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30 June 2014, Volume 17 Issue 3 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Using Entropy Theory for BPR Research Han Ya-juan, Liu Tong 2014, 17 (3):  1-05.  Abstract ( 1426 )   Save Based on the information entropy theory, the effect of twofactor relation of processes on a process system is analyzed. The concept of process entropy is firstly introduced and an accompanying quantitative research model for business process reengineering is established. Four hypotheses  for process factors relation research are put forward in this study. The detailed calculation steps of process entropy are provided. From the standpoint of the entropy difference before and after an improvement of process system, the necessity for business reengineering is given. Meanwhile, the general methods for improvement of the process system are discussed. A case study is included to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. References | Related Articles | Metrics

An Analysis of Evolutionary Game on the Behavior of User Innovation Zheng Tong-tong, Xie Ke-fan 2014, 17 (3):  6-12.  Abstract ( 2016 )   Save  Based on a connection of principalagent theory and consumer surplus, the motivation and purpose of user innovation are analyzed. It is viewed as a complement to manufacturer innovation and an efficient approach to realize users differentiated demands. Meanwhile, under the hypothesis of bounded rationality, the behavior of user innovation  is explored by using evolutionary game. Results show that two evolutionary stable strategies exist. Also, it is found the motivation factors from firms and external organizations have a positive impact on user innovation. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Fuzzy Resource Constrained MultiProject Schedule Based on Priority Rule Zhang Lian-ying1, Li Yan-wei1,2, Sun Ruo-xin1 2014, 17 (3):  13-17.  Abstract ( 1563 )   Save Based on the analysis of the present relevant research, a fuzzy model of resource constrained multiproject scheduling is investigated. By this model the uncertainty of resource parameters of  activities and the characteristics of the multiproject schedule are taken into account. Then a heuristic algorithm based on priority rule is proposed to solve the model. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the model are shown by scheduling of example projects. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Mult-objective Emergency Supplies Scheduling Based on Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Yu Xiao-bing1,2 2014, 17 (3):  18-21.  Abstract ( 1410 )   Save For the problem of emergency supply scheduling, it should minimize both transportation cost and time delay. A multiobjective optimization model is established for this problem. This model is converted to a single objective model by using technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution. Then, particle swarm optimization algorithm is designed to solve the problem by setting learning factor and inertia weight to linear and increasing local perturbation. With the help of an empirical analysis in combination with the example, the algorithm is proved suitable and valid. This is an effective and reliable approach for emergency supply scheduling. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Coordination of Manufacturing and Distribution in Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry under Fuzzy Demand Liu Xing1，Li Bo1, Liu Hai2 2014, 17 (3):  22-26.  Abstract ( 1495 )   Save For the manufacturing and distribution problem of fast moving consumer goods with fuzzy demands, a fuzzy linear programming model is presented. This model is capable solve multitime period, multiplant, multiproduct and multidistribution centers manufacturing and distribution integration problem. Considering inventory level in distribution centers, it minimizes the total manufacturing cost, inventory cost and distribution cost. A case study is used to demonstrate the feasibility of applying the proposed model. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Supply Chain Recovery Capacity Investment Decision and Coordination under Supply Disruption Zhu Chuan-bo1, Chen Chou-yong2, Bao Xing3 2014, 17 (3):  27-32.  Abstract ( 3353 )   Save To mitigate the risk of supply disruption to the manufacturers resulting from the suppliers production interruption, the manufacturer needs to optimize the level of supply chain recovery capacity investment prior to a disruption. Conditional ValueatRisk (CVaR) is introduced to characterize the supply chains operation goal under disruption. A decisionmaking model of supply chain recovery capacity investment under certain confidence control level is established. Furthermore, the degree of the manufactures risk aversion on the optimal level of supply chain recovery capacity investment is investigated. In a decentralized supply chain, the manufacturer uses the PerformanceBased Contract to encourage suppliers to invest right recovery capacity in order to coordinate a supply chain. The results show that the CVaR criteria can describe the behavior of supply chain recovery capacity investment, the higher the degree of the manufactures risk aversion, the more the optimal supply chain recovery capacity is. The supply chain is coordinated when the conditional expected value of penalty coefficient of unit outage time is equal to the conditional expected value of goodwill cost of unit outage time. References | Related Articles | Metrics

RiskAversion Supply Chain Decisions under Potential Market Demand Uncertainty Hu Xin-ping, Deng Teng-teng 2014, 17 (3):  33-39.  Abstract ( 1371 )   Save When a new product is put into market, it is necessary to consider supply chain risk aversion under the uncertainty of market demands. For such a problem, a utility function for manufacturers and retailers is constructed. Also, based on advertising cost, levels of service, and selling prices, an optimal shortterm decisionmaking model is established. Then, with the model, effects of the demand risk and the risk tolerance level of members in a supply chain on the optimal shortterm decisions for the supply chain is analyzed. Through numerical simulation, the optimal longterm decisions for a supply chain are also analyzed. Results indicate that the optimal advertising cost is a monotonically increasing function of demand risk and a monotonically decreasing function of risk tolerance level. The best selling price and the optimal service level, as differing from an industry to another and other factors, are Ushape or inverted Ushape with the change of demand risk and risk tolerance level. The selling price and the service level need to make different adjustments in different conditions of market when the circumstance of market is changing. The adjustment of advertising cost has nothing to do with the market features. In the long run, the manufacturers can achieve the utility maximization, while the retailer can only make the utility suboptimal. References | Related Articles | Metrics

practice & application

Model and Optimization of Bi-level Distribution Network 2014, 17 (3):  40-45.  Abstract ( 1444 )   Save A bi-level distribution network model of multiple products under uncertain demands is proposed for minimizing distribution cost, inventory cost, shortage cost, and penalty cost. With actual situation taken into consideration, factorys production capacity constraints, minimum and maximum transfer quantity constraints, minimum distribution quantity constraints are considered. Due to the complexity of the model, a tabu search algorithm is proposed to solve the model. The correctness of the model is verified by a numerical example. By changing the regret value coefficient, the best robust solution is found for the numerical example. It takes less than 1.5 seconds to do so, which shows the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. This is significant for practical application. References | Related Articles | Metrics

articles

Supply Chain Decisions and Coordination Considering Overconfident Behavior of the Retailer Shi Kui-ran, Zhou Yang, Jiang Feng 2014, 17 (3):  46-50.  Abstract ( 1571 )   Save By incorporating overconfidence into the model, a twoechelon supply chain composed of one supplier and one overconfident retailer is investigated and their decisionmaking is analyzed. It is shown that if the retailer is overconfident, the supply chain can achieve coordination. However, supply chain coordination may be destroyed under the buyback contract of the supplier. If the retailer gets the adverse market information, the buyback contract would fail. On the contrary, if the retailer has favorable information, the suppliers profit would decrease with increase of the overconfidence degree. Furthermore, by introducing a revenue sharing contract into the model, the retailers order quantity and the suppliers profit are greatly improved so as to achieve supply chain coordination. Finally, numerical examples are given to illustrate and confirm the obtained results. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Research on Supply Chain Coordination Model Based on Options Trading under Random Demand Deng Shao-ling 2014, 17 (3):  51-55.  Abstract ( 1492 )   Save As a supply chain contract, option contracts can make a supply chain coordinated. Based on retailer ordering mode, by introducing the transaction of the call options and comparing the retailers optimal order quantity and options with that of the whole supply chain, it is found that, the profit obtained when the supply chain achieves optimal ordering is always greater than that obtained when retailers achieve optimal ordering. Finally, it concludes that, by adjusting the parameters of contract option, the supplier can make the retailer initiatively adjust the optimal order quantity to the order quantity level that is achieved when the supply chain is coordinated. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Joint Multi-item Replenishment Model with Gross Amount Discount Tang Qin-shen, Zhou Yong-wu, Hu Shu-an 2014, 17 (3):  56-60.  Abstract ( 1595 )   Save Based on the traditional model of quantity discount, it is amended for the case of gross amount discount to make the model more practical. Specific solution procedure and algorithm are proposed to solve the amended model. Also, numerical examples as well as sensitive analysis are presented. The result shows that when the supplier offers gross amount discount, partial ordering policy does not always dominate full ordering policy, but changes with parameters. The model is more practical and easier to apply in the production and sale of joint multi-item replenishment. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Pricing Strategy of Closed-loop Supply Chain Based on-Subsidy and Carbon Tax Gao Ju-hong，Wang Hai0yan，Meng Yan-sha 2014, 17 (3):  61-67.  Abstract ( 1614 )   Save A closedloop supply chain (CLSC) composed of a manufacturer, a retailer, and a thirdparty is addressed in this paper. The supply chain is governed by the premium and penalty mechanism which is composed of subsidization or carbon taxation or subsidization and carbon taxation. The Stackelberg game theory is used to study the pricing strategy for such a supply chain under decentralized decision. The results show that premium and penalty mechanism based on subsidization and carbon taxation can effectively reduce not only the carbon emissions, but also enhance collection rate. By using numerical examples, the effectiveness of the premium and penalty mechanism based on subsidization and carbon taxation is validated. References | Related Articles | Metrics

The Decoupling Relationship Between Carbon Emissions and Economic Growth of Construction Industry in Shaanxi Province Zhang Su-xian, Tang Xian-wei 2014, 17 (3):  68-72.  Abstract ( 1220 )   Save Based on the data of energy consumption and economic growth situation of construction industry in Shaanxi Province in recent years, energy consumption is firstly converted into carbon emissions and secondly, energy consumption built as the intermediate variable relation of cause and effect chain, combined with the decoupling theory to analyze the relationship between construction of carbon emissions and economic growth in Shaanxi Province. The result shows that the relationship is coupled by the transition to a relative decoupling, the decoupling degree is insufficient. Finally, some suggestions are put forward for the low carbon development in Shaanxi Province, aiming at providing reference for the development of construction industry in a more intensive way. References | Related Articles | Metrics

practice & application

Optimization for Scheduling Identical Parallel Melting Furnaces withNon-identical Job Weights Hu Chang-wei，Chen Xin-du，Chen Qing-xin，Mao Ning，Chen Xin 2014, 17 (3):  73-78.  Abstract ( 1353 )   Save To solve the batch scheduling problem of identical parallel melting furnaces with nonidentical job weights, an optimization model is established to minimize the makespan on scheduling melting furnaces, and the hybrid particle swarm optimization based jobs sequence (HPSO) designed. In the HPSO, particles are represented by job sequences, the batch first fit (BFF) heuristic used to group jobs to batches, the longest processing time(LPT) heuristic adopted to assign batches to batch processing machines, and the minimum completion time difference(MCD) heuristic proposed to optimize scheduling results by LPT heuristic. In order to avoid the premature convergence problem, the HPSO introduces the crossover and mutation operator to search for the optimal solution. Compared with SA and GA algorithm, simulation experimental results demonstrated that HPSO has a good performance. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Optimization of Short-Term Scheduling for Crude Oil Operations Hou Yan1,2, Wu Nai-qi1, Bai Li-ping1 2014, 17 (3):  79-85.  Abstract ( 1388 )   Save A shortterm scheduling problem for crude oil operations can be divided into two levels by hierarchical method. At the upper level, a realizable refining schedule is obtained to optimize concerned objectives. At the lower level a detailed schedule is gotten to realize it.A refining schedule is known in this paper, with the goal to find the detailed production scheduling to realize it. A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model based on discrete time representation is developed. After analysing the characteristic of the problem, it is transformed and can be solved by the heuristic algorithm which is presented in this paper. The algorithm not only ensures to obtain the target refining schedule, and also optimizes the switchtimes of crude oil in oil transportation and the mixtimes of tank heels. Finally, an industrial case study is presented to show the feasibility and validity of the proposed heuristic algorithm. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Study of Quality Information Management for Cement Equipment Manufacturing Process Huang Xiao-rong1, Sun Li-bo2 2014, 17 (3):  86-91.  Abstract ( 1391 )   Save With the rapid development of science and technology, product manufacturing process becomes more complex and quality information formed during the manufacturing process is also constantly expanding. Aiming to solve the quality information storage and retrieval problem in cement equipment manufacturing enterprises, a new method of quality information management is proposed: First, a quality information tree is used to describe the manufacturing process, product structure, and the relationship between quality information; Then a quality information coding system is set up to standardize and store quality information, which includes XML caching technology to achieve the quality information retrieval. The method is used in the quality information management of a limestone reclaimer manufacturing process and the example shows that this method can solve the cement equipment manufacturing process quality information management issues. References | Related Articles | Metrics

An Analysis of Failure Correlation of Assemble Machine Tool Based on  Zhang Ying-zhi, Wu Mao-kun, Shen Gui-xiang, Sun Shu-guang, Song Qi 2014, 17 (3):  92-96.  Abstract ( 1525 )   Save On the basis of the failure data of assemble machine tools made in China from one type of automobile cylinder processing line, a failure correlation analysis is conducted based on decision-making laboratory analysis (DEMATEL) and interpretive structure model (ISM). First, degree of association by DEMATEL is calculated, and correlation and all relationships of correlative fault and determined correlation sort of related fault subsystems are analyzed. Next, a hierarchical structure model is constructed based on ISM, which can confirm the interrelationship of related fault subsystems and logical structure. By realizing the structured and hierarchical structure of  fault systems, the basis for fault diagnosis and fault location are provided. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Study of the Method of Improving Product Design Based onGrey Relational Analysis and Fuzzy Programmin 2014, 17 (3):  97-100.  Abstract ( 1539 )   Save Considering that the relationship between customer needs (CNs) and product engineering characteristics (ECs) in House of Quality (HoQ) model has the characteristics of “small data” and “poor information”, the grey relational analysis is introduced to calculate the importance degree of ECs. Taking into account the impact of product development cost, technical realizing difficulties, market competition requirements and the actual fuzziness of product development cost restraint on the optimum product design during the process of product design, a fuzzy hybrid integer programming model is established to realize the optimum design level for ECs. Finally, an application to improve the ECs of the intelligent cellphones illustrates the effectiveness and practicality of proposed model. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Novel Discrete Differential Evolution Algorithm for Stochastic VRPSPD Hou Ling-juan1, Zhou Hong2 2014, 17 (3):  101-107.  Abstract ( 1470 )   Save The stochastic vehicle routing problems with uncertain demand and travel time and with simultaneous pickups and deliveries(SVRPSPD) is a  typical combinatorial optimization problem. It is known that the basic differential evolution algorithm(DE)  is not suitable for solving combinatorial optimization problem. To overcome this drawback, a novel discrete differential evolution algorithm(DDE) is proposed by designing new mutation by introducing two bitwise operators of computer language. Then, the proposed algorithm is applied to SVRPSPD and the benchmark problem of VRP to validate the effectiveness of the proposed DDE algorithm. The simulation results are compared with the basic differential evolution algorithm and the existing genetic algorithm. Simulation results show that the DDE algorithm outperforms the others．Not only DDE algorithm obtains better results, but also it converges much faster. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Study of the Effects of Visual Lobe Training on Visual Search Performance Yang Lin-dong, Liu Hou, Yu Rui-feng 2014, 17 (3):  108-113.  Abstract ( 1390 )   Save Visual search has been widely used in industrial inspection and security check. Visual search performance is measured considering two variables: training intensity (high vs. low) and feedback (with feedback vs. without feedback). Results reveal that visual lobe size and shape and visual search performance is improved by high intensity visual lobe training or training with feedback. Interaction is found between training intensity and feedback. High training intensity improves visual search performance significantly better than low training intensity. High intensity training with feedback can improve visual search performance furthest. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Prediction of Feature Matching Between End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling and Remanufacturing Manufacturers and Producer Service Demand Pang Jin-ru1, Li Guowei2,3, Jiang Zhi-bin1, Geng Na1 2014, 17 (3):  114-120.  Abstract ( 1600 )   Save With the rapid development of the China automobile recycling and remanufacturing market, a BP neural network and genetic algorithm mixed model for featuring matching between end-of-life vehicle recycling and remanufacturing manufacturers and producer service demand is presented. On the basis of ascertaining the feature parameters and collecting data through questionnaire, principal component analysis is used to eliminate information overlapping of the raw data and reduce the input dimension. Then, a prediction model of genetic algorithm-BP neural network is proposed and finally used for training, testing data and predicting manufacturers-service demand. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Research on the Simulation and Optimization of Warehousing Operation Processes in the Railway Yard Zeng Ming，Cheng Wen-ming，Zeng Gang 2014, 17 (3):  121-127.  Abstract ( 1533 )   Save To inspect and analyze the warehousing operation system in the railway yard, and implement the resource allocation optimization, a modelling method of combining CIMFlow workflow conceptual model and Flexsim system simulation model is proposed. Meanwhile, the resource allocation optimization calculating method for the warehousing operation system in the railway yard is given to help the system optimization. The experimental results indicate that this model and method can provide an accurate reflection to the real operation of the system, and also can insure the utilization rate of the system resources reaching the optimal level of 70% at the lowest total cost, and thus improving the operation efficiency of the warehousing operation system in the railway yard. References | Related Articles | Metrics