Simulation-based heuristic method for container supply chain network optimization

With the emerging of free trade zones (FTZs) in the world, the service level of container supply chain plays an important role in the efficiency, quality and cost of the world trade. The performance of container supply chain network directly impacts its service level. Therefore, it is imperative to seek an appropriate method to optimize the container supply chain network architecture. This paper deals with the modeling and optimization problem of multi-echelon container supply chain network (MCSCN). The problem is formulated as a mixed integer programming model (MIP), where the objective is subject to the minimization of the total supply chain service cost. Since the problem is well known to be NP-hard, a novel simulation-based heuristic method is proposed to solving it, where the heuristic is used for searching near-optimal solutions, and the simulation is used for evaluating solutions and repairing unfeasible solutions. The heuristic algorithm integrates genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, where the GA is used for global search and the PSO is used for local search. Finally, computational experiments are conducted to validate the performance of the proposed method and give some managerial implications.     

A heuristic relief transportation planning algorithm for emergency supply chain management

Emergency supply chain operations have to fulfil all the demands in a very short period of time, using the limited resources at its disposal. Mixed integer programming (MIP) is a popular method to solve emergency supply chain planning problems. However, as such problem increases in complexity, the MIP model becomes insolvable due to the time and computer resources it requires. This study proposes a heuristic algorithm, called the Emergency Relief Transportation Planning Algorithm (ERTPA). ERTPA will group and sort demands according to the required products, the imposed due dates, the possible shared capacities, and the distances from the demand nodes to the depots. Then, ERTPA plans the demands individually, using a shortest travelling-time tree and a minimum cost production tree. To show the effectiveness and efficiency of the heuristic algorithm, a prototype was constructed and tested, using complexity and computational analyses.     

A cooperation model based on CVaR measure for a two-stage supply chain

In this paper, we introduce a cooperation model (CM) for the two-stage supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and a retailer. In this model, it is supposed that the objective of the manufacturer is to maximise his/her profit while the objective of the retailer is to minimise his/her CVaR while controlling the risk originating from fluctuation in market demand. In reality, the manufacturer and the retailer would like to choose their own decisions as to wholesale price and order quantity to optimise their own objectives, resulting the fact that the expected decision of the manufacturer and that of the retailer may conflict with each other. Then, to achieve cooperation, the manufacturer and the retailer both need to give some concessions. The proposed model aims to coordinate the decisions of the manufacturer and the retailer, and balance the concessions of the two in their cooperation. We introduce an s* ? optimal equilibrium solution in this model, which can decide the minimum concession that the manufacturer and the retailer need to give for their cooperation, and prove that the s* ? optimal equilibrium solution can be obtained by solving a goal programming problem. Further, the case of different concessions made by the manufacturer and the retailer is also discussed. Numerical results show that the CM is efficient in dealing with the cooperations between the supplier and the retailer.     

Adaptive genetic algorithm for advanced planning in manufacturing supply chain

A main function for supporting global objectives in a manufacturing supply chain is planning and scheduling. This is considered such an important function because it is involved in the assignment of factory resources to production tasks. In this paper, an advanced planning model that simultaneously decides process plans and schedules was proposed for the manufacturing supply chain (MSC). The model was formulated with mixed integer programming, which considered alternative resources and sequences, a sequence-dependent setup and transportation times.The objective of the model was to analyze alternative resources and sequences to determine the schedules and operation sequences that minimize makespan. A new adaptive genetic algorithm approach was developed to solve the model. Numerical experiments were carried out to demonstrate the efficiency of the developed approach. Received: June 2005 / Accepted: December 2005     

基于多代理的供应链协同生产计划模型

供应链是由分布在全球的供应商、制造商、仓库、分销中心和零售商组成的复杂网络。其生产计划具有分布性,自治性,同步性和开放性等特点,使得传统的生产计划方法已经不能适应供应链的计划需求。在分析了多代理技术和供应链系统生产计划特点的基础上,采用智能代理封供应链系统的功能实体和物理实体进行封装,提出了一个基于多代理的供应链系统网络模型,并构建了基于多智能代理的生产计划运行模式。该生产计划模型分为三层：全局生产计划,企业内部子生产计划和各个任务的详细生产计划。它突破了传统生产计划的局限性,从全局规划的角度来整合供应链上的所有资源,消除了不同企业子生产计划所产生的冲突和差异。很好的体现了供应链系统信息共享和资源共享的原则。     

A heuristic method for the inventory routing and pricing problem in a supply chain

The inventory routing problem (IRP) in a supply chain (SC) is to determine delivery routes from suppliers to some geographically dispersed retailers and inventory policy for retailers. In the past, the pricing and demand decisions seem ignored and assumed known in most IRP researches. Since the pricing decision affects the demand decision and then both inventory and routing decisions, it should be considered in the IRP simultaneously to achieve the objective of maximal profit in the supply chain. In this paper, a mathematical model for the inventory routing and pricing problem (IRPP) is proposed. Since the solution for this model is an NP (non-polynomial) problem, a heuristic method, tabu search adopting different neighborhood search approaches, is used to obtain the optimal solution. The proposed heuristic method was compared with two other methods considering the IRPP separately. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method is better than the two other methods in terms of average profit.     

Integrated strategic and tactical planning in a supply chain network design with a heuristic solution method

In the current competitive business world, viable companies are those that have flexible strategies and long-term plans, by which they can appropriately respond to a dynamic environment. These strategies are used to find the optimum allocation of company income to the main sources of development, for the expansion of company activities and for service expansions.     

A multi-objective optimization for green supply chain network design

In this paper, we study a supply chain network design problem with environmental concerns. We are interested in the environmental investments decisions in the design phase and propose a multi-objective optimization model that captures the trade-off between the total cost and the environment influence. We conduct a comprehensive set of numerical experiments. The results show that our model can be applied as an effective tool in the strategic planning for green supply chain. Meanwhile, the sensitivity analysis provides some interesting managerial insights for firms.     

A framework for measuring the performance of service supply chain management

Despite the increasing attention to the service supply chain management by both practitioners and academics, the performance measurement of service supply chains still remains unexplored. Most service firms realize that, in order to evolve an efficient and effective service supply chain, service supply chain management needs to be assessed for its performance. A literature review was conducted on performance measurement issues of service supply chains. This paper develops a framework of service supply chain performance measurement. Based on the strategic, tactical and operational level performance in a service supply chain, measures and metrics are discussed. The emphasis is on performance measures dealing with service supply chain processes such as demand management, customer relationship management, supplier relationship management, capacity and resource management, service performance, information and technology management and service supply chain finance. And to prioritize service supply chain performance measurement indicators to improve service supply chain performance, a methodology based on the extent fuzzy analytic hierarchy process is stressed. The developed framework of service supply chain performance measurement is applied to the hotel supply chain. The results of this study are useful both to practitioners in the service supply chain and to researchers carrying out further studies in the field.     

A decision rule for coordination of inventory and transportation in a two-stage supply chain with alternative supply sources

This paper deals with a two-stage supply chain that consists of two distribution centers and two retailers. Each member of the supply chain uses a (Q,R) inventory policy, and incurs standard inventory holding and backlog costs, as well as ordering and transportation costs. The distribution centers replenish their inventory from an outside supplier, and the retailers replenish inventory from one of the two distribution centers. When a retailer is ready to replenish its inventory that retailer must decide whether it should replenish from the first or second distribution center. We develop a decision rule that minimizes the total expected cost associated with all outstanding orders at the time of order placement; the retailers then repeatedly use this decision rule as a heuristic. A simulation study which compares the proposed policy to three traditional ordering policies illustrates how the proposed policy performs under different conditions. The numerical analysis shows that, over a large set of scenarios, the proposed policy outperforms the other three policies on average.     

过程工业供应链流结构及其管理研究

与离散制造业相比,过程工业具有大批量、连续性、高能耗等特点,根据过程工业的自身特点和复杂性,本文提出了过程工业供应链的概念,分别建立了组成该复杂供应链的物质流、能量流、信息流、资金流、工件流和人件流六大流的动态结构,并以此为基础,通过分析国内外过程工业供应链管理的研究和应用现状,建立了针对复杂过程系统的综合集成的过程工业供应链管理框架。     

Process modeling and analysis of manufacturing supply chain networks using object-oriented Petri nets

This paper presents a systematic methodology for modeling and analysis of manufacturing supply chain business processes. The proposed approach first employs Computer Integrated Manufacturing Open System Architecture (CIMOSA) behavior rules to model the business process routing structures of manufacturing supply chain networks. Object-oriented predicate/transition nets (OPTNs) are then developed for the modular modeling and analysis of process models. Based on the structure of OPTNs, a procedure to obtain the system's P-invariants through objects’ P-invariants is suggested. From the P-invariants obtained, system structural properties such as deadlock and overflow can be analyzed. By using Petri net unfolding techniques and by extracting the process model of each object from the entire process model, the sequencing analysis for operations in supply chain processes becomes possible. Several manufacturing supply chain examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

An expert fuzzy rule-based system for closed-loop supply chain performance assessment in the automotive industry

Closed-loop supply chain management has been identified as an efficient, effective and economical strategy towards environmental sustainable practices in manufacturing companies. Without a formidable closed-loop supply chain to complement green supply chain management, most of the goals will not be achieved. A performance evaluation system is crucial for achieving a successful closed-loop supply chain in the automotive industry. Hence, a suitable expert fuzzy rule-based system for evaluation was developed in this study using Visual Basic.Net. The fuzzy rules and arithmetic used were described. The resulting performance measurement system was evaluated using a case study company from the automotive industry. The study culminated with recommendations and proposal of directions for future studies.     

统一集论在病体供应链建模中的应用

供应链系统是一复杂巨系统,它的结构和运作模式决定了其复杂性。文章从认知思维基础出发来认识供应链系统的复杂性并将智能数学的最新成果——统一集及其分支运用于供应链系统的建模。     

面向对象的供应链基本特征描述方法研究

为了精确描述供应链实例的拓扑结构、运作和管理等基本特征,提高描述结果的可复用性,分析了实际供应链中的1种链状拓扑结构和2种典型的网状拓扑结构。在此基础上,基于面向对象的思想识别出了节点、联系、行为、资源、策略、消息等6个用来描述供应链基本特征的对象,基于UML绘出了供应链顶层对象图,详细讨论了上述6个基本对象所拥有的子对象及其属性,并进一步给出了相应的供应链描述示例,总结了上述描述方法的特点。     

A two-level replenishment frequency model for TOC supply chain replenishment systems under capacity constraint

Good production planning and replenishment management are important for a firm to keep competitive in the market. The theory of constraints-supply chain replenishment system (TOC-SCRS) is a replenishment method under the TOC philosophy. In the application of the TOC-SCRS in a node of a supply chain, the replenishment frequency (RF) and the reliable replenishment time (RRT) are required parameters. Generally, the RF of a node depends on the public transportation schedule such as ship schedules or its private conveyor schedule. If this node is a plant, however, the RF depends on the setup frequency in this plant, and a higher RF (i.e., once a day) is preferred by the TOC because of lower inventory and quick response to different market requirement. Basically, the RF in a plant is determined by its sales or production quantity. When sales increase significantly, the RF in a plant requires to be elongated from higher frequency (i.e., once a day) to lower frequency (i.e., once every two or more days) due to the limited capacity. Therefore, a two-level replenishment frequency model for the TOC-SCRS under capacity constraint is proposed. This model is especially suitable to a plant in which different products have a large sales volume variation. Numerical examples are utilized to evaluate the application of the proposed method. Employing this proposed methodology will facilitate a plant or a central warehouse to implement an effective TOC-SCRS successfully.     

基于ACP的集群式供应链复杂性研究

为了帮助中小型企业(SMEs)应对经济全球化的挑战,"集群式供应链"的概念作为一种新型管理模式被提了出来。作为产业集群和供应链相耦合的新型企业网络,集群式供应链是真正的复杂动态系统,具有内在的复杂性,传统的建模分析工具难以奏效。基于此背景,引入了复杂系统研究中的"人工系统+计算实验+平行执行(ACP)"方法,用于分析集群式供应链中企业协同的复杂性,从而支撑服务系统的构建,促进集群式供应链模式的实践与推广。     

A graph theoretic-based heuristic algorithm for responsive supply chain network design with direct and indirect shipment

The configuration of the supply chain network has a strong influence on the overall performance of the supply chain. A well designed supply chain network provides a proper platform for efficient and effective supply chain management. The supply chain network should be designed in the way that could meet the customer needs with an efficient cost. This paper studies the responsive, multi-stage supply chain network design (SCND) problem under two conditions: (1) when direct shipment is allowed and (2) when direct shipment is prohibited. First, two mixed integer programming models are proposed for multi-stage, responsive SCND problem under two abovementioned conditions. Then, to escape from the complexity of mixed integer mathematical programming models, graph theoretic approach is used to study the structure of the SCND problems and it is proven that both of SCND problems considered in this paper could be modeled by a bipartite graph. Finally, since such network design problems belong to the class of NP-hard problems, a novel heuristic solution method is developed based on a new solution representation method derived from graph theoretic view to the structure of the studied problem. To assess the performance of the proposed heuristic solution method, the associated results are compared to the exact solutions obtained by a commercial.     

Horizontal collaboration in semiconductor manufacturing industry supply chain: An evaluation of collaboration intensity index

This paper aims to provide a generic quantitative model to comprehensively assess the degree of collaboration with individual horizontal collaboration initiatives with a view to check feasibility for satisfying the customer requirements. The analytic hierarchy process–fuzzy logic model (AHP–FLM) approach is chosen for developing the model, a method that is often used to tackle complex strategic decision making that calls for subjective judgment based on well-established logical reasoning, rather than on simple feeling and intuition. In the process, the complex and unstructured problem for ‘compatibility test’ is broken down into elements, and then a customized hierarchy structure is set up to demonstrate the relationship between different hierarchy levels and among these elements. Each element may have a different level of importance for the horizontal collaboration. A fuzzy rule based collaboration intensity index (CII) is developed to build up the relationships among these evaluation attributes. Synthesizing the generic relative importance and the forecasted degree of collaboration, the proposed approach can determine the success of the collaboration initiative. An illustrative example of a semiconductor industry supply chain (SSC) member that intends to partner with a potential and competing candidate enterprise is developed to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed fuzzy strategic alliance selection framework and to measure the effectiveness of a horizontal collaboration initiative.     

供应商管理库存中的一种供需问题及优化模型

在供应商管理库存(VMI)的条件下,当供应商为不同区域的零售商供应同种商品时,为了降低供应商的供应成本,根据各零售商未来T期的需求,建立了以总成本最小为目标的供应商协调供应模型,并分别用启发式算法和遗传算法求解该模型。通过算例表明,相对于单纯以按时按量满足各零售商的需求为目标的供应方案,这两种方法得到的方案总成本均大大降低,而且遗传算法的解要优于启发式算法的解。