A new smoothing approach based on entropic perturbation is proposed for solving mathematical programs with equilibrium constraints. Some of the desirable properties of the smoothing function are shown. The viability of the proposed approach is supported by a computationalstudy on a set of...

In this article we focus on product return handling and warehousing issues. In some businesses return rates can be well over 20% and returns can be especially costly when not handled properly. In spite of this, many managers have handled returns extemporarily. The fact that quantitative methods...

We present a thorough analysis of the economic order quantity model with shortages under a general inventory cost rate function and concave production costs. By using some standard results from convex analysis, we show that the model exhibits a composite concave-convex structure. Consequently,...

We consider equilibrium constrained optimization problems, which have a general formulationthat encompasses well-known models such as mathematical programs with equilibrium constraints, bilevel programs, and generalized semi-infinite programming problems. Based on the celebrated K K M lemma, we...

We study a variational inequality problem whose domain is defined by infinitely many linear inequalities. A discretization method and an analytic center based inexact cutting plane method are proposed. Under proper assumptions, the convergence results for both methods are given. We also provide...

Already for a long time retailers take back products. In this paper we explore the factors contributing to the decision of combining vs. separating inbound and outbound flows during the return handling process. We do so through a comparative analysis of the operations in nine retailer...

This paper evaluates the impact of misinformation for inventory systems with product returns. If one could exactly know how much is going to be returned and when, one would certainly benefit from incorporating this perfect information a priori in the management of production, inventory, and...

In this paper we introduce robust versions of the classical static and dynamic single leg seat allocation models as analyzed by Wollmer, and Lautenbacher and Stidham, respectively. These robust models take into account the inaccurate estimates of the underlying probability distributions. As...

In this paper we investigate recent initiatives with respect to extended producer responsibility in the aviation sector. We compare those with the existing practices in the automobile sector and the emerging regulations in the shipping sector. We describe the challenges and the lessons to be...

The present paper discusses an approach to solve the joint replenishment problem in a production environment with concave production cost functions. Under this environment, the model leads to a global optimization problem, which is investigated by using some standard results from convex...