INFLUENCE OF TASK ENVIRONMENT ON EFFICIENCY OF MATERIAL FLOW IN COMPANIES WITH DIFFERENT LEVEL OF INTEGRATION OF PLANNING PROCESSES

Abstract

Efficiency of processes determines the success of companies competing in contemporary market. The efficiency of production companies are heavily dependent on the efficiency of material flow. This is mostly due to high the cost-manufacturing processes. The efficiency of material flow depends on many factors. One of key factor is the task environment of company.

The authors focused their research around the integration of planning processes in companies. They noted that companies with integrated planning processes are less dependent to changes in the task environment. Continuing with this topic, authors have developed two models: model of integration planning processes in manufacturing companies and model of material flow.

The aim of the paper is to verify the following research hypothesis: the efficiency of material flow in companies with integrated planning process is less dependent on the volatility of the task environment.

The article presents the results of simulation conducted in the software iGrafx Process for SixSigma. In the simulation experiment reflects the volatility of the task environment and planning processes at different levels of integration. The conducted experiments allowed to collect the results on the efficiency of material flow. The authors measure the efficiency of material flow in many dimensions: as operational efficiency (measured by customer service level indicator) and financial (measured by profitability indicator).

The results were statistically analysed. Authors examined the correlation between the efficiency of material flow and the volatility of the task environment in conditions of different levels of integration of planning process. The research hypothesis was verified statistically with using an ANOVA method.

Key words: planning processes integration, task environment, material flow efficiency