Global production networks: Design and operation

Industrial companies are nowadays acting in global production networks (GPNs). A comprehensive scientific overview of those networks is still missing. To close this gap, a framework for designing and operating GPNs is introduced. It structures influencing factors, challenges, enablers and outlines the need for decision support systems. The state of the art in designing and operating GPNs is reviewed. Three trends are identified that help to transform historical grown networks into changeable GPNs with a focused network footprint. In conclusion, a need for future research in forming the production strategy, designing the network footprint and managing the network is given. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of CIRP.