Using market preference analytics to maximise plant utilisation leading to flexible manufacturing system design and operations in the FMCG industry

Abstract

This Delphi Study’s main thrust is to investigate market preference and equipment management data, i.e., big data in product development. Subsequently, testing how linking these to flexible manufacturing systems design and operations can maximise plant utilisation in the FMCG industry. In this sequential exploratory mixed methods inquiry with sixteen (16) panellists, a framework that links big data to maximised plant utilisation, through twelve (12) hypotheses is tested. The study suggests that the results are in line with extant literature on the investigated constructs and linkages. The findings strengthen extant literature and contribute empirical evidence to applying big data in the supply chain and product lifecycle management work-processes. The results confirm big data’s potential to improve collaboration across the investigated value chain. The findings of this research have regulatory implications for government, strategy implications for practitioners and research implications for academia