Apichat Sopadang

Using Monte Carlo simulation to refine emergency logistics response models: a case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for the development of emergency logistics response models. The proposition of a conceptual framework is in itself not sufficient and simulation models are further needed in order to help emergency logistics decision makers in refining their preparedness planning process.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a framework proposition with illustrative case study.Findings – The use of simulation modelling can help enhance the reliability and validity of developed emergency response model.Research limitations/implications – The emergency response model outcomes are still based on simulated outputs and would still need to be validated in a real‐life environment. Proposing a new or revised emergency logistics response model is not sufficient. Developed logistics response models need to be further validated and simulation modelling can help enhance validity.Practical implications – Emergency logistics decision makers can make better informe...

Development of the Hybrid Weight Assessment System for Multiple Quality Attributes

When designing a product or process, a design engineer is often faced with a number of quality attributes and hence prioritizing the quality attributes is an inevitable task. Development of an adequate weight assessment system for multiple attributes in the early stage of design is crucial, since the choice of paths to quality enhancement depends heavily upon the type of weight assessment system used. Although several weight assessment methods are available in the literature, there is room for improvement. Most weight assessment methods reported in the research community have been developed from the perspective of either customers or a design engineer. This article proposes a hybrid weight assessment system by combining the perspectives of both parties, the customer and a design engineer, in such a way that uncertainty of human perceptions can be modeled using the concepts of fuzzy sets and Monte Carlo simulation. A model is presented and a numerical example is discussed.

A framework for implementing lean manufacturing system in small and medium enterprises

—In this paper, a conceptual framework to apply many techniques for implementing lean in the high-variety low-volume (HVLV) environment is presented. Lean production has increasingly being implemented as a potential solution for many organizations. Anyway, the lean formula is applicable directly only to the make-to-stock business, but the make-to-order (MTO) product environment has to adapt lean manufacturing principle. The method of this paper has a two-phase quantitative framework to transform small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to be lean. Phase 1 has three interrelated components: (1) re-engineering an organization by using the power of computer simulation combined with business process. (2) Value stream mapping (VSM) is used to create a map of both value and waste in a given process. This tool has also a main drawback for job shop facility because many value streams are composed of hundreds of industrial parts and products. (3) Integrative supplier relationship is one of the most critical factors to maintain an advantage in the increasing levels of competition. Phase 2 performs a just in time production schedule by using ant colony optimization technique combines with a simulation tool. The aims of this paper are to develop a suitable lean manufacturing system for SMEs and to study the performance of the system for improving effectiveness. The result shows how to combine lean concept with simulation optimization, the step of this framework to obtain the optimization solution.

APPLICATION OF VALUE CHAIN MANAGEMENT TO LONGAN INDUSTRY

Longan plays an important role as an economic fruit of Thailand because of its volume and size in markets, both domestic and aboard. It was generally known that serious problems were encountered in current longan production and sale, especially the increased production cost. To understand the overall situation clearly, longan’s supply chain was evaluated using the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model and value chain analysis. In-depth interviews were conducted with 73 supply chain members, covering farmers, middlemen, process operators, transporters and exporters, located in Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Bangkok. Performance of the longan supply chain members were evaluated based on four categories, namely, inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics and supporting activities. It was found that the exporters had the highest score in every aspect of performance criteria whereas the farmers had the lowest score, especially in the outbound logistics part. The findings also showed that the major problem of this supply chain was due to oversupply of longan. It was therefore recommended that the members in the supply chain should have to manage and control the quantity of longan, so that demand and supply are balanced as well as to add value to the longan products by increasing information share between members. Marketing campaign is also important to boost longan demand. By implementing operational best practice to each supply chain member, 25% reduction in waste may be achieved.

Forecast of off-season longan supply using fuzzy support vector regression and fuzzy artificial neural network

NN and SVR were discussed and proposed for forecasting of off-season longan supply.Reducing NN and SVR proposed for improving computational runtime.NN and SVR forecasting models were extended by fuzzy algorithms.Totally, six proposed models were compared in term of their efficiency.Multi regression was compared and over fitting was verified. An over-supply crisis in longans in northern Thailand adversely affected farmer income. Cultivating longans off-season was adapted as an alternative solution to this over-supply problem. However, lacking information management and analysis, over supply occurred even during the off-season, leading to a slump in the sale price. Supply forecasting plays an important role in solving this problem. To solve this problem, we proposed a systematic approach for off-season longan forecasting using neural network, fuzzy neural network, support vector regression and Fuzzy Support Vector Regression (FSVR). In addition, grid search was applied to each support vector model to find its optimum architecture. Real data sets were used to evaluate and compare the effectiveness and efficiency of the algorithms. The experimental results showed that FSVR was the most effective forecasting technique.

Confirmation and evaluation of performance measurement model for the Thai frozen shrimp chain

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate and evaluate the new performance measurement model for the Thai frozen shrimp chain. Design/methodology/approach – The performance measurement model was developed by the combination method between a structural equation modeling and an analytical hierarchy process, which the method confirmed and proved the construction of the framework and identified the important key performance indicators of the chain from different supply chain members’ point of views. Findings – The results showed that the model is reliable and valid as well as being theoretically acceptable on the basis of performance measurement foundations. Furthermore, the financial and the customer perspectives are demonstrated as the first to be prioritized in order to evaluate the performance. Research limitations/implications – Two limitations should be considered. First, small sample size of this study is a limitation. Hence, further study should consider on enough sample size. A next limit...

Combining AHP and TOPSIS method for logistics hub selection

The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology to help identify country-level logistics hub (Thailand, Lao PDR and Vietnam) along the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) using two mathematical methods. Phase 1 identified five main factors impacting logistics hub selection that are derived from the literature studies. These factors are trade volume, infrastructure, institutional framework, service providers, shippers and consignees. Phase 2 utilises the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to define weight for each criterion. Experts in related fields were interviewed in order to make dyadic comparisons. Phase 3 focussed on the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution method to rate alternatives by assigning weights defined through AHP and by calculating which alternative is the nearest to the ideal solution. The findings conclude that Thailand, particularly thanks to its large trade volume, is the best country to be considered as a logistics hub for the EWEC.

An enhanced lean tool performance for make-to-order industry by using hybrid optimal algorithm

This paper proposes an approach for setting parameters of the control of balance by card-based navigation (Cobacabana). On the one hand, a commercial software ARENA was used in a simulation phase. On the other hand, Antcoba was utilised in an optimisation phase. The main objective of the paper is to apply a hybrid optimal algorithm as simulation optimisation for obtaining model parameters. Numerical data using real data from a case study was used for evaluating the proposed algorithm. The experiment shows that the algorithm is efficient and satisfies.

Improvement of the supply chain system for cooked chicken product exported to Japan: a case study in Thailand for this industry

Due to the complexity of food supply chain management, it is difficult to determine precise areas requiring improvement. This paper aims to develop a key problem identification and extraction framework, based on value stream mapping and theory of constraint techniques for food supply chain improvement direction. A case study in Thailands cooked chicken industry was used to illustrate to this. It is essential to identify and understand the main problems of this chain by focusing on the effects from downstream to upstream and finding opportunities to solve defects. The results indicate that a non-value added step more than 90 % at the processing factory and caused a bottleneck in capacity resource analysis which revealed main problem.

Integrating sustainable development, lean, and logistics concepts into a lean sustainable logistics model

This paper presents to identify opportunities and gaps of research for the integration of sustainable development, lean, and logistics concepts into a lean sustainable logistics model. Conceptual evaluation is the first step to understand the main points and link each concept. These concepts consist of four components, including the goals, elements, benefits, and limitations of each. The three relationships investigated in this research consist of the interfaces of sustainable development and logistics management, sustainable development and lean concept, and lean concept and logistics management. Following the conceptual evaluations and interfaces among them, the three concepts are integrated into a lean sustainable logistics model. There are four stages, comprising discordant action, proficiency, cooperation, and interdependence, for analysing the constructed model combination of lean sustainable logistics. Then the lean sustainable logistics model can be synthesised for implementation in organisations to achieve long-term benefits.