a repgp.inflibnet.ac.in/epgpdata/uploads/epgp_content/...5 Management Operation Management Characteristics of Mass and Continuous Operating System 2.1 Job Production: Under this

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Management Operation Management

Characteristics of Mass and Continuous Operating System

Paper Coordinator

Content Writer

Prof.(Dr.) S.P. Bansal Vice Chancellor, Maharaja Agreshen University, Baddi, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, INDIA

Development Team

Dr. Sudhanshu Joshi Head, School of Management, Doon University, Dehradun PIN 248001, Uttarakhand, INDIA

Principal Investigator

Dr. Vijaya KhaderFormer Dean, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University

Prof.(Dr.) YoginderVerma Prof.Vice Chancellor, Central University of Himachal Pradesh,Kangra Himachal Pradesh, INDIA

Dr. Anil Gupta School of Hospitality and Tourism Management University of Jammu, Jammu (J&K), INDIA

Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Vijaya KhaderFormer Dean, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University

Paper Coordinator

Co-Principal Investigator

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Learning Objectives: The Learning objectives of the module are to address the following questions:

1. To know the concept of manufacturing system.

2. Understanding different types of manufacturing system.

3. To know the concept of Mass and continuous Operating System

1. Introduction:

A Production system is the process of arrangement and operation of machines,

tools, material, people and information to produce a value-added physical,

informational or service product whose success and cost is characterized by

measurable parameters.

Production systems interact with both internal and external environment of the

organization. Internal environment includes marketing, accounts, personnel,

Description of Module

Subject Name Management

Paper Name Operation Management

Module Title Characteristics of Mass and Continuous Operating System

Module Id Module- 06

Pre-requisites

Objectives 1. To understand the concept of manufacturing system. 2. Understanding different types of manufacturing system

Keywords Manufacturing System, Job Shop, Batch Shop, Process Production, Intermittent Manufacturing System, Continuous Manufacturing System, Mass Customization.

Quadrant-I

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operations, and finance. External environment include customers, labour,

unions and suppliers.

A Production system is an approach to making products that is based upon

several factors. These include how much of the product is needed, how quickly

the product must be produced and how unique the product must be to ensure

sufficient sales.

Following figure shows Production System

.

Figure 1: Production System

Internal Environment External Environment Decision Maker

Control

Input Processing Output

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2. Types of Production System

There are mainly two types of manufacturing system which is depicted in

following figure:

Figure 2: Types of Manufacturing System

Some of the most important types of production are: (i) Job Production (ii) Batch

production and (iii) Mass or flow production.

A production manager will have to choose most appropriate method for his

enterprise.

The final decision regarding any particular method of production is very much

affected by the nature of the products and the quantity to be produced.

Production methods may be broadly classified as Job Production, Batch

production and Mass or Flow Production.

Types of Production System

Continuous Manufacturing System Intermittent Manufacturing System

Mass Production

Process Production

Batch Shop

Project Projection Flows

Job Shop

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2.1 Job Production:

Under this method peculiar, special or non-standardized products are produced

in accordance with the orders received from the customers. As each product is

non- standardized varying in size and nature, it requires separate job for

production. The machines and equipment’s are adjusted in such a manner so as

to suit the requirements of a particular job.

Job production involves intermittent process as the work is carried as and when

the order is received. It consists of bringing together of material, parts and

components in order to assemble and commission a single piece of equipment

or product. Ship building, dam construction, bridge building, book printing are

some of the examples of job production. Third method of plant layout viz.,

Stationery Material Layout is suitable for job production.

2.1.1 Characteristics:

The job production possesses the following characteristics.

1. A large number of general purpose machines are required.

2. A large number of workers conversant with different jobs will have to be

employed.

3. There can be some variations in production.

4. Some flexibility in financing is required because of variations in work load.

5. A large inventory of materials, parts and tools will be required.

6. The machines and equipment setting will have to be adjusted and readjusted

to the manufacturing requirements.

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7. The movement of materials through the process is intermittent.

2.1.2 Limitations:

Job production has the following limitations:

1. The economies of large scale production may not be attained because

production is done in short-runs.

2. The demand is irregular for some products.

3. The use of labor and equipment may be an inefficient.

4. The scientific assessment of costs is difficult.

2.2 Batch production:

Batch production pertains to repetitive production. It refers to the production of

goods, the quantity of which is known in advance. It is that form of production

where identical products are produced in batches on the basis of demand of

customers’ or of expected demand for products.

This method is generally similar to job production except the quantity of

production. Instead of making one single product as in case of job production, a

batch or group of products are produced at one time. It should be remembered

here that one batch of products may not resemble with the next batch.

Under batch system of production the work is divided into operations and one

operation is done at a time. After completing the work on one operation it is

passed on to the second operation and so on till the product is completed. Batch

production can be explained with the help of an illustration. An enterprise wants

to manufacture 20 electric motors.

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The work will be divided into different operations. The first operation on all the

motors will be completed in the first batch and then it will pass on to the next

operation. The second group of operators will complete the second operation

before the next and so on. Under job production the same operators will

manufacture full machine and not one operation only.

Batch production can fetch the benefits of repetitive production to a large extent,

if the batch is of a sufficient quantity. Thus batch production may be defined as

the manufacture of a product in small or large batches or lots by series of

operations, each operation being carried on the whole batch before any

subsequent operation is operated. This method is generally adopted in case of

biscuit and confectionery and motor manufacturing, medicines, tinned food and

hardware’s like nuts and bolts etc.


The batch production method possesses the following characteristics:

1. The work is of repetitive nature.

2. There is a functional layout of various manufacturing processes.

3. One operation is carried out on whole batch and then is passed on to the next

operation and so on.

4. Same type of machines is arranged at one place.

5. It is generally chosen where trade is seasonal or there is a need to produce

great variety of goods.

(iii) Mass or flow production:

This method involves a continuous production of standardized products on a

large scale. Under this method, production remains continuous in anticipation of

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future demand. Standardization is the basis of mass production. Standardized

products are produced under this method by using standardized materials and

equipment. There is a continuous or uninterrupted flow of production obtained

by arranging the machines in a proper sequence of operations. Process layout

is best suited method for mass production units.

2.3 Flow production:

Flow production is the manufacture of a product by a series of operations, each

article going on to a succeeding operation as soon as possible. The

manufacturing process is broken into separate operations.

The product completed at one operation is automatically passed on to the next

till its completion. There is no time gap between the work done at one process

and the starting at the next. The flow of production is continuous and

progressive.


The mass or flow production possesses the following characteristics.

1. The units flow from one operation point to another throughout the whole

process.

2. There will be one type of machine for each process.

3. The products, tools, materials and methods are standardized.

4. Production is done in anticipation of demand.

5. Production volume is usually high.

6. Machine set ups remain unchanged for a considerable long period.

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7. Any fault in flow of production is immediately corrected otherwise it will stop

the whole production process.

2.3.2. Application of Flow Production:

1. There must be continuity in demand for the product.

2. The products, materials and equipments must be standardized because the

flow of line is inflexible.

3. The operations should be well defined.

4. It should be possible to maintain certain quality standards.

5. It should be possible to find time taken at each operation so that flow of work

is standardized.

6. The process of stages of production should be continuous.

Advantages of mass production:

2.3.3. Advantages of Flow Production

A properly planned flow production method, results in the following advantages:

1. The product is standardized and any deviation in quality etc. is detected at

the spot.

2. There will be accuracy in product design and quality.

3. It will help in reducing direct labor cost.

4. There will be no need of work-in-progress because products will automatically

pass on from operation to operation.

5. Since flow of work is simplified there will be lesser need for control.

6. A weakness in any operation comes to the notice immediately.

7. There may not be any need of keeping work-in-progress, hence storage cost

is reduced.

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2.4. Continuous Production System:

Continuous means something that operates constantly without any irregularities

or frequent halts. In continuous production system, goods are produced

constantly as per demand forecast. Goods are produced on a large scale for

stocking and selling. In continuous production system, goods are not produced

on customer’s orders. Here, the inputs and outputs are standardized along with

the production process and sequence.

Following figure highlights the concept of a continuous production system.

Figure 3: Continuous Production System

Exhibit I: Production System in a Food Industry

The production system of a food industry is purely based on the demand

forecast. Here, a large-scale production of food takes place. It is also a

continuous production system. In the food industry the production doesn’t

depends upon the demand of customers.

Similarly, the production and processing system of a fuel industry is also purely

based on, demand forecast. Crude oil and other raw sources are processed

Demand Forecast Continuous Production System

Production is on a large

Scale Food Industry Fuel Industry

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continuously on a large scale to yield usable form of fuel and compensate global

energy demand.

2.4.1 Characteristics of Continuous Production System:

The characteristics of a continuous production system are as under:

1. In a continuous production system the flow of production is continuous. It is

not intermittent.

2. The products produced in continuous production system are standardized

products.

3. In a continuous production system the products are produced on

predetermined quality standards.

4. The products are produced in anticipation of demand.

2.4.2. Types of Continuous Production System:

The continuous production system has two types:

2.4.2.1 Mass Production System

2.4.2.2. Process Production System

2.4.2.2 Mass Production System

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History of Mass Production System:

The mass production system was first introduced by Henry Ford. In 1910 Henry

Ford laid the foundation of first highly organized assembly line system of

automobile manufacturing. He organized all the elements of a manufacturing

system – people, machines, tooling, and products – and arranged them in a

continuous system called conveyor belt system. Ford Motor Company also

assembled aircraft using mass production techniques. This mass production

success was known as “A-Bomber an Hour” production during World War II

when Henry Ford, upon request from US government, produced bomber air

craft’s for USA.

YouTube animation I : How Mass Production works

Following YouTube link

(i)Explains how Henry Ford perform incredible in the history of craft

assembling

https://youtu.be/iKlt6rNciTo

(ii)Explains how mass production of famous Model T was done

https://youtu.be/IXkxl8dSXb4

a. Definition: Manufacture of discrete parts or assemblies using a continuous

process are called mass production. It involves very large volume of

production. In mass production system the machines are arranged in a

line or product layout. In this system the product and process are

standardized in nature. All outputs follow the same path in mass

production system.

https://youtu.be/iKlt6rNciTo

https://youtu.be/IXkxl8dSXb4

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b. Scope: In mass production system generally, items are produced in large

quantities. The flow of material is uniform in this system of manufacturing.

Only one type of product is produced at one time. It utilizes different

combination of parts to manufacture different kind of products.

c. Application: Mass production refers to that manufacturing process in which

large quantities of standardized products are manufactured by using

assemble line technology. It refers to the process of creating large

numbers of similar products efficiently.

d. Characteristics of Mass Production System:

Following are the main characteristics of mass production system:

1. One of the main characteristics of mass production system is that the

product produced in this system is standardized.

2. The operator is able to do different kind of tasks in mass production

system of manufacturing.

3. The mass production system of manufacturing requires less time to

produce a product because the worker spends little time to develop

material or tools.

4. In mass production system the probability of human error and variation is

also reduced, as tasks are predominantly carried out by machinery.

5. In a mass production system of manufacturing the labour cost is very low

and the rate of production is very high. It enables a company to

produce a larger quantity of one product at a lower cost than using

traditional, non-linear methods.

e. Advantages of Mass Production System:

The main advantages of mass production system are as under:

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1. In mass production system higher rate of production with reduced cycle

time.

2. It doesn’t require highly skilled operators. Semi-skilled operators are

sufficient for mass production system.

3. Manufacturing cost per unit is very low in mass production system.

f. Disadvantages of Mass Production System:

The main disadvantages of mass production system are as under:

1. In mass production manufacturing system every production line is linked

with each other. Breakdown of one machine will stop an entire production

line.

2. Mass production system of manufacturing requires high investment in

production facilities.

3. Line layout needs major change with the changes in the product design.

2.4.2.3 Process Production System:

Definition: Process manufacturing is the production of goods that are typically

produced in bulk quantities. Process manufacturing industries include

chemicals, food and beverage, gasoline, paint and pharmaceutical. The relevant

factors in process manufacturing are ingredients, and bulk materials rather than

individual units.

Scope: Process manufacturing is a kind of manufacturing that involves the

combination of supplies or ingredients according to formulas rather than

assembly of discrete parts through mechanical processes. The products of

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process manufacturing may include such substances as plastics, food,

beverages and pharmaceuticals.

2.4.2.4. Intermittent Manufacturing System:

Definition: Intermittent means something that starts and stops at irregular

intervals. In the intermittent manufacturing system, goods are produced based

on customer’s orders. In this system, goods are produced on a small scale. The

flow of production is irregular. In other words, the flow of production is not

continuous. A variety of products are produced in intermittent manufacturing

system. These products are of different sizes. The design of these products

goes on changing. The intermittent production system is very flexible.

Exhibit I : Ornaments Producer

We can take example of ornaments producer and a tailor who stitches clothes to

understand the concept of intermittent production system. It is shown in

following figure:

Figure 4: Intermittent Manufacturing System

Customers Order & Customers Specific Intermittent Production System

No Continuous flow of same size GoldSmith Tailor

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Now let’s first take the example of GoldSmith.

1. The work of a goldsmith is purely based on the frequency of his customer’s

orders. The goldsmith makes goods (ornaments) on a small scale basis as

per his customer’s requirements. Here, ornaments are not manufactured on a

continuous basis.

2. Similarly, the work of a tailor is also based on the number of orders he gets

from his customers. The tailor stitched clothes independently for every

customer as per their measurement and size. Stitched clothes are made on a

limited scale and are proportional to the number of orders received from

customers. Here, stitching is not done on a continuous basis.

Characteristics

The characteristics of an intermittent production system are listed as follows:

(I) The flow of production is not continuous. It is intermittent.

(II) Wide varieties of products are produced.

(III) The volume of production is small.

(IV) The intermittent production system utilizes general purpose machines.

These machines can be used to produce different types of products.

(V) The sequence of operation goes on changing as per the design of the

product.

(VI) The quantity, size, shape, design etc. of the product depends on the

customers orders.

Classification

The intermittent production system has three types which are as under:

(A) Project Production Flows,

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(B) Job Shop Production System, and

(C) Batch Shop Production System.

3. Project Production Flows:

A project process lies at the high-customization, low volume end of the process-

choice continuum. Examples of project process are building a shopping center,

planning a major event, constructing a new hospital, doing management

consulting work, or developing a new technology or product. Once a project is

completed it can be characterized by a high degree of job customization, scope

of the project, and the release of substantial resources. Different projects have

different sequence of operations and process as per their requirement. In

manufacturing and service sector the process must be customer specific.

Firms with project processes sell themselves on the basis of their capabilities

rather than on specific products or services. Projects are large, complex and

take a long time. There are many interrelated tasks in a project which requires

close coordination. Therefore, firms need to focus on coordination between

various interrelated tasks. Projects typically make heavy use of certain skills and

resources at particular stages and then have little use for them the rest of the

time. A project process is based on a flexible flow strategy. Work flows are

redefined with each new project.

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Job Shop Production System:

Job shop production system is a system that manufactures one or few quantity

of products which are designed and produced as per the specification of

customers within prefixed time and cost. The distinguishing feature of this

system is low volume and high variety of products.

A job shop comprises of general purpose machines arranged into different

departments. Each job demands unique technological requirements, demands

processing on machines in a certain sequence.

Job shop production system requires versatile and skilled labour force which

can be utilized for multitasking by the organization. It involves high capital

investment and high unit cost of production. In job shop production system the

control operations are relatively simple.

Job shop process is a kind of manufacturing process in which small batch of a

variety of custom products are made. Job shops are typically small

manufacturing systems that handle job production. Job production means,

custom or semi-custom manufacturing processes such as small to medium size

customer orders or batch jobs. Job shops typically move on to different jobs

(possibly with different customers) when each job is completed. In job shops

machines are aggregated in shops by the nature of skills and technological

processes involved, each shop therefore may contain different machines. Job

shop process is basically a manufacturing process which produces piece goods

in small batches.

A job shop is a flexible operation that has several activities through which work

can pass. In a job shop, it is not necessary for all activities to be performed on

all products, and their sequence may be different for different products.

To illustrate the concept of a job shop, consider the case of a machine shop. In

a machine shop, a variety of equipment such as drill presses, lathes, and milling

machines is arranged in stations. Work is passed only to those machines

required by it, and in the sequence required by it. This is a very flexible

arrangement that can be used for wide variety of products.

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A job shop uses general purpose equipment and relies on the knowledge of

workers to produce a wide variety of products. Volume is adjusted by adding or

removing labor as needed. Job shops are low in efficiency but high in flexibility.

Rather than selling specific products, a job shop often sells its capabilities.

A job shop process creates the flexibility needed to produce a variety of

products or services in significant quantities. Customization is relatively high and

volume for any one product or service is low. The work force and equipment are

flexible and handle various tasks. A job shop process primarily involves the use

of flexible flow strategy, with resource organized around the process. Most jobs

have a different sequence of processing steps.

Characteristics of Job Shop Production System:

The main characteristics of job shop production system are as under:

(I) It involves high variety of products and low volume.

(II) A job shop production system utilizes general purpose machines and

facilities.

(III) The operators of job shop production system are highly skilled who can

take up each job as a challenge because of uniqueness.

(IV) It involves large inventory of materials, tools, parts etc.

(V) Detailed planning is essential for sequencing the requirements of each

product, capacities for each work centre and order priorities.

Advantages of Job Shop Production System:

Following are the advantages of job shop production:

(I) An important advantage of the job shop production system is that a

variety of products can be produced because it utilizes general purpose

machines.

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(II) The operators of the job shop production system will become more

skilled and competent, as each job gives them learning opportunities.

They are capable of doing multitasking.

(III) In job shop production system the organization can utilised full potential

of operators.

(IV) There is an opportunity for creative methods and innovative ideas in job

shop production system.

Disadvantages of Job Shop Production System:

Some of the disadvantages of job shop production system are as under:

(I) The job shop production system is a costly system due to frequent set

up changes.

(II) This system involves higher inventory cost as it requires higher level of

inventory to operate systematically.

(III) As the job shop production system requires higher level of inventory,

therefore the space requirement is very large for proper maintenance of

the inventory.

(IV) Job shop manufacturing will require skilled workers who will be

involved in a variety of tasks. If skilled workers are not available then

this system will not function properly.

Batch Shop Production System:

A batch process is similar to a job shop, except that the sequence of activities

tends to be in a line and is less flexible. In a batch process, dominant flows can

be identified. The activities, while in-line, are disconnected from one another. It

means, a batch process executes different production runs for different

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products. The disadvantage is the setup time required to change from one

product to the other, but the advantage is that some flexibility in product mix can

be achieved. As its name indicates, products are produced in batches.

Batch production is most common in bakeries and in the manufacture of sports

shoes, pharmaceutical ingredients, water purifying, inks, paints etc. A batch flow

process differs from the job process with respect to volume, variety, and

quantity. The primary difference is that volumes are higher because the same or

similar products or services are provided repeatedly.

The American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) define batch

production as, “a form of manufacturing in which the job passes through the

functional departments in lots or batches and each lot may have a different

routing”.

It is characterized by the manufacture of limited number of products produced at

regular intervals and stocked awaiting sales.

In batch production system items are processed in lot or batch and the

produced product is unique. It utilizes specialized labour for each operation.

Organization and planning is more complicated in batch production system.

In batch production system new batch is undertaken for production only when

the work on all items of a batch is completed.

Characteristics of Batch Production System:

Batch production system has following characteristics:

(I) Plant and machinery utilized in batch production system are flexible.

(II) In batch production system plant and machinery set up is used for the

production of item in a batch and change of set up is required for

processing the next batch.

(III) The manufacturing lead time and cost are lower in batch production

system as compared to job production system.

Advantages of Batch Production System:

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The advantages of batch production system are as under:

(I) Better utilisation of plant and machinery is possible under batch

production system.

(II) It promotes functional specialisation.

(III) In batch production system the per unit cost is lower as compared to

job production system.

(IV) Investment in plant and machinery is lower. Therefore it is a cost

beneficiary method of manufacturing.

(V) The batch production system provides flexibility to accommodate and

process number of products.

Disadvantages of Batch Production System:

The main disadvantages of batch production system are as under:

(I) In batch production system the material handling process is complex

because of irregular and longer flows.

(II) In this system the production planning and control is complex.

(III) Work in process inventory is higher compared to continuous

production.

(IV) Set up cost is higher due to frequent changes in set up.

4. Mass Customization:

The concept of mass customization is based on the notion of ‘economies of

scope’, where advances in manufacturing and information technology, as well

as new management methods i.e. just in time and lean production, enables

firms to provide a variety of product and customization through flexibility and

quick responsiveness in many industries.

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Customization enables firms to produce a variety of products so that everyone

finds exactly what he or she wants at a reasonable price. The main objective of

mass customization is that to provide such kinds of products that best meet

customers’ needs. Mass customization is very vital for companies to survive in

an increasingly diversified and competitive market.

Mass customization is the new concept in the field of manufacturing and

marketing. The specialty of mass customization is that it provides custom made

products with a low cost. Through mass customization firms are able to diversify

their product ranges. Customization helps companies to improve the customer

value that will provide a competitive advantage in the industry.

According to Kotler (1989) the concept of ‘mass market’ is dead and market

segmentation has now progressed to the era of mass customization. Kotler and

others argue that firms operating in the current competitive landscape can no

longer produce standardized products or services for homogenous markets and

still command superior returns. In this context, mass customization represents

the ‘new frontier’ in a world of increasingly saturated markets and sluggish

growth in demand for many manufactured products.

5. Difference between Mass Production and Mass Customization:

The main difference between mass production and mass customization are as

under:

Basis of Difference Mass Production Mass Customization

Definition Mass production can be defined as the production of large quantities of standardized products quickly.

Mass customization refers to the process by which customer made products are made with a low cost.

Customer Needs In mass production the customer needs are homogeneous in nature. For example, in Asian countries rice is the

In mass customization, the needs of the customers are heterogeneous or diverse in nature. For

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staple food during lunch time. So, it is similar with large number of customers.

example, different customers have different requirements in a mobile phone. One may require a large screen; one may require a good camera, and so on.

Suitability Mass production is suitable for customers who have homogeneous kind of requirements. The market should be for standardized products.

Mass customization is suitable for customers who have diverse kind of needs.

Key Features Stable demand for the product; The market is large homogeneous; The product have low cost and consistent quality; Products and services are standardized in nature; The product development cycle is long; The life cycle of the product is long.

Fragmented demand for the product; Heterogeneous niche market; The product have low cost and high quality; Products and services are customized in nature; The product development cycle is short; The life cycle of the product is short.

Customer Involvement In mass production customers are passively involved in the value chain.

In mass customization customers are actively involved in the value chain.

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a repgp.inflibnet.ac.in/epgpdata/uploads/epgp_content/...5 Management Operation Management Characteristics of Mass and Continuous Operating System 2.1 Job Production: Under this