This paper considers the problem of determining the optimal ordering quantities of a purchased item where there are step changes in price, either up or down. Other costs incurred include ordering costs associated with each replenishment and holding costs related to capital tied up in inventory...

The Newsboy (Newsvendor) problem is probably the simplest of all stochastic inventory problems, involving a one-time purchase decision and a stochastic sales outcome. As an investment, it can be interpreted as the simplest stochastic version of the point-in, point-out investment problem of...

In previous research, the author developed a general abstract framework for the exergy content of a system of finite objects [Grubbström RW. Towards a generalized exergy concept. In: van Gool W, Bruggink JJC, editors. Energy and time in the economic and physical sciences. Amsterdam:...

Inefficient locations for production, distribution and reverse logistics plants will result in excess costs no matter how well material requirements planning (MRP), inventory control, distribution and information sharing decisions are optimized. In this paper we study ways in which aspect of...

During the last thirty years, the method of the Laplace transform has found an increasing number of applications in the fields of physics and technology. In this article the author points out the possibility of solving problems in the area of discounting with the aid of this method. Without any...

The dynamic lotsizing problem concerns the determination of optimally produced/delivered batch quantities, when demand, which is to be satisfied, is distributed over time in different amounts at different times. The standard formulation assumes that these batches are provided instantaneously,...

In this paper we extend and apply MRP theory towards reverse logistics including the considerations of transportation consequences. Our aim is to demonstrate the versatility obtained from using MRP theory when combining Input–Output Analysis and Laplace transforms. This enables an analysis of...

Determining the economic lot size has always represented one of the most important issues in production planning. This problem has long attracted the attention of researchers, and several models have been developed to meet requirements at minimum cost. In this paper we explore and discuss the...