INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLE OF PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT IN PRODUCTION.

INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLE OF PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT IN PRODUCTION.

ABSTRACT

This investigation focuses on the role of product lifecycle management (PLM) in production and provides insights into its practical implications. survey design was adopted, utilizing a descriptive survey method to collect data from the management staff of the Nigerian Bottling Company PLM, Kaduna Plant. The population of the study consisted of 800 staff members across various levels of management. A sample size of 80 respondents was randomly selected using a random sampling technique. Data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics and Likert-scale items. The mean statistic was used for data analysis, determining the level of agreement or disagreement. Hypotheses were tested using the chi-square method. The research methodology employed in this study provides a comprehensive approach to gathering and analyzing data on the role of PLM in production. The study reveals that organizations need to adopt a proactive approach to stay competitive by continuously innovating their products. Internal sources such as marketing research and direct customer feedback play a crucial role in guiding strategic decision-making in PLM. However, there is a potential opportunity for companies to broaden their sources of information by incorporating suggestions from employees, stakeholders, and indirect competitor information from suppliers. Practical recommendations include fostering a culture of innovation, enhancing customer-centricity, diversifying strategic information sources, investing in data analytics and technology, and continuously evaluating and adapting PLM strategies. By implementing these recommendations, organizations can enhance their PLM practices, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth in the production process.

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1        Background to the Study

In today’s rapidly changing business environment, organizations face numerous challenges in managing their product development and manufacturing processes efficiently. The concept of Product Lifecycle Management has emerged as a strategic approach to address these challenges. Product Lifecycle Management refers to the systematic management of a product from its inception to retirement, encompassing all stages from design and development to production, distribution, and disposal.

PLM involves the integration of people, data, processes, and business systems throughout the product’s lifecycle to optimize product development, improve operational efficiency, and enhance collaboration among various stakeholders. It provides companies with a comprehensive framework to streamline their production processes, reduce time-to-market, improve product quality, and achieve greater customer satisfaction. PLM is a strategic approach that encompasses the management of a product from its inception to retirement, covering various stages such as design, development, production, distribution, and disposal (Grieves, 2017).

PLM involves the integration of people, data, processes, and business systems throughout the product’s lifecycle to optimize product development, improve operational efficiency, and enhance collaboration among various stakeholders (Oghazi et al., 2018). It provides organizations with a comprehensive framework to streamline their production processes, reduce time-to-market, improve product quality, and achieve greater customer satisfaction (Chen et al., 2019). The implementation of PLM systems has become increasingly prevalent in industry as organizations recognize the potential benefits they offer. PLM systems facilitate the centralization and management of product-related data, enabling efficient collaboration among different departments and stakeholders involved in the production process (Gebken et al., 2020). These systems provide a unified platform for storing, accessing, and sharing product information, ensuring data integrity and consistency throughout the lifecycle (Khan et al., 2020). Moreover, PLM systems incorporate functionalities such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), enabling seamless integration between design and production activities (Gupta et al., 2019). By integrating these processes, organizations can improve communication, reduce errors, and accelerate the transition from design to production (Khan et al., 2020).

However, despite the growing adoption of PLM systems, there is a need for further investigation into their role in production. Many organizations implement PLM systems without fully understanding their potential impact on production operations (Gebken et al., 2020). As a result, there is a research gap in understanding how PLM can effectively support and enhance production processes. To address this research gap, this study aims to investigate the role of PLM in production and assess its impact on production efficiency, quality, and overall performance.

1.2 Research Problem

The Nigerian manufacturing industry faces various challenges in effectively managing product development and production processes. Nigerian producers often encounter difficulties in managing the entire lifecycle of their products efficiently. The lack of systematic approaches to handle product information, design changes, and collaboration among stakeholders has led to inefficiencies, increased costs, and delays in bringing products to market. Nigerian producers often rely on manual and disjointed processes, leading to challenges in maintaining product quality, meeting customer demands, and achieving sustainable growth (Oyelade et al., 2019).

The practices of Nigerian producers in adopting PLM systems and methodologies are not yet well-documented. It is crucial to examine how Nigerian producers currently manage their product lifecycles, including their approaches to product design, prototyping, production planning, inventory management, and quality control. Understanding these practices will shed light on the existing gaps and limitations in product lifecycle management within the Nigerian manufacturing industry.

Furthermore, it is essential to identify the reasons why PLM is important for Nigerian producers. Effective PLM implementation can bring several benefits to Nigerian producers, such as improved product quality, reduced time-to-market, increased production efficiency, enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, and better customer satisfaction (Oyelade et al., 2019). However, the awareness and understanding of these benefits among Nigerian producers may be limited, leading to a slower adoption of PLM practices. The findings will contribute to the development of strategies and recommendations for Nigerian producers to enhance their product development and production processes, ultimately fostering growth, competitiveness, and sustainability in the Nigerian manufacturing industry.

1.3 Research Questions

To address the research problem, the following research questions have been formulated:

1. What is the current state of PLM implementation in production environments?
2. What are the key challenges faced by organizations in integrating PLM into their production processes?
3. How does PLM impact production efficiency, quality, and overall performance?
4. What are the critical success factors for effective PLM implementation in production?

1.4 Research Objectives

The main objectives of this research study are as follows:

1. To assess the current state of PLM implementation in production environments.
2. To identify and analyze the challenges faced by organizations in integrating PLM into their production processes.
3. To evaluate the impact of PLM on production efficiency, quality, and overall performance.
4. To determine the critical success factors for effective PLM implementation in production.

1.5 Significance of the Study

This research study holds significant importance for various stakeholders, including organizations, managers, practitioners, and researchers. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the role of PLM in production and its potential benefits. The study will help organizations understand the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing PLM systems in their production environments and enable them to make informed decisions regarding the adoption and utilization of PLM technology.

Furthermore, this research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the impact of PLM on production operations. It will help bridge the research gap and enhance our understanding of how PLM can effectively support and improve production processes.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This research study will focus on investigating the role of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) in production within the Nigerian Bottling Company PLM located in Kaduna. The study will be conducted exclusively within the premises of the Nigerian Bottling Company PLM in Kaduna, limiting the scope to this specific organization.

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