| dc.description.abstract | The garment manufacturing industry, characterized as a labor-intensive traditional industry, has faced increasing labor costs in developed countries worldwide. Consequently, the primary production bases of the garment industry have been forced to relocate to countries with abundant, lower-cost labor. In the garment manufacturing process, labor costs constitute approximately 15-25% of the total costs. Although this is not the largest cost component, inefficient production and poor order scheduling can significantly amplify the final costs. Therefore, garment industry managers are constantly seeking ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Introducing automated and intelligent equipment, along with advanced computer technology systems, has become the most effective way to enhance competitiveness.
With the decreasing costs and increasing prevalence of information technology and automation equipment, more and more garment enterprises are willing to invest in information systems to improve internal management and efficiency. Implementing Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) systems is crucial for enhancing production management and operations. However, according to our research, there are few companies in the garment industry that utilize specialized APS systems. This raises a question: despite the significance of this critical management activity for business operations, why is APS implementation not widespread? Moreover, even among companies that have implemented APS systems, the outcomes are not always as expected. Many failed implementation cases deter small and medium-sized garment companies. Given the increasingly challenging business environment, it is becoming harder for the garment industry to achieve profitability. Low on-time delivery rates are often a key factor affecting profitability for garment manufacturers.
This study aims to explore the scheduling plans for sewing assembly lines in the garment industry and examine how APS systems can address issues of delivery delays. Through case interviews, we gain an in-depth understanding of the organizational structure, manufacturing and operational processes of the case companies, as well as their use of scheduling logic and past implementation experiences. We also investigate whether existing information systems can adequately support APS operations. The ultimate goal is to identify the critical factors influencing the successful implementation of APS systems, providing a reference for other garment companies considering APS implementation or developing their own APS systems.
Overall, this study identifies several key success factors for the successful implementation of APS systems, including: senior management support and commitment, management′s understanding of the system, the correct selection of information systems, suitable project team members, the degree of company informatization, system integration capabilities, correct implementation blueprints and methods, customer demands, industry competition pressure, and timely delivery. These factors collectively contribute to successful APS system implementation, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of production scheduling and thereby improving overall business performance. | en_US |