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 (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

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-56). / This thesis examines how companies tactically design flexible supply chains for new product launches. The research focus is on different strategies and tactics used by original equipment manufacturers to improve supply chain flexibility through their engagement with contract manufacturers. Five case studies regarding successful product launches were documented and analyzed, and the successful strategies and tactics were then categorized according to the characteristics of the situation. Finally, the findings from the analysis were applied to a startup company to develop its contract manufacturing engagement plan. / by Wai-Kwan Benjamin Ha. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis: M. Eng. in Logistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2014. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 70-72). / This research sought to identify the right strategy to mitigate the supply chain risk while maintaining supply chain efficiency for a company in the medical device industry. The company in our case was exposed to great risk of supplier disruption because of its single source practice. In general, there are two different approaches to reduce the impact of supplier disruption. One is holding additional inventory to cover the demand over the time-to-recovery, and the other is maintaining a second source to reduce the risk. In this research, we proposed a method of distinguishing the better approach. First, we classified the SKUs by criticality and complexity, evaluated the current inventory policy and inventory status, defined the time-to-recovery for each SKU, estimated the potential revenue lost over the time-to-recovery, calculated the additional inventory required, and calculated the related cost for both holding additional inventory and maintaining a second source. Then, we compared the three ROA ratios from holding additional inventory, maintaining a second source, and not taking any action (potential sales lost). The strategy with the highest ROA ratios represented the most efficient way to prevent the risk of supplier disruption. Based on the analysis, holding additional inventory was generally a better strategy for the company in the medical device industry to protect itself from the risk of supplier disruption in any given level of supplier risk. / by Wan-Yu Huang and Jierui Liu. / 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. 97-98). / In the medical device industry, many companies rely on a high inventory strategy in order to meet their customers' urgent requirements, sometimes leading to excessive inventory. This problem is compounded when it involves a long supply chain with several stages of activities and with long delivery and processing lead times. It is further exacerbated when high inventory leads to the frequent expiry of items with short shelf lives, which is typical of surgical items that have to be sterilized. Good supply chain strategies can potentially lead to a significant reduction of the supply chain cost. Through the use of relevant mathematical formulae and Strategic Inventory Placement optimization method, this paper examines the extent of the usefulness of a few possible strategies, such as kitting architecture change and continuous review system, for a family of medical emergency surgical kits across the whole supply chain for a medical device company. The result shows that reducing production lead time and review period, as well as adopting certain kitting architecture changes can reduce inventory value by more than 60% and operating cost by more than 20%. In addition, the paper shows that the Strategic Inventory Placement method can further reduce the total inventory value and operating cost by increasing the inventory of finished products and reducing the inventory of components in the supply chain. / by Poi Chung Tjhin and Rachita Pandey. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, June 2009. / This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. / "May 2009." Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references. / An emerging requirement for 21st century enterprises is operational flexibility, a requirement particularly important for the U. S. Department of Defense (DoD). To achieve flexibility, most practice and research emphasizes process improvement, robust collaboration and "flattened" or "networked" organizations. Lateral alignment has also been proposed as a means to enable flexibility. Missing from these approaches is an appreciation and understanding of the role of architecture and hierarchy as well how to apply these ideas at the enterprise level of organization. The DoD has embraced information technology as one means to achieve flexibility via these methods. Within DoD the Air Force is a uniquely flexible combat arm, but it has proven particularly difficult to integrate air power at the level of inter-service (Joint) military operations in order to leverage this flexibility. Kometer (ESD Ph.D., 2005) used a complex, large-scale, interconnected, open, socio-technical (CLIOS) systems analysis to examine command and control of the Combat Air Operations System (CAOS), proposing new command and control concepts to gain flexibility. This thesis extends Kometer's research by using a qualitative architectural analysis to explore the twin ideas of hierarchy and laterality in enabling flexibility. We define lateral interactions as those within the same layer of an enterprise hierarchy. Lateral interactions enable formalized collaboration among peer entities, which can enable more operational alternatives and make these alternatives executable on more responsive timelines than possible with classic hierarchical structures. / (cont.) We identify previously unexamined trends in the operational architecture of combat air operations that are related to flexibility and examine the trade-offs between flexibility and other enterprise properties. We find a pattern of increasing enterprise laterality from beginning to end of the case studies and an association between upper- and lower-echelon laterality, overall system flexibility and strategic coherence. To enrich the analytical framework, an analogous example of flexibility in the New England Patriots football team is developed and presented. We find that our architecture framework provides a rich addition to existing empirical research on combat air power and addresses difficult socio-technical analysis issues in a way that complements other approaches. We also find that traditional perspectives on flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness trade-offs are strongly dependent on hierarchical level of analysis. Our framework lays a foundation for rigorous holistic enterprise design efforts in the area of military operations and other socio-technical enterprises such as health care, disaster relief and large-scale defense acquisition. / by John Q. Dickmann, Jr. / Ph.D.