 Optimal flow-line conditions with worker variabilityFrank Bentefouet and David A. Nembhard International Journal of Production Economics, 2013, vol. 141, issue 2, 675-684 Abstract: When classical scheduling theory is applied to task sequencing problems, human characteristics are often not the primary consideration and their impact is often assumed away. In this paper, we examine the workforce scheduling problem in sequential flow line systems. We investigate the impact of within-worker and between-worker variability and discuss the selection of scheduling policies between fixed and work-sharing systems. The methodology includes human performance modeling with the objective to maximize throughput with general results with respect to productivity model. We are interested in determining and characterizing the optimal switching time between workers in work-sharing systems. A closed form solution is established in the case of two and three tasks with two workers. For a general number of workers and tasks we establish the maximum number of changes between assignments. We also establish a bound on throughput. Results allow one to solve workforce scheduling problems reduced complexity given the current set of bounds and conditions. Keywords: Related tasks; Scheduling; Individual differences; Worker performance; Learning; Forgetting (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:proeco:v:141:y:2013:i:2:p:675-684 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2012.10.008 Access Statistics for this article International Journal of Production Economics is currently edited by Stefan Minner More articles in International Journal of Production Economics from Elsevier |
Is your work missing from RePEc? Here is how to contribute.
Questions or problems? Check the EconPapers FAQ or send mail to .
EconPapers is hosted by the
School of Business at Örebro University.