Multiple-stage production planning research: History and opportunities

Surveys multiple-stage production planning literature to reveal that this sizeable body of research is largely inspired by single-item production planning. Suggests several promising research opportunities, including the possible development of scheduling techniques not derived from older, single-item procedures. Highlights the need for further comparative testing between existing ''improved'' techniques, as well as the wealth of work yet to be done in multiple-stage production planning with limited resources and possible extensions to supply-chain management.