Development of Holistic Framework Incorporating Collaboration, Supply-Demand Synchronization, Traceability and Vertical Integration in Agri-food Supply Chain

Successful implementation of food supply chains in improving the productivity and operational efficiency by some companies made many other firms and researchers courteous about this fast developing field. For successful strategies, organizations in agri-food business are aiming to bring all its stakeholders in close cooperation. The agri-food supply chain aims at optimal warehousing and location design, supply-demand synchronization, checking price variations and ultimately minimizing waste and improving productivity at every stage leveraging Information Technology (IT). This research reviews the supply chain status in agri-food sector, categorizes available literature, assesses the influential articles, and proposes the holistic framework in agri-food supply chain. From the literature review, it is observed that the research articles have addressed agri-food supply chain up to a certain point and confined to the apt ideas of supply projections, demand projections, supply-demand disparity, traceability, collaborations etc. There is a need for extensive research to reconsider warehouse and location design, supply-demand projections and gap analysis, transshipment strategies and traceability in an integrated manner. The present study proposes holistic framework addressing the issues of supply-demand synchronization, warehouse design, transportation optimization, traceability, vertical integration and farmer’s credit facility.

Solving a Bi-Criteria Hybrid Flowshop Scheduling Problem Occurring in Apparel Manufacturing

This paper studies the problem of production scheduling in a company belonging to the apparel industry, where textile labels are manufactured through the process of thermal transfer. The problem is modelled as a flexible flowshop with two stages. The objectives are the maximisation of system productivity (or minimisation of makespan) and the minimisation of the number of production orders with late delivery. This paper proposes a scheduling procedure based on a bi-objective genetic algorithm. An experimental study was performed using real data from the enterprise. Since validation results showed the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed procedure, a decision-aid tool is designed. The algorithm is implemented at the enterprise and allows improved key performance metrics.

Analysis of Reverse Logistics Operations for a Computer Company

As reverse logistics is a relatively new field in supply chain management, especially in Asia, a detailed study is conducted to understand the status of companies practicing reverse logistics to support their Asia Pacific operations. This paper discusses an empirical examination of a company performing reverse logistics in Asia with Singapore being the coordination hub with the United States (US). Data on the transaction volumes and other material information are collected over a period of two years to understand the behaviour and trends of reverse logistics in this company. Statistical tools such as serial correlation, seasonality and trend analysis are performed on the data to understand their behaviour and its managerial implication. The study has shown that there is an upward trend for the return volume and how financial closing has an impact to the return volumes.

Discrete-Event Simulation Models for Assessing Incidents in Railway Systems

This paper presents a discrete event simulation model developed with a commercial environment. A modular approach is adopted, which facilitates building models for different railway systems. A key feature of this simulator is that it simultaneously models train movements and passenger behavior. The simulator has been used to assess two different policies when short incidents occur. Incidents are characterized by different factors, which are analyzed for both policies. A case-study is presented based on a subsystem of the commuter train network of the province of Madrid in Spain.

Relational Attributes in Supply Chain Relationships

The objective of this research paper is to examine the relational attributes underpinning supply chain networks, which linked firms need to manage on an ongoing basis. In examining the connections, which are different from transaction-based connections, this study measures the effects of face-to-face communication, trust, involvement, job title, and sales volume on performance. The hypothesized relationships are mostly supported and provide nuanced insights into relational attributes that affect supply-chain relationships and performance. These attributes are the basis for creating relationship intensity, magnitude, and history, described as collaborative facilitators that can enhance performance. All levels of management have a role to play in how the relational attributes are applied and managed. Senior leadership such as CEOs may need to play a larger role in trust development and involvement maintenance, while mid-level and line managers may need to engage in more face-to-face communication in maintaining trust and collaboration intensity.

Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization for Solving Balanced Allocation Problem of Third Party Logistics Providers

Third party logistics (3PL) service providers play a growing responsibility in the management of supply chain. The global and competitive business environment of 3PLs has recognized the significance of a speedy and proficient service towards the customers in the past few decades. Particularly in warehousing, distribution, and transportation services, a number of customers anticipate 3PLs to improve lead times, fill rates, inventory levels, etc. Therefore, the 3PLs are under demands to convene a range of service necessities of customers in an active and uncertain business environment. As a consequence of the dynamic environment in which supply chain must operate, 3PLs should sustain an effective distribution system of high performance and must make a sequence of inter-related decisions over time for their distribution networks. Warehouses play an important role in sustaining the continual flow of goods and materials between the manufacturer and customers. The performance of the 3PL supply chain network can be effortlessly enhanced by a balanced allocation of customers to warehouses. In this paper, the authors develop a genetic algorithm and a particle-swarm-optimisation algorithm for solving the balanced allocation problem and the results are encouraging.

Reconfiguring Supply Chains for a Global Automotive Industry

As the industrial landscape is altered by emerging markets like China and India and the bankruptcy of Detroit automakers and their parts suppliers, motor vehicle firms are reconfiguring their supply chains in order to be cost-competitive on a global basis. Backup capacity and cross-docking are being incorporated into just-in-time delivery systems in an attempt to keep car prices affordable for first-time buyers. This will entail a rebuilding of the global alliances between automakers and key component suppliers that lead to stringent quality standards, adhered-to-delivery schedules, and productivity increases which are needed to keep operating, procurement, and distribution costs under control.

Supply Chain Management Practices of Indian Automobile Industry

The automobile industry is a major contributor to India’s economy. The Indian automobile manufacturers face stiff international competition in the wake of all major US and European car manufacturers entering the Indian market. In the contemporary scenario, supply chain management practices can be adopted to improve operational efficiency and profits. This paper presents the current status of Indian automotive supply chains. For this, data was collected by conducting a nationwide survey. The paper highlights some major problems plaguing the Indian automotive supply chains and finally, presents some recommendations that are potentially useful to bring Indian automotive supply chains at par with global industry leaders.

Modeling of Hybrid Production Systems with Constant WIP and Unreliable Equipment

Material flow in production systems can be controlled by a purely push-pull (just-in-time), or by a hybrid push-pull control mechanism. One type of push-pull production control can be implemented by controlling only the last stage during part withdrawals to trigger the production at the first stage. While the final stage is operated according to a pull mechanism, intermediate stages are operated according to a push system of control in order to keep the work-in-process (WIP) at a constant level. Since the WIP levels are limited in hybrid systems, production output rate is very susceptible to equipment failures. In order to establish suitable WIP capacities between the stages of production, it is essential to analyze the production line using appropriate models and tools. This paper develops a discrete iterative model to study and analyze behavior of a push-pull system with unreliable equipment at any stage. The model is utilized to optimize WIP capacities at intermediate stages and number of kanbans at the last stage. Furthermore, an experimental design is set up to analyze effects of various maintenance policies, line design parameters, and operational factors on line performance measures by using simulation results from the model.

Effects of Vendor-Managed Inventory on the Bullwhip Effect

The bullwhip effect means that demand variability increases as one moves up the supply chain. In the following article the bullwhip effect is quantified for each part of the supply chain which is presupposed to consist of a producer, a wholesaler, a retailer, and a consumer. After considering the causes of the bullwhip effect, it will be shown with the help of a nonlinear optimization model to what extent the bullwhip effect can be reduced using vendor-managed inventory (VMI) as one concept of Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR). In contrast to other studies in this field the reduction of the bullwhip effect will be accurately quantified for each part of the supply chain.