We propose a carrier performance measurement framework for a specialty chemical manufacturer to assess and compare the performance of various carriers in a dynamic fashion. Author: Weixia Cheng Advisor: Mahender Singh
Using an analytical framework this research project establishes that initiatives to improve responsiveness contribute to growth in sales. The framework uses an econometric model and a causal model to verify and explain relationships between measures of responsiveness and sales. The research also identifies measures that drive sales and measures driven...
This thesis examines a distribution multi-echelon production-inventory system subject to stochastic demand in the steel industry. The sponsor company, Ternium (a South American steel producer), needs to provide short service times under low inventory costs. The goal of this thesis is to generate a model and conclusions to determine where...
Many supply chain management decisions continue to be made as though driving with the rear-view mirror. This project offers a set of metrics that provide supply chain managers with a forward-looking approach to predict supply chain future performance and align their strategy with performance outcomes. Author: Linda Haydamous Advisor: Larry...
This project measured the costs associated with inventory shrinkage and stock-outs in the Washington State tree fruit industry using multivariate regression and optimization techniques. The author provides four qualitative solutions in the form of inventory management policies, and one quantitative solution in the form of a mixed-integer linear program. Author...
This project compares planned truckload procurement to executed truckload procurement using shipment transactions from 2006 to 2008. The research suggests that matching between the two occurs in less than 10% of the lanes and overspending occurs in more than 50% lanes. This research proposes strategies to reduce truckload procurement to...
This thesis developed a multi-attribute model to help the World Food Programme in the optimization of warehouse location in the Somali region of Ethiopia. The methodology used uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process which facilitates the use of qualitative information for optimization purposes. The model can be scaled in order to...
Supply chain management (SCM) has traditionally played an operational role within cement companies missing opportunities for cost reduction and value creation. These missed opportunities can be realized by introducing the strategic use of SCM as explained in this article. Author: Isabel Agudelo Advisor: Edgar Blanco
This research quantifies transportation mode choice, demonstrating the trade-off between truckload(TL) and intermodal (IM, truck and rail) transportation. The authors used a mathematical model to calculate the logistics costs as a sum of transportation and inventory holding cost and analyzed how supply chain costs are sensitive to transportation cost components...
This project uses a linear program to examine the effectiveness of using transportation relays for private fleets. A transportation relay is a shipment that is divided into two legs. The linear programming model is run for a large retailer that we name LargeRetailerCo. The results for LargeRetailerCo show significant quantifiable...
Using results from 51 million Monte Carlo simulation runs, we demonstrate that wind plant-plus-energy storage (WP+ES) operation becomes more profitable by applying supply chain management techniques such as network design and inventory management. Our business case shows that emerging, utility-scale battery storage can be economically-viable even today under certain scenarios...
In August 2007, the US government passed the 9/11 Act, requiring all US-bound containerized cargo to be scanned using radiation and non-intrusive imaging equipment at foreign seaports prior to vessel loading by July 2012. This project creates a quantitative framework to assist importers in analyzing the financial costs and delay...
This project developed a simulation model to determine the optimal inventory position when using a Kanban replenishment system for a heavy machinery manufacturing company. The model uses a stepwise optimization approach, targeting the total relevant cost as the objective function. We created for the company a generalized consumption-based treatment, which...
Utilizing supply chain best practices from industries outside of healthcare, a supply chain that reduces hospital supply chain costs has been designed and modeled. The supply chain is centered on patient-specific kits delivered from an offsite warehouse to hospital bedsides. Effective implementation requires that each individual hospital segment their products...
This project examines the strategies used by firms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their supply chains. It analyzes the performance in emissions reduction of forty firms, the twenty largest in the UK and US, and expands upon this analysis through a detailed discussion of specific behavior by firms such...
This project proposes a solution to leverage collaborative forecast information for planning using quantitative techniques. A statistical forecast is generated using a top-down and bottom-up approach. A joint forecast, which is a forecast weighted by statistical and collaborative forecast, is then generated. On an average, the joint forecast was much...
This thesis develops a model for a company to set up its supply chain segmentation based on customer services. The author introduces the “Push-Pull Segmentation Model” which is the model that balances the company and customer perspectives in the segmentation process. Additionally, he demonstrates how to implement the model by...
This project utilizes data mining techniques to determine the drivers of stock-out performance. Best performing and worst performing clusters of stores were identified using data clustering techniques. Logistic regression and multiple ordinary-least-squares regression were then used to gain further insights and quantify the drivers of stock-outs. Author: Khalid Usman Advisor...
This project studied the viability, projected growth, and sustainability of home based healthcare on the basis of affordability, acceptability, and availability. Three firms, two manufacturers and one pharmaceutical, were researched and interviewed to determine their strategies to succeed in the home healthcare market. Conclusions comprise observations about how the dynamics...
This project proposes a comprehensive framework to supply chain risk management based on the state-of-the-art in academia and business, and applies it to a CPG company to develop a case study. The research also draws from fields outside the normal realm of supply chain risk management, proposing notably a market...
This study reviewed and established a framework for selection of distribution strategies. In addition, this project analyzed advantages and disadvantages of utilizing different distribution strategies. Through case analysis, the study evaluated the benefits and costs of applying distribution center model for the seed industry, and addressed demand lags issue by...
This project developed requirements for a sustainable green automotive supply chain within a start-up enterprise entering the Indian emerging market. A supply chain-wide environmental management system, based on the ISO14001 standard, is used to integrate the identified green solutions for implementation and improvement within an auditable framework. Author: Gene Fisch...
This report elaborates on the concepts of home-based healthcare using the synthesis of the various published healthcare research, recent developments in technology, and scenario-based analysis of healthcare delivery in future. Using the underlying assumption that care delivered at home could reduce healthcare cost due to prevention, the report presents a...
This project developed an inventory model to find the optimal inventory distribution in a retail three-echelon network that enables high target service level at the stores. Using a multi-echelon approach, the optimal network inventory cost can be achieved by low inventory and service level at the intermediate echelon. The study...
In order to incorporate risk management into the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process, companies must segment their products and customers based on business importance, demand forecast, and order lead time. After completing these segmentation steps, companies can then apply appropriate risk management tactics to mitigate uncertainty in demand and...
