Management of product architecture modularity for mass customization: Modeling and theoretical considerations

This paper examines the management of product architecture modularity for mass customization. Product architecture modularity is concerned with system decomposition, the selection of components and how they are linked with each other without compromising system integrity. The goal of mass customization is to produce customized goods at low cost. It has enabled many companies to penetrate new markets and capture customers whose personal needs were not met by standard products and services. Mass customization is enabled through modular product architectures, from which a wide variety of products can be configured and assembled. In order to understand the implications of product architecture modularity for mass customization, the "modularization function" is explored by applying and simulating it to a hypothetical system. Based on this exercise and sources from the literature, a new model is introduced. Furthermore, theoretical and engineering management implications are also discussed.