Patterns in production control

Production control can be regarded as a sub-system of the tota1 production system. The development of system theory is a major step forward in the study of organisation: Scott (1967)1 comments upon the systems approach: "The distinctive qualities of modern organisation theory are its conceptual-analytical base, its reliance on empirical research data, and, above all, its synthesising, integrating, nature. These qualities are framed in a philosophy which accepts the premise that the only meaningfu1 way to study organisation is as a system." Simon (1964)2 agrees with this view judging organisations as complex systems of decision-making processes. The term "systems" being used more and more to refer to methods of scientific analysis that are particularly adapted to the unravelling of complexity. Homans (1950)3 considers an organisation as comprising an external environment system and an internal system of relationship which are mutually interdependent. In this context production control can be looked upon as a linking system between the environment represented by customer demaod and the production system seen as a conversion process for transforming raw materials and bought out components into finished goods to satisfy this demand.