| Abstract [eng] |
In this article I analyse the problem, of how to use advanced planning systems (APS) to facilitate the cooperation of businesses in a region. The object of the research is the use of APS in regional business cooperation, the goal of the article is to determine the role APS play in the facilitation of regional cooperation. Main tasks of the article are: 1) to research theoretical premises for regional cooperation; 2) to uncover the specifics of advanced planning systems; 3) to create a model that would illustrate the role of APS in facilitating regional business cooperation. Analysis of scientific literature on APS and regional cooperation was used as the main method of research, modelling was used for the model formation. After research I concluded, that cooperation by forming horizontal networks is one of the main aspects of doing successful business in a globalised world. Cooperation between organizations is one of stimulating factors of their development; this could lead to the improvement of overall economic and social situation in the region. Two of the most important factors that facilitate the international cooperation between organizations are the spread of information communication technologies and the establishment of English language as a universal mean of communication in the business world. Political factors are also important in cross border cooperation; they can facilitate, as well as hinder the cooperation. Advanced planning systems are one of the forms in which information communication technologies influence regional cooperation. Development of APS is closely linked to the development of these technologies. APS allow integrating the planning of the entire supply chain or even a network of organisations by determining the alternatives, goals, constraints and by applying the optimisation methods to form a hierarchical planning system. When manufacturing takes place in several plants it is crucial to coordinate the production process between them, APS is the tool to ensure effective coordination of such kind and could be considered as one of the premises for implementing Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR) model in network organisations. The model that is formulated in this article shows the role of APS in the facilitation of regional cooperation. Horizontal lines in the model represent national borders, so the arrows that cross those lines represent cross border business cooperation. It could mean cooperation between separate divisions of the same organisation (as is shown by the oval encircling three of the APS modules), but it can also mean the cooperation between independent organisations that form a network of organizations, that is being coordinated by the help of APS modules in each of them. The cooperation takes place at both ends of the supply chain, it is convergent in nature when we look at buying, and divergent when we look at selling. APS are also used in each of the nodes comprising the organisational network to plan, coordinate and optimise the manufacturing process in each link of the supply chain. |
