We develop a genetic algorithm (GA) for a real-life problem of scheduling of the golf-club-head injection process performed on a set of parallel machines. In our study, the orders for club heads are usually requested by sets with certain due dates and can be shipped only if they are complete....

In the Industry 4.0 era, emerging technologies such as big data analytics and blockchain can improve supply chain operations by updating information to reduce demand uncertainty and improving data quality. We conduct a theoretical exploration of the values provided by such technologies in the...

We propose a model to assess the value of a distributor in a dynamic stochastic cooperative advertising supply chain in which a manufacturer wholesales its product to the distributor who in turn sells it to a retailer. Moreover and importantly, the distributor also intermediates the pricing and...

Improving on existing products is an effective product differentiation strategy for firms. We refer to such improved products as next-generation products (NGPs). Research shows that 40% of product transitions fail and that some lead to bankruptcies. Bad timing is often mentioned as one of the...

We consider two risk-neutral firms (A and B) that can procure raw materials via a forward contract and a volatile spot market. Both firms possess market power, and their trading behavior can influence the spot price of raw materials. They use these raw materials to produce seasonable products...

With the boom of e-commerce, express delivery has been increasingly regarded as a bottleneck and key factor for achieving success. Additionally, whether to include such express delivery service or not is an important yet outstandingly unsolved problem for online retailers. In this regard, this...

We investigate the impact of the process of manufacturing and distribution on the safety stock levels in a supply chain. A pipeline hedging method is used to derive a model for estimating the safety stock levels. We propose methods and guidelines to redesign the manufacturing and distribution...

We study a two-stage purchase contract with a demand forecast update. The purchase contract provides the buyer an opportunity to adjust an initial commitment based on an updated demand forecast obtained at a later stage. An adjustment, if any, incurs a fixed as well as a variable cost. Using a...

We begin with a supplier (she) who wholesales to a retailer (he), and is considering to encroach into the retail market by opening an independent online/offline store to sell directly to consumers (a direct channel encroachment) or by selling directly to consumers through the online platform of...

Managing customer satisfaction in a cost effective way has always been a major challenge faced by inventory managers. We study the problem of a newsvendor selling a perishable product with short-term demand patterns and a long-term service target. The newsvendor determines his long-term order at...