An efficient scheduling algorithm for the hot coil making in the steel mini-mill

This paper investigates and suggests an efficient solution to the problem of scheduling the steel making line in the Mini Steel Mill, which consists of three major processes: molten steel making, continuous slab casting, and hot charged rolling. Careful synchronization of these processes is a key productivity factor, since a very limited amount of work-in-process inventory is allowed. Since each process must run in batch, the schedule for the Mini-Mill consists of grouping and sequencing of lots for each process. However, each process has its own criteria for judging the quality of its lot grouping, which often conflicts with other processes. An efficient scheduling algorithm for the Mini-Mill is proposed. Numerical experiments with real world data suggest that the proposed algorithm yield satisfactory schedules very efficiently. The algorithm is currently used for the actual scheduling of a Mini-Mill in Korea.     

产业集群增长与西部工业竞争力的提升

产业集群是市场经济条件下工业化进行到一定阶段后的必然产物,是现阶段产业竞争力的重要来源和集中体现。由于集群内产业结构趋同,企业关联效应弱,区内支持性产业发展不健全,具有地方特色的集群文化建设滞后,创新能力不强,西部工业在全国处于弱势竞争地位。确立地方产业集群增长战略,通过政府的引导促使当地关联企业走向产业集群的路径对提升西部工业竞争,加快推进其工业化进程是一项既现实又具有重要意义的课题。     

论破产重整中债权人利益保护的问题与对策

重整制度是濒临倒闭的企业的生存希望,在金融危机的背景下,重整制度的运用更为人们所重视。新《破产法》实施两年来,从重整制度的适用范围、重整程序的启动、重整计划的制定批准与执行等角度审视,重整制度存在着债权入利益保护方面的问题,需要我们进行反思并提出相应的对策予以完善。     

经济型酒店经营模式选择探析

文章对比分析了中外经济型酒店的经营模式,探索符合中国国情的经济型酒店经营模式。     

Multi-objective machine-component grouping in cellular manufacturing: A genetic algorithm

The cellular manufacturing system (CMS) is an important group technology (GT) application. The first step of CMS design is cell formation, generally known as machinecell formation (MCF) or machine-component (MCG). A genetic algorithm (GA) is a robust adaptive optimization method based on principles of natural evolution and is appropriate for the MCG problem, which is an NP complete complex problem. In this study, we propose a GA-based procedure to solve the MCG problem. More specifically, this study aims to minimize (1) total cost, which includes intercell and intracell part transportation costs and machines investment cots; (2) intracell machine loading imbalance; and (3) intercell machine loading imbalance under many realistic considerations. An illustrative example and comparisons demonstrate the effectiveness of this procedure. The proposed procedure is extremely adaptive, flexible, efficient and can be used to solve real MCG problems in factories by providing robust manufacturing cell formation in a short execution time.     

The Industry-Level Impact of Information Technology: An Empirical Analysis of Three Industries*

As noted by several observers, information technology (IT) has rapidly evolved from “part of the organizational overhead” into a strategic resource capable of changing patterns of competition within industries [8, p. 275]. However, while this evolution has become part of the fabric for literature exploring the strategic impact of IT, very few studies have been undertaken to determine the specific influence(s) of technology-based competition on industry structure. The development of analytical frames for capturing aspects of industry behavior provides a potentially powerful tool for evaluating the influence strategic IT initiatives may have on current bases of competition. Drawing from the theoretical disciplines of industrial economics and strategic management, this study develops a framework for analyzing longitudinal changes in industry structure. Working within this frame, the study then analyzes the nature and change of structure in three industries during and after the introduction of strategic information technology. The findings suggest that in each of these industries structural characteristics were dramatically altered subsequent to the introduction of competitive-based IT. In two of the industries (airlines and industrial chemicals), early adopters broke away from other industry participants, in effect, forming unique bases of competition. In the remaining industry (drug wholesalers), previously distinct bases of competition consolidated, resulting in a more competitive industry structure than that which existed prior to the technological innovation.