The problem of sequencing jobs on a single machine to minimize total cost (earliness and

tardiness) is nowadays not just important due to traditional concerns but also due to its

importance in the context of Collaborative Networked Organizations and Virtual Enterprises,

where precision about promptly responses to customers’ requests, along with other

important requirements, assume a crucial role. In order to provide a contribution in this

direction, in this paper the authors contribute with an applied constructive heuristics that

tries to find appropriate solutions for single machine scheduling problems under different

processing times and due dates, and without preemption allowed. In this paper, two different

approaches for single-machine scheduling problems, based on external and internal

performance measures are applied to the problem and a comparative analysis is performed.

Computational results are presented for the problem under Just-in-Time and agile conditions

on which each job has a due date, and the objective is to minimize the sum of holding costs

for jobs completed before their due date and tardiness costs for jobs completed after their

due date. Additional computational tests were developed based on different customer and

enterprise oriented performance criteria, although preference is given to customer-oriented

measures, namely the total number of tardy jobs and the maximum tardiness.

Technological progress is the driving force behind industrial development. It is a multidimensional and multi-level phenomenon. In this article we focus on its three manifestations: information and communication technologies (ICT), Industry 4.0 and agile manufacturing. The aim of this article is to analyse the relationship between these constructs as they are undoubtedly interrelated. ICT plays a key role, but it is not a goal itself. They are a prerequisite for the implementation of Industry 4.0, but together with it they serve to achieve agility by the manufacturing system and, as a result, achieve a competitive advantage by companies operating in turbulent and unpredictable environment. The literature findings in this paper are part of a broader study conducted on the impact of ICT on agility of SMEs operating in India. Therefore, we include also subsections showing the level of this relationship in Indian SMEs.