Manufacturing Logistics Research: Taxonomy and Directions

This paper examines research directions and opportunities in manufacturing logistics based on recommendations from an NSF sponsored workshop, and subsequent efforts by the authors to synthesize, extract and revitalize the vision formed in the workshop. To convey this vision we suggest a taxonomy that characterizes research problems in manufacturing logistics by the physical entities (systems) involved, the level-of-abstraction, the focus, and the type of decision (decision scope) intended, and the broader business context (business environment) of which the research can be justified. A main goal of the paper is to envision a broader and richer research base in manufacturing logistics through the explicit consideration of business contexts and technological trends. We argue that these renewed directions for manufacturing logistics research offer opportunities for the OR/MS professionals to exert influence on corporate decision making, and to make direct impact on software innovation.