Validating a manufacturing paradigm: a system dynamics modeling approach

Logic tools from the Theory of Constraints (TOC) provide the ability to descriptively characterize the entity relationships responsible for a typical, although somewhat chaotic, manufacturing environment. Basically through one-to-one mappings, System Dynamics (SD) models are created from the TOC logic diagrams. Insights gained from exercising the SD models are used to establish a new managerial conceptual framework. This structure guides managers through the continuous improvement process relative to addressing either a physical, policy, or paradigm constraint in their production system.