Product Production Complexity Research: Developments and Opportunities

Using complexity management to address the product-production system has become a substantial competitive factor for manufacturing companies. As the industry is facing various challenges, which are structured in the so called complexity radar, scientific research has been intensified. This paper analyzes the current state and opportunities in the research area of product-production complexity by evaluating a total of 372 publications. The associated evaluation methodology was developed by using statistical methods to allocate publications to the complexity radar's objectives and effects. The identification of addressed areas as well as progress in complexity management research allows for a deduction of further research opportunities. Furthermore, interdependencies between currently pursued research areas are analyzed, targeting at the exploration of multi-objective research topics. The extensive literature review comprehensively reveals the current state of complexity management research as well as further research opportunities.