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Publications

Publications by SEM

2021

Value Analysis as a Mechanism to Reduce the Complexity of the Selection of the Resources System for Agile/Virtual Enterprises in the Context of Industry 4.0

Authors
Avila, PS; Pires, AM; Putnik, GD; Bastos, JAS; Cruz Cunha, MM;

Publication
FME TRANSACTIONS

Abstract
The selection of the resources system (SRS) is an important element in the integration/project of Agile/Virtual Enterprises (A/V E) because its performance is dependent of this selection, and even of its creation. However, it remains a difficult matter to solve because is still a very complex and uncertain problem. We propose that using Value Analysis (VA) in the pre-selection of resources phase represents a significant improvement of the SRS process. The current literature fails to formally address the pre-selection phase and none of the resource selection models incorporate the resources value and its consequence in the complexity of the selection process. Whereby, ours developed model with VA constitutes an innovative approach towards greater sustainability in the configuration of A/V E in the context of Industry 4.0, where a massive interconnection among enterprises is expected and consequently the increase of the selection process complexity. After the construction of a demonstrator tool for a set of the problem formulations, this paper verifies by computational results the thesis regarding the benefits of applying VA to the SRS process: VA reduces the complexity of the SRS process, even ensuring that the final system of resources achieve higher quality/value grade.

2021

Mapping Enabling Technologies for Supply Chains with Future Scenarios

Authors
Senna, PP; Stute, M; Balech, S; Zangiacomi, A;

Publication
Lecture Notes in Management and Industrial Engineering - Next Generation Supply Chains

Abstract
AbstractDriven by the current digital transformation, European companies rely on accurate forecasting of future trends and prediction of most useful technologies in order to maintain their competitive edge. For this purpose, the mapping of enabling technologies to future scenarios becomes a valuable tool for practitioners and researchers alike, especially when considering the disruptive events that surround SCs design, implementation and management. This research sets forth to fill this gap by presenting a technology mapping of enabling technologies based on technology portfolio approach, expert elicitation and literature. The final outcome is the mapping of the enabling technologies to the characteristics of the future European SC scenarios.

2021

A Framework for Time-Cost-Quality Optimization in Project Management Problems Using an Exploratory Grid Concept in the Multi-Objective Simulated-Annealing

Authors
Mota, A; Avila, P; Albuquerque, R; Costa, L; Bastos, J;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & DECISION MAKING

Abstract
Time, cost, and quality are the three indispensable factors for the realization and success of a project. In this context, we propose a framework composed of a multi-objective approach and multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDM) to solve time-cost-quality trade-off optimization problems. A multi-objective Simulated Annealing (MOSA) algorithm is used to compute an approximation to the Pareto optimal set. The concept of the exploratory grid is introduced in the MOSA to improve its performance. MCDM are used to assist the decision-making process. The Shannon entropy and AHP methods assign weights to criteria. The first methodology is for the inexperienced decision-makers, and the second concedes a personal and flexible weighting of the criteria weights, based on the project manager's assessment. The TOPSIS and VIKOR methods are considered to rank the solutions. Although they have the same purpose, the rankings achieved are different. A tool is implemented to solve a time-cost-quality trade-off problem on a project activities network. The computational experiments are analyzed and the results with the exploratory grid in Simulated Annealing (SA) are promising. Despite the framework aims to solve multi-objective trade-off optimization problems, supporting the decisions of the project manager, the methodologies used can also be applied in other areas.

2021

Solving the grocery backroom layout problem

Authors
Pires, M; Silva, E; Amorim, P;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH

Abstract
The backroom of retail stores has structural differences when compared with other warehouses and distribution centres, which are more traditionally studied in the literature. This paper presents a mathematical optimisation approach for an unequal area facility layout problem, applied in designing the backroom layout in grocery retail. A set of rectangular facilities (backroom departments) with given area requirements has to be placed, without overlapping, on a limited floor space (backroom area), which can have a regular or an irregular shape. The objective is to find the location and format of the storage departments, such that the walking distances in the store by store employees are minimised. The proposed approach is tested in a European grocery retailer. In the computational experiments, several real store layouts are compared with the ones suggested by the proposed model. The decrease in the walking distances is, on average, 30 percent. In order to understand what the current designers' strategy is, a set of scenarios was created and compared with the real layouts. Each scenario ignores a characteristic of the problem. The goal is to understand what aspect designers are currently discarding. The findings indicate that, currently, designers neglect the different replenishment frequencies of storage departments.

2021

Open Science Laboratory for Manufacturing: an education tool to contribute to sustainability

Authors
Castro, H; Pinto, N; Pereira, F; Ferreira, L; Avila, P; Putnik, G; Felgueiras, MC; Bastos, J; Cunha, M;

Publication
TEEM'21: NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TECHNOLOGICAL ECOSYSTEMS FOR ENHANCING MULTICULTURALITY

Abstract
This paper presents a Cyber Physical System (CPS) laboratory based on Open Design, called Open Science Laboratory for Manufacturing (OSLab4Man), with educational and research purpose and the potential contribute and (direct and indirect) effects regarding the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A short introduction describing the 17 SDG, the education for sustainability role, and the relevance of the framed CPS. A literature review of CPS laboratories that are addressed to sustainability is presented. The OSLab4Man is describe in the educational purpose lens. Then, the contribute of the OSLab4Man as an education tool for sustainability regarding the 17 SDGs is reflected. Finally, the conclusions of this work and future works are highlighted.

2021

Robust Models for the Kidney Exchange Problem

Authors
Carvalho, M; Klimentova, X; Glorie, K; Viana, A; Constantino, M;

Publication
INFORMS JOURNAL ON COMPUTING

Abstract
Kidney exchange programs aim at matching end-stage renal disease patients who have a willing but incompatible kidney donor with another donor. The programs comprise a pool of such incompatible patient-donor pairs and, whenever a donor from one pair is compatible with the patient of another pair, and vice versa, the pairs may be matched and exchange kidneys. This is typically a two-step process in which, first, a set of pairs is matched based on preliminary compatibility tests and, second, the matched pairs are notified and more accurate compatibility tests are performed to verify that actual transplantation can take place. These additional tests may reveal incompatibilities not previously detected. When that happens, the planned exchange will not proceed. Furthermore, pairs may drop out before the transplant, and thus the planned exchange is canceled. In this paper, we study the case in which a new set of pairs may be matched if incompatibilities are discovered or a pair withdraws from the program. The new set should be as close as possible to the initial set in order to minimize the material and emotional costs of the changes. Various recourse policies that determine the admissible second-stage actions are investigated. For each recourse policy, we propose a novel adjustable robust integer programming model. Wealso propose solution approaches to solve this model exactly. The approaches are validated through thorough computational experiments. Summary of Contribution: In the paper, we present an original work related to the modeling and optimization approaches for Kidney Exchange Programs (KEPs). Currently, KEPs represent an alternative way for patients suffering from renal failure to find a compatible (living) donor. The problem of determining an assignment of patients to (compatible) donors that maximizes the number of transplants in a KEP can be seen as a vertex-disjoint cycle packing problem. Thus, KEPs have been extensively studied in the literature of integer programming. In practice, the assignment determined to a KEP might not be implemented due to withdraws from the program (e.g., a more accurate compatible test shows a new incompatibility or a patient health condition unable him/her to participate on the KEP). In our paper, we model the problem of determining a robust solution to the KEP, i.e., a solution that minimizes the material and emotional costs of changing an assignment. In this way, we propose and design solution approaches for three recourse policies that anticipate withdraws. Through computational experiments we compare the three recourse policies and validate the practical interest of robust solutions.

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