Using integrated simulation-optimisation to optimise staffing decisions in a service supply chain Online publication date: Thu, 09-Dec-2021
by Stanislaus Solomon; Gertrude P. Pannirselvam; Haitao Li
International Journal of Integrated Supply Management (IJISM), Vol. 15, No. 1, 2022
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to address the problem of staffing skilled personnel in a service setting where personnel are drawn from an outsourcing firm and where uncertainty in resource availability is explicitly considered. To achieve this objective, we design and implement a new simulation-optimisation algorithm by combining a scatter search metaheuristic with Monte Carlo simulation. Through a real-life case study and a comprehensive computational experiment, this paper shows that the solution quality provided by our simulation-optimisation framework is superior to the deterministic solution based on point estimates. The framework explicitly addresses uncertainty results in a staff sourcing strategy that is robust and less prone to be impacted by changes in resource availability. Effective implementation of such a framework in outsourcing context requires well-coordinated information sharing and integrated decision-making between the supply chain partners.
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