*Corresponding author. Tel.: 852 2859 7055; fax: 852 2858
6535; e-mail:tnwong@hkuiea.hku.hk.
Int. J. Production Economics 60—61 (1999) 211—219
Decision support system for a jewellery manufacturer
T.N. Wong!,*, C.H. Cheung!, H. Lau"
! Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road,
Hong Kong, People+s Republic of China
" Advanced Technology Education Centre, Regency Institute, Days Road, Regency Park, 5010, South Australia, Australia
Abstract
Hong Kong’s jewellery industry has long been relying on traditional methods for production control and management
and it becomes necessary to search for ways to increase the efficiency and to improve the productivity. This paper
describes the development of a management information system with a specially designed decision support system to
meet the specific requirements of Hong Kong’s jewellery industry. It aims at assisting a jewellery manufacturer to make
decisions in various areas of operation, including price quotation, sales analysis, materials requirement planning, vendor
selection and job assignment. ( 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Decision support system; Jewellery industry; Manufacturing planning and control
1. Introduction
Hong Kong’s jewellery industry is renowned for
both the quality of its workmanship and its flexibil-
ity in accommodating the needs of its customers. Its
designs meet international standards in terms of
originality, creativity and fashion. Production of
fine jewellery encompasses a wide range from me-
dium- to high-price products. Items include rings,
earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, bangles,
brooches, beads, chokers, cuff-links, tie-pins, tie-
clips and collar bars. Diamonds and gemstones
used are mostly point-size, usually set with different
combinations of colours. Hong Kong manufac-
turers are strong at producing small stones fashion
jewellery and their skills in gem setting as well as
design are competitive with European manufac-
turers [1].
Toda