Catálogo de publicaciones - libros

In this paper Supply Chain Management will be analyzed in the light of Game Theory. The aim of the paper is to show the applicability of Cooperative Game Theory as methodology for analyzing supply chains. A main characteristic of a supply chain is cooperation. The success and sustainability of cooperation depends on the stability as constituting element. Cooperation can be analyzed with Cooperative Game Theory. The Shapley-Value is used as algorithm to allocate the profit among the cooperating partner. But for supply chains the structure is relevant. The Myerson-Value takes the structure of a game into account when formulating a specific allocation rule. Cooperative game theory can be applied as methodology for Supply Chain Management contributing an allocation algorithm.

This paper proposes mathematical modeling as an alternative research methodology for analyzing complex systems. The process of deriving a mathematical model is explored through the complexities of product architecture modularity in supply chains. Two model settings are analyzed: (1) supply chain and (2) focal firm. At the supply chain level, ‘modularization characteristic curve’ is applied to assess the impact of degree of supplier-buyer interdependence on modularization. At the focal firm level, the ‘modularization function’ is applied to measure the degree of modularization embedded in product architecture designs. In order to illustrate how the models can be applied, the case of Chrysler Jeep WIPERs is presented.

When managing inventory systems with multiple locations, the inherent uncertainty of demand in many cases results in some locations having a shortage of inventory while others have a surplus inventory. One popular action against the costs of not having supply meet demand is the use of transshipments between the locations. We consider a multi-location inventory system with transshipments. Transshipments are allowed as recourse actions occurring after demands are realized and before they must be satisfied (in order to reduce the cost of shortage and surplus inventory). We examine the effect on the expected profit from using an ordering policy based on a greedy transshipment policy. While this policy is optimal for two and three locations, our numerical results show that it is near-optimal for medium sized problem instances. The main advantage of this policy is that the computational complexity is significantly reduced compared to a policy based on an optimal transshipment policy. A greedy transshipment policy would also be much easier to implement in practice.

In this paper we present the methodology of research that has been the base of our work. The main objective is to study contractual relations; this is the reason why we talk of a contract-oriented research methodology. Through bibliographical research, assistance to workshops and industrial contacts, we identified the basic elements that are the basic issues for understanding and describing a contractual relation. After explaining why we chose these elements, we will describe them as well as their characteristics. We also show how we describe a relation between an upstream and a downstream company. Then we present a mathematical model of this relationship.

As organizations move from creating plans for individual production lines to entire supply chains it is increasingly important to recognize that decisions concerning utilization of production resources impact the lead times that will be experienced. In this paper we give some insights into why this is the case by looking at the queuing that results in delays. In this respect, special mention should be made that it is difficult to experience related empirical data, especially for tactical planning issues. We use these insights to survey and suggest optimization models that take into account load dependent lead times and related “complications.”

The design, configuration, and optimization of recovery networks have become more important than ever for certain industries. This paper focuses on the specific requirements posed on the German automotive industry. One of the significant regulations concerning this industry lies in the necessity of having to provide an area-wide collection network for the retrieval of all disused vehicles. In a joint project with a major car producer, an optimization tool was generated for solving facility location problems with regard to the positioning of different participants of the automotive recovery network. In order to validate the network structure, an additional simulation tool was developed making it possible to eliminate unfeasible networks. The simulation processes empirical capacity data of the networks’ participants. The main focus of the paper aims at the description of the simulation tool and its interactions with the optimization tool.

For an integrated assessment of mass and energy flows the specification and detailed mapping of the technical requirements and the material properties is essential. Integrated process design of supply chain structures aims at a holistic approach to process design and operations planning, since changes in materials and operating states influence the whole supply chain. The combination of methods of process integration and Operations Research (OR) in Multi Objective Pinch Analysis (MOPA) allows the consideration of a variety of economic and environmental process attributes for an integrated technique assessment. Consequently, the focus here will be the development of a method for optimizing inter-enterprise plant layout planning in dynamic mass flow networks.

The EurOMA-sponsored THENEXOM network has been approved by the European Commission through its Socrates Community Action Program. THENEXOM’s short-term goal is to analyze the present state of Operations and Supply Chain Management in European Universities and to identify strengths and weaknesses in order to instigate the use of better practices. A census will be drawn up of OM teachers throughout the 24 countries (and 27 universities) making up the network. Furthermore, a survey will be taken of the teaching staff, content and methods employed. The network’s medium-term aim is to tighten links between teaching, research and business practice.