In this paper we investigate the minimization process of the exact cost function for a continuous review (Q,R) inventory model with non-negative reorder point and fixed lead-time. Backorders are allowed and the unit shortage cost is used to determine the expected annual shortage cost. Provided...

In this paper, we introduce an analytical model for maximizing social welfare, which can be used for finding the optimal offering of a set of software services. The analytical model also explains the impact of service flexibility on customer¡¯s selection of business services and on the revenue...

Demand patterns for products with seasonality and or short life-cycles do not follow a clear discernible pattern (to allow predictive time-series modeling of demand) for individual sales events or seasons due to such factors as considerable demand volatility, product promotions, and unforeseen...

We solve an agent's optimization problem of meeting demands for cash over time with cash deposited in bank or invested in stock. The stock pays dividends and uncertain capital gains, and a commission is incurred in buying and selling of stock. We use a stochastic maximum principle to obtain...

We study a sourcing problem faced by a firm that seeks to procure a product or a component from a pool of alternative suppliers. The firm has a preference ordering of the suppliers based on factors such as their past performance, quality, service, geographical location and financial strength,...

A commonly observed two-stage pricing strategy for a custom-made product involves a prepurchase entry fee for a potential consumer and a purchase price if he decides to buy the product. We solve and compare two settings: In the first, the firm does not commit in advance to the second-stage price...

The purpose of this paper is to define innovation and to proffer evidence of its existence through the use of statistical method and mathematical modeling. Innovation is defined by the confidence interval of the normal probability distribution density where μ ± 2σ = 0.95 leaving a room of...

Order picking has long been identified as the most labour-intensive and costly activity for almost every warehouse; the cost of order picking is estimated to be as much as 55% of the total warehouse operating expense. Any underperformance in order picking can lead to unsatisfactory service and...

In this study we consider a pick-to-pack orderpicking system, in which batches of orders are picked simultaneously from different(work) zones by a group of order pickers. After picking, the orders are transported by a conveyor to the next station for packing. Our aim is to determine the optimal...