Vaidyanathan Jayaraman

The Design of Reverse Distribution Networks: Models and Solution Procedures

Reverse distribution, or the management of product return flows, induced by various forms of reuse of products and materials, has received growing attention throughout this decade. In this paper we discuss reverse distribution, and propose a mathematical programming model for a version of this problem. Due to the complexity of the proposed model, we introduce a heuristic solution methodology for this problem. The solution methodology complements a heuristic concentration procedure, where sub-problems with reduced sets of decision variables are iteratively solved to optimality. Based on the solutions from the sub-problems, a final concentration set of potential facility sites is constructed, and this problem is solved to optimality. The potential facility sites are then expanded in a greedy fashion to obtain the final solution. This ‘‘heuristic expansion’’ was also performed using the solution found with a greedy heuristic to provide a short-list of potential facility sites. Computational tests demonstrate a great deal of promise for this solution method, as high-quality solutions are obtained while expending modest computational effort. � 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

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.

Supply-Chain Management for Recoverable Manufacturing Systems

Recoverable manufacturing systems minimize the environmental impact of industry by reusing materials, reducing energy use, and reducing the need to landfill industrial products. These systems are widespread in the United States and are profitable, in addition to contributing to sustainable development. However, the management of supply-chain activities can differ greatly from management activities in traditional manufacturing supply chains. Seven complicating characteristics increase uncertainty. Managers must take actions to reduce uncertainty in the timing and quantity of returns, balance return rates with demand rates, and make material recovery more predictable. Managers must also plan for the collection of products from end-users. The use of information systems with new production-planning and control techniques makes management of these activities more predictable.

A simulated annealing methodology to distribution network design and management

This paper describes the PLOT (Production, Logistics, Outbound, Transportation) design system. The system addresses a class of distribution network design problems, which is characterized by multiple product families, a central manufacturing plant site, multiple distribution center and cross-docking sites, and retail outlets (customer zones) which demand multiple units of several commodities. The resulting system focuses on two key stages: the planning stage where we incorporate a strategic based decision-making process of selecting the “best” set of distribution centers and cross-docks to operate. The second phase consists of the execution stage that includes an operational based decision-making process. In this phase, the model decides the required quantity of product families that need to be transported from the plant to distribution centers and transshipped to cross-docks from warehouses, and later distributed to customer outlets. The distribution system design considered here is derived from current operations of a major retailing organization that manages products for nationwide distribution. The PLOT system developed to implement the model provides for a high degree of user interaction in the generation of solutions. The overall system generates globally feasible, near optimal distribution system design and utilization strategies utilizing the simulated annealing (SA) methodology. This study makes two important contributions to the SA literature. First, we extend the breadth of applications by studying a new combinatorial problem that incorporates cross-docking in a supply chain environment. Second, we systematically evaluate the computational performance under a variety of problem scenarios and SA control parameter settings.

Production planning for closed-loop supply chains with product recovery and reuse: an analytical approach

We present an analytical approach towards production planning and control for closed-loop supply chains with product recovery and reuse. This approach consists of a mathematical programming model, RAPP (Remanufacturing Aggregate Production Planning), for aggregate production planning and control. The model is designed to aid operational decision-makers in an intermediate to long-range planning environment and also may serve as a focal point for developing formal systems for production planning, inventory control, and other tactical decision-making. Key decisions include the number of units of core type with a nominal quality level that is disassembled, disposed, remanufactured and acquired in a given time period. Other decisions pertain to the inventory of modules and cores that remain at the end of a given time period. We use data from a company that remanufactures mobile telephones to validate our mathematical programming model. Managerial implications of such a closed-loop model as well as future research and conclusions are provided at the end.

Product acquisition management: Current industry practice and a proposed framework

Remanufacturing requires that used products (cores) be obtained from the enduser at the end of their current life cycle so that the value-added may be recovered and the products returned to functional use again. The acquisition of cores to be remanufactured in such recoverable manufacturing systems is a complex set of activities that requires careful coordination to avoid the uncontrolled accumulation of core inventory, or unacceptable levels of customer service. The authors report on current industry practice via an extensive survey of North American remanufacturing firms. The authors propose a formal framework for Product Acquisition Management (PrAM) to coordinate, monitor, and provide an interface between reverse logistics and production planning and control activities. Finally, a series of managerial guidelines for the organization of PrAM activities is proposed. We conclude that managers should take actions that consistently reduce the variance inherent in a remanufacturing environment.

Cross-Cultural Generalizability of Paternalistic Leadership: An Expansion of Leader-Member Exchange Theory

Paternalism is an emerging concept with significant potential for international leadership research. Paternalistic leaders combine benevolence with authority. Paternalism is a prevalent leadership style in non-Western business organizations. In this article, the authors extend research on paternalism to the Western business context. They compare the attitudes of employees from the United States ( N = 215) and India (N = 207) with respect to paternalistic leadership and its correlates. Paternalism had a significant positive effect on job satisfaction in India, but the relationship was not significant in the United States. In both cultural contexts, paternalistic leadership was positively related to leader—member exchange and organizational commitment. Results suggest paternalistic leadership may generalize across cultures.

Supply Chain Drivers that Foster the Development of Green Initiatives in an Emerging Economy

Purpose – Sustainability and environmental issues are among the most pressing concerns for modern humanity, governments and environmentally conscious business organizations. Green supply chain management has been acknowledged as a key factor to promote organizational sustainability. Green supply chain management is evolving into an important approach for organizations in emerging economies to manage their environmental responsibility. Yet, despite their importance for easing environmental degradation and providing economic benefits, study of the drivers that influence green supply chain initiatives in an emerging economy is still an under‐researched area. Using survey data collected from ISO 14001 certified organizations from Malaysia, the purpose of this paper is to propose that the drivers that motivate firms to adopt green supply chain management can be measured by a second‐order construct related to the implementation of the firms green supply chain initiatives.Design/methodology/approach – Structura...

Transportation, facility location and inventory issues in distribution network design: An investigation

Examines the interdependence between facility location, transportation and inventory issues in a distribution network design problem. Management of inventories, determination of transportation policy, and location of plants and distribution centers are normally carried out by different groups of people in an organization. These activities interact, however, when the transportation is used to replace inventory, an increase in the number of warehouses increases total system inventory or location of warehouses would dictate the type of transportation mode choice or carrier that needs to be used. The proposed model, FLITNET, is expected to provide a more complete representation of the trade‐offs that exist among the location, transportation and inventory cost components, and lead to an optimal solution.

An evaluation of new heuristics for the location of cross-docks distribution centers in supply chain network design

This paper addresses an evaluation of new heuristics solution procedures for the location of cross-docks and distribution centers in supply chain network design. The model is characterized by multiple product families, a central manufacturing plant site, multiple cross-docking and distribution center sites, and retail outlets which demand multiple units of several commodities. This paper describes two heuristics that generate globally feasible, near optimal distribution system design and utilization strategies utilizing the simulated annealing (SA) methodology. This study makes two important contributions. First, we continue the study of location planning for the cross-dock and distribution center supply chain network design problem. Second, we systematically evaluate the computational performance of this network design location model under more sophisticated heuristic control parameter settings to better understand interaction effects among the various factors comprising our experimental design, and present convergence results. The central idea of the paper is to evaluate the impact of geometric control mechanism vis-a-vis more sophisticated ones on solution time, quality, and convergence for two new heuristics. Our results suggest that integrating traditional simulated annealing with TABU search is recommended for this supply chain network design and location problem.