John O. McClain

Bio: John O. McClain is an academic researcher from Saint Petersburg State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Exponential smoothing & Smoothing. The author has an hindex of 23, co-authored 36 publications receiving 2996 citations. Previous affiliations of John O. McClain include Cornell University.

Capacitated lot sizing with setup times

Abstract: This research focuses on the effect of setup time on lot sizing. The setting is the Capacitated Lot Sizing Problem (the single-machine lot sizing problem) with nonstationary costs, demands, and setup times. A Lagrangian relaxation of the capacity constraints of CLSP allows it to be decomposed into a set of uncapacitated single product lot sizing problems. The Lagrangian dual costs are updated by subgradient optimization, and the single-item problems are solved by dynamic programming. A heuristic smoothing procedure constructs feasible solutions (production plans) which do not require overtime. The algorithm solves problems with setup time or setup cost. Problems with extremely tightly binding capacity constraints were much more difficult to solve than anticipated. Solutions without overtime could not always be found for them. The most significant results are that (1) the tightness of the capacity constraint is a good indicator of problem difficulty for problems with setup time; and (2) the algorithm solve...

Commissioned Paper: On the Interface Between Operations and Human Resources Management

Abstract: Operations management (OM) and human resources management (HRM) historically have been very separate fields. In practice, operations managers and human resource managers interact primarily on administrative issues regarding payroll and other matters. In academia, the two subjects are studied by separate communities of scholars publishing in disjoint sets of journals, drawing on mostly separate disciplinary foundations. Yet, operations and human resources are intimately related at a fundamental level. Operations are the context that often explains or moderates the effects of human resource activities such as pay, training, communications, and staffing. Human responses to OM systems often explain variations or anomalies that would otherwise be treated as randomness or error variance in traditional operations research models. In this paper, we probe the interface between operations and human resources by examining how human considerations affect classical OM results and how operational considerations affect classical HRM results. We then propose a unifying framework for identifying new research opportunities at the intersection of the two fields.

Mathematical Programming Approaches to Capacity-Constrained MRP Systems: Review, Formulation and Problem Reduction

Abstract: This paper introduces a line of research on capacity-constrained multi-stage production scheduling problems. The first section introduces the problem area as it arises from a failure of MRP systems. Then a review of the literature and an analysis of the type of problems that exist are presented in §2. Section 3 outlines linear and mixed integer-linear programming formulations. These formulations compute the required production lead times according to the demands on available capacity, thereby reducing in-process inventory compared to the usual practice in MRP. A discussion of how to use the LP version is included. However, the size of the problems in practice implies that more efficient solution techniques must be found. The final topic of this paper, Product Structure Compression, is introduced as a method to reduce the size of the problem without losing optimality.

The Role of Work-in-Process Inventory in Serial Production Lines

Abstract: In serial production systems, storage may be provided between processes to avoid interference due to lack of synchronization. This paper investigates the behavior of lines buffered in this way and explores the distribution and quantity of work-in-process WIP inventory that accumulates. We study simple, generic production systems to gain insight into the behavior of more complex systems. The authors are surprised by the sometimes counterintuitive results, but are joined in this surprise by both academics and practitioners with whom the study has been discussed. Results are presented for: identical workstations with and without buffers; balanced lines in which variability of processing times differs between stations; unbalanced lines; and lines with unreliable workstations. In general, buffers between workstations increase system capacity but with sharply diminishing returns. Position as well as capacity of the buffers are important. These results are preliminary, to be confirmed and extended by further study-indeed, a primary purpose of this paper is to stimulate such study. However, even these preliminary results yield design guidelines that should be useful in industrial practice.

The Human Side of Enterprise.

Abstract: \"What are your assumptions (implicit as well as explicit) about the most effective way to manage people?\" So began Douglas McGregor in this 1960 management classic. It was a seemingly simple question he asked, yet it led to a fundamental revolution in management. Today, with the rise of the global economy, the information revolution, and the growth of knowledge-driven work, McGregor's simple but provocative question continues to resonate-perhaps more powerfully than ever before. Heralded as one of the most important pieces of management literature ever written, a touchstone for scholars and a handbook for practitioners, The Human Side of Enterprise continues to receive the highest accolades nearly half a century after its initial publication. Influencing such major management gurus such as Peter Drucker and Warren Bennis, McGregor's revolutionary Theory Y-which contends that individuals are self-motivated and self-directed-and Theory X-in which employees must be commanded and controlled-has been widely taught in business schools, industrial relations schools, psychology departments, and professional development seminars for over four decades. In this special annotated edition of the worldwide management classic, Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld, Senior Research Scientist in MIT's Sloan School of Management and Engineering Systems Division, shows us how today's leaders have successfully incorporated McGregor's methods into modern management styles and practices. The added quotes and commentary bring the content right into today's debates and business models. Now more than ever, the timeless wisdom of Douglas McGregor can light the path towards a management style that nurtures leadership capability, creates effective teams, ensures internal alignment, achieves high performance, and cultivates an authentic, value-driven workplace--lessons we all need to learn as we make our way in this brave new world of the 21st century.

Fundamentals of Queueing Theory

Abstract: Praise for the Third Edition: "This is one of the best books available. Its excellent organizational structure allows quick reference to specific models and its clear presentation . . . solidifies the understanding of the concepts being presented."IIE Transactions on Operations EngineeringThoroughly revised and expanded to reflect the latest developments in the field, Fundamentals of Queueing Theory, Fourth Edition continues to present the basic statistical principles that are necessary to analyze the probabilistic nature of queues. Rather than presenting a narrow focus on the subject, this update illustrates the wide-reaching, fundamental concepts in queueing theory and its applications to diverse areas such as computer science, engineering, business, and operations research.This update takes a numerical approach to understanding and making probable estimations relating to queues, with a comprehensive outline of simple and more advanced queueing models. Newly featured topics of the Fourth Edition include:Retrial queuesApproximations for queueing networksNumerical inversion of transformsDetermining the appropriate number of servers to balance quality and cost of serviceEach chapter provides a self-contained presentation of key concepts and formulae, allowing readers to work with each section independently, while a summary table at the end of the book outlines the types of queues that have been discussed and their results. In addition, two new appendices have been added, discussing transforms and generating functions as well as the fundamentals of differential and difference equations. New examples are now included along with problems that incorporate QtsPlus software, which is freely available via the book's related Web site.With its accessible style and wealth of real-world examples, Fundamentals of Queueing Theory, Fourth Edition is an ideal book for courses on queueing theory at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners who analyze congestion in the fields of telecommunications, transportation, aviation, and management science.