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The newsvendor problem with unknown distribution

Author

Listed:
  • U Benzion

    (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)

  • Y Cohen

    (The Open University of Israel)

  • T Shavit

    (School of Business, College of Management)

Abstract

Newsvendor theory assumes that the decision-maker faces a known distribution. But in real-life situations, demand distribution is not always known. In the experimental study which this paper presents, half of the participants assuming the newsvendor role were unaware of the underlying demand distribution, while the other half knew the demand distribution. Participants had to decide how many papers to order each day (for 100 days). The experimental findings indicate that subjects who know the demand distribution behave differently to those who do not. However, interestingly enough, knowing the demand distribution does not necessarily lead the subject closer to the optimal solution or improve profits. It was found that supply surplus at a certain period strongly affects the order quantity towards the following period, despite the knowledge of the demand distribution.

Suggested Citation

  • U Benzion & Y Cohen & T Shavit, 2010. "The newsvendor problem with unknown distribution," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 61(6), pages 1022-1031, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:61:y:2010:i:6:d:10.1057_jors.2009.56
    DOI: 10.1057/jors.2009.56
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Helena Gaspars-Wieloch, 2017. "Newsvendor problem under complete uncertainty: a case of innovative products," Central European Journal of Operations Research, Springer;Slovak Society for Operations Research;Hungarian Operational Research Society;Czech Society for Operations Research;Österr. Gesellschaft für Operations Research (ÖGOR);Slovenian Society Informatika - Section for Operational Research;Croatian Operational Research Society, vol. 25(3), pages 561-585, September.
    2. Halkos, George & Kevork, Ilias, 2012. "The classical newsvendor model under normal demand with large coefficients of variation," MPRA Paper 40414, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Andrew Manikas & Michael Godfrey, 2014. "Service Chain Coordination Using Salvage Manipulation," International Journal of Management and Marketing Research, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 7(2), pages 15-27.
    4. Halkos, George & Kevork, Ilias, 2012. "Unbiased estimation of maximum expected profits in the Newsvendor Model: a case study analysis," MPRA Paper 40724, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Surti, Chirag & Celani, Anthony & Gajpal, Yuvraj, 2020. "The newsvendor problem: The role of prospect theory and feedback," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 287(1), pages 251-261.
    6. Andersson, Jonas & Jörnsten, Kurt & Nonås, Sigrid Lise & Sandal, Leif & Ubøe, Jan, 2013. "A maximum entropy approach to the newsvendor problem with partial information," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 228(1), pages 190-200.

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