Since the beginning of deregulation, natural gas markets have been opened up to competition, with the creation of open access to pipeline transportation and storage and unbundling of sales from pipeline transportation. However, although there is strong evidence that replacing regulation with...

In this research, we study a general multi-period inventory model for a buyer and his supplier. We propose an adjustment contract to allow the buyer to adjust his inventory levels upwards or downwards. Thus, the buyer has more flexibility in inventory control so as to reduce his inventory risk....

Pricing is a critical issue in the strategic marketing of durable goods, both to companies selling goods and to consumers choosing among alternative products. The multi-dimensional pricing of durable goods is a complex problem. We are interested in the basic question of how profit maximizing...

The efficiency and the effectiveness of supply chain networks primarily rely on facility location decisions. However, these decisions are closely related to the other supply chain management decisions, i.e., inventory management and transportation decisions. Therefore, the main goal of this...

Uncertain electricity load variation could incur additional costs associated with some specific decisions to resolve its impacts. Price volatility also becomes one of the major concerns for the operation planning and scheduling problem, resulted from the emergence of electricity markets. Since...

In this dissertation, we consider an inventory sharing and rationing problem in continuous-review, infinite-horizon, distribution networks. Unlike previous literature on inventory sharing, we model inventory sharing as a multiple demand classes problem in which each dealer faces two classes of...

In this thesis, we identify the critical operational characteristics for various distribution strategies, and then develop integrated distribution network design models by taking into account those operational factors. The first part of this thesis presents a crossdocking network design problem...

Today supply chains leverage their partner's competencies and in the process also inherit the risks associated with various links of a supply chain. Although it is impossible to completely eliminate various risks, an environment can be created which helps to effectively mitigate risk. The most...

Today supply chains leverage their partner's competencies and in the process also inherit the risks associated with various links of a supply chain. Although it is impossible to completely eliminate various risks, an environment can be created which helps to effectively mitigate risk. The most...