Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons^™

Multi-Stage Stochastic Optimization And Reinforcement Learning For Forestry Epidemic And Covid-19 Control Planning, Sabah Bushaj

Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on developing new modeling and solution approaches based on multi-stage stochastic programming and reinforcement learning for tackling biological invasions in forests and human populations. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is the nemesis of ash trees. This research introduces a multi-stage stochastic mixed-integer programming model to assist forest agencies in managing emerald ash borer insects throughout the U.S. and maximize the public benets of preserving healthy ash trees. This work is then extended to present the first risk-averse multi-stage stochastic mixed-integer program in the invasive species management literature to account for extreme events. Significant computational achievements are obtained using …

Paints-R-Us Term Project, Tyler Campbell, Skye Gilbreth, Michael Oluwole, Elijah Raffo, Brad Unruh

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

This project will consider a linear product mix optimization problem for a fictional paint company, Paints-R-Us. Paints-R-Us is a wholesale paint manufacturer located in the Pacific Northwest. The Global Production Manager, Steve Brush, has been tasked with maximizing Paints-R-Us’s profit in the upcoming quarter. Steve Brush oversees the global production plan, and in collaboration with the production planners will develop a production plan which optimizes the profits that Paints-R-Us can create in the quarter accounting for the following criteria:

• Demand in the given quarter for each of the 5 paint types that Paints-R-Us produces • The warehousing storage capacity …

A Multi-Skilled Approach To Property Maintenance Considering Temporal, Spatial And Resource Constraints, Anthony G. Vatterott

Dissertations

With the continued increase in age of the United States housing and building stock, as well as the continued need to maintain properties across the U.S., the need for timely, cost-optimal maintenance is ever more critical. This paper proposes the application of a mathematical model to aid in the scheduling and assignment of construction and maintenance tasks, considering the multi-skilled workforce. The benefit of this approach is to take advantage of the economies of scale that can be developed using cross-functional skilled workers with varying levels of competence and efficiency. This approach schedules and assigns tasks using data from maintenance …

Organics To You - Optimization Of Produce Bins, Rassaniya Lerdphayakkarat, Chuan Chieh Lu, Jon Roschke, Juliana Suzuki, Jessie Truong

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

Organics to You (www.organicstoyou.org ) is a produce delivery company that focuses on bringing organic local food from local farms straight to the homes, schools, and businesses of its clients. Each week a "Small Bin" is created using different varieties of local produce from various farms. Customers receive a bin that contains 12-14 varieties of produce with 2-6 "servings" of each variety (e.g., 1 melon, 4 apples, 1 head of lettuce, 2 lbs potatoes, etc).

Our objective is to optimize the contents of the “Small Bin”. The decision we want to make is how much of each variety do …

Optimizing Student Workforce Scheduling At Psu Office Of Information Technology (Oit), Agam Ebramsyah, Aishwarya Joy, Cody Miller, Jake Stevens, Priyanka Patil

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

A significant challenge for businesses of any size, is generating a work schedule that ensures adequate personnel coverage to ensure all aspects of the business are properly staffed, while preventing waste produced from having an excess number of employees working at a given time. The decision to manually create spreadsheets and work schedules that take into account availability, staffing requirements, and cost efficiency can become overwhelming and labor intensive. For Portland State University's Office of Information Technology (OIT), there is a significant challenge in scheduling student workers, while ensuring staffing requirements are met, student work hour restrictions are observed, and …

Optimizing Distributed Energy Resources On A Distribution Feeder, Bill Henry, Stephen Macdonald, Nicole Wehner, Gabe Mcbride, Tyler Groth

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

The purpose of this study is to optimize a set of distributed energy resources (DERs) on an electric utility distribution level feeder. A DER is a decentralized resource, usually located at end-use electric utility customer sites, that stores or generates electricity – such as batteries and rooftop photovoltaic solar, or in the case of demand response, in which the utility has the ability to manage electricity consumption to the benefit of distribution grid operation. The aggregation and optimization of a set of DERs of disparate operating characteristics, over a period of three years is performed and the methods employed explained. …

An Automation Laboratory For Mba Education In Advanced Manufacturing Management, Henry C. Co, Shih-Ken Chen

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

We describe an automation laboratory for MBA education. The laboratory facility includes an FMS emulator which uses actual microprocessor-based hardware for computer control, and computer simulation to emulate the signals emanating from the various machining centers. [Published circa 1987-1989.]

A Mean Value Analysis Model For Analyzing Manufacturing Systems: With Emphasis On Layout And Material Flow, Albert Wu, Henry C. Co, Arnold Reisman

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Queuing-network models yield closed-form analytical solutions and can provide decision makers valuable insights about the systems modeled. This paper presents FMS-Q, a mean-value analysis model of job-shop like systems such as flexible manufacturing systems. FMS-Q models the layout and the output queues at each node of the FMS explicitly. Lastly, a simulation study using Caterpillar data is presented to compare the relative performance of several queueing models of FMS. Specifically FMS-Q performance is compared to that of CAN-Q and MVA-Q using the same inputs. [Published circa 1986-1989.]

A Frequency Domain Step Size Estimation Procedure For Path Search Simulation Optimization Algorithms, Sheldon H. Jacobson, Lee W. Schruben

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

A frequency domain approach for step size estimation in path search simulation optimization algorithms is presented. The approach is based on Newton's method. Computational comparisons with stochastic approximation step sizes are included which indicate that the two methods can be effectively used together. The frequency domain approach can be used first to efficiently move into a neighborhood of the local optima; stochastic approximation can then improve the accuracy of the estimated optima. [Published circa 1998-1990.]

Predicting Doctorate Production In The Usa: Some Lessons For Long-Range Forecasters, Bruce Pollack-Johnson, Burton V. Dean, Arnold Reisman, Alfred R. Michenzi

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

The nine major independently conducted forecasts of doctoral degree production for the 1970's shared a consistently high bias, although one was quite accurate. In this paper we compare the forecasting models based upon these results and discuss the implications for long-range forecasting. We show that the bias was mainly due to a common core assumption (exemplifying "assumption drag") that students would pursue degrees at clo-se to the existing rates in spite of decreasing traditional demand for graduates. The results also indicate the value of simple models and eclectic forecasting methods, the desirability of robust causal models and dangers of extrapolative …

Logistics Network Design: Modelling And Informational Considerations, Ronald H. Ballou

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This article discusses the application of modelling to the problem of planning the design a business logistics network. The models are categorized and selected ones of particular importance are illustrated and evaluated against practice. Suggestions on how to effectively manipulate location-related data are given. An attempt is made to assess which models have worked well in practice and to give some personal assessments as to the directions that modelling should take to be better accepted by practitioners and managers. [Published circa 1988-1990.]

Analysis Of Runway Operations, David A. Schrady

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This paper deals with the questions of runway capacity and delays at an air terminal. Analytic models are developed to calculate the landing capacity and operations (landings and take-offs) capacity. A feature of the analysis is the derivation of the runway threshold arrival distribution of landing aircraft, which then allows access to the departure capacity. Arrival and departure delay expressions are also given and serve to dramatically illustrate capacity limitations. The analysis brings out the factors limiting system capacity and may be used to program system improvements as traffic increases or as the mix of aircraft using the facility changes …

A Methodology For Configuring Cellular Manufacturing Systems, Henry C. Co, A. Abdelaziz

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This paper presents a three-step procedure for configuring machines into manufacturing cells, assigning the cells to process specific sets of jobs. First, operations are assigned, with the objective of balancing the workload. Then, we extended King's algorithm for cluster analysis. Finally a direct-search algorithm for defining the composition of manufacturing cells, the method of Partition Formation (PF), is presented. A comprehensive example is also included. [Likely published circa 1984-1988.]

A Taxonomy Of Mis, David Majd

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

A perusal of the management information systems (MIS) literature or attendance at a major conference calls attention to the diversity of the discipline and the need to have some larger frame of reference in which to understand MIS research. This paper utilizes two MIS research frameworks to demonstrate the role of integrative thought in understanding and guiding MIS research. A literature review is used to support the claim that the benefits of improved recall, more effective hypothesis generation, wiser allocation of research resources and better interdisciplinary communication can result from the use of these frameworks. [Published circa 1988-1990.]

Quality Control Of A Unreliable Open Queueing Network Flexible Manufacturing System : With Scrapping And Infinite Buffer Capacity, Lie-Fern Hsu, Charles S. Tapiero

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

An unreliable flexible manufacturing system described in terms of a multi-parts open queueing network is considered. Using such a system and manufacturing cell's unreliability, this paper provides an estimate of parts' AOQ's (average outgoing quality). In addition, a framework which integrates quality control and assesses in terms of quality and the operational characteristics of flexible manufacturing systems is devised. [Published circa 1986-1989.]

A Study Of The Effect That Title Mix On Store Shelves Has On Magazine Sales, Arnold Reisman, Lowell Lorenzo, Michael Sutila

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This study examines the distribution practices of the George R. Klein News Company, a magazine distributor in Northeast Ohio operating on a consignment basis. The magazine industry faces challenges, including high return rates from retail outlets and frequent sell-outs of popular titles. This paper explores a statistical experiment designed to address these issues by testing the hypothesis that adjusting distribution—reducing copies of low-seller titles and increasing copies of high-seller titles—can improve overall sales performance. The study aims to optimize magazine allocation to individual retailers, balancing supply and demand more effectively. [Published circa 1986-1989.]

Heuristics: Rules Of Thumb For Logistics Decision Making, Ronald H. Ballou

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

A careful look is taken at the use of heuristics, or rules of thumb, in logistics decision making. These rules that guide computational procedures to find satisfactory solutions quickly are vital to solving many logistics problems. Heuristics are defined and appraised as a procedure in contrast with simulation and optimization methods. Examples are given of the use of heuristics in both strategic and operating problem types. How to develop heuristics is also discussed.

A Strategic Planning Process For Barter Or Other Compensatory Arrangements, Bardia Kamrad, Arnold Reisman

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This paper introduces a strategic planning process model tailored for barter and other compensatory arrangements, expanding upon other research on the topic. The model integrates concepts from utility theory, addressing scenarios with multiple potential outcomes, decision makers, and criteria. A cost-benefit analysis framework is employed, utilizing decision tables to evaluate and optimize these complex arrangements. The approach provides a systematic methodology for decision-making in contexts involving multiple variables and stakeholders. [Published circa 1988-1990.]

A Taxonomy Of Simulation Languages For Design And Analysis Of Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Systems, Arnold Reisman, Henry C. Co, Albert Wu

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Simulation is a very robust and versatile system analysis technique. However, many common functionalities of the simulation methodology are not available in general-purpose computer languages. Model building is usually a tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone process. To alleviate these problems, special-purpose simulation languages have been developed to support system analysts. This paper presents a taxonomy of special-purpose simulation languages, with emphasis on their applications in designing and analyzing Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS). [Likely published circa 1990?]

Batching And Tool Configuration Of Flexible Manufacturing Systems, Henry C. Co, Shih-Ken Chen, Jeanette S. Biermann

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

We present some simple mathematical models for solving the problems of hatching and configuring the tool magazines of flexible manufacturing systems. Parts are hatched in an FMS to join different queues before they are introduced to the shop floor. The FMS is configured for each queue and there is a switch-over involved. [Likely published circa 1984-1988.]

Some Observations On The Optimal Material Removal Rate In Unreliable Metal Cutting Processes, Anlong Li, Wenyaw Chan, Henry C. Co

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This paper examines the foundation for economic analysis in unreliable metal cutting processes. We present some results on the machining parameter optimization problem, explaining the effect of the cutting speed on tool life and the rate of acceptance. [Published circa 1985-1988.]

Multi-Item Production And Inventory Management Under Price Uncertainty, Bani P. Banerjee, S. Sankar Sengupta, Gifford H. Symonds

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

A model is presented for the derivation and implementation of optimal linear decision rule for a firm producing and dealing in a number of interacting products, and possessing partial influence on their prices. The behavior of a multi-item production-inventory complex is represented as the dynamics of suitably defined state variables under the influence of decision rules that are stable and linear in the state variables, but otherwise unspecified. The dynamical equations are stochastic owing to the presence of stochastic processes in the forcing terms. The statistical properties of these processes, together with the decision rules, determine the statistics of the …

Machining Parameter Selection For A Stochastic Flow System, Wenyaw Chan, Anlong Li, Henry C. Co

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This paper examines the foundation for economic analysis in unreliable metal cutting processes. Using queuing models, we present some observations on the effect of cutting speed upon tool life, rate of acceptance of work, and mean flow time in machining parameter optimization. [Published circa 1987-1989.]

An Update On Barter: Some Contributions Of Management Science, Arnold Reisman, Duu-Cheng Fuh, Gang Li

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Bartering, humanity's oldest form of commerce, has been practiced since prehistoric times, with evidence dating back to 8300 B.C. This trade system has endured through various civilizations and economic stages, including the post-industrial era. Today, bartering remains prevalent, comprising 30% of global trade, with modern examples like professional sports player trades. Despite its widespread practice, bartering—referred to as "countertrade" in modern terminology—has received minimal attention in Western business education and research. However, this is poised to change, as the U.S. Department of Commerce predicts that countertrade will account for 50% of global trade by the year 2000. This resurgence highlights …

Predicting Doctorate Production In The Usa: Some Lessons For Long-Range Forecasters, Bruce Pollack-Johnson, Burton V. Dean, Arnold Reisman, Alfred R. Michenzi

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

The nine major independently conducted forecasts of doctoral degree production for the 1970's shared a consistently high bias, although one was quite accurate. In this paper we compare the forecasting models based upon these results and discuss the implications for long-range forecasting. We show that the bias was mainly due to a common core assumption (exemplifying "assumption drag") that students would pursue degrees at clo-se to the existing rates in spite of decreasing traditional demand for graduates. The results also indicate the value of simple models and eclectic forecasting methods, the desirability of robust causal models and dangers of extrapolative …

Two Algorithms For Inventory Decisions Under Inflationary Conditions, N.G. Duraiswamy, Arnold Reisman

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This paper reports two algorithms for inventory decisions under inflationary conditions. The first, a heuristic algorithm, was designed to provide efficient purchasing decisions when the demand is deterministic and constant overtime and no inventory shortage is allowed at anytime. It is assumed that price increases due to inflation occurs in a discrete fashion; that is, prices go up not continually but at discrete time points. The second, a dynamic programming algorithm was derived under the same price increase assumption, but applies to the deterministic, dynamic demand and no shortage problem. [Published circa 1979-1980.]

A Retrospective Look At A Number Of Forecasts Of 1971-80 Ph.D. Degree Production In The U.S.A., Alfred R. Michenzi, Arnold Reisman, Burton V. Dean, Bruce Pollack-Johnson, Edward Rattner

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

At the beginning of the '70s, a number of studies were commissioned to project the production of Ph.D.'s during that decade. This paper summarizes the underlying assumptions, data, and methodologies used by each of the studies and compares the resulting forecasts to the actual outcomes. Lastly, a retrospective analysis of the above offers some insights for future long range manpower forecasters. [Likely published circa 1984-1985.]

A Throughput-Maximizing Facility Planning And Layout Model, Henry C. Co, Albert Wu, Arnold Reisman

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This paper presents a throughput-maximizing algorithm for facility planning and layout of flexible manufacturing systems. It uses a computationally efficient mean-value analysis model to analyze system configurations, and extends the methodology of CRAFT in layout planning. [Published circa 1986-1989.]

A Mean Value Analysis Model For Analyzing Manufacturing Systems: With Emphasis On Layout And Material Flow, Albert Wu, Henry C. Co, Arnold Reisman

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Queuing-network models yield closed-form analytical solutions and can provide decision makers valuable insights about the systems modeled. This paper presents FMS-Q, a mean-value analysis model of job-shop like systems such as flexible manufacturing systems. FMS-Q models the layout and the output queues at each node of the FMS explicitly. Lastly, a simulation study using Caterpillar data is presented to compare the relative performance of several queueing models of FMS. Specifically FMS-Q performance is compared to that of CAN-Q and MVA-Q using the same inputs. [Published circa 1986-1989.]

Business Intelligence In Risk Management: Some Recent Progresses, Desheng Dash Wu, Shu-Heng Chen, David L. Olson

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Risk management has become a vital topic both in academia and practice during the past several decades. Most business intelligence tools have been used to enhance risk management, and the risk management tools have benefited from business intelligence approaches. This introductory article provides a review of the state-of-the-art research in business intelligence in risk management, and of the work that has been accepted for publication in this issue of Information Sciences.