Managing Complexity

This proceedings volume presents the latest research fromthe worldwide mass customization, personalization and co-creation (MCPC)community bringing together new thoughts and results from various disciplineswithin the field. The chapters are based on papers from The MCPC 2015Conference where the emphasis was placed on “managing complexity.” MCPC is nowbeginning to emerge in many industries as a profitable business model. Butcustomization and personalization go far beyond the sheer individualization ofproducts and become an extension of current business models and productionstyles. This book covers topics such as complexity management ofknowledge-based systems in manufacturing design and production, sustainablemass customization, choice navigation, and product modeling. The chapters arecontributed by a wide range of specialists, offering cutting-edge research, aswell as insightful advances in industrial practice in key areas.

The MCPC 2015 Conference had a strong focus on real lifeMCPC applications, and this proceedings volume reflects this. MCPC strategiesaim to profit from the fact that people are different. Their objective is toturn customer heterogeneities into profit opportunities, hence addressing thecurrent trend of long tail business models. Mass customization means to providegoods and services that best serve individual customers’ personal needs withnear mass production efficiency. This book brings together the latest from MCPCthought leaders, entrepreneurs, technology developers, and researchers that usethese strategies in practice.