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Publicações

Publicações por CEGI

2023

The integrated lot-sizing and cutting stock problem under demand uncertainty

Autores
Curcio, E; de Lima, VL; Miyazawa, FK; Silva, E; Amorim, P;

Publicação
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH

Abstract
Interest in integrating lot-sizing and cutting stock problems has been increasing over the years. This integrated problem has been applied in many industries, such as paper, textile and furniture. Yet, there are only a few studies that acknowledge the importance of uncertainty to optimise these integrated decisions. This work aims to address this gap by incorporating demand uncertainty through stochastic programming and robust optimisation approaches. Both robust and stochastic models were specifically conceived to be solved by a column generation method. In addition, both models are embedded in a rolling-horizon procedure in order to incorporate dynamic reaction to demand realisation and adapt the models to a multistage stochastic setting. Computational experiments are proposed to test the efficiency of the column generation method and include a Monte Carlo simulation to assess both stochastic programming and robust optimisation for the integrated problem. Results suggest that acknowledging uncertainty can cut costs by up to 39.7%, while maintaining or reducing variability at the same time.

2023

Scheduling wagons to unload in bulk cargo ports with uncertain processing times

Autores
Ferreira, C; Figueira, G; Amorim, P; Pigatti, A;

Publicação
COMPUTERS & OPERATIONS RESEARCH

Abstract
Optimising operations in bulk cargo ports is of great relevance due to their major participation in international trade. In inbound operations, which are critical to meet due dates, the product typically arrives by train and must be transferred to the stockyard. This process requires several machines and is subject to frequent disruptions leading to uncertain processing times. This work focuses on the scheduling problem of unloading the wagons to the stockyard, approaching both the deterministic and the stochastic versions. For the deterministic problem, we compare three solution approaches: a Mixed Integer Programming model, a Constraint Programming model and a Greedy Randomised algorithm. The selection rule of the latter is evolved by Genetic Programming. The stochastic version is tackled by dispatching rules, also evolved via Genetic Programming. The proposed approaches are validated using real data from a leading company in the mining sector. Results show that the new heuristic presents similar results to the company's algorithm in a considerably shorter computational time. Moreover, we perform extensive computational experiments to validate the methods on a wide spectrum of randomly generated instances. Finally, as managing uncertainty is fundamental for the effectiveness of these operations, distinct strategies are compared, ranging from purely predictive to completely reactive scheduling. We conclude that re-scheduling with high frequency is the best approach to avoid performance deterioration under schedule disruptions, and using the evolved dispatching rules incur fewer deviations from the original schedule.

2023

Collaborative Network Model to Reduce Logistics Costs in a Competition Environment

Autores
Vazquez Noguerol, M; Comesaña Benavides, A; Prado Prado, J; Amorim, P;

Publicação
IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology

Abstract
In the current competition environment, transportation costs continue to rise, causing a reduction in the profit margins of companies. There are several tools in the literature to support the planning of logistics activities, but individualised solutions are not yet effective. In this study, a linear programming model is proposed to jointly plan the demand fulfilment of two competing companies by encouraging the search for synergies that enhance collaboration in the use of existing resources. To demonstrate the validity of the proposed mode, a case study is carried out and the results obtained with the initiation of the collaboration are evaluated. In conclusion, the proposed model reduces the logistics costs by up to 13%, as well as decreases the carbon footprint by 37%. By focusing on optimising economic and environmental aspects, this approach serves as a guide for companies to promote collaborations and to facilitate decision making at a managerial level. © 2023, IFIP International Federation for Information Processing.

2023

Using Supplier Networks to Handle Returns in Online Marketplaces

Autores
Pinto, C; Figueira, G; Amorim, P;

Publicação
OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, IO 2022-OR

Abstract
To encourage customers to take a chance in finding the right product, retailers and marketplaces implement benevolent return policies that allow users to return items for free without a specific reason. These policies contribute to a high rate of returns, which result in high shipping costs for the retailer and a high environmental toll on the planet. This paper shows that these negative impacts can be significantly minimized if inventory is exchanged within the supplier network of marketplaces upon a return. We compare the performance of this proposal to the standard policy where items are always sent to the original supplier. Our results show that our proposal-returning to a closer supplier and using a predictive heuristic for fulfilment-can achieve a 16% cost reduction compared to the standard-returning to the original supplier and using a myopic rule for fulfilment.

2023

How E-Commerce Companies Can Reduce Returns

Autores
Amorim, P; Calvo, E; Wagner, L;

Publicação
MIT SLOAN MANAGEMENT REVIEW

Abstract
[No abstract available]

2023

Better Together! The Consumer Implications of Delivery Consolidation

Autores
Wagner, L; Calvo, E; Amorim, P;

Publicação
M&SOM-MANUFACTURING & SERVICE OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Abstract
Problem definition: Online retailers often receive customer orders comprising several products of differing origins. To fulfill these orders, retailers must ship multiple parcels from different locations and-unless they are grouped somewhere along the supply chain-these may reach the customer's doorstep one by one. Academic/practical relevance: We conjecture here that receiving products sequentially instead of all together affects a consumer's reaction to her purchases, possibly influencing-for good or ill-her decision to return products, as well as her overall service satisfaction. We use two-year granular data from an online fashion marketplace to test this hypothesis and characterize consumer behavioral responses to delivery consolidation and examine how it impacts supply chain stakeholders. Methodology: To achieve causal inference, we exploit the fact that the couriers used by the focal marketplace gather together certain parcels for reasons related more to the timing of their arrival than their actual customers, thereby exogenously consolidating the delivery of some orders. We construct a balanced sample of matched twin multiproduct orders that are alike in all respects except their delivery: consolidated (all parcels delivered jointly) versus otherwise (split). Results: We find that delivery consolidation benefits the marketplace and all its suppliers. By eliminating the stress associated with split deliveries, delivery consolidation pleases consumers as it leads to fewer returns and higher overall satisfaction. Managerial implications: Delivering all products in an order together, even if later, reduces the probability of a return, which improves the financial performance of the marketplace and its suppliers and reduces reverse logistics. Our results suggest that in our context, delivery speed matters less than the convenience of receiving all ordered goods in a single delivery, and we provide directions for adapting logistics strategies accordingly. Our empirical findings also imply that the return decisions of multiple products purchased at once should not be considered to be independent. Finding tractable ways of modeling this feature will be necessary in further driving retail practice through theoretical research that accounts for the behavioral implications of delivery consolidation when optimizing fulfillment decisions.

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