Current Issue : July - September Volume : 2011 Issue Number : 3 Articles : 5 Articles
A multi-objective two stage stochastic programming model is proposed to deal with a multi-period multi-product multi-site production-distribution planning problem for a midterm planning horizon. The presented model involves majority of supply chain cost parameters such as transportation cost, inventory holding cost, shortage cost, production cost. Moreover some respects as lead time, outsourcing, employment, dismissal, workers productivity and training are considered. Due to the uncertain nature of the supply chain, it is assumed that cost parameters and demand fluctuations are random variables and follow from a pre-defined probability distribution. To develop a robust stochastic model, an additional objective functions is added to the traditional production-distribution-planning problem. So, our multi-objective model includes (i) the minimization of the expected total cost of supply chain, (ii) the minimization of the variance of the total cost of supply chain and (iii) the maximization of the workers productivity through training courses that could be held during the planning horizon. Then, the proposed model is solved applying a hybrid algorithm that is a combination of Monte Carlo sampling method, modified \ne-constraint method and L-shaped method. Finally, a numerical example is solved to demonstrate the validity of the model as well as the efficiency of the hybrid algorithm....
As the competition in the business world shifts from organizational to supply chain level and consequently include multi dimensions such as cost, quality and speed; efficiency and benchmarking analyses of supply chains require special attention. Within this context, this paper benchmarks the performance of Turkish food and beverage companies and discusses their global competitiveness as well as the improvement opportunities. Namely, it purposes to search for strengths and weaknesses at company level as well as opportunities and threats at the industry level. The methodology involves the data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach and related sensitivity analyses. Results illustrate that export increases supply chain efficiency scores of most companies, supporting some previous studies which show export as an indirect channel to increase productivity. Although Turkish food and beverage companies utilize a limited amount of their resources to generate export revenues and don�t realize high export volumes, they seem to use their export strategies wisely and benefit from exports to a certain extent. Results also demonstrate that these companies can generate revenues but cannot utilize their resources and the related supply chains effectively to generate sufficient profits. Increasing the profit level might require more efficiently managed supply chains....
Strengthened national health systems are necessary for effective and sustained expansion of antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART and its supply chain management in Uganda are largely based on parallel and externally supported efforts. The question arises whether systems are being strengthened to sustain access to ART. This study applies systems thinking to assess supply chain management, the role of external support and whether investments create the needed synergies to strengthen health systems.\nThis study uses the WHO health systems framework and examines the issues of governance, financing, information, human resources and service delivery in relation to supply chain management of medicines and the technologies. It looks at links and causal chains between supply chain management for ART and the national supply system for essential drugs. It combines data from the literature and key informant interviews with observations at health service delivery level in a study district.\nCurrent drug supply chain management in Uganda is characterized by parallel processes and information systems that result in poor quality and inefficiencies. Less than expected health system performance, stock outs and other shortages affect ART and primary care in general. Poor performance of supply chain management is amplified by weak conditions at all levels of the health system, including the areas of financing, governance, human resources and information. Governance issues include the lack to follow up initial policy intentions and a focus on narrow, short-term approaches.\nThe opportunity and need to use ART investments for an essential supply chain management and strengthened health system has not been exploited. By applying a systems perspective this work indicates the seriousness of missing system prerequisites. The findings suggest that root causes and capacities across the system have to be addressed synergistically to enable systems that can match and accommodate investments in disease-specific interventions. The multiplicity and complexity of existing challenges require a long-term and systems perspective essentially in contrast to the current short term and program-specific nature of external assistance....
International supplier selection, which is becoming a dominant strategy in an increasing number of sectors, is a multi-criterion decision problem. This study aims to contribute to this contemporary global issue initially by developing a multi-criteria hierarchical model for supplier selection utilizing the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The AHP model aids decision making by quantifying the relative importance of each criterion and by ranking the suppliers. Secondly, The AHP model is augmented with a linear programming model which aims to maximize the buyer�s total value of purchasing through optimal order splitting among suppliers. The augmented model will make it possible for the decision maker to observe the hierarchy of the supplier selection decision criteria, quantify the relative importance rate for each criterion, rank the suppliers, select the best supplier(s) and realize optimal order splitting among suppliers. Thirdly, the model is applied to a Turkish chemical company and an Australian one where the results point to some important differences in the two companies� decision criteria preferences and decision making habits. Although the findings cannot be generalized, this might pave the way for further analyses that will be conducted at country level. Comparative studies might aid not only in supplier selection but also in designing supply chains and supplier strategies....
This paper outlines a scheduling algorithm which leverages Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) data to determine when maintenance should be performed. The\r\nobjective of the scheduler is to reduce the cost associated with Performance-Based Logistics contracts, which ultimately improves the profit margins of Product Support\r\nProviders.\r\nAn example consisting of 50 aircraft for which regular recurring maintenance and CBM actions are required is analyzed as a representative problem both in term of\r\ncomplexity and scale. The results indicate that significant cost savings can be achieved by utilizing a CBM scheduling algorithm. In addition, to the maintenance cost\r\nsavings, the CBM scheduling algorithm is also able to identify potential resource limitations within the maintenance organization....
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