This thesis studies three problems related to inventory control. The first problem is motivated by the need to eliminate the bullwhip effect in a supply chain. An important source of this effect is the inventory control policy, which is originally designed to smooth production in response to demand variation along the supply chain arising from the customers. To address this issue, we propose an estimation method based on the control variate technique. A byproduct of this approach is a stabilizing inventory control policy. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method using the models from the literature. Generally, the derivation of the inventory policies requires the knowledge of the specific demand distribution. Unfortunately, in several cases the demand is not observable in a direct way. The second problem is motivated by a practical application where only partial demand information is observable. Towards this end we derive estimators of the first two moments of the (daily) demand by means of the renewal theoretical concepts. We also propose a regression-based approximation to improve the quality of the estimators. A series of numerical studies are carried out to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the estimators and to investigate the impact of the estimation on the optimality of the inventory policies. The last part of this dissertation studies a periodic-review inventory system with regular and emergency orders. Emergency orders, characterized by shorter lead-time, higher ordering cost and higher setup cost, are placed when the inventory level becomes critically low. Based on our assumptions, we formulate a dynamic programming model and prove the optimality of state-dependent sS type polices for both emergency and regular orders. We also derive analytic properties of the optimal policies. We gain some managerial insights into the optimal policies and cost performance from numerical studies.

This Record of Study contains the details of an optimization model developed for Shell Oil Co. This model will be used during the strategic design process of a supply chain for a new technology commercialization. Unlike traditional supply chain deterministic optimization, this model incorporates different levels of uncertainty at suppliers’ nominal capacity. Because of the presence of uncertainty at the supply stage, the objective of this model is to define the best diversification and safety stock level allocated to each supplier, which minimize the total expected supply chain cost. We propose a Monte Carlo approach for scenario generation, a two-stage non-linear formulation and the Sample Average Approximation (SAA) procedure to solve the problem near optimality. We also propose a simple heuristic procedure to avoid the nonlinearity issue. The sampling and heuristic optimization procedures were implemented in a spreadsheet with a user’s interface. The main result of this development is the analysis of the impact of diversification in strategic sourcing decisions, in the presence of stochastic supply disruptions.

Recently, the meat supply chain has undergone a number of structural changes including increased concentration and a greater degree of quasi-vertical integration coordinated through contract procurement. The effects these changes have had on the meat supply chain, arranged as a complex array of producers, processors, distributors, and retailers, are not yet known. This study investigates the motives for, and consequences of, recent changes in the meat supply chain. The first essay examines causality among variables in the U.S. cattle supply chain using temporal and contemporaneous causality methodologies. Tests for structural changes reveal a likely structural change between later 1996 and early 1997 that was likely induced by the turnaround of the U.S. cattle inventory accompanied with severe droughts in Midwest. Results suggest that overall temporal causalities in the U.S. cattle supply chain become weaker after the structural change, though relatively strong causalities are found in pre-break periods. In contrast, strong contemporaneous causal relationships are founded in post-break periods. One conclusion is that recent structural changes in the industry are resulting in more rapid transmission of information through the supply chain. Causal evidence also suggests that the direction of information transmission has changed in recent times from moving generally downstream to moving generally upstream. This might be the result of increased concentration at the packer and retail levels giving rise to increased ability to “set” prices. The second essay develops a theoretical model to investigate the dynamic effects of the contract procurement on packer competition in the spot market with general contract pricing scheme. Results indicate that packers have an incentive to consider the effects of spot market purchases on contract procurement even after accounting for hedonic characteristics of live cattle and risk aversion in cattle feeding operations. The third essay investigates the impacts of domestic and overseas animal disease outbreaks on the Korean meat supply chain. Market impacts are investigated using both forecasts and historical decomposition of price innovations based on an error correction model (ECM) of the Korean meat sector. Results indicate that while the affected markets suffered significantly from the outbreaks, the impacts seem temporary and substitute meat markets benefited significantly.

Abstract The key of blooming Companies is INNOVATION ,therefore, a number of signs (namely aptotic service, product and marketing strategy)will be the decay of concerns. Generally speaking, the main method used in my research is by searching the scientific or technical literature and the minor information is form the interview, field trip. The typical example the I am going to mention is the advantage of Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Inc(as known as KKL) in the their marketing strategy by collecting the documents and to analyze the detail as I got, and then, to attest the result which I suggest this company how to improve and solve the problem they are facing. According to the literature, My thesis will provide the contents of the value form innovation strategy and structure of concerns, which developed in three significant points(value chain, primary activities and support activities, respectively). Further and even more importantly, though, there are over a half of concerns get more than 25% turnover form the products and services that developed recent 3 years ,not only for local companies but also the global ones . The main reason to give them the greatly competitiveness is from the innovation ideas. Furthermore, most companies have to innovate themselves to address the market. According the research of Boston Consulting Group, approximately 90% chairmen must promote their work team by innovation .In the meanwhile, the report mentions that the other 4 points of results below: 1. The team could not achieve the goal in the period. 2. The ratio of success was too law. 3. The allocation of resource was not enough. 4. The cooperation of each department was not enough. In stark contrast, is Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Inc able to keep a steady grow and be the leader of this market, The topic will be the challenge for them. By way of conclusion, I will relative the innovation speed and the different of companies¡¦s features,then provide ideas for the innovation method for Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Inc Keyword : innovation, competitiveness ¡Avalue chain

The Planning of Supply Chain Management System for Industrial Materials Intermediary

This Record of Study contains the details of an optimization model developed for Shell Oil Co. This model will be used during the strategic design process of a supply chain for a new technology commercialization. Unlike traditional supply chain deterministic optimization, this model incorporates different levels of uncertainty at suppliers' nominal capacity. Because of the presence of uncertainty at the supply stage, the objective of this model is to define the best diversification and safety stock level allocated to each supplier, which minimize the total expected supply chain cost. We propose a Monte Carlo approach for scenario generation, a two-stage non-linear formulation and the Sample Average Approximation (SAA) procedure to solve the problem near optimality. We also propose a simple heuristic procedure to avoid the nonlinearity issue. The sampling and heuristic optimization procedures were implemented in a spreadsheet with a user's interface. The main result of this development is the analysis of the impact of diversification in strategic sourcing decisions, in the presence of stochastic supply disruptions.

3G and WiMAX are two main streams in the existent broadband wireless access technologies. It has been 6 years since the 3G license be released in October, 2001. 3G enters the market much earlier; it not only extends the mobility of 2G, but combines the advantage of sounds, data, and image. But so far, it still can¡¦t inspire customer¡¦s demand. On the other hand, with the power of Intel, the new technology, WiMAX intends to adopt the successful experience of WiFi into the market of broadband wireless access technologies. WiMax can also offer triple-play, even lower cost, and faster transfer. When these two similar technologies both exist in the market, will they be complementary or mutually exclusive? This question will be discussed in the paper. The conclusion is, after comparing 3G with WiMAX, figuring out 6 key factors that would affect the co-competition. 1.the time of technology competition 2. segmentation of services 3. demand of customers 4.market orientation and strategy 5. policy of government 6. building ecological system. Basically speaking, when WiMAX moves toward 3G, the market share is depended on technology maturity, entrance time, using habit of customers, and cost advantage of product.

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<p>THE ADVANTAGE OF RFID TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION IN A MANUFACTURING FIRM. THE TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION STREAM LINES THE LOSS OF INFORMATION FLOW WHEN THE PRODUCT MOVES ALONG THE DIFFERENT CHAIN MEMBERS. THE COMMON SHARING OF THE ASSOCIATED BENEFIT BRINGS HIGHER PROCESS EFFICEINCY , WHEN THE PRODUCT MOVES ALONG THE UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM SUPPLY CHAIN FOR THE SELECTED PRODUCT. THE IMPLEMENTATION IS A CUSTOMISED SOLUTION FOR THE MANUFACTURING UNIT FOR ITS PRODUCT, THIS THESIS WILL ENABLE THE IMPLEMENTATORS THE VALUABLE IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES THAT ONE HAS TO FOLLOW TO TAKE RIGHT BENEFIT FROM THIS TECHNOLOGY.</p>

Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-33)f.