Hokey Min

Combined Location-Routing Problems: A Synthesis and Future Research Directions

Over the past few decades, the concept of integrated logistics systems has emerged as a new management philosophy which aims to increase distribution efficiency. Such a concept recognizes the interdependence among the location of facilities, the allocation of suppliers and customers to the facilities, and the vehicle route structure around depots. As such, it coordinates a broader spectrum of location and routing options available to logistics managers and consequently avoids the suboptimization of distribution solutions. Reflecting the increasing importance of integrated logistics systems, an extensive body of combined location-routing literature has developed in less than 30 years. In this paper, we synthesize the past evolution of location-routing literature and then explore promising research opportunities in incorporation of more realistic aspects, algorithmic design, and model complexity.

International Supplier Selection

In an era of global sourcing, the multinational firm′s success often hinges on the most appropriate selection of its foreign suppliers. International supplier selection, however, is very complicated and risky owing to a variety of uncontrollable and unpredictable factors affecting the decision. These factors may include political situations, tariff barriers, cultural and communication barriers, trade regulations and agreements, currency exchange rates, cultural differences, ethical standards, quality standards and so forth. Nevertheless, a vast majority of the purchasing literature still focuses on the domestic aspects and neglects international supplier selection research. Proposes multiple attribute utility theory which can help purchasing professionals to formulate viable sourcing strategies in the changing world marketplace.

The relocation of a hybrid manufacturing/distribution facility from supply chain perspectives: a case study

In this paper we present a real-world case study involving the re-location of a combined manufacturing and distribution (warehousing) facility. The relocation decision was called to adapt to dynamic changes in business environments surrounding the firms supply chain operations. Such changes include changes in supplier and customer bases, distribution networks, corporate re-engineering, business climate and government legislation. To aid management in formulating a more efficient and effective relocation strategy, we designed the configuration of supply chain networks and assessed the viability of the proposed sites from supply chain perspectives using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP).

Benchmarking the quality of hotel services: managerial perspectives

With escalating competition in the hotel industry, a growing number of hotels have considered service quality their top priority in maintaining competitiveness. To maintain competitiveness, the hotel management often needs to develop reliable service quality standards. Perhaps one of the best ways of developing such standards is to compare the hotel’s service performance with that of the service leader and reassess its service performance continuously through competitive benchmarking. In an effort to establish practical guidelines for competitive benchmarking, proposes the use of an analytic hierarchy process and a competitive gap analysis. These methods can help the hotel manager formulate viable service improvement strategies in the increasingly competitive hotel industry. Illustrates the usefulness of the proposed benchmarking methodology using the case of Korean luxury hotels.

A MULTIOBJECTIVE MODEL FOR THE DYNAMIC LOCATION OF LANDFILLS

Abstract The passage of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 and its subsequent renewals triggered controversies over where potentially hazardous garbage should be deposited. Such controversies originated from decade-long conflicts between the government agency seeking cost savings and the general public seeking safe environments. The controversies will go on without a settlement, unless more systematic and realistic decision-aid tools for locating landfills are developed which consider a multitude of dynamic factors affecting the location decision and then make trade-offs among them. These factors may include garbage collection services for regional communities, the explicit and hidden costs of developing landfills, transporting and disposing garbage, long-term health and safety hazards for neighboring residents and ecosystems, negative impacts on the regional economy, equity concerns and so forth. As an effective decision-aid tool that can incorporate these conflicting factors, we develop a dynamic (multiperiod), multiobjective mixed integer programming model. The model is tested in a hypothetical case resembling a real world scenario and the results are interpreted to provide insights into the multiobjective and dynamic nature of the model. Efficient alternatives are generated, using the weighting method, and reduced using a filtering method.

Competitive benchmarking of Korean luxury hotels using the analytic hierarchy process and competitive gap analysis

As quality and profitability have become inseparable concepts, a growing number of service firms have considered quality their top priority in maintaining competitiveness. Commitment to service quality, however, is nothing more than lip service, unless management develops reliable service quality standards. Perhaps one of the best ways of developing such standards is to compare the firm’s service performance with that of the service leader and reassess its service performance continuously through competitive benchmarking. In an effort to establish practical guidelines for competitive benchmarking, proposes the use of an analytic hierarchy process and a competitive gap analysis. These methods can help the service manager to formulate viable service improvement strategies in the increasingly competitive service industry. Illustrates the usefulness of the proposed benchmarking methodology using the case of Korean luxury hotels.

Simultaneous formation of machine and human cells in group technology : a multiple objective approach

Since the advent of group technology (GT) as a primary manufacturing tool for reducing setup times and improving production efficiencies, its central theme has been the grouping of similar parts into part families and machines into machine cells. Although the formation of machine-part manufacturing cells is the essence of GT, its full benefits cannot be gained without forming ‘human’ cells in such a way that machine operators with similar expertise and skills are brought together to produce similar part families. Nevertheless, much of the existing GT literature overlooks the behavioural issues associated with a group of workers in the machine cell. This paper addresses such issues by simultaneously forming both machine and compatible human cells. In so doing, we develop a multiple objective model that enables us to analyse the tradeoff between economic and behavioural benefits.

Competitive benchmarking of health care quality using the analytic hierarchy process: an example from Korean cancer Clinics

Abstract Faced with mounting competitive pressures and continued health care reforms, a growing number of health care providers have begun to realize that their future success rests on the ability to undertake a continuous improvement of health care quality. The process of continuous improvement of health care quality is facilitated by health care providers developing reliable quality measures through competitive benchmarking. In an effort to develop a meaningful set of guidelines for competitive benchmarking, and determine comparative measures of health care quality of medical clinics, this paper proposes an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) that can help medical clinics formulate viable service improvement strategies in the increasingly competitive health care industry. This paper also illustrates the usefulness of the proposed health care quality measures using the case of prominent Korean cancer clinics.

DYNAMIC EXPANSION AND LOCATION OF AN AIRPORT: A MULTIPLE OBJECTIVE APPROACH

In this paper we propose a dynamic, multi-objective, mixed integer programming model that aims to determine the optimal airport site under capacity and budgetary restrictions. In contrast with the existing models, the proposed model can also solve a practical size location-allocation problem without serious computational difficulty. As a practical example, the model has been applied to the airport expansion and construction problem facing the Massachusetts Port Authority and Aeronautics Commission.

Distribution channels in Japan

Uncovers the facts and fallacies of the Japanese distribution channel and presents proactive distribution strategies with their managerial benefits, for the successful penetration of the Japanese market. Frustrated US policy makers and business representatives have been crying “foul” for years over the difficulties in penetrating the Japanese market. They believe that a web of formal and informal Japanese trade barriers prevent US companies from getting a fair chance to sell their products in Japan. The Japanese distribution channel is often symbolic of such barriers. In general, it is characterized as closed and complex with multiple layers of middlemen leading to a large number of small‐scale “mom‐and‐pop” retail stores. Due to its non‐conventional structure, the Japanese distribution channel often has been misunderstood by many Westerners and subsequently such misunderstanding has led to unnecessary trade disputes with the Japanese government.