Research framework for investigating the effectiveness of dampening procedures to cope with MRP system nervousness

There are several alternatives suggested in the literature to deal with material requirements planning (MRP) system nervousness. Conventional uncertainty buffering techniques, such as safety stock, excess capacity, and safety lead time, can be used to cope with unplanned events and to reduce the impact of system nervousness. However, inappropriate use of safety stock could result in significant work-in-process inventory and using safety lead time could distort priorities and increase inventories. Safety capacity is another buffering mechanism which has been used to deal with uncertainty. Dampening procedures to cope with system nervousness have recently received some attention. Here a classification framework is presented which provides a basis for investigating the relative performance of dampening procedures to cope with MRP system nervousness. Operating characteristics are identified and future research directions are suggested.