A master scheduling model with skilled and unskilled temporary workers

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2006

Abstract

A new model called MPS-T is presented for the scheduling of temporary workers in mixed model flow lines with both skilled and unskilled workstations. We classify workers in two dimensions: (i) permanent or temporary, and (ii) skilled or unskilled. While all permanent workers are skilled, temporary workers can be either skilled or unskilled. Two workstation restrictions are modeled in the MPS-T: (i) some workstations may be limited to only skilled workers if there is a significant operational complexity, (ii) each workstation is limited to a minimum ratio of permanent to temporary workers. Such workforce models are commonly seen in labor intensive export oriented factories located in the Far East. These factories experience an order behavior that is characterized by high variance and short lead times. Distinguishing between worker types, permits management to limit their fixed workforce costs and also rapidly access a cheaper labor pool to meet demand surges. MPS-T is modeled as a mixed integer program and the key decisions are: (i) What type of temporary workers to hire or layoff in each period, (ii) the number of workers to hire or layoff in each period, (iii) the assignment of the work time of workers to the work stations, and (iv) the usage of overtime hours. A case study example to study model behavior under different parametric conditions is reported. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Identifier

33745870883 (Scopus)

Publication Title

International Journal of Production Economics

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2005.11.009

ISSN

09255273

First Page

798

Last Page

809

Issue

2

Volume

103

Grant

PHD/00120/2541

Fund Ref

Thailand Research Fund

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