When to implement fast-track production? A decision framework and case study
针对直接面向消费者的产品供应商面临的缺货问题，提出了一个评估何时采用快速生产来应对缺货的决策框架，并通过案例展示了其在产能投资决策中的实际应用。
Stockouts are a significant issue for direct-to-consumer product suppliers, as demand for these products is often challenging to predict. However, the literature offers only limited guidance for companies to tackle this problem. To address this gap, this paper develops a decision framework for assessing when fast-track production is a viable response to stockouts. The framework integrates context, symptoms, feasibility and business case viability to provide a structured process that links lost sales estimation, replenishment lead times and investment evaluation. A case study demonstrates the framework’s practical application and its value for managerial decision-making in capacity investment and design. Building on this, a profitability threshold model is introduced to identify the production line capacity that maximises benefit by balancing recovered sales against investment costs. The study contributes to production research by advancing knowledge on lost sales estimation, decision-making under uncertainty and differentiated supply chain strategies. It further shows how responsiveness can complement efficiency-oriented practices.