Knowledge management, value chain modelling and simulation as primary tools for Mass customization

Even though it is an attractive strategy, Mass customization (MC) is not feasible in all environments, and when it is, it presents many challenges to be dealt with [Aigbedo 2007 and Helms, et al. 2008]. Therefore, an extensive study on how to implement MC is needed before the actual implementation. Collaboration is a necessity in a MC environment, whether between the customer and the company, the company and its supply chain partners, or the different members of the company's value chain. Knowledge management is a tool that assures this collaboration by better capturing, storing, and reusing data. In addition deciding on whether to implement MC or not is not an easy task; simulation can be used as a decision support system by evaluating the company's performances. This paper presents Knowledge management, value chain modelling and simulation as tools for MC implementation, applied on the shoe industry under a European project named DOROTHY.