Operations and Supply Chain Management Commons^™

Conceptual Simulation Modeling For Regional Distribution Center Systems, Kitti Setavoraphan

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on the simulation modeling of warehousing operations commonly seen at general merchandize distribution centers. The key operational processes and modeling requirements related were identified and analyzed through a pattern and knowledge-based approach to capture the structural and behavioral characteristics of general distribution centers to support simulation study for performance evaluation and process improvement. Robust representations and patterns were developed to represent the elements and logic of the simulation models for these processes to facilitate efficient and effective construction of models. The issues of conceptual modeling such as synthesis, abstraction, decomposition, and specialization were addressed.

Production Techniques For Crimson Seedless Table Grapes In Western Australia, Ian Cameron

Viticulture published reports

Crimson Seedless is a late season, red seedless table grape developed by D. Ramming and R. Tarailo in Fresno California for the United States Department of Agriculture. It was bred in 1979 when a white, late ripening seedless hybrid variety was crossed with Red Emperor (see Figure 1). The seedling, which became Crimson Seedless, was selected in 1983 but not released to industry in California until 1989.

Production techniques for Crimson Seedless were largely unknown when the variety was released to industry in Western Australia in 1996. Specific management techniques suitable for Californian conditions had been described by various authors. …

An Examination Of Major Chinese Auto Manufacturing Firms Between 1956-2000: From A Global Supply Chain Perspective, Kun Liao, Paul Hong

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of Business

In 2005, the Chinese auto production output has surpassed France and became the world’s fourth largest Auto manufacturing country (just behind US, Japan and Germany) in terms of auto-related manufacturing output. The phenomenal growth of Chinese auto manufacturing, however, received relatively little research attention.

This paper examines major Chinese auto-manufacturing firms between 1956-2000. The paper is organized as follows: (1)we will first review the history of Chinese auto-manufacturing since 1955 when the first automobile plant was ever built in China. We will briefly review issues related to the growth patterns, issues and management practices during the past 50 years; (2) …

Common Fare: An Example Of “Blanket” Rates In Hawai’I Waterborne Trade, Henry S. Marcus, H David Bess, Michael E. Valdez

Journal of Transportation Management

Blanket” rate structures apply uniform rates to a geographical region in spite of differences in the costs of carrying the goods. They are generally utilized by carriers to achieve some strategic objective, whether rate simplification, to be more competitive, or to meet some political objectives. While blanket rates are common in land transportation, the Hawai’i waterborne trade offers a unique example of this pricing mechanism. Further, given new and potential competitive factors in this trade, this is a unique case study for those interested in transportation pricing and the economic impacts of changes in the competitive struct ure in an …

Perceptual Differences Between Shippers And Motor Carriers Regarding The Importance Of Carrier Selection Criteria, Shane R. Premeaux, Lonnie Phelps

Journal of Transportation Management

The primary focus of this study is the identification of significant differences in the assessment of the importance of 36 carrier selection variables by both carriers and shippers. This study is based on the original 1992 investigation. Currently, statistically significant differences resulted between shipper and carrier mean ratings for nine of the thirty-six selection criteria. In the original study, there were significant differences for nineteen of thirty-five selection variables. The rating and ranking discrepancies in this study indicate that shippers and carriers do not classify the importance of some selection variables similarly, but carrier understanding seems to be improving. Carriers …

Dispatching Continuous Moves, David Ronen

Journal of Transportation Management

Continuous Moves (CM) is a term coined by the trucking industry. This paper defines CM’s, classifies them and discusses their economies. A unifying mathematical optimization model for dispatching orders is then presented. The model selects the best way to dispatch each and every order, whether as a part of a CM or not. However, the model does consider all the feasible types of CM’s. Practical aspects associated with implementing CM’s are also discussed.

The Global Supply Chain: Challenges And Solutions, Carol J. Johnson, Paul Nuzum

Journal of Transportation Management

While there have been independent examinations of several of the changes that affect the supply chain, to date there has been little in the way of studies that holistically examine the changes facing front line supply chain managers today and the solutions they have implemented to address those changes. Supply chain executives have been interviewed in depth to better understand how manufacturing or distribution network changes, technology implementation, corporate re-structuring and/or increasing customer demands have been addressed in the field. An understanding of the challenges and successes faced by Global 1000 firms as they address these changes should help others …

Carrier Selection Criteria: Differences Among Truckload Motor Carrier Offerings, John L. Kent, Carlo D. Smith

Journal of Transportation Management

Effective customer service begins with an understanding of the service components customers’ view as most important to their operations and business success. Within the transportation industry research has investigated the importance of such criteria at an industry level. This article offers detailed rankings of service criteria priority from a shipper’s perspective by comparing criteria across five types of motor carrier offerings including dry van, temperature controlled, intermodal, tank, and flatbed. Results identify the ranked importance of 20 service characteristics, common themes, and distinct differences in the importance of service criteria among the alternative supplier offerings.

Influence Of Neck-Rail Placement On Free-Stall Preference, Use, And Cleanliness, Cassandra B. Tucker, Daniel M. Weary, David Fraser

Housing and Confinement of Farm Animals Collection

Three experiments examined how the presence of a neck rail at different heights and locations influenced dairy cattle behavior and stall cleanliness. Experiment 1 compared 4 levels of neck-rail height (102, 114, and 127 cm and no neck rail; presented at 160 or 180 cm from the curb) in a preference test. Cows (n = 10) showed no consistent preference based on neck-rail height, regardless of the horizontal position of the neck rail. When cows were restricted to each treatment in turn, however, time spent standing fully (with all 4 hooves) in the stall was least in the stall with …

The Effect Of Remanufacturing On Procurement Decisions For Resellers In Secondary Markets, Andreas Robotis, Shantanu Bhattacharya, Luk N. Van Wassenhove

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The role of remanufacturing as a competitive tool for firms has been reflected in a number of studies to show that remanufacturing can reduce the unit cost of production by reusing components. However, the fact that remanufacturing can be used as a strategic tool for serving secondary markets as well has not been acknowledged in the literature. In this paper, we study the use of remanufacturing as a tool to serve secondary markets. Specifically, we model the case of a reseller who procures used products based on an older generation of technology from an advanced market and then uses one …

Interaction Of Technology Choice And Financial Risk Management Under Costly External Financing, Onur Boyabatli, L. Beril Toktay

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This paper analyzes the integrated operational and financial risk management portfolio of a firm that determines whether to use flexible or dedicated technology and whether to undertake financial risk management or not. The risk management value of flexible technology is due to its risk pooling benefit under demand uncertainty. The financial risk management motivation comes from the existence of deadweight costs of external financing due to capital market imperfections. Financial risk management has a fixed cost, while technology investment incurs both fixed and variable costs. The firm's limited budget, which depends partly on a tradable asset, can be increased by …

Session Code: Eh The 21st Century Ideal Supply Management Organizational Format, At Least For 2005, Peter O'Reilly

Publications

The Problem:

What organizational format for the supply management function makes sense in your firm?

Why do we have a problem in the first place?

• The ever popular Silos
• Corporate culture
• Lack of senior management’s understanding of the supply management function
• The absence of a strong core procurement organization
• The dynamics of the ever changing world of mergers and acquisitions

Nlis National Livestock Identification System. Frequently Asked Questions, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

Replaces Miscellaneous Publication 29/2004

Which was issued in December 2004

Traceability is fast becoming the most prominent issue between global livestock trading partners. In the future, international markets will demand assurances that individual animals can be adequately traced for the whole of that animal's life , through multiple transactions, and ultimately to its property of birth.

In Australia, the National Livestock identification System or NLIS is the national system for lifetime traceability of livestock. NLIS will enable rapid trace back through all movements made by that animal to the property of that animal's birth in the event of a disease …

A Case Study On Implementation Of Quality Function Deployment Into The Design Process Of A Small Job Shop, Benjamin A. Thomson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The majority of research involving Quality Function Deployment (QFD) was focused on large consumer based companies and not small job shop business-to-business companies. This case study involved the implementation of QFD into the design process at Reynolds & Co., a small job shop in Terre Haute, IN. The specific objectives of the research were to find the QFD concepts that apply to the improvement of Reynolds & Co.'s (small job shop) design process. The next objective was to reduce the average design time associated with Reynolds & Co.'s design process. The final objective of this case study was to reduce …

Financing America’S Roads: The Past Is Prologue, Michael J. Gravier, M Theodore Farris Ii

Journal of Transportation Management

This article provides a historical perspective of American roadway financing. It explores revenue collection and expenditures at the federal, state, and local governmental levels. Accounting practices of the Highway Trust Fund are discussed including the enactment of the Truth in Budgeting Act to shift revenue collection closer to a direct-user tax. Factors affecting roadway tax revenues are identified and the impact of increasing taxes is discussed. Four key considerations which will continue to shape roadway revenue collection are identified.

Regulatory Perspectives Of The Air Express Industry, Kian Chuan Chang, Mark Brian Debowski

Journal of Transportation Management

In its early days, the international air express industry was synonymous with on-board couriers, carrying bags of documents on commercial flights. The industry has changed dramatically. That initial focus on documents has widened into the transport of packages and freight, carried by fleets of fully owned or dedicated aircraft, trucks, trains and delivery vans. The bulk of the business is dominated by 24-hour guaranteed and next-day deliveries. “Every day, hundreds of thousands of employees serve the distribution needs of an increasing number of businesses worldwide from one region to another” (European Express Association, 2002). The express companies are also making …

The Importance Of Logistics Capability In The E-Commerce Market, Jay Joong-Kun Cho, John Ozment

Journal of Transportation Management

This research is focused on the importance of logistics capability and its effect on firm performance in the e-commerce market. Technology-based net companies are known to have poor business network and infrastructure compared to resource-based traditional non-net based companies. A multiple-item logistics capability measurement scale is used to measure logistics capability of the firm. Firm performance is also measured by multiple items. The results indicate that logistics capability has a positive relationship with firm performance and this relationship is stronger for net based firms than for non-net based firms. Logistics capability is perceived as the firm’s critical capability in providing …

A Longitudinal Analysis Of The Journal Of Transportation Management: 1996 - 2004, Jerry W. Wilson, Cindy H. Randall

Journal of Transportation Management

The first issue of the Journal of Transportation Management (JTM) was published in the Fall of 1989. This new publication was to provide an outlet for research and writing of a practical nature, of direct benefit to logistics and transportation managers and their firms. Since that first issue, the Journal has weathered three sets of editorial staff that have collectively produced sixteen full or partial volumes. This article provides some of the history of the JTM and an analysis of some of the characteristics of its contributors during the tenure of its third and current editor, Jerry Wilson.

Using Active Learning To Enhance Supply Chain Knowledge, Joe B. Hanna, Brian J. Gibson, Randall Chapman

Journal of Transportation Management

The constantly evolving logistics discipline confronts practitioners with the challenge of keeping pace with the many advancements in the field. The authors examine ways in which logistics trainers may be able to improve their ability to effectively convey knowledge to logistics practitioners by supplementing the traditional lecture-based approaches with active learning exercises. The results of a recently conducted survey detailing current usage levels and approaches of active learning exercises, specifically simulations, by logistics educators is then presented. The paper also summarizes comments from individual simulation participants after they have completed a training experience designed to immerse them in a real …

Investigating Schedule Slippage, James V. Monaco, Edward D. White

Faculty Publications

Past research shows that schedule slippage within the acquisition community often adversely affects the cost and performance characteristics within a program. To minimize the risk of underestimating schedule growth, a program manager needs a reliable initial schedule estimate. Statistical models can provide such estimates; however, they require accurate historical data and predictive drivers. Many archival studies have investigated potential drivers of schedule growth. In this article, we review several of those studies that investigated schedule slippage and highlight common potential drivers of schedule growth, ending with a list of variables for estimators to consider for incorporating into future predictive models.

Air Force Jp-8 Fuel Distribution System: A Statistical Analysis To Determine Where And When To Sample, Eric J. Heath

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Petroleum Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio collects JP-8 sampling data, but this data doesn't undergo analysis to determine the health of the base-level JP-8 fuel distribution system. Commanders possess no known confidence level when assessing base-level fuel health. Therefore, the objective of this research is to assess Air Force base-level fuel sampling data to determine the base-level sampling point that ensures a quality and healthy product at the aircraft. Also, this research seeks to identify how often correlation sampling should take place. Sample test pass rates are analyzed from three locations, receipt, storage, and vehicles/aircraft, …

Study On The Air Force's Ability To Field Senior Logistics Readiness Officers Experienced In Fuels Management, Keith A. Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

A major initiative resulting from the 1999 Chief of Staff of the Air Force Logistics Review (CLR) was the development of the logistics readiness officer (LRO) career field, which combined three previous logistics fields; supply, transportation, and logistics plans. As a result, the training for a LRO promotes logistics function familiarity rather than expertise. This is of particular concern in the critical area of fuels management. Fuel is an absolute necessity in all military operations and its proper management is vital to mission success. The objective of this research is to determine the impact due to the LRO career field …

Optimization Model For Base-Level Delivery Routes And Crew Scheduling, Young-Ho Cha

Theses and Dissertations

In the U.S. Air Force, a Logistic Readiness Squadron (LRS) provides material management, distribution, and oversight of contingency operations. Dispatchers in the LRS must quickly prepare schedules that meet the needs of their customers while dealing with real-world constraints, such as time windows, delivery priorities, and intermittent recurring missions. Currently, LRS vehicle operation elements are faced with a shortage of manpower and lack an efficient scheduling algorithm and tool. The purpose of this research is to enhance the dispatchers' capability to handle flexible situations and produce "good" schedules within current manpower restrictions. In this research, a new scheduling model and …

A Case Study Of The Degree Of Collaboration Between Various Levels In The Reparable Chain In The United States Air Force, Robert A. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment and other logistics processes were developed in the commercial sector to reduce total system costs of production while simultaneously providing reduction in inventory levels, improved customer service levels, greater flexibility in scheduling, greater velocity of inventory through the pipeline, and, as a result, greater profitability (Ploos van Amstel, 1990:1). Many companies including Wal-Mart, Motorola, Target, Johnson & Johnson, and Kellogg's, just to name a few, have seen great achievements since implementing CPFR processes. Can these processes be applied to the Air Force supply chain? This thesis intends to examine the flows and relationships to identify …

An Examination Of Reverse Logistics Factors Impacting The 463-L Pallet Program, Andrew J. Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

During peacetime operations, the process of tracking and managing 463-L assets within the Air Mobility Command airlift system results in infrequent imbalances or accountability issues. However, during contingency operations, AMC loses control of 463-L assets as they are turned over to the intra-theater distribution system. Since current contingency operations began in October of 2001, the Air Force has been unable to account for over 97,000 463-L pallets and 220,000 cargo nets. With a single pallet and net set costing over $1,300, the total value of the equipment unaccounted for exceeds $126 million. If not corrected, this failure to account for …

Using Depot Inventory Position To Determine Transportation Mode Of Retrograde Reparable Assets, Edward C. Snow Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Air Force logistics policies direct the "expedited evacuation of repairables to the source of repair", in an effort to allow smaller inventories. Transportation Mode selection is based only on the asset itself. This focus works well when shipping assets out from the depot to a base. When a base ships an asset back to the depot however, the priority of the asset may not be the best way to select the transportation mode. The quantity of the assets at the depot may indicate that fast transportation is unnecessary. The depot may already have enough serviceable assets to meet demand or …

Pick-Up And Delivery: A Comparison Of Functional Alignments And The Impact On Customer Service And Vehicle Operator Utilization, Shawn K. Booher

Theses and Dissertations

The Chief of Staff Logistics Review of 1999 examined a multitude of process issues and their resulting impact on organizational structure. A resulting initiative was to transition the pick-up and delivery function from the Material Management flight (LGRM) to the Vehicle Operations section (LGRVO). The motivation of this initiative, more specifically referred to as Supply/Transportation Reengineering, was to streamline similar processes, and to effectively and efficiently utilize resources. The goal of this transition was to use fewer people and resources to provide pick-up and delivery service to wing customers with minimal adverse impact to customer service and to improve overall …

K-Center Problems With Minimum Coverage, Andrew Lim, Brian Rodrigues, Fan Wang, Zhou Xu

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In this work, we study an extension of the k-center facility location problem, where centers are required to service a minimum of clients. This problem is motivated by requirements to balance the workload of centers while allowing each center to cater to a spread of clients. We study three variants of this problem, all of which are shown to be -hard. In-approximation hardness and approximation algorithms with factors equal or close to the best lower bounds are provided. Generalizations, including vertex costs and vertex weights, are also studied.

Managing Learning Resources For Consecutive Product Generations, Lieven Demeester, Mei Qi

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In this paper, we study how a firm should allocate its learning resources when it is concurrently producing two consecutive generations of one product. We define learning resources as scarce firm-specific resources that a firm allocates towards the improvement of the cost, quality or timeliness of its existing products and processes. We use empirically tested models for demand substitution and learning curves to formulate this problem, and we present our results as propositions with regard to the optimal time at which a firm should direct all its learning resources to the newer product generation, depending on the substitution rate of …

The Effects Of Land Transport On Animal Welfare, D. M. Broom

Transport of Farm Animals Collection

Animal welfare during and as a result of transport can be assessed by using a range of behavioural, physiological, pathological and carcass-quality indicators that are described in this paper. Measures of the extent of any disease, injury or mortality resulting from, or exacerbated by, transport are important because health is an important part of welfare. Many of the indicators are measures of stress as they involve long-term adverse effects on the individual. Factors affecting the welfare of animals before, during and after transport which are discussed are: definition of the responsibilities and competence, attitudes to animals and need for training …