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30 April 2016, Volume 19 Issue 2 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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A Study of the Recycling Mechanism of Waste Electronic Products Based on the Government Rewarding Towards Different Participants NI Ming1,2，3, LIANG Dan2, GUO Junhua2, YANG Shanlin3 2016, 19 (2):  1-6.  Abstract ( 2785 )   Save  Three distributed decision-making Stackelberg models are established, including model of government rewarding the manufacturer, model of government rewarding the manufacturer and the consumer and model of government rewarding the manufacturer and the retailer, and finally an example is given testing the models. Results have shown that the premium mechanisms make an impact on the optimal profit of the manufacturer. It is more effective for the manufacturer to improve the collecting quantity of WEP in the mechanisms of rewarding the manufacturer than in the other models. Finally, the roposal is put forward that the government should regulate the recycling fee standards and determine the retailer’s recycle responsibility. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Research on Coal Supply Chain Model Based on SCOR QU Guoqiang 2016, 19 (2):  7-12.  Abstract ( 2713 )   Save In order to facilitate coal enterprises shifting from functional management to process management, and to enhance the efficiency and level of coal supply chain management, a coal supply chain operation reference（SCOR）model is set up with the coal producer as a focal enterprise. The first layer of the model sets up process types including plan, source, making, delivery and return. The second layer of the model sets up detailed process categories including planning, executing and enabling of each process. The information flow of the coal supply chain is clearly described by this model. Moreover, this model lays a good foundation for the coal supply chain to integrate information, and restructure and optimize business processes. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Comparative Advantage Analysis of Advance Payment Financing Mode for Financial Constrained Supply Chain LI Chao1，LUO Jianwen1,2 2016, 19 (2):  13-16.  Abstract ( 1042 )   Save The mode of supply chain enterprises to provide productive financing and traditional financing from outside financial institutions (such as banks) has its own advantages, which can improve the efficiency of supply chain operation. In a pull supply chain where the supplier is in financial constraint, supply chain member enterprises being the players, a dynamic game model is established to investigate the improvement to supply chain efficiency and the members’ profit by advance payment. Equilibrium strategies under bank financing and advance payment are obtained respectively, and advantage of advance payment compared with bank financing is analyzed. The results show that when there is an interval and the wholesale price is in this interval, the retailer is able to incent the supplier to opt advance payment scheme and achieve Pareto improvement for both players and improve the efficiency of the whole supply chain. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Predictionintervalbased Purchase Strategy in Agreement for Slowmoving Electric Power Materials JIANG Aiping, GAO Junjun, CHI Qiuguo， ZHU Ruoyang 2016, 19 (2):  17-24.  Abstract ( 2734 )   Save The dilemma in inventory management of electric power materials with slow-moving demand is defined and resolved by purchase in agreement. A proposed prediction interval of estimated aggregate future demand rate is constructed for a product pool in which all products have no demand historically. A simulation study examines the reliability of the methodology across various parameters. The adaptable parameters are employed in the selection of electric power materials. The interval of demand rate for those with an observed demand of zero in given period out of all selected materials is estimated. The prediction interval of aggregate demand rate and the real price level are combined to calculate the sum for funding the demand of those materials in a time unit. The purchase contract price in agreement is decided accordingly, by which electric power enterprises are allowed to boost purchase efficiency and achieve inventory management objectives of both zero cost and high service level. References | Related Articles | Metrics

An Optimized Transshipment System Using -Two-Period Adjustment Contracts：A Case of Comicfans Co.Ltd ZHANG Xianfeng 2016, 19 (2):  25-32.  Abstract ( 2774 )   Save A two-period production and inventory distribution problem for a supply chain consisting of a single supplier and multiple retailers is focused on. In the first period, the supplier produces according to the submitted order quantities. In the second period, inventory can be re-distributed among the retailers using a two-period adjustment contract. Under this contract, each retailer can either buy additional inventory from the supplier or sell back excess inventory to the supplier, delivery occurring only between the retailers. A mathematical optimization model is built for the semi-decentralized system, centralized in vertical direction and decentralized in horizontal direction. A case analysis method is then applied to compare the optimization effect under centralized, semi-decentralized and decentralized systems. The results show that centralized system is the best (13%), but is difficult to achieve; and that whether semi-decentralized system is better than decentralized system depends on the gap between the wholesale price and production cost in contract, namely, the smaller the gap, the better the optimization effect (3.39%). References | Related Articles | Metrics

Pricing Decisions of Supply Chain under Different Fairness Concern LIN Qiang1, QIN Yanhong2 2016, 19 (2):  33-37.  Abstract ( 2821 )   Save In order to compare the pricing strategies and profits in a two-level supply chain based on absolute fairness concern and relative fairness concern of the retailer, the Stackelberg game model is established. Then, the optimal pricing strategies and profits are obtained through the converse solution method. The results show that the retailer’s fairness concern does not affect his pricing strategy, but will weaken the manufacturer’s wholesale price under two fairness concern situations. Therefore, the retailer gets more profit of supply chain than in fairness neutral situation. In addition，influenced by the retailer’s fairness concern level, the manufacturer’s wholesale price and the members’ profits show obvious segmented differences under two fairness concern situations. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Research on Jointed Pricing Decision of ELVs Recycling Products Based on Quality Differentiation and WTP Differentiation CAI Keyuan, ZOU Ye, WANG Zengqiang 2016, 19 (2):  38-44.  Abstract ( 884 )   Save In order to price the recycling products orderly and reasonably, the jointed pricing decision of new auto parts, remanufactured auto parts and reusable auto parts under uncertain demand from the perspective of the solo manufacturer are focused on. Firstly, product demand function is set using utility theory based on quality and willingness to pay（WTP）differentiation of above-mentioned new products, remanufactured products and reusable products. Then a jointed pricing model of products is built based on product demand function, and the solutions of the model are analyzed numerically. The results show that the new and remanufactured product’s pricing and three products’ productivity will decrease while the reusable product’s pricing and manufacturer’s profit will increase with the increase of quality of reusable products. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Supply Chain Decisions and Quantity Discount Coordination under Differentiated Logistics Services SONG Jiezhen, HUANG Youfang 2016, 19 (2):  45-52.  Abstract ( 2715 )   Save In order to optimize the pricing decisions and increase the profits of the supply chain and all the participants in a supply chain containing differentiated logistics services, a coordination strategy based on quantity discount contract is designed. Firstly, based on the utility function, the consumers’ choice behavior is analyzed and the demand function for each delivery service derived. Then, based on Stackelberg game model, the equilibrium strategies in the decentralized condition are solved and compared in the centralized condition. It is found that, in the decentralized condition, the product’s selling price is too high and the additional charge for the express delivery is too low, which hurts the consumers’ utility and decreases the supply chain’s overall profit by 25%. In order to reach the optimal performance in the centra lized- condition, a pricing strategy for the logistics service provider (LSP) is proposed based on quantity discount contract and related parameters designed. It is found that there are infinitely many quantity discount contracts which can coordinate the supply chain and improve the two parties’ profits in a certain range. In the end, a numerical study is conducted to simulate some of the coordination contracts and analyze the effect of the retailer’s bargain ability on the profits of the LSP and the retailer. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Modified Design-of-Experiment Approach to Optimize Profit of Electric Vehicle Lease for Subscription Pricing MI Leiyu, MIAO Rui, GU Xiyao, WU Yizhou, ZHAO He 2016, 19 (2):  53-61.  Abstract ( 982 )   Save A profit model of subscription pricing for electric vehicle (EV) rental service system is constructed, by considering the bottleneck of consumers’ arrival rate, the features of consumers deciding to choose service or not according to their perceived service value and characteristics of EVs. In order to maximize profit, a modified design-of-experiment (DOE) method is used to solve the model. First, optimized profit and the corresponding values of factors are obtained by conducting traditional DOE method. Then, value intervals of factors to achieve optimal profit are determined more precisely according to monotonicity of profit function on the optimal values of factors. Finally, more optimal results are obtained by conducting DOE method according to the new value intervals of factors while keeping the same value levels of each factor. An example compares two profit results of DOE methods before and after being modified and shows that the profit obtained by conducting the modified DOE method is more optimal, demonstrating effectiveness and practicability of the model References | Related Articles | Metrics

Path Selection of Hazardous Materials Road Transportation with Time Window and Multi-objectives ZHU Ting1，WANG Xulei2, ZHAO Laijun1 2016, 19 (2):  62-67.  Abstract ( 939 )   Save Focusing on the hazardous chemical’s vehicle route optimization problem (VRP), three main aspects are considered, which are 1) the path selection involving two goals, time and risk of the transportation; 2) the time and risk of transportation being time-dependent; 3) the road’s nodes having service time window constraints. Based on multiple objectives of transportation time and risk and above constraints, a mathematical model for the problem is established and an ant colony algorithm to solve the problem is designed. The result shows that the algorithm can effectively show the Pareto optimal path so that policymakers can make the right decision with the actual problems and decision preference. At the same time, transportation enterprises can formulate vehicle departure timetable according to the result in different departure time while regulators can adjust the path’s transportation time and risk through planning node’s service time window and allowing a stopover in the node. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Evolution Mechanism of Regional Transport System in Energy Consumption Perspective LU Jianfeng1,2，MA Yunxing2, WANG Xiaoxia2，Fu Hui3 2016, 19 (2):  68-72.  Abstract ( 927 )   Save From the perspective of energy consumption, the evolution mechanism for regional transport system is studied. A regional transport energy consumption evolution equation system based on Haken model is established using the self-organization theory and method. By using non-residual analysis method, the contribution rate of energy consumption factors of transportation system is analyzed. The results show that the proportion of transport structure and energy intensity contribute more greatly to system power consumption changes. Through the application of the regional transport system evolution model, transport samples from 16 provinces and cities in China are studied. The results show that the energy transport structure factor is the order parameter of regional transport system energy consumption evolution. To reduce energy consumption in the transport area, it is proposed that transportation structure should be optimized, the energy consumption of various modes of transport be reduced and transportation organization management level be improved. References | Related Articles | Metrics

The Effect of Knowledge Transfer Between Enterprises under Asymmetric Risk Attitude CHEN Guo, QI Ershi 2016, 19 (2):  73-79.  Abstract ( 912 )   Save In order to optimize the effect of knowledge transfer between enterprises with risks of knowledge loss, the influences of both the information disclosure strategy of the knowledge sender and the information processing strategy of the knowledge accepter on knowledge transfer when the degrees of trust between both sides are different are analyzed, and the way of the government to optimize the effect of knowledge transfer between enterprises is found. The conclusions are illustrated by numerical simulations. The results show that the risk aversion party and the knowledge accepter will positively optimize the effect of knowledge transfer; that the higher the expected revenue of the risk aversion party than that of the risk preference party, the more easily the effect of knowledge transfer can be optimized; and that the government can improve the probability of optimizing the effect of knowledge transfer by formulating appropriate policies to adjust the compensation demanded by the knowledge sender and its monitoring cost. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Service Derivative Solutions Decision-making Based on Cumulative Prospect Theory LUO Jianqiang，TANG Na，ZHAO Yanping 2016, 19 (2):  80-87.  Abstract ( 911 )   Save In the context of constant integration of manufacturing and service industries, an urgent problem of manufacturing companies is how to expand service activities relying on the existing superior manufacturing resources, solving service-oriented manufacturing. On the basis of the relevant literature review, the process of solutions for generating service derivative is portrayed. The evaluative index system of service derivative solutions, which embodies the characteristics of service-oriented manufacturing, is constructed. The evaluation of service derivative solutions is based on the cumulative prospect theory. The analysis of example results shows that evaluation index system considers the three comprehensive factors, which are the physical products, supply and demand behavior and services provided, to ensure service derivative solutions more effectively adapting to the overall coordination of customer behavior and coordination in and out of the system. The cumulative prospect theory can support the evaluation of solutions for generating service derivative. The research conclusions provide theoretical guidance for the decisionmaking of service derivative in serviceoriented manufacturing. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Service Quality Evaluation Method Considering the Tolerance Zones of Service Aspirations Provided by Customers ZHANG Chongyang1, FAN Zhiping1, YU Chao1, XU Hao2 2016, 19 (2):  88-94.  Abstract ( 890 )   Save To solve the service quality evaluation problem of a service system, a method for evaluating service quality considering the tolerance zones of service aspirations provided by customers is proposed. In the method, firstly, the tolerance zones of service aspirations and service perception evaluations of customers are obtained through questionnaires. Then, according to the degree of importance of each evaluation index provided by the experts, the weights of service quality evaluation indexes are calculated. Furthermore, the customers’ evaluation information is integrated using the weighted-average method to determine the comprehensive service quality perception value of the service system. Moreover, the service quality grade of the service system is determined using the score scale transformation method. Finally, a practical example is given to illustrate the feasibility and the potential application of the proposed method. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Enterprise Qualification Evaluation and Pledge Assessment for Chattel Mortgage in Industrial Park WANG Jing1, QU Ting1, WANG Zongzhong1, LUO Hao2, HUANG Guoquan1,2 2016, 19 (2):  95-104.  Abstract ( 899 )   Save In view of the difficulty to assess enterprise qualification and pledge for chattel mortgage in the industrial park because of the dynamic characteristics of pledges being of a great variety and frequently going in and out of warehouse, and through analyzing the different strategies of chattel mortgage business risk management on uniform credit-financial logistics enterprises and banks, an ANP enterprise qualification evaluation model of a dual-factor index system is constructed and a dynamic pledge model based on marking-to-market strategy built. And then by a case application, the validity of the models is verified. This research provides some guidance for the industrial park of financial logistics enterprises to carry out the chattel mortgage well. References | Related Articles | Metrics

An Optimization Design Research on Express Waybill to Improve the Efficiency of Sorting ZHANG Li1,2, ZHAI Longzhen1, JIA Huiqiao2, HE Zhipeng2 2016, 19 (2):  105-111.  Abstract ( 975 )   Save The influence of the express waybill information items on the efficiency of sorting is researched through simulation experiment. The new express waybill is designed through analyzing and integrating the information items based on field research, questionnaire and expert interviews. The new express waybill reserves the important information which can improve the sorting efficiency, enhance the significance, delete the repeated and unimportant items, and determine the size of the font according to the important degree and fix the position of target information. The experiment simulates the sorting process of identifying the receiver address for the operator. The result of Independent-Samples t Test shows the reaction time and error rate of the operator completing the task of sorting in the old and the new express waybills and the availability is compared and analyzed. The results shows that the new express waybill can reduce cognitive intensity of the sorting operator, improve the sorting efficiency, reduce errors, improve human reliability, optimize the process, achieve quick response and improve service level through reducing the amount of unnecessary information items, fixing the position of target information and enhancing the significance of important information. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Research on Dock Assignment and Truck Sequence in a Cross-docking System Considering the Unloading/Loading Sequences of Cargos LI Jingfeng, YE Yan, FU Hui 2016, 19 (2):  112-120.  Abstract ( 967 )   Save In a cross-docking system with a wide variety and small batches of cargos, the practical requirement of cargos′ unloading/loading sequences plays an important role in the optimization of dock assignment and truck sequence. Under this situation, a new scheduling model to minimize the makespan of cross-docking operations is proposed, and an improved particle swarm algorithm for the proposed model is designed to optimize the dock assignment and the truck sequence. Many numerical experiments are conducted on instances with different scales by using genetic algorithm, standard particle swarm algorithm and improved particle swarm algorithm. Computational results of the three algorithms are compared and it is shown that the proposed algorithm performs better in solution accuracy than standard particle swarm algorithm and genetic algorithm. Its computing time is shorter than that of genetic algorithm and slightly longer than that of standard particle swarm algorithm. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Medical Resources Allocation Based on System Dynamics Simulation HE Guoguang1，2, LI Shugang1 2016, 19 (2):  121-127.  Abstract ( 908 )   Save A system dynamics-based simulation model is proposed while we are trying to allocate medical resources efficiently between regular patients and emergent patients when a large-scale emergent incident happens. In this model, time dependent health condition of patients, medical staff’s diagnostic decision and confidence, and Bayesian prediction distribution based assessment duration in each service station and emergent patients’ arrival intervals are considered. In order to evaluate different medical resources allocation scenarios, a comprehensive performance indicator taking into account death rate and patients’ average stay in system is provided. In the simulation experiment, a comparison is made among the three resources allocation rules in different system scenes and the one based on patient scale is proved to be better than the other two rules, which provides efficient reference for hospitals to make emergency medical resources allocation decision and contingency plan. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Twin ASCs Priority Rules and Avoidance Plans Simulation in Automated Container Terminal JING Zhenwen， HAN Xiaolong 2016, 19 (2):  128-133.  Abstract ( 903 )   Save In order to reduce the delay of makespan caused by the interference between the twin ASCs in automated container terminal, nine priority rules and two avoidance plans are proposed: direct avoidance and dynamic exchange area. To choose the best priority rules and avoidance plans, on the basis of relevant research review and repeated experiments, the total number of tasks is set to 100, and the experiments will be divided into five levels according to the proportion of seaside tasks (30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70%). The simulation results show that the shortest makespan in direct avoidance will be at least 30 seconds shorter than that for dynamic exchange area in 80% of the experiments; rules LonOri (giving priority to the ASC with the longest travel time to the origin of the next request, upon completion of the current request) and LonFin (giving priority to the ASC with the longest time to finish the current request) can get the shortest makespan in at least 60% of the experiments. The results show that the rules LonOri and LonFin and direct avoidance can effectively reduce the makespan. References | Related Articles | Metrics

A Two-stage Method for Solving the Stochastic Two-sided Mixed-model Assembly Line Balancing Problem DUAN Yiting, SU Ping, ZHENG Chenming 2016, 19 (2):  134-142.  Abstract ( 998 )   Save To reduce the complexity of solving the stochastic two-sided mixed model assembly line balancing problem, a two-stage procedure of combining a genetic algorithm with simulation analysis is proposed. Firstly, a simplified mathematical programming model is formulated ignoring the constraint of precedence relation between the tasks assigned to the same mated-station, and a set of solutions is obtained by using a genetic algorithm based on a sequence combined encoding. Based on the set of solutions, a simulation model that takes all the constraints of the problem into account is developed. The optimal solution (or suboptimal solution) of the problem is obtained through simulation analysis and evaluation. The analysis of an illustrative example shows that the complexity of solving the problem can be greatly reduced and a satisfactory solution can be obtained with the proposed method. References | Related Articles | Metrics

An Ergonomic Analysis and Improvement of Installation of Return Module Oxygenation Wrench YU Fuyang1, MENG Wei2, XUE Qing1 2016, 19 (2):  143-148.  Abstract ( 878 )   Save Oxygenation wrench is the essential equipment for environmental control and life support subsystem of spacecraft. In order to optimize the ergonomic performance in the installation process of the oxygenation wrench, an analytical method for system improvement based on simulation technology is proposed. Firstly, the models of return module and oxygenation wrench are built, and the whole installation process simulated in JACK. Then, ergonomic factors of manual assembly, including reachability, visibility, operation space and comfort, are assessed based on the examination and analysis of primary ergonomic concerns such as collisions between people, tools and return module wall, visibility and human stress, which are quantified and retrieved from the simulation result. Finally, both ergonomics-oriented and assembly-process-oriented recommendations for the optimization of oxygenation wrench installation are proposed based on previous assessment and analysis. Based on experimental verifications, this method is capable of identifying the ergonomic flaws and problems, which can be optimized in manual assembly processes, leading to a 28% reduction of the body′s stress and significant improvement on visibility and assembly precision. References | Related Articles | Metrics