IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/transe/v114y2018icp292-311.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A simulation–optimization approach for a service-constrained multi-echelon distribution network

Author

Listed:
  • Noordhoek, Marije
  • Dullaert, Wout
  • Lai, David S.W.
  • de Leeuw, Sander

Abstract

Academic research on (s,S) inventory policies for multi-echelon distribution networks with deterministic lead times, backordering, and fill rate constraints is limited. Inspired by a real-life Dutch food retail case we develop a simulation-optimization approach to optimize (s,S) inventory policies in such a setting. We compare the performance of a Nested Bisection Search (NBS) and a novel Scatter Search (SS) metaheuristic using 1280 instances from literature and we derive managerial implications from a real-life case. Results show that the SS outperforms the NBS on solution quality. Additionally, supply chain costs can be saved by allowing lower fill rates at upstream echelons.

Suggested Citation

  • Noordhoek, Marije & Dullaert, Wout & Lai, David S.W. & de Leeuw, Sander, 2018. "A simulation–optimization approach for a service-constrained multi-echelon distribution network," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 292-311.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:114:y:2018:i:c:p:292-311
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2018.02.006
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1366554517306063
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.tre.2018.02.006?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marti, Rafael & Laguna, Manuel & Glover, Fred, 2006. "Principles of scatter search," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 169(2), pages 359-372, March.
    2. Michael C. Fu, 2002. "Feature Article: Optimization for simulation: Theory vs. Practice," INFORMS Journal on Computing, INFORMS, vol. 14(3), pages 192-215, August.
    3. Vojvodic, Goran & Jarrah, Ahmad I. & Morton, David P., 2016. "Forward thresholds for operation of pumped-storage stations in the real-time energy market," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 254(1), pages 253-268.
    4. Goh, Say Leng & Kendall, Graham & Sabar, Nasser R., 2017. "Improved local search approaches to solve the post enrolment course timetabling problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 261(1), pages 17-29.
    5. Stephen C. Graves & Sean P. Willems, 2000. "Optimizing Strategic Safety Stock Placement in Supply Chains," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 2(1), pages 68-83, June.
    6. Feng Cheng & Markus Ettl & Grace Lin & David D. Yao, 2002. "Inventory-Service Optimization in Configure-to-Order Systems," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 4(2), pages 114-132, December.
    7. Hamed Jalali & Inneke Van Nieuwenhuyse, 2015. "Simulation optimization in inventory replenishment: a classification," IISE Transactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(11), pages 1217-1235, November.
    8. Leroy B. Schwarz & Bryan L. Deuermeyer & Ralph D. Badinelli, 1985. "Fill-Rate Optimization in a One-Warehouse N-Identical Retailer Distribution System," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 31(4), pages 488-498, April.
    9. E A Silver & H Naseraldin & D P Bischak, 2009. "Determining the reorder point and order-up-to-level in a periodic review system so as to achieve a desired fill rate and a desired average time between replenishments," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 60(9), pages 1244-1253, September.
    10. Paterson, Colin & Kiesmüller, Gudrun & Teunter, Ruud & Glazebrook, Kevin, 2011. "Inventory models with lateral transshipments: A review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 210(2), pages 125-136, April.
    11. Andrew J. Clark & Herbert Scarf, 2004. "Optimal Policies for a Multi-Echelon Inventory Problem," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 50(12_supple), pages 1782-1790, December.
    12. Russell, Robert A. & Chiang, Wen-Chyuan, 2006. "Scatter search for the vehicle routing problem with time windows," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 169(2), pages 606-622, March.
    13. J J A Moors & L W G Strijbosch, 2002. "Exact fill rates for (R, s, S) inventory control with gamma distributed demand," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 53(11), pages 1268-1274, November.
    14. Sridhar Bashyam & Michael C. Fu, 1998. "Optimization of (s, S) Inventory Systems with Random Lead Times and a Service Level Constraint," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 44(12-Part-2), pages 243-256, December.
    15. Chen, Frank Y. & Krass, Dmitry, 2001. "Inventory models with minimal service level constraints," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(1), pages 120-140, October.
    16. van Donselaar, K. & van Woensel, T. & Broekmeulen, R. & Fransoo, J., 2006. "Inventory control of perishables in supermarkets," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(2), pages 462-472, December.
    17. Satyajith Amaran & Nikolaos V. Sahinidis & Bikram Sharda & Scott J. Bury, 2016. "Simulation optimization: a review of algorithms and applications," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 240(1), pages 351-380, May.
    18. Diks, E. B. & de Kok, A. G. & Lagodimos, A. G., 1996. "Multi-echelon systems: A service measure perspective," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 95(2), pages 241-263, December.
    19. van der Heijden, Matthieu, 2000. "Near cost-optimal inventory control policies for divergent networks under fill rate constraints," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(2), pages 161-179, January.
    20. David Simchi-Levi & Yao Zhao, 2005. "Safety Stock Positioning in Supply Chains with Stochastic Lead Times," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 7(4), pages 295-318, December.
    21. B Desmet & E-H Aghezzaf & H Vanmaele, 2010. "A normal approximation model for safety stock optimization in a two-echelon distribution system," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 61(1), pages 156-163, January.
    22. van der Heijden, M. C. & Diks, E. B. & de Kok, A. G., 1997. "Stock allocation in general multi-echelon distribution systems with (R, S) order-up-to-policies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(2), pages 157-174, April.
    23. Helmut Schneider & Jeffrey L. Ringuest, 1990. "Power Approximation for Computing (s, S) Policies Using Service Level," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 36(7), pages 822-834, July.
    24. Adam Fleischhacker & Anh Ninh & Yao Zhao, 2015. "Positioning Inventory in Clinical Trial Supply Chains," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 24(6), pages 991-1011, June.
    25. Caggiano, Kathryn E. & Jackson, Peter L. & Muckstadt, John A. & Rappold, James A., 2009. "Efficient computation of time-based customer service levels in a multi-item, multi-echelon supply chain: A practical approach for inventory optimization," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 199(3), pages 744-749, December.
    26. Barbara Amdur Rosenbaum, 1981. "Service Level Relationships in a Multi-Echelon Inventory System," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 27(8), pages 926-945, August.
    27. Juan, Angel A. & Faulin, Javier & Grasman, Scott E. & Rabe, Markus & Figueira, Gonçalo, 2015. "A review of simheuristics: Extending metaheuristics to deal with stochastic combinatorial optimization problems," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 2(C), pages 62-72.
    28. Benkherouf, Lakdere, 1995. "On an inventory model with deteriorating items and decreasing time-varying demand and shortages," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 86(2), pages 293-299, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Dai, Bo & Chen, Haoxun & Li, Yuan & Zhang, Yidong & Wang, Xiaoqing & Deng, Yuming, 2023. "An alternating direction method of multipliers for optimizing (s, S) policies in a distribution system with joint replenishment volume constraints," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    2. Bo Dai & Fenfen Li, 2021. "Joint Inventory Replenishment Planning of an E-Commerce Distribution System with Distribution Centers at Producers’ Locations," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-14, July.
    3. Goedhart, Joost & Haijema, René & Akkerman, Renzo & de Leeuw, Sander, 2023. "Replenishment and fulfilment decisions for stores in an omni-channel retail network," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 311(3), pages 1009-1022.
    4. Mo, Baichuan & Koutsopoulos, Haris N. & Shen, Zuo-Jun Max & Zhao, Jinhua, 2023. "Robust path recommendations during public transit disruptions under demand uncertainty," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 82-107.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. de Kok, Ton & Grob, Christopher & Laumanns, Marco & Minner, Stefan & Rambau, Jörg & Schade, Konrad, 2018. "A typology and literature review on stochastic multi-echelon inventory models," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 269(3), pages 955-983.
    2. Lagodimos, A.G. & Koukoumialos, S., 2008. "Service performance of two-echelon supply chains under linear rationing," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(2), pages 869-884, April.
    3. Mekhtiev, Mirza Arif, 2013. "Analytical evaluation of lead-time demand in polytree supply chains with uncertain demand, lead-time and inter-demand time," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 145(1), pages 304-317.
    4. David Simchi-Levi & Yao Zhao, 2005. "Safety Stock Positioning in Supply Chains with Stochastic Lead Times," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 7(4), pages 295-318, December.
    5. Ramesh Bollapragada & Uday S. Rao & Jun Zhang, 2004. "Managing Inventory and Supply Performance in Assembly Systems with Random Supply Capacity and Demand," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 50(12), pages 1729-1743, December.
    6. van der Heijden, Matthieu, 2000. "Near cost-optimal inventory control policies for divergent networks under fill rate constraints," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(2), pages 161-179, January.
    7. Lam, Chiou-Peng & Masek, Martin & Kelly, Luke & Papasimeon, Michael & Benke, Lyndon, 2019. "A simheuristic approach for evolving agent behaviour in the exploration for novel combat tactics," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 6(C).
    8. Yazdani, Majid & Aouam, Tarik, 2023. "Shipment planning and safety stock placement in maritime supply chains with stochastic demand and transportation times," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    9. Dai, Bo & Chen, Haoxun & Li, Yuan & Zhang, Yidong & Wang, Xiaoqing & Deng, Yuming, 2023. "An alternating direction method of multipliers for optimizing (s, S) policies in a distribution system with joint replenishment volume constraints," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    10. Miguel A. Lejeune & Andrzej Ruszczyński, 2007. "An Efficient Trajectory Method for Probabilistic Production-Inventory-Distribution Problems," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 55(2), pages 378-394, April.
    11. David Schmaranzer & Roland Braune & Karl F. Doerner, 2021. "Multi-objective simulation optimization for complex urban mass rapid transit systems," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 305(1), pages 449-486, October.
    12. Zhao, Yao, 2009. "Analysis and evaluation of an Assemble-to-Order system with batch ordering policy and compound Poisson demand," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 198(3), pages 800-809, November.
    13. Stephen C. Graves & Tor Schoenmeyr, 2016. "Strategic Safety-Stock Placement in Supply Chains with Capacity Constraints," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 18(3), pages 445-460, July.
    14. David Schmaranzer & Roland Braune & Karl F. Doerner, 2020. "Population-based simulation optimization for urban mass rapid transit networks," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 32(4), pages 767-805, December.
    15. Eruguz, Ayse Sena & Sahin, Evren & Jemai, Zied & Dallery, Yves, 2016. "A comprehensive survey of guaranteed-service models for multi-echelon inventory optimization," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 110-125.
    16. E A Silver & H Naseraldin & D P Bischak, 2009. "Determining the reorder point and order-up-to-level in a periodic review system so as to achieve a desired fill rate and a desired average time between replenishments," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 60(9), pages 1244-1253, September.
    17. Barros, Júlio & Cortez, Paulo & Carvalho, M. Sameiro, 2021. "A systematic literature review about dimensioning safety stock under uncertainties and risks in the procurement process," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 8(C).
    18. Inderfurth, K. & de Kok, A. G. & Flapper, S. D. P., 2001. "Product recovery in stochastic remanufacturing systems with multiple reuse options," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(1), pages 130-152, August.
    19. B Desmet & E-H Aghezzaf & H Vanmaele, 2010. "A normal approximation model for safety stock optimization in a two-echelon distribution system," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 61(1), pages 156-163, January.
    20. Tan Wang & L. Jeff Hong, 2023. "Large-Scale Inventory Optimization: A Recurrent Neural Networks–Inspired Simulation Approach," INFORMS Journal on Computing, INFORMS, vol. 35(1), pages 196-215, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:114:y:2018:i:c:p:292-311. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600244/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.