Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-85). / Predicting customer demand in the highly competitive grocery retail business has become extremely difficult, especially for promotional items. The difficulty in promotional forecasting has resulted from numerous internal and external factors that affect the demand patterns. It has also resulted from multiple levels of hierarchy that involve different groups in the organization as well as different methods and systems. Moreover, judgments from the forecasters are critical to the accuracy of the forecasts, while the value of tweaking the forecast results is yet to be determined. In this business, the forecasters generally have a high incentive to over-forecast in order to meet the corporate goal of maximizing customer satisfaction. The main objective of this thesis is to analyze the effectiveness of promotional forecasting, identify the factors contributing to forecast accuracy, and propose suggestions for improving forecasts. In light of this objective, we used WMPE and WMAPE as the measures of forecast accuracy, and conducted analysis of promotional forecast accuracy from different point of views. / (cont.) We also verified our results with regression analysis, which helped identify the significance of each forecasting attribute so as to support the promotion planning without compromising forecast accuracy. We suggest several approaches to improve forecast accuracy. First, to improve store forecasts, we recommend three models: the bias correction model, the adaptive bias correction model, and the regression model. Second, to improve replenishment forecasts, we propose a new model that combines the top-down and bottom-up approaches. Lastly, we suggest a framework for measuring accuracy that emphasizes the importance of comparing the accuracy of forecasts generated from systems and from judgments. / by Pakawkul Koottatep and Jinqian Li. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-135). / This thesis presents a roadmap for companies to follow as they manage multi-tiered suppliers in the high-tech industry. Our research covered a host of sources including interviews and publications from various companies, consulting companies, software companies, the computer industry, trade associations, and analyst firms among others. While our review found that many companies begin supplier relationship management after sourcing events, we show that managing suppliers should start as companies form their competitive strategy. Our five step roadmap provides a deliberate approach for companies as they build the foundation for effective and successful multi-tiered supplier relationship management. / by Charles E. Frantz and Jimin Lee. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-97). / Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) within the automotive industry is largely based on combining lean manufacturing with mandated supplier adoption of ISO 14001-compliant Environmental Management Systems (EMS). This approach evolved from automotive manufacturers seeking to expediently expand green practices within existing lean supply chains. However, a new automotive enterprise, without the legacy issues of an existing supply chain, has the opportunity to customize its supply chain from scratch, to comprehensively achieve both financial and green objectives. This thesis investigated a more holistic approach to creating a financially-viable green automotive supply chain for the MIT Vehicle Design Summit (VDS) - a start-up enterprise planning to enter the Indian emerging market with a new type of eco-friendly automobile. First, a hypothetical VDS supply chain was postulated by analyzing the contextual challenges of the Indian emerging economy, so as to optimize the location, supplier selection and manufacturing models within its business context. To ensure that the capital investments needed to fulfill the supply chain's green objectives do not compromise its primary purpose of value creation, a Triple Bottom Line technique called Environmental Cost Accounting was used as a managerial decision tool, which demonstrated the financial viability of GSCM for VDS. Next, green solutions for each supply chain function were identified for integration into the hypothetical supply chain. It was found that many important green solutions for an automotive supply chain like supplier selection, concurrent engineering, cascading of lean production best practices to the extended supply chain, fuel-efficient transport practices and green infrastructure design, have already been developed by various governmental and non-governmental agencies. / (cont.) Also, product recovery through End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) processing was identified as a vital green supply chain function required for closing the loop between sales and sourcing. The key issue was integrating these disparate solutions into a holistic environmental management framework for VDS to implement and sustain. This was accomplished using an IS014001-based EMS as the master plan. The developed EMS Manual is a pioneering document that leverages chain-wide participation in existing green initiatives like the Green Suppliers Network, SmartWay Transport Partnership and LEED Green Building Rating, to realize a green supply chain by ensuring continuous monitoring and improvement of the implemented initiatives. / by Gene Fisch, Jr. [and] Tien Song Paul Neo. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2012. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-68). / This research project explores the benefits of retail data sharing in a high-velocity perishable goods supply chain. While this technique has been largely effective in improving supply chain performance in different industries, its benefits are unproven in the perishable goods business. Specifically, due to the short shelf life of produce, it remains to be seen whether data sharing can generate actionable plans for retailers to reduce out-of-stock events and shrinkage due to spoilage. As a result, suppliers and retailers alike have been reluctant to invest in the technology and cultivate the business relationship required to enable data sharing. The findings of this thesis could help companies determine whether a business case can be built for suppliers to invest in the necessary technology, as well as for retailers to share operational data for the greater good of overall supply chain efficiency and profitability. Ultimately, our research indicates that without some fundamental changes to the retailers' ordering process, data sharing does not provide substantial operational benefits for the perishable goods supply chain. / by Darren Wilson and Gerald Yeung. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-60). / In this thesis, two inventory fulfillment methods are compared by evaluating the vendor managed inventory (VMI) fulfillment against the current order based fulfillment. Several forms of adaptation to VMI are described. The costs and benefits of VMI are quantified. The difference between the current process and the proposed VMI process is measured by the monetary amount in total inventory storage, routing, management cost, and payment terms in one distribution center. A conclusion is drawn to determine whether VMI is a beneficial alternative to the current process, and possible future research is discussed. / by Victoria W. Shen. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-97). / The economic crisis that the world has been experiencing since 2008 has led several organizations to announce record losses and bankruptcies. But couldn't the chief factors have been predicted, at least to some extent? What if the critical success factors of a company are predicted and evaluated, wouldn't that eliminate, or at least cushion, such misfortunes? In this thesis I provide a framework for developing predictive metrics for supply chains. The goal of these metrics is to provide a key set of indicators, aligned with the business strategy, that provide early warnings of problems or early signals of successful project completion. They allow organizations to analyze risks and provide supply chain managers with a forward-looking approach to align their strategy with performance outcomes. My target audience is the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry but the results could be expanded across industries. There is no one-size-fits-all set of predictive metrics. Finding the optimal set depends on the project focus and the supplier type. In this thesis I measure performance in the four areas of cost, schedule, quality and technical. I use system dynamics models to develop my framework and employ three A&D programs as case-study subjects to illustrate the implementation of the framework. / by Linda Haydamous. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (S.M. in EngIneerIng and Management)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, February 2013. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. "May 2012." Page 79 blank. / Includes bibliographical references (page 78). / This main focus of this thesis is not to describe the inner workings of the Ecosystem or software; it is to help young entrepreneurs with limited resources to not just survive, but thrive in a competitive business environment. / by Qi Zhang. / S.M.in EngIneerIng and Management

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2005. / Two leaves of folded plates inserted in pocket on p. [3] of cover. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-52). / Inter-enterprise communication of RFID event data requires rules and consistency. To create those rules and consistency one has to understand the requirements for the event architecture. I identified fifty-one stakeholders and thirty touch points in a textile supply chain from manufacturer in China to retail in The United States. Each of the stakeholders has different requirements for accuracy of the read data. After calculating a rough estimate of data quantity, I reduced data by setting some standards for aggregation and creating a mathematical model for inference and communication of read accuracy. I discovered that by dividing data requirements into two types, summarized event data and detailed exception data and business forms, I could meet all the stakeholders' needs. The solution was to implement a hybrid publish/subscribe architecture and service oriented architecture. / by Maximilian Greer Locher. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biological Engineering Division, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. / The current gold standard for bone graft material is autologous bone, which provides mechanical support, possesses factors that promote bone formation, and contains connective tissue progenitors (CTPs), a heterogeneous population of connective tissue stem and progenitor cells that contribute to neotissue formation. A major limitation to autologous bone grafts is the risk of surgical complications associated with graft harvesting as well as significant donor-site morbidity. Available bone graft substitutes are not as efficacious as autologous bone, resulting in a prescient need for improved bone grafting materials. A promising tissue engineering approach involves the use of bioactive biomaterials that can promote the selective retention of CTPs from pre-seeded autologous bone marrow. When presented in a tethered form, EGF has been shown to promote the survival and enhance the adhesion of culture expanded CTPs. Therefore, the hypothesis of this work was that tethered EGF could be used to enhance the retention of osteogenic CTPs from freshly aspirated bone marrow. Numerous adhesion ligands and growth factors have been investigated for use as candidates for the functionalization of bioactive materials. In this work, we showed that synergy-RGD peptides, which incorporate the putative synergy site on fibronectin, can promote cell adhesion through both a5pl and av33 integrins. We then investigated the effects of tethered EGF on CTP colony formation in the context of defined adhesion environments using a functionalizable comb copolymer. We found that tethered EGF increased the colony forming efficiency of CTPs from fresh human marrow when cell attachment was promoted by either non-specific protein adsorption, fibronectin pre adsorption, or through the synergy-RGD ligand. In contrast, soluble EGF did not increase colony formation, demonstrating the importance of the modality of ligand presentation. / (cont.) Quantitative image analysis also suggested that while tethered EGF did not promote increased osteogenesis at early times after cell seeding tethered EGF may induce the proliferation and migration of cells within osteogenic colonies. These results provide important insight into both the study of the effect of EGF on CTP behavior, as well as the use of tethered EGF as a potential ligand for use in biomaterials that promote the selective retention of CTPs. / by Nicholas A. Marcantonio. / Ph.D.

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2011. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 29-30). / U.S. petrochemical manufacturers operate in a very challenging environment on account of the recent economic crisis, volatility in crude oil prices, rising capacity in the Middle East, etc. Recently, there has been a focus on logistics costs and, in particular, capacity utilization as a means to retain a competitive edge. This thesis focuses on marine dock optimization for a major bulk chemicals manufacturer. The authors have surveyed the research literature to find commonalities in various approaches to the problem of dock optimization- in the petrochemical shipping industry as well as in allied operational environments such as container shipping. They discuss the inputs that would be needed to build a decision-support-system designed for the express purpose of measuring dock utilization. Following a review of the industry context and relevant literature, the authors develop a demonstrative framework that captures the key variables and constraints affecting loading and unloading operations. The authors speculate that multiple simulation and optimization techniques could sufficiently address the quantification of operational uncertainties at the marine dock. However, emphasis is placed upon the need for thorough data gathering and correct prioritization of variables and constraints affecting efficiency of dock operations. / by Gaurav Nath and Brian Ramos. / M.Eng.in Logistics