Credit financing in a two-warehouse environment for deteriorating items with price-sensitive demand and fully backlogged shortages

In the current global market, organizations use many promotional tools in order to increase their sales. One such tool is permissible delay in payments, i.e., the buyer does not have to pay for the goods purchased immediately rather can defer the payment for a prescribed period given by the supplier. This phenomenon motivates the retailer/buyer to order a large inventory lot so as to take full benefit of credit period. But the well decorated showroom (OW) with modern facilities has a limited storage capacity. Thus the retailer has to hire a rented warehouse to store the excess units. In this scenario, retailer usually adopts two types of dispatch policy: FIFO & LIFO, depending upon the situation, e.g., nature of items/deteriorating items, location of warehouse. Further in order to survive in the market, the retailer dynamically adjusts the prices of the goods to boost the demand and enhance the revenues.In the light of these facts, this paper develops an inventory model for deteriorating items with price-sensitive demand under permissible delay in payment in a two warehouse environment. Shortages are allowed and fully backlogged. The objective of this study is to find the optimal inventory and pricing policies so as to maximize the total average profit. Further, the different trade credit scenario has been exhibited with the help of a numerical example. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis has also been carried out to advocate the implication of FIFO and LIFO dispatch policy.     

Determining optimal selling price and lot size with a varying rate of deterioration and exponential partial backlogging

In this paper, a deterministic inventory model for deteriorating items with price-dependent demand is developed. The demand and deterioration rates are continuous and differentiable function of price and time, respectively. In addition, we allow for shortages and the unsatisfied demand is partially backlogged at a negative exponential rate with the waiting time. Under these assumptions, for any given selling price, we first develop the criterion for the optimal solution for the replenishment schedule, and prove that the optimal replenishment policy not only exists but also is unique. If the criterion is not satisfied, the inventory system should not be operated. Next, we show that the total profit per unit time is a concave function of price when the replenishment schedule is given. We then provide a simple algorithm to find the optimal selling price and replenishment schedule for the proposed model. Finally, we use numerical examples to illustrate the algorithm.     

Maximizing the net present value of a project under uncertainty

We address the maximization of a project’s expected net present value when the activity durations and cash flows are described by a discrete set of alternative scenarios with associated occurrence probabilities. In this setting, the choice of scenario-independent activity start times frequently leads to infeasible schedules or severe losses in revenues. We suggest to determine an optimal target processing time policy for the project activities instead. Such a policy prescribes an activity to be started as early as possible in the realized scenario, but never before its (scenario-independent) target processing time. We formulate the resulting model as a global optimization problem and present a branch-and-bound algorithm for its solution. Extensive numerical results illustrate the suitability of the proposed policy class and the runtime behavior of the algorithm.     

Scheduling Markovian PERT networks to maximize the net present value

We examine project scheduling with net present value objective and exponential activity durations, using a continuous-time Markov decision chain. On the basis of a judicious partitioning of the state space, we achieve a significant performance improvement as compared to the existing algorithms.     

An optimal replenishment policy for deteriorating items with time-varying demand and partial backlogging

Recently, Papachristos and Skouri developed an inventory model in which unsatisfied demand is partially backlogged at a negative exponential rate with the waiting time. In this article, we complement the shortcoming of their model by adding not only the cost of lost sales but also the non-constant purchase cost.     

Scheduling Markovian PERT networks to maximize the net present value: New results

We study project scheduling so as to maximize the expected net present value when task durations are exponentially distributed. Based on the structural properties of an optimal solution we show that, even if preemption is allowed, it is not necessary to do so. Next to its managerial importance, this result also allows for a new algorithm which improves on the current state of the art with several orders of magnitude, both in CPU time and in memory usage.     

Expected present value of total dividends in a delayed claims risk model under stochastic interest rates

In this paper, a compound binomial risk model with a constant dividend barrier under stochastic interest rates is considered. Two types of individual claims, main claims and by-claims, are defined, where every by-claim is induced by the main claim and may be delayed for one time period with a certain probability. In the evaluation of the expected present value of dividends, the interest rates are assumed to follow a Markov chain with finite state space. A system of difference equations with certain boundary conditions for the expected present value of total dividend payments prior to ruin is derived and solved. Explicit results are obtained when the claim sizes are K_n distributed or the claim size distributions have finite support. Numerical results are also provided to illustrate the impact of the delay of by-claims on the expected present value of dividends.     

Inventory model with deteriorating items,ramp-type demand and partially backlogged shortages for a two warehouse system

In this paper, we consider a two warehouse inventory model, an owned one (OW) and a rented one (RW). Inventory deteriorates in the two warehouses at different constant rates, demand rate is a general ramp-type function of time and shortages are partially backlogged at a constant rate. Existence and uniqueness of the optimal solution is discussed. An algorithm is developed to obtain the overall optimal replenishment policy, which would enable the manager to decide upon the feasibility of renting a warehouse. The dynamics of the model and application of the algorithm are demonstrated through numerical examples. Sensitivity analysis is conducted with respect to model parameters and some important observations are drawn.     

Optimal price and lot size determination for a perishable product under conditions of finite production, partial backordering and lost sale

The paper describes an EOQ model of a perishable product for the case of price dependent demand, partial backordering which depends on the length of the waiting time for the next replenishment, and lost sale. The model is solved analytically to obtain the optimal price and size of the replenishment. In the model, the customers are viewed to be impatient and a fraction of the demand is backlogged. This fraction is a function of the waiting time of the customers. In most of the inventory models developed so far, researchers considered that inventory accumulates at the early stage of the inventory and then shortage occurs. This type of inventory is called IFS (inventory followed by shortage) policy. In the present model we consider that shortage occurs before the starting of inventory. We have proved numerically that instead of taking IFS, if we consider SFI (shortage followed by inventory) policy, we would get better result, i.e., a higher profit. The model is extended to the case of non-perishable product also. The optimal solution of the model is illustrated with the help of a numerical example.     

Optimizing multi-item multi-period inventory control system with discounted cash flow and inflation: Two calibrated meta-heuristic algorithms

A mixed binary integer mathematical programming model is developed in this paper for ordering items in multi-item multi-period inventory control systems, in which unit and incremental quantity discounts as well as interest and inflation factors are considered. Although the demand rates are assumed deterministic, they may vary in different periods. The situation considered for the problem at hand is similar to a seasonal inventory control model in which orders and sales happen in a given season. To make the model more realistic, three types of constraints including storage space, budget, and order quantity are simultaneously considered. The goal is to find optimal order quantities of the products so that the net present value of total system cost over a finite planning horizon is minimized. Since the model is NP-hard, a genetic algorithm (GA) is presented to solve the proposed mathematical problem. Further, since no benchmarks can be found in the literature to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm, a branch and bound and a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm are employed to solve the problem as well. In addition, to make the algorithms more effective, the Taguchi method is utilized to tune different parameters of GA and SA algorithms. At the end, some numerical examples are generated to analyze and to statistically and graphically compare the performances of the proposed solving algorithms.     

Optimal policy for an inventory system with backlogging and all-units discounts: Application to the composite lot size model

This paper examines an inventory model with full backlogging and all-units quantity discounts. The practical scenario of a salesperson offering compensation to a client so as not to lose the sale is considered. The cost of a backorder thus includes both a fixed cost and a further cost which is proportional to the length of time the said backorder exists. A first algorithm is developed to determine the optimal policy while some extensions to this algorithm are obtained that include additional conditions on the model. In particular, the well known composite lot size model, developed by Tersine, is solved, incorporating a new stockout cost and a new all-units discount. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the application of the algorithms.     

非线性V时标动态系统解的存在性与唯一性

引入V时标的概念,并对一类非线性V时标动态系统非共振边值问题,在非线性项不跨相应线性问题的特征值时,运用临界点理论,获得了问题解的存在性和唯一性定理.     

A Markov decision algorithm for optimal inspections and revisions in a maintenance system with partial information

This paper deals with a gradually deteriorating equipment whose actual degree of deterioration can be revealed by inspections only. An inspection can be succeeded by a revision depending on the system's degree of deterioration. In the absence of inspections and revisions, the working condition of the system evolves according to a Markov chain whose changes of state are not observable with the possible exception of a breakdown. Examples of this model include production machines subject to stochastic breakdowns, and maintenance of communication systems. The cost structure of the model consists of inspection, revision and operating costs. It is intuitively reasonable that in many applications a simple control-limit rule will be optimal. Such a rule prescribes a revision only when inspection reveals that the degree of deterioration has exceeded some critical level. A special-purpose Markov decision algorithm operating on the class of control-limit rules is developed for the computation of an average cost optimal schedule of inspections and revisions.     

Positive solutions for three-point boundary value problems with a non-well-ordered upper and lower solution condition

In this work, by using the fixed point index method, some existence results for positive solutions of certain three-point boundary value problems are obtained under a non-well-ordered upper and lower solution condition.     

The existence of countably many positive solutions for a system of nonlinear singular boundary value problems with the p-Laplacian operator

In this paper, we study the existence of countable many positive solutions for a class of nonlinear singular boundary value systems with p-Laplacian operator:

     

Analysis of the Gerber-Shiu function and dividend barrier problems for a risk process with two classes of claims

In this paper we consider a risk model with two independent classes of insurance risks. We assume that the two independent claim counting processes are, respectively, the Poisson and the generalized Erlang(2) process. We prove that the Gerber-Shiu function satisfies some defective renewal equations. Exact representations for the solutions of these equations are derived through an associated compound geometric distribution and an analytic expression for this quantity is given when the claim severities have rationally distributed Laplace transforms. Further, the same risk model is considered in the presence of a constant dividend barrier. A system of integro-differential equations with certain boundary conditions for the Gerber-Shiu function is derived and solved. Using systems of integro-differential equations for the moment-generating function as well as for the arbitrary moments of the discounted sum of the dividend payments until ruin, a matrix version of the dividends-penalty is derived. An extension to a risk model when the two independent claim counting processes are Poisson and generalized Erlang(ν), respectively, is considered, generalizing the aforementioned results.     

Optimal buffer size and dynamic rate control for a queueing system with impatient customers in heavy traffic

We address a rate control problem associated with a single server Markovian queueing system with customer abandonment in heavy traffic. The controller can choose a buffer size for the queueing system and also can dynamically control the service rate (equivalently the arrival rate) depending on the current state of the system. An infinite horizon cost minimization problem is considered here. The cost function includes a penalty for each rejected customer, a control cost related to the adjustment of the service rate and a penalty for each abandoning customer. We obtain an explicit optimal strategy for the limiting diffusion control problem (the Brownian control problem or BCP) which consists of a threshold-type optimal rejection process and a feedback-type optimal drift control. This solution is then used to construct an asymptotically optimal control policy, i.e. an optimal buffer size and an optimal service rate for the queueing system in heavy traffic. The properties of generalized regulator maps and weak convergence techniques are employed to prove the asymptotic optimality of this policy. In addition, we identify the parameter regimes where the infinite buffer size is optimal.     

Existence and iteration of positive solutions for a generalized right-focal boundary value problem with p-Laplacian operator

In the paper, we obtain the existence of positive solutions and establish a corresponding iterative scheme for the following third-order generalized right-focal boundary value problem with p-Laplacian operator:

     

Axial eigenfunctions and inhomogeneous solutions for the three-dimensional Stokes system with an application to natural convection in a cylinder

This paper presents two contributions to the analysis of three-dimensional slow viscous flows in cylinders of circular section. First the vector axial eigenfunctions for this geometry, namely those that satisfy homogeneous boundary conditions on the flat end walls, are derived. Secondly a method is presented to find particular solutions to the inhomogeneous Stokes equations in this geometry. These new results, together with some results obtained earlier, are used to analyse slow natural convection in a vertical cylinder completely filled with a viscous liquid. The fluid motion is generated by the differential heating of the walls of the cylinder. The natural convection flow field is shown to be a superposition of an inhomogeneous field, the fields generated by the vector eigenfunctions and a Stokes flow field. A by-product of this work has been the identification of constraints on the boundary data that have to be satisfied in order for the eigenfunction expansions to work; this knowledge will be useful when attempts are made to prove the completeness of these Stokes flow eigenfunctions.Received: June 30, 2003; revised: February 26, 2004     

Existence and iteration of positive solutions for a singular two-point boundary value problem with a <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Laplacian operator

In the paper, we obtain the existence of symmetric or monotone positive solutions and establish a corresponding iterative scheme for the equation (ϕ _p (u′))′+q(t)f(u) = 0, 0 < t < 1, where ϕ _p (s):= |s| ^p−2 s, p > 1, subject to nonlinear boundary condition. The main tool is the monotone iterative technique. Here, the coefficient q(t) may be singular at t = 0; 1.