 2020-11-02Bibliographically approved
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0003-0798-0753

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