Empirical research opportunities in reverse supply chains

This study reviews the literature in reverse supply chains (RSCs) and develops 10 research propositions to be studied using empirical research methods. Businesses increasingly have to cope with product returns, mandated environmental regulations and increasing costs associated with product disposal. Through effective management of the RSC, managers can improve process efficiencies, customer service, supply chain design, product design, after-market product sales and after-sales service. Most research in RSCs has relied on case studies and optimization models. Opportunities exist to use survey-based research methods to explain current practices, predominant and critical issues, and managerial techniques used to manage the RSC.     

Multi-time scale Markov decision process approach to strategic network growth of reverse supply chains

This paper addresses a complex set of decisions that surround the growth over time of reverse supply chain networks that collect used products for reuse, refurbishment, and/or recycling by processors. The collection network growth problem is decomposed into strategic, tactical and operational problems. This paper focuses on the strategic problem which is to determine how to allocate capital budget resource effectively to grow the network to meet long term collection targets and collection cost constraints. We model the strategic problem as a Markov decision process which can also be posed as multi-time scale Markov decision problem. The recruitment problem in a tactical level appears as a sub-problem for the strategic model. Using dynamic programming, linear programming and Q-Learning approaches, an heuristic is implemented to solve realistically sized problems. A numerical study demonstrates that the heuristic can obtain a good solution for the large-scale problem in reasonable time which is not possible when trying to obtain the optimal solution with the exact DP approach.     

逆向供应链的非合作代价分析

小微企业不仅是推动中国经济发展的重要力量,也对中国民生具有重要意义。然而,目前中国大部分小微企业生存状况并不乐观,这一现实矛盾引发了大量学者的研究兴趣。但已有关于新创小微企业营销绩效的研究被割裂从属为创业研究和营销研究两个领域,一方面,创业研究者过多地强调新创小微企业的新创弱性,忽视了企业因为新创可能具有的优势特征对企业绩效的积极影响;另一方面,新创小微企业因其特殊的组织结构和管理方式导致以成熟大中型企业为研究对象的传统营销理论部分失灵。因此,缺乏专门针对新创小微企业营销绩效的系统研究。 从顾客合法性感知视角出发,整合创业领域的新创企业特征理论和营销领域的市场导向理论,以工具-象征框架为理论框架,构建新创小微企业营销绩效影响因素的系统模型。利用中国4个城市的629家新创小微企业的问卷调查数据,采用结构方程模型方法开展实证检验。研究结果表明,充分利用新创企业资产和实施市场导向是新创小微企业提升营销绩效的两种有效途径。新创企业资产对新创小微企业意义尤其重大,它不仅对新创小微企业营销绩效具有显著的直接影响,还通过提升顾客关于企业的适应合法性感知给新创小微企业营销绩效带来积极影响;竞争导向对新创小微企业的营销绩效具有直接积极影响,也以顾客的适应合法性感知为部分中介对营销绩效产生间接影响;顾客导向对顾客的创新合法性认知有积极作用,但顾客导向和顾客的创新合法性认知对新创小微企业的营销绩效没有显著影响。 关注顾客合法性感知对新创小微企业的重要意义,从顾客感知视角提供了新创小微企业战略选择的方向,研究结果对于新创小微企业改善和提升营销绩效实践提供了新的视角和方向。     

逆向供应链的非合作代价分析

为衡量基于价格合同的逆向供应链运作效率,将非合作代价(PoA)概念引入逆向供应链.考虑废旧产品供应的不确定性,分析了推式和拉式两种结构的两级和多级逆向供应链在分散决策时效率损失的上界.研究表明,逆向供应链并非正向供应链的简单逆过程,这是由于逆向供应链的不确定性主要来自上游端,从而需要考虑废旧产品供应不足导致的缺货风险;推式与拉式两种结构下具有一致的PoA,即分散决策下的效率损失与谁来承担风险无关.此外,逆向供应链级数的递增会加剧供应链效率损失,但逆向供应链级数一定时PoA趋于定值.     

Manufacturing network configuration in supply chains with product recovery

Efficient implementation of product recovery requires appropriate network structures. In this paper, we study the network design problem of a firm that manufactures new products and remanufactures returned products in its facilities. We examine the capacity decisions and expected performance of two alternative manufacturing network configurations when demand and return flows are both uncertain.     

基于以旧换新的闭环供应链决策模型

构建了3种基于以旧换新策略的闭环供应链决策模型,包括集中决策模型(C)、制造商销售第三方回收商回收模型(M3P)、零售商销售第三方回收商回收模型(R3P),并分别讨论了模型的最优定价与回收策略.通过理论与数值分析表明:制造商和整个供应链系统所获得的利润方面,模型C优于模型M3P,而模型M3P优于模型R3P;而第三方回收商所获得的利润方面,模型M3P也优于模型R3P;此外,根据产品全生命周期评估方法进行环境绩效分析,结果表明在环境绩效的表现上不存在具有绝对优势的模型.     

Managing channel profits of different cooperative models in closed-loop supply chains

The importance of closed-loop supply chains has been widely recognized in literature and in practice. The paper investigates interactions among the different parties in a three-echelon closed-loop supply chain consisting of a single manufacturer, a single retailer and two recyclers and focuses on how cooperative strategies affect closed-loop supply chain decision-making. Various cooperative models are considered by observing recent research and current cases, and the optimal decisions and supply chain profits of these models are discussed. By comparing various coalition structures, we discover that cooperative strategies can lead to win–win outcomes and increase an alliance׳s profit and can be effective ways of achieving greater efficiency from the point of view of the overall supply chain. Finally, the paper presents a detailed comparative analysis of these models and provides insights into the management of closed-loop supply chains.     

Strategic and operational decision-making in expanding supply chains for LNG as a fuel

The European Union aims for a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, and recognizes the opportunities of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as an alternative fuel for transportation to reach this goal. The lack of a mature supply chain for LNG as a fuel results in a need to invest in new (satellite) terminals, bunker barges and tanker trucks. This network design problem can be defined as a Two-Echelon Capacitated Location Routing Problem with Split Deliveries (2E-CLRPSP). An important feature of this problem is that direct deliveries are allowed from terminals, which makes the problem much harder to solve than the existing location routing literature suggests. In this paper, we improve the performance of a hybrid exact algorithm and apply our algorithm to a real-world network design problem related to the expansion of the European supply chain for LNG as a fuel. We show that satellite terminals and bunker barges become an interesting option when demand for LNG grows and occurs further away from the import terminal. In those situations, the large investments associated with LNG satellites and bunker barges are offset by reductions in operational costs of the LNG tanker trucks.     

Sustainable supply chain network design: An optimization-oriented review

Supply chain network design (SCND) models and methods have been the subject of several recent literature review surveys, but none of them explicitly includes sustainable development as a main characteristic of the problem considered. The aim of this review is to bridge this gap. The paper analyzes 87 papers in the field of supply chain network design, covering mathematical models that include economic factors as well as environmental and/or social dimensions. The review is organized along four research questions asking (i) which environmental and social objectives are included, (ii) how are they integrated into the models, (iii) which methods and tool are used and finally (iv) which industrial applications and contexts are covered in these models. The review finds that there are a number of limitations to the current research in sustainable SCND. The narrow scope of environmental and social measures in current models should go beyond limited greenhouse gas indicators to broader life-cycle approaches including new social metrics. The more effective inclusion of uncertainty and risk in models with improved multi-objective approaches is also needed. There are also significant gaps in the sectors used to test models limiting more general applicability. The paper concludes with promising new avenues of research to more effectively include sustainability into SCND models.     

Partner selection for reverse logistics centres in green supply chains: a fuzzy artificial immune optimisation approach

The design of reverse logistics networks has now emerged as a major issue for manufacturers, not only in developed countries where legislation and societal pressures are strong, but also in developing countries where the adoption of reverse logistics practices may offer a competitive advantage. This paper presents a new model for partner selection for reverse logistic centres in green supply chains. The model offers three advantages. Firstly, it enables economic, environment and social factors to be considered simultaneously. Secondly, by integrating fuzzy set theory and artificial immune optimisation technology, it enables both quantitative and qualitative criteria to be considered simultaneously throughout the whole decision-making process. Thirdly, it extends the flat criteria structure for partner selection evaluation for reverse logistics centres to the more suitable hierarchy structure. The applicability of the model is demonstrated by means of an empirical application based on data from a Chinese electronic equipment and instruments manufacturing company.     

Distribution lot-sizing models for arborescent supply chains with discrete-period variable demand

This study formulates a novel mixed-integer programming lot-sizing model for arborescent supply chains with discrete-period variable demand and then develops an efficient two-phase heuristic method, in which a combined multi-period demand ordering policy, rather than the lot-for-lot ordering policy usually assumed in previous papers, is adopted. Two important properties are introduced and used to obtain a better initial feasible solution. The good performance of the proposed heuristic method is verified through a comparison with the optimal solution method. It is also shown that the performance of the proposed combined multi-period demand ordering method is superior to that of the lot-for-lot ordering method. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to explore the impacts of changing the values of relevant parameters on the total supply chain cost, the total number of orders and the total number of opened members. Finally, a well-known logistics company in Taiwan is chosen to demonstrate the excellent performance and the aptness of the proposed ordering method.     

Information sharing in supply chains

Supply chain is defined as a system of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and customers where material, financial and information flows connect participants in both directions. Most supply chains are composed of independent agents with individual preferences. It is expected that no single agent has the power to optimise the supply chain. Supply chain management is now seen as a governing element in strategy and as an effective way of creating value for customers. The so-called bullwhip effect, describing growing variation upstream in a supply chain, is probably the most famous demonstration that decentralised decision making can lead to poor supply chain performance. Information asymmetry is one of the most powerful sources of the bullwhip effect. Information sharing of customer demand has an impact on the bullwhip effect. Information technology has lead to centralised information, shorter lead times and smaller batch sizes. The analysis of causes of the bullwhip effect has lead to suggestions for reducing the bullwhip effect in supply chains by strategic partnership. Supply chain partnership leads to increased information flows, reduced uncertainty, and a more profitable supply chain. The cooperation is based on contacts and formal agreements. Information exchange is very important issue for coordinating actions of units. New business practices and information technology make the coordination even closer. Information sharing and strategic partnerships of units can be modelled by different network structures.     

Retail consolidation in synchronized supply chains

Summary  In this paper, we describe a basic model to analyze a mixed consolidation strategy with direct and indirect shipments through stockless consolidation centers. This model can help to approximate the potential savings in a retail distribution network. Based on our transport consolidation model, we show that Supply Chain Synchronization considerably increases the use of direct shipments and lowers the costs of handling and transport. This theory was applied in a practical case situation at a retailer in the Netherlands, with remarkable results. On the transportation budget for dry grocery alone, potential savings already exceeded 5 million Euro per annum. Further research will try to extend the model to accommodate delays at the consolidation centers, since these delays can increase the available load at consolidation centers, needed for an efficient hub operation.

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Zusammenfassung  In diesem Beitrag wird ein Grundmodell vorgestellt, mit dessen Hilfe eine gemischte Konsolidierungsstrategie untersucht werden kann, die aus direkten und indirekten Verladungen durch lagerlose Konsolidierungszentren besteht. Das Modell kann dazu genutzt werden, potentielle Einsparungen in einem Distributionsnetzwerk des Handels abzusch?tzen. Ausgehend von dem Konsolidierungsmodell der Transporte wird gezeigt, dass die Synchronisation der Lieferkette dazu führt, in erheblichem Ma?e st?rker direkte Verladungen einzusetzen, wobei gleichzeitig die Verwaltungs-und Transportkosten gesenkt werden. Der theoretische Ansatz ist auf ein Handelsunternehmen in den Niederlanden angewandt worden, wobei sich bemerkenswerte Ergebnisse einstellten. Allein im Transportbudget für Lebensmittel konnten bereits über 5 Mio. Euro pro Jahr eingespart werden. Weitere Forschungen werden darauf gerichtet sein, das Modell so zu erweitern, dass Versp?tungen in den Konsolidierungszentren mit behandelt werden k?nnen. Dies ist insofern von besonderem Interesse, da derartige Versp?tungen die Verladungen in den Konsolidierungszentren erh?hen k?nnen, die verfügbar sein müssen, um effiziente Hub-operationen durchzuführen.

     

Information technology in agri-food supply chains

High-tech information systems can offer competitive advantages to agri-food firms when the systems support a supply chain strategy that suits the demand for the product. This article discusses differences between supply chains for functional versus innovative products and the relevance for managers in agri-food firms. Unique characteristics of agriculture and food products and economic concentration in food industries affect the appropriate supply chain approach.     

Coordination in supply chains: an evaluation using fuzzy logic

Supply chain coordination (SCC) is an effective approach to improve supply chain (SC) performance. The coordination can be achieved when interdependent entities work together by sharing resources and information to achieve common objectives aligned to maximise customer value for the entire SC. There are a number of mechanisms by which the SC members can coordinate, e.g. contracts, information sharing, information technology and collaborative initiatives. To communicate frequently and effectively, the partners are required to have good information systems and capability to share information. To coordinate with each other the SC members are required to have capabilities to implement coordination mechanisms effectively. In this paper, a model is proposed to measure the effect of these mechanisms on the extent of coordination. Currently, there is no scale of measurement reported in the literature to measure the SCC. A fuzzy logic approach combined with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is proposed to evaluate the extent of coordination. The proposed methodology is demonstrated through a case study of an automotive parts manufacturer.     

Decision knowledge sharing: flexible supply chains in KM context

Supply chain excellence has a real impact on business strategy. Building supply chains as flexible systems represents one of the most exciting opportunities to create value and one of the most challenging tasks for the policy makers. It requires integrated decision making amongst autonomous chain partners with effective decision knowledge sharing between them. The key to success lies in knowing which decision has more impact on the overall performance and this can be achieved by appropriate knowledge sharing. In this context, knowledge management (KM) can be used as an effective approach to achieve knowledge sharing and decision synchronisation in supply chains. Flexible supply chains (FSC_s) are more complex and involve multiple autonomous players with varying technical cultures (affects knowledge mindsets), managerial background (affects decision knowledge) and supply chain management (SCM) exposures (affects knowledge sharing attitudes). Thus there is a need to develop demo models that can encourage chain managers towards collaborative knowledge sharing in the supply chains. This paper presents the application of one such model based on decision knowledge sharing (DKS) for improved supply chain management. A simulation model of a flexible supply chain based on DKS framework is developed for demo purposes. The key results are highlighted along with industry implications. The cost based performance of DKS at different levels of flexibility is studied. Thus a careful analysis of the chain with a focus on collaborative decisions is useful to ensure success. This paper addresses this interesting and challenging domain.     

Inventory placement problems in dynamic supply chains

Summary  In this paper a basic model for analyzing the inventory placement problem in a supply chain is developed. The problem will be studied for a capacitated, multi-stage supply chain facing a continuous, stochastic demand for a single period for a single product — a specialty item with a very short selling season. The objective is to maximize the probability of achieving a set profit level. We prove that finding an optimal stock investment at the stages entails solving a mixed binary integer linear program. We characterize properties of the stock investment, examine two interesting cases where the stock investments have a simple structure, and develop a branch and bound approach for solving the more general case.

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Zusammenfassung  In diesem Beitrag wird ein Grundmodell entwickelt, um das Problem der Lagerplatzierung in einer Lieferkette analysieren zu k?nnen. Das Problem wird für eine kapazitierte mehrstufige Lieferkette untersucht, wobei unterstellt wird, dass es um die Nachfrage nach einem einzigen Produkt für eine einzige Periode (einen Sonderartikel mit sehr kurzer Verkaufszeit) geht und diese Nachfrage stetig und stochastisch ist. Unter diesen Bedingungen soll die Wahrscheinlichkeit maximiert werden, ein vorgegebenes Gewinnniveau zu erreichen. Die Suche nach der optimalen Vorratsinvestition auf den Stufen der Lieferkette führt zur Formulierung eines gemischten ganzzahligen linearen Programmierungsproblems mit Bin?rvariablen. Die Eigenschaften der Bevorratungsinvestition werden charakterisiert, zwei interessante F?lle mit einer einfachen Struktur der Bevorratungsinvestition untersucht und ein Branch-and-Bound-Ansatz zur L?sung eines allgemeineren Problemfalls entwickelt.

     

Environmental supply chain management: using life cycle assessment to structure supply chains

In recent years increasing attention has been given to environmental supply chain management (ESCM). One of the supporting instruments of ESCM is life cycle assessment (LCA). The idea of integrating LCA into supply chains is gaining more support among research institutes and companies. However, we conclude that there are no guidelines for this integration. In this paper we argue that in-line with a differentiation between environmental care chain strategies and environmental chain performances, a differentiation between types of LCAs should be made; i.e., between compliance-, process- and market-oriented LCAs. To execute these different types of LCAs, the chain structure should be attuned to meet the specific requirements of these types. By discussing case studies, we show that the integration of the different types of LCAs in a chain bring about different chain structures.     

Strategic supply network planning with vendor selection under consideration of risk and demand uncertainty

We present a stochastic version of a three-layer supply network planning problem that includes the selection of vendors that must be equipped with company-specific tools. The configuration of a supply network must be determined by using demand forecasts for a long planning horizon to meet a given service level. The risk induced by the uncertain demand is explicitly considered by incorporating the conditional value at risk. The objective is to maximize the weighted sum of the expected net present value of discounted cash flows and the conditional value at risk. This would lead to a non-linear model formulation that is approximated by a mixed-integer linear model. This approximation is realized by a piecewise linearization of the expected backlogs and physical inventory as non-linear functions of cumulative production quantities. A two-stage stochastic programming approach is proposed. Our numerical analysis of generic test instances indicates that solving the linearized model formulation yields a robust and stable supply network configuration when demand is uncertain.     

Partner selection in agile supply chains: a fuzzy intelligent approach

Partner selection is a fundamental issue in supply chain management as it contributes significantly to overall supply chain performance. However, such decision-making is problematic due to the need to consider both tangible and intangible factors, which cause vagueness, ambiguity and complexity. This paper proposes a new fuzzy intelligent approach for partner selection in agile supply chains by using fuzzy set theory in combination with radial basis function artificial neural network. Using these two approaches in combination enables the model to classify potential partners in the qualification phase of partner selection efficiently and effectively using very large amounts of both qualitative and quantitative data. The paper includes a worked empirical application of the model with data from 84 representative companies within the Chinese electrical components and equipment industry, to demonstrate its suitability for helping organisational decision-makers in partner selection.