Since the early 1960s, the Beer Distribution Game (BDG) has been used to characterize the various instabilities that arise in multi-stage supply chains. Although an appreciable body of research exists for the BDG and its inherent nonlinear instabilities, there are three apparent technical voids...

In the first part of this thesis, we consider a manufacturer who has a process with an increasing failure rate over time. In order to improve the performance of the process, the following two types of maintenance activities are outsourced to an external contractor: (a) Preventive maintenance...

In most organizations the decision making processes associated with the development of new products are broken down into three hierarchical levels: strategic, tactical and operational; that use data and decision support tools individually tailored. In each level, only the part of the process...

In recent decades, warranties have become more important in deciding the overall product quality. In this thesis, we use warranty as the planning tool to improve product quality during the customer phase. We develop an analytical framework that consists of systematic planning methods to reduce...

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the cost and production structure of mass transit systems using both panel and time series data. Accepting cost minimization (subject to a set of constraints that reflect demand, regulatory, and urban setting conditions) as the economic...

This dissertation develops optimal/near-optimal allocation and replenishment policies for a multi-level, periodic-review, fixed-route logistics system which is comprised of a Logistics Center and several non-identical retailers located along a fixed route. The Logistics Center coordinates the...

Infrastructure design is a critical first step towards the long term success of any business. A well-planned supply chain design for example, is important for efficient flow of goods and information between the producers and the consumers. Similarly a well laid out electricity transmission grid...

Energy plays a vital role in the world today, driving industry and allowing for technologies ingrained throughout the routines of daily life. The complex interactions, evolution, long time scales of change, and critical nature of the energy system makes modeling and analysis crucial to...

Cost-of-service is the typical regulatory scheme used for natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs). The profit of a regulated LDC is a return on investment, based on the capital she owns. The cost paid by consumers is, in general, equal to the cost incurred by the LDC for gas procurement...

The State Utility Forecasting Group (SUFG) at Purdue University utilizes econometric and end-use models to develop forecasts of electricity prices and demand on a timely basis for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, in compliance with Indiana Code 8-1-8.5. As part of this procedure, SUFG...