An evolutionary algorithm for a new multi-objective location-inventory model in a distribution network with transportation modes and third-party logistics providers

This paper proposes a multi-objective optimisation algorithm for solving the new multi-objective location-inventory problem (MOLIP) in a distribution centre (DC) network with the presence of different transportation modes and third-party logistics (3PL) providers. 3PL is an external company that performs all or part of a company’s logistics functions. In order to increase the efficiency and responsiveness in a supply chain, it is assumed that 3PL is responsible to manage inventory in DCs and deliver products to customers according to the provided plan. DCs are determined so as to simultaneously minimise three conflicting objectives; namely, total costs, earliness and tardiness, and deterioration rate. In this paper, a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is proposed to perform high-quality search using two-parallel neighbourhood search procedures for creating initial solutions. The potential of this algorithm is evaluated by its application to the numerical example. Then, the obtained results are analysed and compared with multi-objective simulated annealing (MOSA). It is concluded that this algorithm is capable of generating a set of alternative DCs considering the optimisation of multiple objectives, significantly improving the decision-making process involved in the distribution network design.     

An integrated location-inventory problem in a closed-loop supply chain with third-party logistics

Third-party logistics (3PL) is a fast growing business. Many large organisations are using 3PL services to reduce operating costs, simplify business processes, and enhance operations and supply chain flexibility. In this paper, we study location-inventory decisions jointly in a closed-loop system with 3PL. First, a model formulation is proposed to develop mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) models for the location-inventory problem under study. Then, a novel heuristics based on differential evolution and the genetic algorithm is designed to solve the MINLP models efficiently. Last, numerical study is presented to illustrate and validate the solution approach.     

Evaluating reverse third-party logistics operations using a semi-fuzzy approach

The responsiveness and efficiency of distributed and multi-echelon supply chains are increasingly reliant upon reduced cycle times within forward and reverse logistics operations. Within the high-tech industry, Reverse Logistics (RL) in the form of end-of-life, stock balancing, defective/warranty, recycle, and re-use product returns, is particularly important owing to the complexity and dependency that exist throughout the extended supply chain in order to maintain brand loyalty and customer satisfaction (source, OEM vendors and end customers alike). RL is fast becoming a strategy to acquire an organisational competitive advantage, making the quest to exploit such a function a premeditated decision. The introduction of Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers has become a necessity for those supply-chain operations where issues of cost and risk mitigation need to be balanced with agility and responsiveness. This paper develops a conceptual framework of the factors influencing Reverse 3PL based upon Information Systems (IS) and associated Resource Commitment (RC) factors. The framework is then tested using a mixed-method research based approach using a 3PL organisation based in Thailand. The research findings reveal that among the proposed factors, IS- and RC-based operating performance, resource cost-effectiveness and RC (at financial, managerial and technological levels in the firm) were deemed to have a stronger positive relationship and input into reverse 3PL operations for the firm in context. The model is validated using the techniques of System Dynamics and Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping.     

基于信息熵多属性决策的物流供应商选择评价

生产商选择合适的物流供应商有利于降低营运成本,提高竞争优势.高效的第三方物流活动在增强企业核心竞争力、降低企业成本等方面起着重要作用.针对传统的熵值和熵权计算公式的不足,提出改进的熵权计算公式.同时把专家的主观权重和样本自身产生的熵权相结合,通过一定的方式混合加权作为不确定属性的权重.在此基础上结合多属性决策模型建立多属性决策评价方法.该方法将主、客观分析相结合,具有一定的优势：既减少了决策问题的主观性,又使得整个评价过程能够量化,有效解决了第三方物流供应商选择评价中的不确定多属性决策问题.最后通过实例分析证明该方法的可行性和有效性.     

An entropy-based approach to identifying vulnerable components in a supply chain

We consider a problem of quantifying risk factors and identifying most informative (or vulnerable) components of the supply chain in terms of the amount of information about the risks and corresponding losses. This knowledge is beneficial for the selection of risk-prevention decisions. Shannon’s entropy is shown to be a powerful tool for risk management in hierarchical supply chains. An efficient algorithm is proposed that permits to reduce the size of the supply chain model without a loss of essential information about the risks and their economic consequences. A case study is presented to demonstrate the validity of the entropy-based approach.     

我国物流信息系统的市场需求分析

阐述了物流信息技术在物流企业降低成本、加速资金周转、提高决策水平等方面的重要作用.分析了物流信息系统的市场需求形式及特点:决策依赖于信息,以流程改造为主且具有较强操作优化功能,建立企业之间战略合作伙伴关系的供应链.这对构建我国企业物流信息系统,实现企业物流信息化具有较好的参考价值.     

An entropy-based approach for measuring complexity in supply chains

Today's supply chains are more complex than ever due to globalisation and its effects, especially on logistics activities. Therefore, understanding and managing complexity in supply chains are very popular topics nowadays. Measures for complexity in supply chains contribute to their manageability and controllability. This paper describes an approach to the measurement of complexity in supply chains based on Shannon's information entropy. The new proposed approach gives a formal approach that is able to measure and analyse the supply chain complexity. The main contribution of this study is to extend two formulas (structural and operational complexity) building on Shannon's entropy measure to evaluate the complexity of a supply chain. The aim is to measure complexity associated with information and material flows in the chain. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the approach.     

An entropy-based three-stage approach for multi-objective system reliability optimization considering uncertainty

This article presents a three-stage approach for solving multi-objective system reliability optimization problems considering uncertainty. The reliability of each component is considered in the formulation as a component reliability estimate in the form of an interval value and discrete values. Component reliability may vary owing to variations in the usage scenarios. Uncertainty is described by defining a set of usage scenarios. To address this problem, an entropy-based approach to the redundancy allocation problem is proposed in this study to identify the deterministic reliability of each component. In the second stage, a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) is applied to produce a Pareto-optimal solution set. A hybrid algorithm based on k-means and silhouettes is performed to select representative solutions in the third stage. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed approach.     

Taxonomy of information technology strategy and its impact on the performance of third-party logistics (3PL) in China

This paper develops a taxonomy of information technology strategies used by third-party logistics (3PL) firms in China based on a cluster analysis of survey data from 105 of these 3PL firms. The information technology strategies have been classified into three major groups: supportive, technological, and aligned. The paper also investigates the effect of information technology strategies on information technology advantage, competitive advantage, and financial performance. The results of the study indicate that efforts to improve information technology systems can only be effective if the information technology improvements are properly aligned with a company's overall strategy. It is found that companies that attempt to improve their information technology systems without the proper alignment of information technology with the company's overall strategy can achieve information technology advantages relative to their competitors, but not competitive advantages or improved financial performance. This study is the first attempt to develop an information technology strategy taxonomy for 3PL companies in China. It provides valuable guidance and insights for managers in the development of information technology strategies in 3PL companies.     

货运代理业发展现代综合物流的对策

分析了货运代理业的现状，提出货运代理业应从人才培养、完善服务网络布局、建立物流信息网络、加强供应链管理等方面发展现代综合物流。     

A modified entropy-based dynamic gravity model for the evacuation trip distribution problem during typhoons

Typhoon Morakot, which formed on 2 August 2009, was the deadliest typhoon in Taiwan’s history, responsible for over 700 deaths on the island. During the typhoon evacuation process, one critical issue is how to efficiently distribute the evacuation trips to a limited number of shelters based on both spatial and temporal considerations. This paper proposes a modified entropy-based dynamic gravity model to reflect the spatial and temporal distribution of the evacuees and the shelters. A unique feature of the proposed model is that the entropy is explicitly incorporated within the travel cost constraints. The spatial and temporal relationships between evacuees and shelters can be reflected through the impedance functions and the discretized time intervals with better performance than the traditional model. A simulation-assignment model is applied to generate the zone-to-zone travel time. A calibration analysis based on the solution procedure is conducted for the Jiasian network, in Kaohsiung city, which was heavily affected by the Typhoon Morakot. The calibration results show that the modified entropy-based dynamic gravity model leads to better convergence patterns in the entropy values, higher travel cost coefficients, and lower average generalized trip costs than the traditional model, and is suitable for use with the evacuation plan during typhoons.     

An integrated linguistic MCDM approach for robot evaluation and selection with incomplete weight information

Nowadays selecting the most suitable robot is a difficult task for manufacturing firms due to increase in production demands and availability of various robot models. Robot evaluation and selection can be regarded as a multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem and three key issues are the assessment of robots, the determination of criteria weights and the prioritisation of alternatives. This paper aims to propose an integrated model based on hesitant 2-tuple linguistic term sets and an extended QUALIFLEX approach for handling robot selection problems with incomplete weight information. The new model can not only manage uncertain and imprecise assessment information of decision-makers with the aid of hesitant 2-tuple linguistic term sets, but also derive the important weights of criteria objectively when the weight information is incompletely known. Moreover, based on the extended QUALIFLEX algorithm, the priority orders of robots can be clearly determined and a more reasonable and credible solution can be yielded in a particular industrial application. Finally, a robot selection case study is carried out, and comparative experiments indicate the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed integrated linguistic MCDM approach.     

SHARED: An information model for cooperative product development

One fundamental issue in developing collaborative engineering systems is the representation of product information which supports communication and coordination. This product information includes not only the geometric and physical properties of the product and its parts, but also information about functions, constraints and the design rationale. In this paper, we describe an information model, SHARED, which was developed for encoding product information in DICE, a distributed and integrated environment for computer-aided engineering. SHARED provides multiple levels of both functional and geometric abstractions, multiple views and techniques for maintaining consistency between the various abstractions and views. These elements are essential for a good representation model of product information. The use of the SHARED model is illustrated through an example, depicting the various representations of a product as it evolves through the design process. The SHARED model has been implemented over a distributed OODBMS as a toolkit/framework for developing environments which need to model, manipulate and communicate product information between distributed cooperating applications, while supporting coordination between them.     

Packaging information needed for evaluation in the supply chain: the case of the Swedish grocery retail industry

The proper use and exchange of the right packaging‐related information in a grocery supply chain is critical to achieve an efficient and responsive packaging logistics system. The use of well‐defined packaging‐related information that is available for all actors in the supply chain also facilitates an integrated and supply chain‐orientated packaging development. The objective of this paper is to describe and identify the packaging‐related information used in the grocery retail industry. The paper also describes and analyses how the information is used in the supply chain, with focus on the packaging evaluation process. Case and field studies involving six companies from the Swedish grocery industry were conducted to identify the parameters used and shared among them. The paper discusses what kind of information is required to properly evaluate a packaging concept, what parameters are missing and how the information should be used in the supply chain. Finally, the paper suggests a procedure for packaging logistics performance with required parameters. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A compartment based population balance model for the prediction of steady and induction granule growth behavior in high shear wet granulation

This paper presents a predictive modeling approach of the high shear wet granulation process, quantifying the difference between the steady and induction granule growth behavior. The spatial heterogeneity in liquid binder distribution and shear rate is simulated using a compartmental population balance model. The granulator is divided into two compartments based on particle motion, which consists of a circulation compartment, and an impeller compartment. In the circulation compartment, a viscous dissipation dependent coalescence kernel is adapted for the aggregation process. In the impeller compartment a shear rate dependent aggregation kernel is implemented. The model was calibrated and validated using the dynamic evolution of granule mean size (d₅₀). The granulation dynamics are studied with respect to change in impeller speed, liquid to solid ratio, wet massing time, initial porosity, and binder viscosity. The transition from induction growth to steady growth regime with changing process conditions is demonstrated using the model. It is observed that the model captures the effect of process parameters and spatial heterogeneity on the dynamic evolution of d₅₀.     

产品可适应设计评价的信息熵方法

随着用户对产品的功能、质量、成本、个性化以及环境友好性等方面的需求日益提升,制造企业必须更加即时、高效地响应不断变化的市场需求.可适应设计作为一种新型的设计范式,可通过设计过程的综合优化来满足产品生命周期内用户、制造企业和社会的需求,以提升经济效益和环境效益等.为了提高产品设计的可适应性,需对可适应性进行量化的科学表达...     

An experiment on the evaluation of information under risk and ambiguity

Assume a decision maker has a choice between several acts. Some of the alternatives are simple lotteries; others consist of gathering additional (costy) information on outcomes or probabilities of the available simple lotteries prior to making a binding choice between them. In this paper hypotheses are derived from the Choquet Expected Utility model about the relationship between the degree of ambiguity aversion and the willingness-to-pay for information revealing the outcome of simple two-state-lotteries. These hypotheses are tested experimentally. 157 students are asked to state their willingness-to-pay for information, revealing the true payment relevant state, before making choices between a certain amount of money and two-state-lotteries of varying degrees of ambiguity. In the experiment the pessimism predicted by the Choquet Expected Utility model is not observed empirically.Funding for the work was provided by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, grant No. We 993/5-3     

An information trail model for capturing human behaviour in artefact creation and use in complex work systems

This article presents an information trail model. The model is a method for uncovering information transformation using artefacts in complex work systems. We use a patient care scenario in a hospital emergency department to illustrate theoretical, methodological and design elements of the model. In a complex system, humans create and manage complexity, a paradox. The information trail model proposes that humans manage the paradox by creating and evolving artefacts and information cues. They organise purposefully through self-organisation and stigmergical behaviour. Information trail model states that humans leave trails of information as signs or symbols, and the piecing together and transformation of which will lead to final goals. Information trails contain work attributes and strategies, which can be utilised in work system design.     

An order allocation model in multi-period logistics service supply chain based on cumulative prospect theory and capacity matching constraint

By considering a two-echelon supply chain that consists of a logistics service integrator (LSI) and several functional logistics service provider (FLSP), this study builds a comprehensive subjective utility (CSU) function of FLSP in multi-period based on cumulative prospect theory and establishes an order allocation model in multi-period logistics service supply chain. This model considers three goals: to minimise the cost of LSI, to maximise the satisfaction of the FLSP and to maximise the capacity matching degree among different logistics capacities. This study uses an improved technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution to obtain the optimal solution. A numerical example is given by software MATLAB 7.8. The effects of the behavioural parameters of FLSPs on order allocation are also discussed. When the LSI allocates orders, the FLSP, who has larger ratio of loss to gain range by the sensitivity decreasing rate, should be selected to obtain a large value of CSU. No obvious rule is found for the influence of the loss aversion coefficient of FLSPs on the CSU of FLSPs in a multi-period.     

An integrated model for designing and optimising an international logistics network

Supply-chain configuration has recently gained increasing attention both from the practitioner's perspective and as a research area. This paper proposes an integrated model for designing and optimising international logistics networks. It consists of a mixed integer linear programming model and a data-mapping section (i.e. methodological guidelines for gathering and processing the data necessary to set up the model). It has been specifically developed for solving the configuration problem for supply chains characterised by a complexity level typical of real-life global logistics networks. Although this topic is well understood and well elaborated at a technical level in the extant literature, it still presents obstacles in practice especially in terms of dealing with real-life complexity, service-level constraints and data mapping. Thus, we developed our integrated approach with the aim to fill these gaps. We designed our model for dealing with multiple-layer, single location-layer, multiple-commodity and time-constrained logistics networks, to be implemented in a single period time horizon and in a deterministic environment. The proposed approach represents an innovative contribution to the existing body of scientific knowledge and facilitates the data gathering and processing activities, which are largely recognised as complex and time-consuming processes for the management of logistics activities.