Manufacturing networks in the era of digital production and operations: A socio-cyber-physical perspective

The performance of manufacturing networks relies on interactions. Digitalization supports an evidence-based understanding of partners’ idiosyncrasies and behaviours, so that proper decision-making takes place. Indeed, context uncertainty and flexible problem solving demand human involvement in cyber-physical systems. Therefore, to materialize systems efficiency along with flexibility and robustness, human aspects and limitations need to be properly considered in the planning and control of manufacturing networks. This vision paper aims to address distributed decision-making in digital and integrated manufacturing networks under a socio-cyber-physical systems perspective. Therefore, this exploratory study presents a narrative review of current research literature, followed by a research framework proposition. Manufacturing and control research communities need to embrace a convergent vision addressing (i) how manufacturing networks can be planned and controlled in the future, (ii) which are the proper decision-making methods and approaches, as well as (iii) which are the technology drivers fostering new research opportunities with practical impact. In this context, the proposed framework indicates potential research avenues and offers an agenda for future work.