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Queueing models for full-flexible multi-class call centers with real-time anticipated delays

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  • Jouini, Oualid
  • Dallery, Yves
  • Aksin, Zeynep

Abstract

In this paper, we consider two basic multi-class call center models, with and without reneging. Customer classes have different priorities. The content of different types of calls is assumed to be similar allowing their service times to be identical. We study the problem of announcing delays to customers upon their arrival. For the simplest model without reneging, we give a method to estimate virtual delays that is used within the announcement step. For the second model, we first build the call center model incorporating reneging. The model takes into account the change in customer behavior that may occur when delay information is communicated to them. In particular, it is assumed that customer reneging is replaced by balking that depends on the state of the system in this case. We develop a method based on Markov chains in order to estimate virtual delays of new arrivals for this model. Finally, some practical issues concerning delay announcement are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jouini, Oualid & Dallery, Yves & Aksin, Zeynep, 2009. "Queueing models for full-flexible multi-class call centers with real-time anticipated delays," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(2), pages 389-399, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:120:y:2009:i:2:p:389-399
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zeynep Akşin & Baris Ata & Seyed Morteza Emadi & Che-Lin Su, 2017. "Impact of Delay Announcements in Call Centers: An Empirical Approach," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 65(1), pages 242-265, February.
    2. Trigos, Federico & Vazquez, Alan R. & Cárdenas-Barrón, Leopoldo Eduardo, 2019. "A simulation-based heuristic that promotes business profit while increasing the perceived quality of service industries," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 60-70.
    3. Tom van Woensel & Frederico R B Cruz, 2014. "Optimal Routing in General Finite Multi-Server Queueing Networks," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(7), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Guo, Pengfei & Sun, Wei & Wang, Yulan, 2011. "Equilibrium and optimal strategies to join a queue with partial information on service times," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 214(2), pages 284-297, October.
    5. Rouba Ibrahim, 2018. "Sharing delay information in service systems: a literature survey," Queueing Systems: Theory and Applications, Springer, vol. 89(1), pages 49-79, June.
    6. German F. Retana & Chris Forman & D. J. Wu, 2016. "Proactive Customer Education, Customer Retention, and Demand for Technology Support: Evidence from a Field Experiment," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 18(1), pages 34-50, February.
    7. Gad Allon & Achal Bassamboo, 2011. "The Impact of Delaying the Delay Announcements," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 59(5), pages 1198-1210, October.
    8. Jamol Pender & Richard Rand & Elizabeth Wesson, 2020. "A Stochastic Analysis of Queues with Customer Choice and Delayed Information," Mathematics of Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 45(3), pages 1104-1126, August.
    9. Roubos, Alex & Jouini, Oualid, 2013. "Call centers with hyperexponential patience modeling," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(1), pages 307-315.
    10. Cruz, F.R.B. & Van Woensel, T. & Smith, J. MacGregor, 2010. "Buffer and throughput trade-offs in M/G/1/K queueing networks: A bi-criteria approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 125(2), pages 224-234, June.
    11. Yaghoubi, Saeed & Noori, Siamak & Azaron, Amir & Fynes, Brian, 2015. "Resource allocation in multi-class dynamic PERT networks with finite capacity," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 247(3), pages 879-894.
    12. Yaghoubi, Saeed & Noori, Siamak & Azaron, Amir & Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, Reza, 2011. "Resource allocation in dynamic PERT networks with finite capacity," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 215(3), pages 670-678, December.
    13. Oualid Jouini & Zeynep Akşin & Yves Dallery, 2011. "Call Centers with Delay Information: Models and Insights," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 13(4), pages 534-548, October.
    14. Huh, Woonghee Tim & Lee, Jaywon & Park, Heesang & Park, Kun Soo, 2019. "The potty parity problem: Towards gender equality at restrooms in business facilities," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
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