International Journal of Supply Chain and Inventory Management (5 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• A Comparison on Fuzzy Stochastic Data Envelopment Analysis Models with Application to Banking Industry  
  by S.H. Nasseri, M. Ahmadi-khatir 
  Abstract: This paper organizes two different Net-DEA approaches by taking into account undesirable output with fuzzy stochastic data. A normal distribution with fuzzy component adopted for inputs, intermediate outputs, desirable and undesirable outputs. One approach is two-stage model and another three stage model. The last basic model is compatible in banking environment. This study collects some instances of different results to use these approach. We propose, finally, a linear and feasible model in deterministic form. To achieve this aim, a possibility-probability approach is applied on a reform of two-stage DEA models occupied with undesirable outputs. A case study in the banking industry is presented to exhibit the efficacy of the procedures and demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model.
  Keywords: Data envelopment analysis; Two-stage; Undesirable output;rnFuzzy random variable; Efficiency score.
  
  
• Warehouse Location Selection using AHP: A Case of Third-Party Logistics Provider in India  
  by Mahak Sharma, Ruchita Gupta, Swati Premchandani 
  Abstract: In the developing economies with dynamic market conditions, building a new facility is one of the biggest challenges for a firm. The location of the warehouse has a considerable impact on revenues, cost, and level of service. There is always a trade-off between inventory and distribution cost, and location plays a vital role in bridging the gap between the two costs. Thus, warehouse site selection is one of the critical decisions for any company. For a third-party logistics provider, housing products of different companies belonging to various industries, the major challenge is selecting a location of the new warehouse to fulfill the requirements of all. Thus, the objective of the study is to identify critical factors for optimal location selection for the warehouse. The paper presents a real-life problem (in Indian Context) of consolidating four warehouses of Third-Party logistics (3PL) providers to reduce cost. The study adopts the Delphi method, followed by the Analytical Hierarchy Process.
  Keywords: Warehouse location; Third party logistics; Analytical Hierarchy Process; Delphi Method; India.
  
  
• A Business Process Modelling Approach in Production Logistic for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises  
  by Ramadas. Thekkoote 
  Abstract: The primary objective of this research paper to highlight the research work carried out in the area of production logistics for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) using a business process modelling approach. This paper provides a method of developing a logistic production model from the perspective of the business process modelling technique that has not to be investigated before to the best of our knowledge. Hence, the aim of this paper to design the logistic production model for SMEs to do that business process modeling instruments were employed. The proposed conceptual model represents the workflow regarding logistic activities in small and medium-sized enterprises. The presented production logistic business process model is expected to help researchers, business modelers and analysts, as well as for real professionals for further studies in the domain of logistic production management in the SME context
  Keywords: SMEs; Logistics Process; Business Process Modelling.
  
  
• A knapsack approach to solving the capacitated newsvendor problem  
  by Pinyuan Shan, Layek Abdel-Malek 
  Abstract: The capacitated newsvendor problem continues to receive considerable attention. This is attributed to its wide range of applications. In the past few decades, researchers have proposed many solution methods. Nevertheless, these methods often require users to have knowledge in certain mathematical programming techniques or complex computer programs which are not easy to apply. To complement the existing literature in this area, this paper, which is a sister to the one that has been published in Springer Nature Operations Research Forum (Abdel-Malek et al., 2020) where a constructive approach utilising the known minimum cost network, is developed. In this work, we add to the previous methods by introducing a model that utilises the known knapsack problem to optimise its solution. Numerical experiments are conducted to compare the performance of some existing methods including those yielded by its sister paper to the proposed one. Managerial insights are also provided.
  Keywords: inventory control; newsvendor problem; knapsack problem; supply chain management; stochastic optimisation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSCIM.2021.10043069
   
  
• Non-conventional medicines supply chain - Utility and the need for alternatives as exposed by COVID-19 induced lockdown.  
  by Felistas Zimano 
  Abstract: This qualitative study follows a root-cause investigation exposing COVID-19 induced national lockdowns hand in disrupting medication informal supply chain. Although not widely documented, I submit that inter-city and intra-country buses are widely used non-conventional medicines couriers in Zimbabwe. Buses bridge medicine supply and accessibility gaps by taking deliveries throughout the country and beyond. This reduces supply-side induced medicine non-adherence which disturbs pharmacotherapy management of chronic ailments. Lived and observed narrations presented herein clarify this modus operandi. To reinforce medication courier disruptions effects, literature findings illuminate consequences of induced non-adherence in chronic illness management which might outlive COVID-19 pandemics direct effects. As a matter of urgency, help must be rendered to salvage what remains of affected patients chances. In addition, a bottom-up proactive online based tool to ensure equitable nationwide medicines accessibility is recommended to ensure effective drug distribution and availability to those in need not merely those within reach.
  Keywords: medicine supply chain; COVID-19; chronic illness management; medicines’ non-adherence; digital health; healthcare delivery; pharmacotherapy.