Optimal inventory policy under power demand pattern and partial backlogging

In this paper, we study an inventory model with a power demand pattern that allows shortages. It is assumed that only a fraction of demand is backlogged during the shortage period and the remainder is considered lost sales. The aim of the paper is to determine the lot size and the length of the inventory cycle that maximize the total inventory profit per unit time. A general approach to obtain the optimal solution of the inventory problem and the maximum associated profit is developed. Some inventory models proposed in the literature are particular cases of the model analyzed here. Numerical examples are included to complement the theoretical results.