In this research, entropy is proposed as a measure of flexibility. First, entropy is presented by tracing its origins in thermodynamics to its role in information theory. Properties of entropy that make it a suitable measure of flexibility are outlined. After that, the strategic importance of flexibility is established. Then, previous research on definitions of flexibility and different measures of flexibility are discussed, as well as entropic measures developed by other researchers. This leads to proposing a entropy as general measure of process flexibility that can be used on a dynamic basis, i.e., along a time continuum. A mathematical model is developed as well as the application of entropy within the model. A computer simulation of a job shop model is used to test the measure through a number of different scenarios. Results of the simulation show that entropy succeeds in measuring flexibility when the relative demands of products change, but is not successful when the relative demands do not change or change a little. It is concluded that entropy is a relative measure that can be used to monitor process flexibility with time, but needs to be combined with other parameters to be of more practical use.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.20520 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Creators | Shuaibi, Eyas S. |
| Contributors | Thomou, Vince (advisor) |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Engineering (Department of Mechanical Engineering.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 001609545, proquestno: MQ44041, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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