Using Entropy Metrics to Analyze Information Processing Within Production Systems: The Role of Organizational Constraints

Frits van Merode (), Henri Boersma, Fleur Tournois, Windi Winasti, Nelson Aloysio Reis de Almeida Passos and Annelies van der Ham
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Frits van Merode: Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Henri Boersma: Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Fleur Tournois: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht University, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
Windi Winasti: Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis, 5022 GC Tilburg, The Netherlands
Nelson Aloysio Reis de Almeida Passos: Department of Computer Science, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Annelies van der Ham: Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands

Logistics, 2025, vol. 9, issue 2, 1-24

Abstract: Background : The literature on measuring the complexity of production systems employs the graph and information theory. This study analyzes these systems and their coordination under varying states of control, with a focus on the probability of unfavorable events and their temporal characteristics. Methods : Coordination systems are represented as temporal networks, using entropy and node influence metrics. Two case studies are presented: a factory operating under the principles of the Toyota Production System (TPS) with adjacent (local) coordination and andon (global) coordination and a university obstetrics clinic with only adjacent (local) coordination. Results : Adjacent coordination leads to zero entropy in 38.40% of all situations in the TPS example, contrasted to 76.62% in the same system with andon coordination. Degree centrality of nodes outside of zero-entropy situations exhibits higher average and maximum values in andon coordination networks, compared to those with adjacent coordination in TPS. Entropy values in the university obstetric clinic range from 0.92 to 2.23, average degrees vary between 3 and 4.08, and maximum degrees range from 7 to 9. Conclusions : Coordination systems modeled as temporal networks capture the evolving nature of centralizing and decentralizing coordination in production systems.

Keywords: production systems; supply chain; information processing; temporal network; Toyota Production System; Takt; obstetrics; entropy; complexity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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