European J. of Industrial Engineering (32 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• The impact of online sales in centralized and decentralized dual-channel supply chains  
  by Subrata Saha 
  Abstract: This paper studies a supply chain structure featuring two different types of distribution channels through which manufacturers sell products. The centralised and decentralised distribution channels considered in this study are affected by online sales outside the structured channels. In the centralised distribution channel, two retail stores located in geographically distinct markets are operated by a single owner. In the decentralised distribution channel, two retailers independently operate two retail stores. In the non-cooperative scenario, the manufacturer always prefers the decentralised distribution channel irrespective of whether an online channel is used. To achieve channel coordination, a revenue-sharing contract is applied, but it can be used to coordinate only the decentralised distribution system. Therefore, a modified revenue-sharing contract is proposed to coordinate the centralised distribution system. The analytical study reveals that without coordination among the channel members, the manufacturer always earns maximum profit in decentralised distribution systems. However, if the supply chain is coordinated, then the manufacturer receives more benefits from using the centralised distribution systems under certain conditions. Propositions are presented to describe the characteristics of distribution structures, and to provide meaningful management guidelines for coordinating them. Extensive numerical investigations are also presented.
  Keywords: Supply chain management; Dual-channel supply chain; Revenue sharing contract; Pricing strategy; Stackelberg.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2018.10011153
   
  
• Risk-Averse Joint Facility Location-Inventory Optimization for Green Closed-Loop Supply  
  by Guodong Yu, Pengcheng Dong, Ying Xu, Xiao Zhao 
  Abstract: This paper considers a joint facility location-inventory optimisation for green closed-loop supply chain network design under demand uncertainty. Under the uncoordinated inventory policy, we propose a chance-constrained risk-averse bi-objective 01 mixed-integer nonlinear stochastic programming to minimise the total expected cost and CO2 emissions. To solve the model, we first present an equivalent reformulation with a single objective based on distributionally robust optimisation. Then, we provide a linear reformulation with some valid inequalities. We also provide a greedy heuristic decomposition searching rule to solve the large-scale problem. We finally present a numerical analysis to show the performance of our methods. Results illustrate that the risk-averse joint model can effectively improve service capability and reliability than independent and risk-neutral location and inventory problems. We also recommend that the incompletely uncoordinated strategy for the joint optimisation can be more cost-effective and generate fewer workloads. Besides, the proposed algorithm achieves a more desirable performance than CPLEX for large-scale problems.
  Keywords: green closed-loop supply chain; facility location; inventory; risk-averse; chance constraint; distributionally robust optimisation.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10046132
   
  
• A survey on network design problems: main variants and resolution approaches  
  by Imen Mejri, Safa Bhar Layeb, Farah Zeghal 
  Abstract: Over the last decades, network design problems (NDPs) have been one of the most investigated combinatorial optimisation problems that are still catching the interest of both practitioners and researchers. In fact, NDPs pose significant algorithmic challenges, as they are notoriously NP-hard, and arise in several applications, mainly in logistics, telecommunication, and production systems. Based on the literature published mainly between 1962 and 2021, this paper provides a comprehensive taxonomy of NDPs and also identifies the most investigated variants as well as their main fields of application. This taxonomy highlights the diversity as well as the assets of this core class of operations research problems. Moreover, the main mathematical formulations and solution methods are reported. Finally, directions for future research on NDPs are derived.
  Keywords: network design problems; NDPs; literature review; survey; combinatorial optimisation.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2022.10046171
   
  
• Third-party remanufacturing modes with integrated tax-subsidy policy  
  by Zhangwei Feng, Na Luo, Bisheng Du, Haorui Wang 
  Abstract: Tax-subsidy policy is a common government intervention mechanism to stimulate firms taking part in sustainable remanufacturing operations. Focusing on the third-party remanufacturing strategy (outsourcing or authorisation), this paper develops game models to study the trade-offs between manufactures and third-party remanufactures. Unlike the existing literature, we particularly include the feature of green consumers and the government intervention into the analytical model. The findings of this paper include: 1) manufactures choose authorisation when consumers show no green preferences; 2) third-party remanufactures need actions to improve green consumer preference for achieving high profit; 3) when unit carbon tax is high, manufacturers select authorisation; otherwise, outsourcing; 4) outsourcing strategy is beneficial to environmental sustainability and social welfare. [Received: 8 September 2021; Accepted: 17 July 2022]
  Keywords: outsourcing; authorisation; product quality; green consumer preference; integrated tax-subsidy; game theory.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10050299
   
  
• An auction mechanism for capacity allocation in identical parallel machines with time window constraints  
  by Qianqian Zhu, Xiuli Wang 
  Abstract: We study the scarce production capacity allocation problem in a decentralised decision-making environment. We focus on the design of an auction mechanism for effective allocation of scarce capacity, without private information. In our problem setting, the firm’s machine environment is identical parallel machines, and each customer order must be processed within a time window. Here, resource scarcity depends not only on capacity, but also on the customer orders’ time window constraints. Hence, we propose an ascending auction with a discriminatory pricing scheme for customers, to identify the real processing requirements of the customer orders and resolve resource conflicts. In our auction, the winner determination problem is NP-complete, we develop a heuristic to solve this problem using the Lagrangian relaxation technique. The computational study shows that our auction mechanism achieves over 93% of the global optimal value. [Submitted 20 April 2021; Accepted 6 May 2022]
  Keywords: capacity allocation; auction mechanism; price discrimination; Lagrangian relaxation.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10050357
   
  
• Efficient Hierarchical Hybrid Delivery in the Last Mile Logistics  
  by Ardavan Babaei, Majid Khedmati, Mohammad Reza Akbari Jokar 
  Abstract: An efficient hierarchical hybrid delivery (EHHD) model is proposed by integrating a location-allocation optimisation model with a dynamic data envelopment analysis (DEA) model in this paper. The proposed model is characterised by having a periodic measurement assessing customer behaviour using the dynamic DEA, as well as developing a hierarchical connection among home delivery, the pickup point and the locker station options. The developed model considers uncertain conditions for transportation costs and customer behaviour. To solve this model, a meta-goal programming approach has been used. Based on the results of the numerical experiments, the developed model has a better performance than other competing models in terms of generating feasible and optimal solutions. Moreover, the application of the developed model is demonstrated in a case study. To the best of our knowledge, the model presented in this paper is the first attempt to simultaneously integrate customer behaviour with last-mile logistics.
  Keywords: last-mile delivery; customer behaviour data; delivery options; hierarchical; efficient; supply chain.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10050962
   
  
• Decision-making and sub-coordination in a newsvendor model with a third party logistics service provider  
  by Lin Jiang, Dongmei Liu, Shuaihui Tian 
  Abstract: This paper examines the logistics strategy in a newsvendor model and considers a supply chain (SC) comprising one manufacturer, one retailer, and one third party logistics service provider (TPLSP). The retailer is responsible for transporting the products from the manufacturer to the market, and it faces a decision problem whether the product logistics functions should be outsourced to the TPLSP. Logistics outsourcing will reduce logistics cost. However, logistics outsourcing also causes classic double marginalisation because of the price of the TPLSP. Only if the TPLSP’s cost is small enough to cover double marginalisation, the logistics outsourcing can be accepted. This paper proposes a proper rule of logistics outsourcing and suggests reasonable outsourcing strategies of the retailer. Moreover, channel coordination after logistics outsourcing is discussed. Coordination schemes are often difficult to implement due to information sharing limits or administrative burden. Thus, coordination among some members of the SC, which we call sub-coordination, is easier to obtain than the coordination of all members. This paper studies two types of sub-coordination mechanisms and analyses how sub-coordination affects the newsvendor problem model with a TPLSP. [Submitted: 21 January 2022; Accepted: 31 August 2022]
  Keywords: newsvendor; logistics service provider; outsourcing; sub-coordination.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10051044
   
  
• A Collaborative Model for Predictive Maintenance of After-Sales Equipment Based on Digital Twin  
  by Xiao Li, Hongfei Liang, Yuchen Chen, Yuanpeng Ruan, Lei Wang 
  Abstract: In response to the demands of users for prompting fault diagnosis and maintenance, equipment manufacturers require more advanced maintenance technologies for real-time monitoring, prediction, and remote guidance. Based on digital twin, this paper puts forward a seven-dimensional model of collaborative maintenance and a collaborative model for after sales maintenance service, which enables manufacturers to provide more effective and timely service and support to their customers. Taking a bottled water capping process as an example, it constructs a digital twin-driven model for predicting the remaining effective life of devices, a digital twin service platform with a maintenance knowledge database. Based on the forward variable combining the current state and state duration from hidden semi-Markov chain, and the improved formula for calculating the remaining effective life of equipment state, the feasibility of the proposed seven-dimensional collaborative maintenance model and the collaborative model for after sales maintenance service are verified. [Submitted: 20 July 2021; Accepted: 8 August 2022]
  Keywords: digital twin; predictive maintenance; collaborative maintenance; hidden semi-Markov chain model; after-sales equipment.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10051066
   
  
• Inter-cell scheduling based on a transportation vehicle sharing strategy  
  by Qiong Liu, Qin Ye, Xu Mei, Qiang Zhang 
  Abstract: In order to quickly respond to market demands and save investments on equipment, inter-cell manufacturing with flexible routes and candidate manufacturing cells is studied. An inter-cell scheduling model aiming at minimising total costs and makespan is proposed. Current transportation strategy (CTS) for inter-cell manufacturing might cause unloaded routes of vehicles, increase transportation costs and makespan. To reduce unloaded routes, a transportation vehicle sharing strategy (TVSS) in which exceptional parts could be transported by any vehicle in a manufacturing system and vehicles do not need to be returned to their original cells without load after one transportation is proposed. An improved shuffled frog leaping algorithm (ISFLA) is designed to solve the model. A case study and several random cases are used to verify the proposed TVSS. Results show that the proposed TVSS could reduce unloaded routes effectively and yield better solutions on both total costs and makespan than the CTS. [Received: 29 March 2021; Accepted: 16 September 2022]
  Keywords: cellular manufacturing; inter-cell scheduling; multi-objective optimisation; shuffled frog leaping algorithm; SFLA; current transportation strategy; CTS; transportation vehicle sharing strategy.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10051440
   
  
• Processes-oriented maturity framework for Lean Manufacturing with health-at-work and performance management objectives  
  by Gilles Galichet, Roberta COSTA AFFONSO, Vincent Cheutet 
  Abstract: Lean manufacturing is recognised as an approach that improves companies’ performance through the elimination of non-value-added activities. However, not all companies implement this approach since there is no standard method for doing so, and some authors have even identified it as a source of stress or occupational illnesses. In light of this, how can an action plan, for its implementation, be defined while guaranteeing the synergy between industrial performance and health at work? Maturity frameworks are tools that identify a company’s level of capability regarding the studied parameters, and so can serve as a guide in their organisational transformation. In this article we propose a process-oriented maturity framework for lean manufacturing transformation that considers health at work and the company’s managerial and operational performance. The framework is illustrated through a company’s evolution over the course of a five-year project, and is then discussed. [Submitted: 14 June 2021; Accepted: 19 September 2022]
  Keywords: health at work; industrial performance; maturity; organisational transformation; capability; lean manufacturing.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10051586
   
  
• Service variety strategies for healthcare systems under capacity limitations  
  by Lu Chen, Yi Xia, Jiajia Zhu, Junyi Li 
  Abstract: Some hospitals provide paid medical services in addition to basic medical services. Although paid medical services can provide a better experience for patients who are highly sensitive to delays, they cause a capacity reduction in basic medical services. We develop a model incorporating product line design and queuing models to determine the service capacity allocation for a healthcare system. Patients are categorised into two segments according to their sensitivities to waiting time. We derive the optimal capacity allocations under two strategies (providing both paid and basic medical services and providing only the basic one) and compare them. Results show that the hospital should provide only the basic medical service even if high-sensitive patients are extremely sensitive to waiting time. Under certain conditions, a hospital providing differentiated medical services should decrease capacity allocation to the paid service even if high-sensitive patients are extremely sensitive to waiting time. [Submitted: 13 April 2022; Accepted: 22 September 2022]
  Keywords: healthcare system; capacity limitation; product line design; queuing model.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10051678
   
  
• Operational strategies of fuzzy inventory models for costly metallic items with conditional trade-credit policy linked to the purchasing cost  
  by Bappa Mondal, Arindam Garai, Tapan Kumar Roy 
  Abstract: The present study investigates an inventory system of the costly metallic items with steadily increasing demand rate and partial back-ordering under volatile market conditions. In contrast to conventional norms, the suppliers of those costly products often opt for the conditional trade-credit policy to overcome the retailers’ reluctance regarding their procurement in larger quantities. Accordingly, there appear six different variants of the proposed inventory model according to the accumulated fund with the retailer at the settlement time of account. This study employs the well-established total ?-integral approach to defuzzify various triangular fuzzy cost coefficients and interest rates of the proposed model. Thereafter, this study analytically establishes the global optimality of the proposed model by collectively considering six results. The managerial insights plead to the legislators to provide several financial stimulus to uplift the business condition, whenever that turns gloomy. When the supplier boosts the value of order quantity to offer the full delay, the impact of promoting the retailers’ demand turns negative. [Received: 26 April 2020; Accepted: 3 July 2022]
  Keywords: inventory model; conditional trade-credit; accumulated fund; partial back-ordering; costly metallic item; volatile market.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10051764
   
  
• Two-Machine Flowshop Scheduling with Fuzzy Processing Times and Flexible Operations  
  by Zeynep Uruk, Ayten Y?lmaz Yalç?ner 
  Abstract: This paper considers a two-machine flowshop scheduling problem with fuzzy processing times and flexible operations to minimise makespan. The jobs have three operations, one of which is a flexible operation that can be processed on one of the machines. The flexible operation should be assigned to one of the machines. Moreover, the processing times on the machines are not fixed but fuzzy processing times which are assumed to have triangular possibility distributions. Firstly, a possibilistic mathematical model is proposed with fuzzy processing times and then it is converted to an auxiliary crisp model using the weighted average defuzzification method. For the large cases where the exact algorithm may not be efficient, a heuristic algorithm is proposed. [Submitted: 24 May 2022; Accepted: 18 October 2022]
  Keywords: scheduling; flowshop; makespan; fuzzy processing times; flexible operations.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10052125
   
  
• Operations Research Applied to Aerospace Manufacturing and Assembly: A survey  
  by Bruno Silva, Reinaldo Morabito 
  Abstract: This paper presents an overview of operations research approaches applied to aerospace manufacturing and assembly. A survey was carried out in the main literature databases and 70 related works were found, revealing a notable growth in the number of papers in the 2010s. For the purposes of this study, aerospace industrial operations were classified into three main stages, namely manufacturing, structural and final assembly and the papers, methods and results of each stage are presented and analysed, synthesising the main applications and techniques used. Finally, a conceptual diagram of this review is presented and a synthesis of opportunities is provided for future research in this industry. [Received 31 January 2021; Accepted 19 September 2022]
  Keywords: aerospace manufacturing and assembly; survey; operations research; aerospace industry; Industry 4.0.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10052262
   
  
• A Fuzzy Economic Order Quantity Model on Manufacturer-Retailer considering delay in payments: A Non-Cooperative Game Theoretical Approach  
  by DIPANJALI GHOSH, Pinki Majumder, Uttam Bera 
  Abstract: This study briefly explains the economic order quantity (EOQ) model under the fuzzy environment where a two-player non-zero-sum non-cooperative game is considered between manufacturer and retailer. Policies like trade credit are implemented and can be thought of as one type of 0% financing. Players chose to support the optimality conditions of Nash equilibrium. The main findings of the work are that under fuzzy environment, a mathematical model over profit summarisation concept has been constructed to minimise the cost of both players with the help of game theoretical approach. Different approaches have also been performed for comparative study to find out the befitting solution to the problem. The results indicate some important parameters in the present model which highly influence the optimal solution. Nonlinear optimisation technique-generalised reduced gradient (LINGO-13.0) is used to solve the problem and epitomised with some numerical data.
  Keywords: supply chain management; SCM; Nash equilibrium; FEOQ; delay in payments; ?-cut of hexagonal fuzzy number.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10053031
   
  
• Temporal Aspects of Trade-offs in Organizational Performance: An Illustration from Post-disaster Debris Removal  
  by Xin Zhang, David Mendonça 
  Abstract: Trade-offs---between risk and reward, efficiency and effectiveness---are endemic to an organization's evolution and success. Until recently, however, organizational performance studies have suffered from a lack of detailed, longitudinal data, and therefore of methods that could exploit these data. While many organizations now deploy instrumentation to collect data on operations, those data are seldom directly suited to researchers' aims and are therefore characterized as `secondary'. This paper addresses this two-fold gap by casting secondary data within a theoretically grounded measurement framework and employing an innovative approach---based on Data Envelopment Analysis---to assessing the additional value provided by the data's temporal aspects. The domain of application, post-disaster debris removal, is time-constrained, potentially expensive, and crucial to post-disaster recovery. The results of this study strongly suggest the relevance of temporal aspects of the data to modeling of performance trade-offs, but also the need for further development of novel methodological approaches to examining performance trade-offs.
  Keywords: disaster response; multilevel organizations; organizational composition; organizational performance; trade-offs; secondary data; data envelopment analysis; time series; correlation analysis.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10053405
   
  
• Pricing and Financing Strategies of Dual Channel Closed-loop Supply Chain Considering Capital-constrained Manufacturer  
  by Meng Xue, Di Wu, Haiqing Hu 
  Abstract: With the rise of the
  Keywords: capital-constrained; dual channel closed-loop supply chain; financing strategy; pricing strategy.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10053814
   
  
• Piling and Discounting Perishable Products: Optimal Replenishment and Discounting Policy for Perishable Products  
  by Maher Agi, Xinghao Yan, Oncu Hazir 
  Abstract: Retail stores often display large quantities of perishable products that they sell at full price over a given period and then at a discount until the end of the inventory cycle. We investigate this common practice by considering a product which is subject to continuous decay through time. The demand is a function of both the price of the product and the inventory level. The retailer may discount the product once during the cycle. Closed-form expressions were provided for the maximum discounting time and cycle time. The conditions under which an optimal discount policy exists were established. The results provide insights to decision-makers on how to design a markdown policy for perishable products.
  Keywords: Inventory Management; Perishable product; Discount; Markdown Policy; inventory-level-dependent-demand.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10053955
   
  
• Trust-Based Two-Stage Order Strategy of E-Commerce Platforms with Information Asymmetry  
  by Xiao Fu, Qikai Wang, Jie Li, Yan Liu, Guanghua HAN 
  Abstract: This paper explores the trust-based strategic decisions of manufacturers and e-commerce platforms. The analysis shows that the trust update model effectively supplies chain partners’ behavior. In the case of maximizing the profit of the supply chain, the manufacturer tends to recommend a higher order quantity, but due to the existence of a trust update mechanism in the e-commerce platform, the final order quantity tends to approach the actual market demand. In the case of maximizing trust, if the manufacturer blindly caters to the e-commerce platform, it deviates from the actual market demand forecast and ultimately results in losses.
  Keywords: manufacturer; e-commerce platform; trust; price discount; forecast accuracy.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10054025
   
  
• AN INTEGRATED TWO DIMENSIONAL CUTTING STOCK AND LOT SIZING PROBLEM WITH TWO CRITERIA  
  by Ayse Burcu Sanan, Meral Azizoglu 
  Abstract: In this study, we consider an integrated two dimensional cutting stock and lot sizing problem arising in an aircraft manufacturing plant. The items are to be cut from steel panels of identical size to satisfy all periodic demands over a specified planning horizon. Two objectives, minimising the number of panels cut and the total inventory carrying cost of the items, are defined and all non-dominated objective vectors concerning the defined objectives are generated. To generate each non-dominated objective vector, we propose a mixed integer linear programming model whose efficiency is improved by optimality properties and bounding mechanisms. The results of our experiments have revealed that the instances with few items can be solved for up to 14 periods and the instances with more items can be solved for up to seven periods, in two hours. [Submitted: 29 March 2022; Accepted: 7 August 2022]
  Keywords: two dimensional cutting stock problems; 2DCSPs; lot sizing problems; integrated problems; multi-objective programming.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10054219
   
  
• Integrative Decision on New Product Development in Configurable Product Family  
  by Mazaher Ziaei, Saeedeh Ketabi, Mahsa Ghandehari 
  Abstract: Intensified competition leads companies to integrate decision-making on design, supply, and marketing policies for the new product development (NPD). This integration is more substantial for the manufacturer of the Configurable Product Family (CPF) such as cars, computers, cell phones, and home appliances. This study aims to develop a profit- maximization model to concurrent optimize all the main variables of configuration selection, components’ supply policy, price, modules’ warranty length, and launch time for NPD in CPF. To formulate the problem, it becomes necessary to develop a function to determine the potential demand of products, and a pattern for changing the demand over time, considering the mutual effects of the demand for the successive products. The proposed model is a mixed-integer nonlinear program and is solved through an adapted Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm. Different numerical cases extracted from one automobile company are studied, and sensitivity analysis on the main parameters is performed.
  Keywords: Configurable Product Family; Modules’ Warranty Length; Launch Time; Mixed-Integer Nonlinear programming; Differential Evolution (DE) Algorithm.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10054465
   
  
• Blockchain Capabilities for Supply Chain Management  
  by Bruna Lima, Gilberto Miller Devós Ganga, Moacir Godinho Filho, Luiz A. Santa-Eulalia 
  Abstract: Blockchain is a novel technology that has caught Supply Chain Management (SCM) interest. As literature states its positive effect on SCM, this study aims to provide a systematic understanding about blockchain capabilities for SCM (BCSCMs). Based on Resource-Based View (RBV) and Composition-Based View (CBV) theories’ combined perspective, a systematic literature review was performed to map out the capabilities, their main supporting resources, and the outcomes generated. A framework was proposed to highlight and explain RBV-CBV’s combined use. BCSCMs were gathered, grouped, and explained, then they were categorized into types of capabilities according to the different advantages they can lead to. The relationship between resources, BCSCMs, and advantages is discussed. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the literature lacks a systematic review exploring BCSCMs based on RBV-CBV’s combined perspective. The distinction between the outcomes, the capabilities’ proposition, and their final classification have not been addressed in the literature as
  Keywords: Blockchain capabilities; Supply chain management; Resource-Based View; Composition-Based View; Information and Communication Technology; Distributed Ledger Technology.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10054674
   
  
• Decentralised or collaborative? Cooperation strategy choice of the supply chain under logistics service integrator empowerment and market size fluctuation  
  by Weihua Liu, Yanjie Liang, Xinran Shen 
  Abstract: Nowadays, the logistics service integrator (LSI) improves service quality by empowering the functional logistics service provider (FLSP). Meanwhile, there are two cooperation strategies: decentralised strategy and collaborative strategy. On this basis, we explore: 1) the cooperation strategy choice of the supply chain members; 2) the impact of the market size fluctuation on their strategy choice. The main findings are as follows. First, when the revenue-sharing coefficient is in the middle range, both the LSI and the FLSP choose the collaborative strategy. Second, when the market size is higher than a certain threshold, no matter what strategy is implemented in the first period, supply chain members are more inclined to choose the decentralised strategy rather than the collaborative strategy in the second period. Third, we find that information asymmetry causes the supply chain members to deviate from optimal decisions, which restrains the collaborative strategy from becoming the equilibrium strategy. [Submitted: 14 May 2021; Accepted: 12 February 2022]
  Keywords: logistics service supply chain; LSSC; empowerment; market size fluctuation; cooperation strategy.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10053627
   
  
• Data-driven imitation learning-based approach for order size determination in supply chains  
  by Dony S. Kurian, V. Madhusudanan Pillai, J. Gautham, Akash Raut 
  Abstract: Past studies have attempted to formulate the order decision-making behaviour of humans for inventory replenishment in dynamic stock management environments. This paper investigates whether a data-driven approach like machine learning can imitate the order size decisions of humans and consequently enhance supply chain performances. Accordingly, this paper proposes a supervised machine learning-based order size determination approach. The proposed approach is initially executed using the order decision data collected from a simulated stock management environment similar to the 'beer game'. Subsequent comparative analysis shows that the proposed approach successfully enhances all supply chain performance measures compared to other well-known ordering methods. Additionally, the proposed approach is validated on a retail case study to investigate its efficacy. This paper thus focuses on extending the past works reported in the literature by modelling human order decision-making as data-driven imitation learning and contributing to machine learning applications for order management. [Submitted: 19 August 2021; Accepted: 16 February 2022]
  Keywords: supply chain; order size determination; machine learning; behavioural experiments; LightGBM; imitation learning; beer game.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10046611
   
  
• Robust estimation of the process dispersion for standard deviation control charts  
  by Shih-Chou Kao 
  Abstract: The detection ability of control charts varies with the robustness of estimators against contamination. The aim of this current study is to develop six types of estimators based on the scale A method with distributed weight functions and compare the performance of various dispersion control charts based on these functions under normal and contaminated normal environments. The values of their mean squared error are compared to those of existing estimators in diffuse and localised disturbances. The process-monitoring abilities of phase II control charts using phase I contaminated estimators are assessed using disturbances and process shifts. The estimator with the logistic distributed weight function performs the best against disturbances, with its average run lengths being closer to those in uncontaminated cases compared to other estimators. [Submitted: 15 December 2019; Accepted: 21 February 2022]
  Keywords: average run length; ARL; mean squared error; MSE; scale A estimator; trimming; weight function.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10046746
   
  
• An optimal supplier selection method for uncertain sustainable supply chains  
  by Qiurui Liu, He Huang, Ziqiang Zeng, Lin Chen, Junren Ming 
  Abstract: This paper considers a sustainable supplier selection problem with uncertainty faced by a transportation authority. The buyer tends to choose the supplier who can maximise its sustainable objectives including economic, energy, and quality aspects. We study the changes of design and quality requirements, as well as the interactions of the variables in the public transport production industry that affect the supplier selection decision making. The multi-objective particle swarm optimisation (MOPSO) solution method is employed to solve the sustainable supplier selection problem under uncertainty. Based on the computational results, the proposed model can help the managers to reduce the supply chain risk of quality uncertainty and design uncertainty. Theoretically, we provide an initial model that incorporates sustainability into supplier selection for the transportation of products, taking into account design uncertainty and environmental dimension. Practically, we measure the impact of design indicator on procurement from the perspectives of operators and users. It can be beneficial to the application and the integration of sustainable supply chain management. [Submitted: 25 October 2021; Accepted: 24 February 2022]
  Keywords: sustainable supply chain; supplier selection; performance optimisation; decision-making model.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10046289
   
  
• A stochastic mixed-integer model to support foodbank resources prepositioning during the prelude to a natural disaster  
  by Adrian F. Rivera, Neale R. Smith, Esteban Ogazon, Angel Ruiz 
  Abstract: A key strategic issue in pre-disaster planning for humanitarian logistics is the pre-establishment of adequate capacity and resources that enable efficient relief operations. Foodbanks must review their decisions and replan their activities upon the arrival of catastrophic events, such as earthquakes or floods. With the aim to support managers in the adaptation of their network and preparedness decisions during the prelude to the event, this paper presents a scenario-based stochastic mixed-integer optimisation formulation that aims to minimise the maximum amount of unfulfilled relief needs considering uncertainty both on the demand as well as on the availability of the infrastructure. The formulation was applied to the case of hurricane Odile that struck the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, in 2014. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the solution reached by the proposed mathematical formulation improved the actual decisions that were made during the event. Further comparisons and analyses are presented. [Submitted: 19 October 2021; Accepted: 24 February 2022]
  Keywords: humanitarian logistics; HL; foodbanks; natural disasters; optimisation; scenarios; stochastic.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10045985
   
  
• Location-inventory-reliability optimisation problem in a multi-objective multi-period three-level supply chain network with stochastic demand  
  by Farid Abdi, Hiwa Farughi, Heibatolah Sadeghi, Jamal Arkat 
  Abstract: One of the efficient methods of improving the reliability of factories is allocating appropriate redundant components that play an important role in responding to customers' demands, timely delivery and cost reduction. In this study, the issue of simultaneous optimisation of facility location-inventory-redundancy allocation has been investigated. In this regard, a multiple-period three-level problem has been taken into account. It has been assumed that demand for each retailer is stochastic and follows the normal distribution. In order to deal with the fluctuations of demand, the risk pooling effect has been applied. For this purpose, an integer nonlinear programming model has been proposed to optimise the cost of the supply chain as well as its reliability. Since facility location-inventory and redundancy allocation are categorised as NP-hard problems, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and archived multi-objective simulated annealing (AMOSA) algorithms have been developed for solving the aforementioned problem. Finally, their results have been evaluated by using comparison metrics of multi-objective algorithms. [Submitted: 9 September 2021; Accepted: 9 March 2022]
  Keywords: supply chain management; location-inventory model; redundancy allocation; stochastic demand; risk pooling; non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II; NSGA-II; archive multi-objective simulated annealing; Taguchi methods.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2022.10049686
   
  
• Modelling, performance evaluation and optimisation of (s, Q) retrial inventory system with partial backlogging demands: a GSPN approach  
  by Lydia Bazizi, Fazia Rahmoune, Ouiza Lekadir, Karim Labadi 
  Abstract: In this article, we model and analyse by using generalised stochastic Petri nets (GSPNs), an inventory system according to the (s, Q) replenishment policy, Poissonian batch arrivals in deterministic size n, immediate batch service and retrials. In out-of-stock situation, the arriving demands at the system join a limited orbit, if it is not full, and retry again after a random time exponentially distributed, following the classic retrial policy. However, in the case of a full orbit, these demands are definitively rejected from the system. We describe the dynamic of this inventory system using a two-dimensional continuous time Markov chain (CTMC), which expresses the inventory level and the number of demands in the orbit. Then, we recover the stationary distribution, using a recursive algorithm, from which we derive various performance measures. Finally, we investigate some numerical analysis of the reward-cost function induced by this model. [Submitted: 2 June 2021; Accepted: 28 March 2022]
  Keywords: inventory control system; (s, Q) policy; generalised stochastic Petri nets; GSPNs; continuous time Markov chain; CTMC; recursive algorithm; reward-cost function.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2024.10053691
   
  
• Optimising green vehicle routing problem - a real case study  
  by Dalila Tayachi, Cheima Jendoubi 
  Abstract: The optimisation of distribution activities in the logistics scheme of various companies, long time based on economic objectives, is widening today to integrate environmental concerns. This paper addresses the fuel consumption minimisation problem for one variant of the green VRP which is the VRP with fuel consumption rate (FCVRP) and considers load and distance as two main factors affecting fuel consumption. The problem is classified as NP-hard, hence, we propose to solve it by an iterated local search meta-heuristic (ILSFC-SP) starting with a heuristic approach that is based on mathematical programming and generates solutions by CPLEX. In order to test its performance, ILSFC-SP was first applied on benchmark instances to minimise fuel consumption as well as travelled distance and compared with the literature where it proved its efficacy, then, it was applied to a real-world application in Tunisia where it suggested operational solutions reducing considerably the fuel costs. [Submitted: 28 June 2019; Accepted: 17 April 2022]
  Keywords: fuel consumption; green vehicle routing problem; iterated local search; logistics; set-partitioning problem.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10047815
   
  
• Coordination strategies of dual channel closed-loop supply chain considering demand disruptions  
  by Di Wu, Peng Li, Juhong Chen, Hao Wang 
  Abstract: From the perspective of emergency management, it is of great practical significance to study the effect of demand disruptions on the decisions of dual channel closed-loop supply chain. Firstly, based on Stackelberg game theory, this paper constructs and solves the game model of dual channel closed-loop supply chain in centralised and decentralised decision modes, and analyses the effect of positive and negative demand disruptions on the optimal decision and profit of enterprises. Secondly, the construction of revenue-cost sharing contract realises the coordination between online and offline channels. Finally, a numerical example is used to further explore the effects of the factors on the equilibrium solution. The results show that: 1) when the degree of demand disruptions is small, the decision has certain robustness; 2) when demand has a negative disruption, the manufacturer will consider helping the retailer to reduce the loss on the premise of giving priority to reducing its own profit loss. Such behaviour is a typical 'sharing joys but not sorrows'. [Submitted: 23 December 2021; Accepted: 30 April 2022]
  Keywords: demand disruptions; dual channel closed-loop supply chain; recovery rate; pricing strategies; coordination strategies.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2023.10048025
   
  
• A novel QFD-based analytical guideline approach for painting applicator nozzle selection  
  by Gustavo Franco Barbosa, Pedro Henrique Da Silva Guedes, Sidney Bruce Shiki, Iris Bento Da Silva, Guylherme Emmanuel Tagliaferro De Queiroz 
  Abstract: This paper proposes a novel quality function deployment (QFD) based analytical guideline, concepted to assist the choice of applicator nozzles for painting systems of any business. The lack of specific guidance methods for this purpose is often the cause of difficulties experienced by industries during the selection of painting applicators. So, an analytical guideline assisted by a customised QFD approach is proposed to analyse all key painting parameters to be assessed and cross-checked with the strategy of a given business. It allows to determine the main technical features that should be considered during the decision process, by a calculation of scores of each painting system. The purpose is to orient the industrial needs related to manufacturing strategies to be used by engineers, managers and project leaders who are in charge of specifying painting systems and making strategic decisions. To attest that, two case studies have been conducted to demonstrate the application of the proposed approach. Thus, this contribution looks for better results in terms of productivity and quality on painting routines, oriented to the company's strategy of costs reduction and adding competitive value to the business. [Submitted: 14 June 2021; Accepted: 3 July 2022]
  Keywords: quality function deployment; QFD; analytical guideline; decision process; painting; manufacturing.
  DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2022.10049777