Formalization of the Flow of Component-Related Information in Precast Concrete Supply Chains
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 134, Issue 2
Abstract
Information flow in precast concrete supply chains should be streamlined to simplify complexities in tracking highly customized components and related information. Currently, information created, exchanged, accessed, updated, and stored in a precast supply chain is not formalized. Consequently, even though various advanced technologies are available to streamline information flow, there is no formal way to identify the requirements and appropriate mechanisms for utilizing these technologies. This paper describes some major patterns in information flow related to precast components through postdesign phases in precast supply chains, based on observations made in the United States. It specifically proposes several propositions that characterize the information flow and tests those propositions in descriptive case studies. It also depicts an information flow framework for formalizing information flow patterns in supply chains. The results include a list of information groups and major patterns of information flow observed in precast supply chains. It is expected that these results will enable researchers to develop formalisms and automated approaches to streamline information flow and help practitioners identify information flow patterns in their companies and corresponding supply chains to develop approaches and technologies to streamline the flow accordingly.
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Acknowledgments
The research reported in this paper is partially supported by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance (PITA), the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI), and High Concrete, Inc. The writers would like to thank High Concrete, Inc., Shockey Precast, and CTI, Inc. for their assistance and support. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of PITA, PCI, High Concrete, Shockey Precast, or CTI.
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Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 134 • Issue 2 • February 2008
Pages: 112 - 121
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Apr 10, 2006
Accepted: Jul 3, 2007
Published online: Feb 1, 2008
Published in print: Feb 2008
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