2011 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 2011
Order acceptance (OA) has a large inuence on the performance of an enterprise. On the one hand, a... more Order acceptance (OA) has a large inuence on the performance of an enterprise. On the one hand, always accepting an order when capacity is available may restrict the system to accept more protable orders in the future. On the other hand, rejecting too many orders leads to low capacity utilization and also has repercussions for future customer relations. In addition, accepting too many orders leads to an over-loaded production environment, where lead times increase and orders are delivered late. Most of these aspects of order acceptance decision-making can be handled by having proper negotiations with customers on order terms. However, this is a complex problem primarily because there are dierent actors who have various (conicting) interests, needs and objectives. Accordingly, to provide insight for the decision makers in the rms in order to develop proper strategies for order acceptance, developing appropriate models seems necessary.
The ability to utilize multiple modes of transport has a considerable impact on the accessibility... more The ability to utilize multiple modes of transport has a considerable impact on the accessibility of sea ports. Furthermore, the growing demand for sustainability continuously prompts ports to make hinterland transport as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. One possibility to improve the performance of intermodal freight systems is integrating multiple modes in designing hinterland transport services which is discussed as Synchromodal Freight Transport Systems in this paper. A detailed definition of this concept is presented and subsequently, a mathematical model to design the service schedule for such a system is proposed. As an illustrative case, the application of model for a case in the hinterland network of the Port of Rotterdam is also discussed and a set of numerical experiments for scenarios of integrated and separate service design is presented.
Based on the modelling steps discussed in Part I, this chapter aims to present ways in which agen... more Based on the modelling steps discussed in Part I, this chapter aims to present ways in which agent-based simulation models of supply chains can be developed and used to improve the performance of these systems in both normal and abnormal situations. An industrial supply chain with a network of several independent companies is a good example of a socio-technical system. The physical and social networks of the actors involved in their operation collectively form an interconnected, complex system in which the actors determine the development and operation of the physical network and, likewise, the physical network affects the behaviour of the actors. In this type of system, the many interactions taking place in the social and physical subsystems can result in the complex, dynamic behaviour of the supply chain as a whole. Accordingly, any attempt to improve the functioning of the supply chain requires a comprehensive understanding of this behaviour under different supply network configurations. Most of the current approaches to the modelling and simulation of supply chains do not capture the rich socio-technical dynamics present. The agent-based modelling approach, however, seems to be very promising as a means to address this complex behaviour. To demonstrate its applicability, we will present agent-based simulation models for two different industrial supply chains: an oil refinery and a multi-plant chemical enterprise. Using the models described in this chapter, the outcomes of the system under a broad range of possible agent behavioural rules and environmental events can be explored, and improved levels of system functioning can be identified.
The degree of supply chain risk faced by many companies has risen dramatically and the impact of ... more The degree of supply chain risk faced by many companies has risen dramatically and the impact of disruptions can cascade easily across companies’ and countries’ borders. To handle this increased vulnerability, systematic approaches and decision making tools are needed to provide support in managing supply chain disruptions. In this thesis, an integrated process: InForMDRiSC, and an agent-based simulation framework are presented and discussed. These two contributions are complementary means for managing supply chain disruptions. InForMDRiSC describes the steps to be followed in managing supply chain disruptions, whereas the simulation framework supports the building of simulation models for specific supply chains which enable decision makers to experiment with different strategies and tactics to prevent or recover from supply chain disruptions.
Scheduling models are one of the main parts of computer-aided process design research in recent y... more Scheduling models are one of the main parts of computer-aided process design research in recent years. One of the novel applications of scheduling models is their usage for in-site utility management of a process plant. It is very common for huge process plants to provide their utility by themselves; therefore, they shall make decision on utility supply and demand simultaneously.
In most situations, managing disruptions in a chemical supply chain demands for more than one act... more In most situations, managing disruptions in a chemical supply chain demands for more than one actor to be involved and more than one activity to be managed. Consequently, proper coordination is a key requirement for successful disruption management in a supply chain. This, particularly, calls for a clear understanding of what coordination means and how coordination mechanisms can be designed. This is the focus of this work. The conceptual framework for coordination presented is implemented in an agent-based model that allows decision makers to evaluate and compare the effect of different coordination mechanisms on the performance of system. This would enable an improved understanding of coordination in disruption management before implementation in the real-life system.
Each simulation paradigm is characterized by a set of core assumptions and some underlying concep... more Each simulation paradigm is characterized by a set of core assumptions and some underlying concepts to describe the world. These assumptions, in fact, constrain the development of a conceptual model for the system of study. Consequently, the choice of appropriate simulation paradigm is an important step in model development process. In this paper, selection of a simulation approach for supply chain modeling is discussed. For this purpose, the supply chain is described from perspective of two well-established system theories. Firstly, supply chains are defined as socio-technical systems. Afterwards, they are described from complex adaptive systems perspective. This study gives a set of features for supply chains as complex socio-technical systems which is subsequently used to compare three simulation paradigms for supply chain modeling – namely, system dynamics, discrete-even simulation and agent-based simulation.
Several new trends in the international trade, started in 90s and still part of the main paradigm... more Several new trends in the international trade, started in 90s and still part of the main paradigm in managing business, together with higher level of competition in the markets, generate two inherently paradoxical situations in managing today’s supply chains. Firstly, two main factors, higher number of risk sources in a supply chain and faster propagation of risk impact in the network, put companies in a more risky position; however and paradoxically, the access to the resources needed to manage those risks has become much more limited. The outcome of this paradoxical situation is growing vulnerability in supply chains and higher impact on the companies’ performance; having a smooth operation in supply chains and providing reliable service to the customers seem more challenging now. Coupling this fact to the highly competitive nature of business and growing expectation of customers, we may find 21st_century companies in a second-level paradoxical situation.
How can we handle these paradoxical situations? For most experts the answer lays in Supply Chain Risk Management.
Abstract In this paper, the application of agent-based models for abnormal situation management i... more Abstract In this paper, the application of agent-based models for abnormal situation management in supply chains is presented. Two views of what an abnormal situation entails are considered ie performance-based and plan-based. The possible implementations of ...
This paper describes an integrated framework for handling disruptions in supply chains. The integ... more This paper describes an integrated framework for handling disruptions in supply chains. The integrated framework incorporates two main views on managing disruptions, namely pre- and post-disruption views, which are usually treated as separate issues in existing frameworks described in literature. The proposed integrated framework is used to structure literature review on the supply chain risk and disruption management. The literature review gives an overview of key aspects and specific methods which can be used for each step in the framework. Finally, two main observations in the existing literature on supply chain risk/disruption management are discussed. The first observation is that the literature has not uniformly discussed different parts of the framework. In general, the post-disruption process for managing supply chain disruptions has received relatively less attention than pre-disruption activities. The second observation which can be regarded as a direction for future research is lack of quantitative studies involving modeling and simulation to support the decision makers in better handling supply chain disruption.
During the last decade, the importance of process development has persuaded researchers to propos... more During the last decade, the importance of process development has persuaded researchers to propose a great number of optimization models on production planning and production scheduling for different productive processes. Although many scheduling and planning ...
Abstract A global industrial enterprise is a complex network of different distributed production... more Abstract A global industrial enterprise is a complex network of different distributed production plants producing, handling, and distributing specific products. Agent-based modeling is a proven approach for modeling complex networks of intelligent and distributed actors. In this ...
A global chemical supply chain is a complex network of different world-wide companies producing, ... more A global chemical supply chain is a complex network of different world-wide companies producing, handling, and distributing specific chemical products. For improving the overall performance of such systems, it is necessary to view them on one hand as a whole, and on the other as ...
Order acceptance under uncertainty is a challenging problem in supply chain management, especiall... more Order acceptance under uncertainty is a challenging problem in supply chain management, especially in make-to-order plants, such as in a specialty chemical manufacturing enterprise. In this work, we consider the effect of rush orders and design a negotiation-based policy ...
2011 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 2011
Order acceptance (OA) has a large inuence on the performance of an enterprise. On the one hand, a... more Order acceptance (OA) has a large inuence on the performance of an enterprise. On the one hand, always accepting an order when capacity is available may restrict the system to accept more protable orders in the future. On the other hand, rejecting too many orders leads to low capacity utilization and also has repercussions for future customer relations. In addition, accepting too many orders leads to an over-loaded production environment, where lead times increase and orders are delivered late. Most of these aspects of order acceptance decision-making can be handled by having proper negotiations with customers on order terms. However, this is a complex problem primarily because there are dierent actors who have various (conicting) interests, needs and objectives. Accordingly, to provide insight for the decision makers in the rms in order to develop proper strategies for order acceptance, developing appropriate models seems necessary.
The ability to utilize multiple modes of transport has a considerable impact on the accessibility... more The ability to utilize multiple modes of transport has a considerable impact on the accessibility of sea ports. Furthermore, the growing demand for sustainability continuously prompts ports to make hinterland transport as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. One possibility to improve the performance of intermodal freight systems is integrating multiple modes in designing hinterland transport services which is discussed as Synchromodal Freight Transport Systems in this paper. A detailed definition of this concept is presented and subsequently, a mathematical model to design the service schedule for such a system is proposed. As an illustrative case, the application of model for a case in the hinterland network of the Port of Rotterdam is also discussed and a set of numerical experiments for scenarios of integrated and separate service design is presented.
Based on the modelling steps discussed in Part I, this chapter aims to present ways in which agen... more Based on the modelling steps discussed in Part I, this chapter aims to present ways in which agent-based simulation models of supply chains can be developed and used to improve the performance of these systems in both normal and abnormal situations. An industrial supply chain with a network of several independent companies is a good example of a socio-technical system. The physical and social networks of the actors involved in their operation collectively form an interconnected, complex system in which the actors determine the development and operation of the physical network and, likewise, the physical network affects the behaviour of the actors. In this type of system, the many interactions taking place in the social and physical subsystems can result in the complex, dynamic behaviour of the supply chain as a whole. Accordingly, any attempt to improve the functioning of the supply chain requires a comprehensive understanding of this behaviour under different supply network configurations. Most of the current approaches to the modelling and simulation of supply chains do not capture the rich socio-technical dynamics present. The agent-based modelling approach, however, seems to be very promising as a means to address this complex behaviour. To demonstrate its applicability, we will present agent-based simulation models for two different industrial supply chains: an oil refinery and a multi-plant chemical enterprise. Using the models described in this chapter, the outcomes of the system under a broad range of possible agent behavioural rules and environmental events can be explored, and improved levels of system functioning can be identified.
The degree of supply chain risk faced by many companies has risen dramatically and the impact of ... more The degree of supply chain risk faced by many companies has risen dramatically and the impact of disruptions can cascade easily across companies’ and countries’ borders. To handle this increased vulnerability, systematic approaches and decision making tools are needed to provide support in managing supply chain disruptions. In this thesis, an integrated process: InForMDRiSC, and an agent-based simulation framework are presented and discussed. These two contributions are complementary means for managing supply chain disruptions. InForMDRiSC describes the steps to be followed in managing supply chain disruptions, whereas the simulation framework supports the building of simulation models for specific supply chains which enable decision makers to experiment with different strategies and tactics to prevent or recover from supply chain disruptions.
Scheduling models are one of the main parts of computer-aided process design research in recent y... more Scheduling models are one of the main parts of computer-aided process design research in recent years. One of the novel applications of scheduling models is their usage for in-site utility management of a process plant. It is very common for huge process plants to provide their utility by themselves; therefore, they shall make decision on utility supply and demand simultaneously.
In most situations, managing disruptions in a chemical supply chain demands for more than one act... more In most situations, managing disruptions in a chemical supply chain demands for more than one actor to be involved and more than one activity to be managed. Consequently, proper coordination is a key requirement for successful disruption management in a supply chain. This, particularly, calls for a clear understanding of what coordination means and how coordination mechanisms can be designed. This is the focus of this work. The conceptual framework for coordination presented is implemented in an agent-based model that allows decision makers to evaluate and compare the effect of different coordination mechanisms on the performance of system. This would enable an improved understanding of coordination in disruption management before implementation in the real-life system.
Each simulation paradigm is characterized by a set of core assumptions and some underlying concep... more Each simulation paradigm is characterized by a set of core assumptions and some underlying concepts to describe the world. These assumptions, in fact, constrain the development of a conceptual model for the system of study. Consequently, the choice of appropriate simulation paradigm is an important step in model development process. In this paper, selection of a simulation approach for supply chain modeling is discussed. For this purpose, the supply chain is described from perspective of two well-established system theories. Firstly, supply chains are defined as socio-technical systems. Afterwards, they are described from complex adaptive systems perspective. This study gives a set of features for supply chains as complex socio-technical systems which is subsequently used to compare three simulation paradigms for supply chain modeling – namely, system dynamics, discrete-even simulation and agent-based simulation.
Several new trends in the international trade, started in 90s and still part of the main paradigm... more Several new trends in the international trade, started in 90s and still part of the main paradigm in managing business, together with higher level of competition in the markets, generate two inherently paradoxical situations in managing today’s supply chains. Firstly, two main factors, higher number of risk sources in a supply chain and faster propagation of risk impact in the network, put companies in a more risky position; however and paradoxically, the access to the resources needed to manage those risks has become much more limited. The outcome of this paradoxical situation is growing vulnerability in supply chains and higher impact on the companies’ performance; having a smooth operation in supply chains and providing reliable service to the customers seem more challenging now. Coupling this fact to the highly competitive nature of business and growing expectation of customers, we may find 21st_century companies in a second-level paradoxical situation.
How can we handle these paradoxical situations? For most experts the answer lays in Supply Chain Risk Management.
Abstract In this paper, the application of agent-based models for abnormal situation management i... more Abstract In this paper, the application of agent-based models for abnormal situation management in supply chains is presented. Two views of what an abnormal situation entails are considered ie performance-based and plan-based. The possible implementations of ...
This paper describes an integrated framework for handling disruptions in supply chains. The integ... more This paper describes an integrated framework for handling disruptions in supply chains. The integrated framework incorporates two main views on managing disruptions, namely pre- and post-disruption views, which are usually treated as separate issues in existing frameworks described in literature. The proposed integrated framework is used to structure literature review on the supply chain risk and disruption management. The literature review gives an overview of key aspects and specific methods which can be used for each step in the framework. Finally, two main observations in the existing literature on supply chain risk/disruption management are discussed. The first observation is that the literature has not uniformly discussed different parts of the framework. In general, the post-disruption process for managing supply chain disruptions has received relatively less attention than pre-disruption activities. The second observation which can be regarded as a direction for future research is lack of quantitative studies involving modeling and simulation to support the decision makers in better handling supply chain disruption.
During the last decade, the importance of process development has persuaded researchers to propos... more During the last decade, the importance of process development has persuaded researchers to propose a great number of optimization models on production planning and production scheduling for different productive processes. Although many scheduling and planning ...
Abstract A global industrial enterprise is a complex network of different distributed production... more Abstract A global industrial enterprise is a complex network of different distributed production plants producing, handling, and distributing specific products. Agent-based modeling is a proven approach for modeling complex networks of intelligent and distributed actors. In this ...
A global chemical supply chain is a complex network of different world-wide companies producing, ... more A global chemical supply chain is a complex network of different world-wide companies producing, handling, and distributing specific chemical products. For improving the overall performance of such systems, it is necessary to view them on one hand as a whole, and on the other as ...
Order acceptance under uncertainty is a challenging problem in supply chain management, especiall... more Order acceptance under uncertainty is a challenging problem in supply chain management, especially in make-to-order plants, such as in a specialty chemical manufacturing enterprise. In this work, we consider the effect of rush orders and design a negotiation-based policy ...
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Papers by Behzad Behdani
How can we handle these paradoxical situations? For most experts the answer lays in Supply Chain Risk Management.
How can we handle these paradoxical situations? For most experts the answer lays in Supply Chain Risk Management.