Our incentive is to assess the impact of demand forecast errors on the cost performance of several lot-sizing techniques in a multi-level context. Unpredicted changes in demand keep on plaguing consumer product companies. However, efforts to improve demand forecast accuracy may not be rewarded...

We consider the multi-level lot-sizing problem in a rolling-schedule environment as it occurs in Material Requirements Planning systems, with no capacity constraints and a time-invariant cost structure. We show that the performance of fixed-horizon methods can be improved drastically in a...

This paper compares centralized and decentralized coordination when managers are privately informed and communicate strategically. We consider a multidivisional organization in which decisions must be adapted to local conditions but also coordinated with each other. Information about local...

This paper examines the centralised monitoring of an upstream supply chain (USC) in the context of a mass customisation production system. We propose an adaptation of the material requirement planning framework to manage demand uncertainty at each stage of the USC. New analytical relations that...

La inteligencia de mercados es un proceso sistematizado de documentación, identificación, análisis y diseño de estrategias para lograr estructurar y usufructuar las potencialidades de una organización, sector económico producto o servicio determinado. Esta investigación desarrolla los...

In this era of globalisation the traditional Ricardian theory of trade in products governed by comparative advantages is replaced by a modern theory of trade in tasks. Tasks are outsourced to those places in the world where the lower production costs outweigh the additional transaction costs...

This era of globalisation is characterized by an ongoing international fragmentation of production where the supply chain is split up in more and more parts. The traditional Ricardian theory of trade in products governed by comparative advantages is replaced by a modern theory of trade in tasks....

Product flows in today’s supply chains do not end once they have reached the customer. Many products lead a second and even third or fourth life after having accomplished their original task at their first customer. Consequently, a product may generate revenues multiple times, rather than a...

In this paper, we consider a make-to-stock production system with known exogenous replenishments and multiple customer classes. The objective is to maximize profit over the planning horizon by deciding whether to accept or reject a given order, in anticipation of more profitable future orders....

The ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) includes a method of continuous improvement put in place in 1994. Through this system, audits and reviews are performed to identify, correct and prevent problems. Although the method of continuous improvement, combined with adherence to annual quality...