Machine sequencing formulations typically assume that the characteristics of the job set to be processed are given. However, in many applications, jobs can be batched in different ways. Two types of minimum flow-time sequencing problems with lot sizing are formulated. The "item-flow" formulation...

Traditional scheduling models have emphasized sequencing of tasks at machines. At multiple-machine work-centers mean flow times are affected by the allocation of work to machines, as well as the batch-sizes used for processing. An efficient algorithm for computing the optimal solution for the...

This paper examines the staffing, division of labor, and resulting profitability of primary care physician practices. Division of labor is viewed as a mechanism to increase the efficiency of production processes through specialization. At the same time, division of labor also introduces...

A central problem in marketing is: how should the firm position (reposition) and price a line of related (substitute) products in order to maximize profits (or welfare). We formulate this problem faced by a monopolist as a mathematical program, outline how to obtain the market data from a sample...

We consider the work flow in a medical teaching facility, examining the process that involves an initial patient exam by a resident physician, a subsequent conference between the resident and the attending physician, and the attending physician's visit with the patient. We create an analytical...

Designing and pricing a product-line is the very essence of every business. In recent years quantitative methods to assist managers in this task have been gaining in popularity. Conjoint analysis is already widely used to measure preferences for different product profiles, and build market...