Date of Award

9-1995

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Jacob Simons, PhD

Abstract

This study introduces the construct of consistency to production operations management research. As a job passes through a job shop, its priority may or may not remain consistent relative to other jobs in the system. A new classification of priority rules is introduced. Consistent priority rules maintain a jobs priority relative to other jobs throughout the system. Inconsistent priority rules allow a job's relative priority to change as it moves through the system. This study is an initial investigation into the effect of consistency on performance. A simulation experiment was conducted using a full two- factorial repeated measures design with the main factors being consistency and priority rule operating characteristic. Data was collected in terms of flowtime, tardiness, and average age of jobs in the shop. Results showed significant interaction between the operating characteristic and consistency of priority rules for all mean performance measures. In cases where differences between consistent and inconsistent were significant, inconsistent priority rules performed better than their consistent counterparts. This was because the consistent priority rules eliminate priority advantages gained through the use of inconsistent priority rules. This suggests that local management of prioritization schemes will produce better performance than a "systems perspective" in similar job shop environments.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GLM-LAC-95S-1

DTIC Accession Number

ADA301420

Comments

The author's Vita page is omitted.

Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Logistics and Acquisition Management of the Air Force Institute of Technology.

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