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...

An important observation in supply chain management, known as the bullwhip effect, suggests that demand variability increases as one moves up a supply chain. In this paper we quantify this effect for simple, two-stage supply chains consisting of a single retailer and a single manufacturer. Our...

This paper presents a multistage supply chain model that is based on Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) time-series models. Given an ARIMA model of consumer demand and the lead times at each stage, it is shown that the orders and inventories at each stage are also ARIMA, and...

The effects of appropriability on invention have been well studied, but there has been little analysis of the effect of appropriability on the commercialization of existing inventions. Exploiting a database of 805 attempts by private firms to commercialize inventions licensed from the...

We focus on backup agreements between a catalog company and manufacturers---a scheme to provide upstream sourcing flexibility for fashion merchandise. A backup agreement states that if the catalog company commits to a number of units for the season, the manufacturer holds back a constant...

Quick Response (QR) is a movement in the apparel industry to shorten lead time. Under QR, the retailer has the ability to adjust orders based on better demand information. We study how a manufacturer-retailer channel impacts choices of production and marketing variables under QR in the apparel...

Material Requirement Planning (MRP) is a technique which assists a company in the detail planning for its production. Many large and small businesses adopt MRP system, a well known technique, in order to increase the productivity and decrease the lead time of materials as well as their...

The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) recently demonstrated a significant reduction in prostate cancer incidence of about 25% among men taking finasteride compared to men taking placebo. However, the effect of finasteride on the natural history of prostate cancer is not well understood. We...