Operations and Supply Chain Management Commons^™

Determination Of Cycle Times For Double Deep Storage Systems Using A Dual Capacity Handling Device, Katharina Dorr

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Double deep storage is an efficient method to improve space utilization in warehouses. Contrary to intuition, it also can be efficient when considering retrieval times, since the aisles of a warehouse with double deep storage may be shorter than comparable warehouses with single deep storage. AS/RS-machines equipped with two load-handling units might further improve the situation, since two storage units (for instance pallets or cases) can be stored and retrieved, effectively allowing quadruple command cycles, bringing in total two storage units into the aisle and retrieving two storage units at the same time. In this paper, we present a method …

A Simulation Model To Evaluate The Layout For Block Stacking Warehouses, Shahab Derhami, Jeffrey S. Smith, Kevin R. Gue

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Storing pallets of Stock Keeping Units (SKU's) on top of another in lanes on a warehouse floor is known as block stacking. This storage system is widely used in manufactoring systems and distribution centers. The arrangement of lanes in the layout of this system significantly impacts utilization of the storage space and transportation costs. Existing research that studies the layout for this system focuses exclusively on determining the optimal lane depth with respect to space utilization and ignores transportation costs. In this study, we develop a stimulation model that computes several performance metrics to evaluate both of these objectives for …

A Novel Approach To Analyze Inventory Allocation Decisions In Robotic Mobile Fulfillment Systems, Tim Lamballais, Debjit Roy, M.B.M De Koster

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

The Robotic Mobile Fulfillment System is a newly developed automated, parts-to-picker material handling system. Storage shelves, also known as inventory pods, are moved by robots between the storage area and the workstations, which means that they can be continually repositioned during operations. This paper develops a queueing model for optimizing three key decision variables: (1) the number of pods per product (2) the ratio of the number of pick to the number of replenishment stations, and (3) the replenishment level per pod. We show that too few or too many pods per product leads to unnecessarily long order throughput times, …

Simulation-Based Energy And Cycle Time Analysis Of Shuttle-Based Storage And Retrieval System, Tone Lerher, Banu Yetkin Ekren, Anil Akpunar

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

This study explores the best warehouse design for shuttle-based storage and retrieval system (SBS/RS) minimizing average energy consumption per transaction and average cycle time per transaction, simultaneously. For that we provided average energy consumption per transaction versus average cycle time per transaction graphs, for different design scenarios of the studied SBS/RS warehouse. In the design concept, we considered, rack design in terms of number of bays, number of tiers, number of aisles, as well as velocity profiles of lifts in the system. We completed 144 number of experiments by simulation to see the trade-offs based on the design scenarios and …

Non-Traditional Aisle Design For A Manufacturing Facility Layout, Dale T. Masel, Dean Marinchek

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Methods for designing a facility layout typically assume that the aisles for interdepartmental travel will be parallel to the exterior walls of the facility. However, by putting aisles at an angle to the exterior walls, more direct routes between departments can be created, reducing travel distance. This paper describes a method to create a facility layout that does not have orthogonal aisles and testing of the resulting layouts shows that travel distance is reduced.

Operational-Level Optimization Of Inbound Intralogistics, Hector J. Carlo, Yeiram Martinez

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

This study is concerned with optimizing inbound operations at distribution centers (DCs), warehouses, and cross-docks with staging areas. The objective of the problem is to minimize the makespan required to move all unit loads from the trailers to the flow racks, and from the flow racks to their respective storage locations. It is assumed that a set of inbound trailers with known composition have been assigned and sequenced to inbound dock doors. The following three inbound logistics decisions are simultaneously considered: i) unloaders’ assignment and scheduling, ii) loads-to-flow rack assignment, and iii) assignment and haulers’ scheduling. In this study we …

Understanding Worker Blocking And The Design Process, Russell D. Meller, Lisa M. Thomas

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Designing a distribution center (DC) is a complex process that consists of answering dozens of interrelated questions. From our perspective, the penultimate question is one of which picking methodology is optimal. To answer this question requires a full evaluation of picking methodologies in terms of their ability to meet the expected throughput requirements of the system. In manual picking systems, as throughput requirements increase, worker interaction and blocking increase as well. This implies that being able to estimate the amount of worker blocking in a system is critical to a design effort. Most of the prior research in this area …

Introducing The Concept Of Hyperconnected Mobile Production, Suzanne Marcotte, Benoit Montreuil

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Many globalized businesses are trying to cope with growing competition by strategically expanding their dedicated network of production facilities so as to be able to offer and to deliver time and price competitive offers to their clients across the world. In this paper, exploiting Physical Internet principles, we introduce the concept of hyperconnected mobile production that can alternatively enable businesses to dynamically expand and contract as necessary their production capacity in regions worldwide. First, hyperconnected mobile production exploits open fabs from multiple parties readily available in those regions. Second, these fabs are to rely on plug-and-play production modules. These modules …

A High-Density, Puzzle-Based System For Rail-Rail Container Transfers, Kevin Gue

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

We describe a high-density, puzzle-based storage and transfer system for containers in a rail-to-rail hub for the Physical Internet. The system uses a new algorithm called GridHub, which is able to transfer items in all four cardinal directions simultaneously within a grid. We show how the GridHub system might be used in a rail-rail transfer hub to transfer containers between one side of the grid and a train.

Logistics Models To Support Order-Fulfillment From The Sea, Jennifer Pazour, Ian Shin

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Sea based logistics use maritime platforms to transfer cargo stored on vessels and delivers them ashore. This chapter describes the motivations and logistical requirements of seabasing. The sea base’s organizational structure, its material handling environment, and the internal cargo flow processes of the T-AKE vessel are described. Three seabasing distribution network scenarios -- Iron Mountain, Skin-to-Skin Replenishment, and Tailored Resupply Packages -- are described and mapped to warehousing and distribution networks, characteristics, and decision problems. Finally, related literature is reviewed and open areas for logistics research to support order fulfillment from the sea are identified.

Omnichannel Business-­‐To-­‐Consumer Logistics And Supply Chains: Towards Hyperconnected Networks And Facilities, Benoit Montreuil

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

This paper deals with omnichannel business-­‐to-­‐consumer logistics and supply chains. Its key contribution is the conceptualization of hyperconnected network and facility design options for enabling to meet the challenges toward achieving omnichannel logistics efficiently and sustainably while meeting the timely expectations of clients. These design options exploit key Physical Internet concepts. They encompass the transportation, pickup and delivery of ordered goods, the deployment of products across territories to enable fast response to orders, as well as on-­‐demand production of products across networks of facilities while engaging multiple parties. The options range from current practice to prospective ones that are associated …

Maritime Location Decisions For Lng Bunkering Facilities, Reinier C. Schneider, Iris F.A. Vis

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is one of the upcoming fuels to be used for more sustainable shipping activities in the maritime sector. For a widespread adoption by end-users, a refuelling network requiring capital intensive investments, needs to be in place. From a macro perspective of suppliers of LNG, it makes sense to develop the infrastructure at strategic locations that capture as many vessels and ships as possible. The goal of this research is to develop a facility location model that can contribute to the location selection of LNG facilities in a new fuelling network. The new model will fit the …

Methodology For Choosing An Appropriate Inland Vessels As A Floating Distribution Centers, Andrea Seidlova, David Sourek

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

The primary goal of this paper is to propose a methodology for the choice of an appropriate vessel type under the specific condition of floating distribution center. The right choice of the appropriate type of vessel has a fundamental influence on the long-term success of city logistic projects with water transport. In this paper, we propose a methodology for vessel choice according to its inner layout and technology of handling. The possibility of an application in practice will be defined for each option.

Integrated Versus Sequential Scheduling And Assignment At A Unit Load Cross-Dock, Arpan Rijal, Marco Bijvank, Rene De Koster

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Within a cross-dock, the assignment of trucks to dock-doors and the scheduling of trucks to be processed are two major operational decisions. Conventionally, assignment and scheduling decisions are made sequentially. However, solving the two problems sequentially can lead to sub-optimal solutions because the objectives of the two problems are in conflict with each other. To gain further insights, we create an integrated model which is capable of simultaneously scheduling and assigning trucks at cross-docks. We contrast the integrated model with a sequential model which first schedules trucks for processing and then assigns them to dock-doors. Experiments demonstrate that the integrated …

A Heuristic Approach To Storage System Design With Simultaneous Assignment Of Goods, Tobias Staab, Willibad A. Gunthner

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

In the paper at hand, we analyze the planning of manually operated storage systems consisting of different storage areas. When solving design problems like dimensioning or equipment selection, the assignment of goods to storage areas has to be considered. Based on a general model to describe the geometry and performance calculation of a warehouse, we present a heuristic approach to assign goods to storage areas while simultaneously determining the design of the storage areas in a way that generates the lowest running costs. Our approach aims to support planners during the rough planning stage by providing a quick overview of …

Intermodal Hubs In The Physical Internet, Nadeepa Wickramage, Bill Ferrell

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

Distribution of finished goods is currently an effective but inefficient process that consumes significant quantities of fossil fuel to move empty assets. This results in increased costs that are passed to the consumer and unnecessarily increased carbon emissions. The Physical Internet (PI) is focused on shared logistics that could prove to be an important element of next-generation logistics systems. The idea is to store and transport goods in anonymous standard-sized containers so that transportation and warehousing can be efficiently shared by many companies including competitors. If implemented, this idea has the potential of dramatically increasing efficiency thereby reducing fuel consumption …

Analyzing Order Throughput Times In A Milkrun Picking System, J. P. Van Der Gaast, M.B. M. De Koster, Ivo J.B.F. Adan

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

E-commerce fulfillment competition evolves around cheap, speedy, and time-definite delivery. Milkrun order picking systems have proven to be very successful in providing handling speed for a large, but highly variable, number of orders. In this system, an order picker picks orders that arrive in real time during the picking process; by dynamically changing the stops on the picker’s current picking route. The advantage of milkrun picking is that it reduces order picking set-up time and worker travel time compared to conventional batch picking systems. This paper is the first in studying order throughput times of multi-line orders in a milkrun …

A Lagrangian Relaxation For Capacitated Single Allocation P-Hub Median Problem With Multiple Capacity Levels, Ching-Jung Ting, Kuo-Rui Lu

14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)

In this paper we consider a capacitated single allocation p-hub median problem with multiple capacity levels (CSApHMPMC) in which the decisions are to determine the location of p hubs and their capacity levels, the single allocation of non-hub nodes to hubs in the logistics network. This problem is formulated as an integer programming model with the objective of minimizing the sum of total transportation cost and fixed cost of the selected p hubs with established capacity levels. A Lagrangian relaxation (LR) approach is proposed to solve the CSApHMPMC. The Lagrangian function that we formulated decomposed the original problem into smaller …

An Empirical Assessment Of Logistics/Supply Chain Management In Two Latin American Countries, John E. Spillan, Michael A. Mcginnis, Ali Kara, César Antúnez De Mayolo, Gustavo Jara

Journal of Transportation Management

The Bowersox Daugherty (1987) logistics strategy typology (Process Strategy, Market Strategy, and Information Strategy) is an important conceptual framework for studying logistics/supply chain management strategy and its role on logistics/supply chain management outcomes. The purpose of this research is to empirically apply the typology in Peru and compare the findings with the previous research conducted in Guatemala. The three Bowersox/Daugherty dimensions are used to define the construct Overall Logistic Strategy (OLS), and then, the OLS was used to measure Organizational Competitiveness (COMP) through two intervening variables LCE (Logistics Coordination Effectiveness) and CSC (Customer Service Commitment). The results indicate that generally …

A Proposal For Supply Chain Management Research That Matters: Sixteen High Priority Research Projects For The Future, Michael Haughton

Business Faculty Publications

On May 4th, 2016 in Milton, Ontario, the World Class Supply Chain 2016 Summit was held in partnership between CN Rail and Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis School of Business & Economics to realize an ambitious goal: raise knowledge of contemporary supply chain management (SCM) issues through genuine peer-­‐to-­‐peer dialogue among practitioners and scholars. A principal element of that knowledge is an answer to the question: to gain valid and reliable insights for attaining SCM excellence, what issues must be researched further? This White Paper—which is the second of the summit’s two White Papers—addresses the question by proposing a research …

The Impact Of Urban Sprawl On Journey To Work Times For Mass Transit And All Other Commuters In The United States: A Research Note, Thomas E. Lambert, Hokey Min, Kyle Dorriere

Journal of Transportation Management

As government budgets get tighter, there has been considerable public outcry about the continued investment in public mass transit systems and their financial viability. Amid this outcry, a number of studies have been conducted to determine which factors influence the use and efficiency of publiclyfunded mass transit systems. These factors include population density and less sprawl (or greater urban compactness). However, their impact on mass transit usage is somewhat contradictory in that the heavy concentration of populations in the urban area and greater compactness is believed to increase mass transit usage due to a bigger number of potential passengers. In …

أهمية الافصاح عن الايراد المتولد عن التجارة الالكترونية في الوحدات الاقتصادية المطبقة للنظام المحاسبي الموحد, اسعد منشد محمد

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

ملخص البحث : ان جميع الإجراءات المحاسبية تأسست ونشأت وطورت للتعامل مع البيئة التجارية التقليدية بهدف خروج النظام المحاسبي بمعلومات تتمتع بمصداقية اكثر والملائمة لعملية اتخاذ القرارات . و اليوم وفي ظل التطور الهائل الذي لحق بالأعمال وتطبيق بلدان العالم البيئة التجارية الجديدة المتمثلة بالتجارة الالكترونية والعولمة التي أزالت جميع القيود والحدود الاقتصادية للدول وحولت الأسواق المحلية الى أسواق عالمية مفتوحة من خلال التجارة الالكترونية ، قد وضعت المحاسبين أمام تحديات جديدة في الفكر المحاسبي ، فتناول الباحث موضوع الإيراد المحاسبي المتولد من خلال التجارة الالكترونية وأهمية الإفصاح عن هذا الإيراد ضمن البيانات المالية للوحدة الاقتصادية كون أن الإيراد وتحققه …

الاقتصاد البسيط… واشكالية تزايد الاستهلاك البذخي في العراق انموذجا للمدة 2004-2014, غسان طارق ظاهر

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

المستخلصالاستهلاك سلوك طبيعي للإنسان للمحافظة على وجوده وتلبية حاجاته وإذا تخطى الاحتياجات المطلوبة فأنه يعد سلوكا سلبيا تعدى مرحلة الحاجة المعقولة والمبررة من سلع وخدمات أساسية إلى أخرى كمالية، فالعراق يعد واحداً من تلك الدول الذي انفتح على العالم الخارجي بعد تغيير النظام السياسي عام 2003، والسماح له بتصدير النفط دون قيد او شرط، وفتح الحدود امام مختلف انماط التجارة، مما سمح بتدفق السلع والخدمات من والى العراق، فضلا عن الرغبة المفرطة للأسر العراقية نحو الاستهلاك كردة فعل لما عاشه الشعب العراقي من ظروف قاسية اقتصادية واجتماعية ونفسية، لذا يحاول الباحث تسليط الضوء على ظاهرة تزايد الاستهلاك البذخي واثره على …

دراسة تحليلية لأسباب عدم اقرار الموازنة العامة في العراق للعام 2014, سندس جاسم شعيبث

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

انهى العراق عام 2014 بدون اقرار الموازنة نتيجة للخلافات والنزاعات السياسية والاختلالات في بعض مواد الدستور التي هيأت لذلك وما نتج عن ذلك من اثار على الاقتصاد العراقي وعرقلة مسار التنمية في العراق ، واتى عدم اقرارها في ظل ظروف استثنائية عاشها العراق في عام 2014 من انخفاض اسعار النفط والاوضاع الامنية المتدهورة التي جعلت العراق يعاني من عجز حقيقي، وركزت هذه الدراسة على مسائل مختارة دون ادعاء التغطية الشاملة.

Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability Reporting Among The Fortune Global 250: Greenwashing Or Green Supply Chain?, John K. Lewis

Faculty and Staff - Articles & Papers

The sustainability reporting efforts of MNCs who are members of the Fortune Global 250 (FG250) was investigated. The focus was on sustainability reporting by MNCs of supply chain impacts. The reporting of FG250 MNCs was examined to determine if greenwashing was occurring or whether MNCs had committed to operating a green supply chain. A mixed methodology was used consisting of quantitative analysis of twenty-five MNC CSR/sustainability reports which were randomly selected from the FG250 listing. Qualitative analysis using content analysis was also conducted on the reports. Both methodologies concentrated on the sustainability reporting of the selected MNCs in regard to …

Enterprise It Asset Disposition: An Overview And Tutorial, Shu Z. Schiller, Jeff Merhout, Rike Sandlin

Management Information Systems Faculty Publications

Enterprise IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) addresses the recovery and recycling of an enterprise’s IT assets that are near or at the end of their lifecycle. The aim of ITAD is to maximize the value of investment over the IT asset’s entire lifecycle while guaranteeing data security and protecting against environmental liability. Regulatory requirements mandate specific disposal methods for computing assets, and enterprises face significant risks if they fail to comply. Despite the critical importance of ITAD, many enterprises lack a clear understanding of ITAD and its regulations and struggle with the management of ITAD processes. One solution to this challenge …

The Impact Of Food Recall On Third-Party Certification Adoption, Hongyi Zhang

Theses and Dissertations--Agricultural Economics

Food safety problems have gained national attention, and food recall is one of the most important indications of this concern. Third-party certifications have become a popular way to improve the safety and quality of products for consumers. Publications related to third-party certification usually focus on the motives and benefits of a particular certification. However, to date, no existing research investigates the effects of food recalls on certification adoption.

This study uses Probit models with a binary endogenous explanatory variable to examine the relationship between food recalls and third-party certification, based on recalls occurring between January 1, 2015 and February 18, …

Why Supplier Integration Fails: A Salesperson’S Perspective, Jae-Young Oh

Theses and Dissertations--Business Administration

In a traditional relationship, a salesperson is the sole gatekeeper in the supplier’s relationship with a buying firm. Supplier integration (SI) suggests that each domain expert (e.g., engineering) of a buying firm should directly communicate with the supplying firm personnel, without passing through the traditional boundary spanner—a salesperson. Existing literature argues that such a multichannel relationship generates significant degrees of benefit (e.g., better product design, product innovation). However, SI may fail unless the salesperson accepts the disintermediated communication. The multichannel communication structure of SI may limit his/her role of the sole gatekeeper thereby causing his/her behavioral constraints.

This dissertation aims …

Customer Service Through Incoterms, Josh Nichol-Caddy

White Papers

Settling for the "one size, fits all" shipping solutions typically offered by large logistics companies, small businesses miss out on customer service options that could help differentiate their products. This paper defines the terms and conditions of all the options Incoterms present.

Job Shop Misconceptions: Making The Case For Lean, Renee Held

White Papers

In today's competitive business environment, a focus on continuous improvement through Lean can make a big difference in the financial success and growth of a business.