Factors that affect the improvement of demand forecast accuracy through point-of-sale reporting

In the regular work process of peer review, editors have to read and understand the entire set of submissions to choose appropriate reviewers. However, due to a large number of submissions, to select reviewers manually becomes error-prone and time-consuming. In this research, a framework that considers different indispensable aspects such as topical relevance, topical authority and research interest is presented and, an integer linear programming problem is formulated with practical considerations to recommend reviewers for a group of submissions. Specifically, the topical relevance and the topical authority are utilized to recommend relevant and accredited candidates in submission-related topics, while the research interest is to exam the willingness of candidates to review a submission. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, categories of comparative experiments were conducted on two large scholarly datasets. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared with benchmark approaches, the proposed approach is capable to capture the research interest of reviewer candidates without a significant loss in different evaluation metrics. Our work can be helpful for editors to invite matching experts in peer review and highlight the necessity to uncover valuable information from big scholarly data for expert selection.

An integer linear programming model of reviewer assignment with research interest considerations

Purpose




The purpose of this paper is to present the development and implementation of a multiobjective optimization model and information system based on mobile technology, to support decision making in humanitarian logistics operations.




Design/methodology/approach




The trade-off between economic and social (deprivation) costs faced by governmental and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) involved in humanitarian logistics operations is modeled through a Pareto frontier analysis, which is obtained from a multiobjective optimization model. Such analysis is supported on an information system based on mobile technology.




Findings




Results show useful managerial insights for decision-makers by considering both economic and social costs associated to humanitarian logistics operations. Such insights include the importance of timely and accurate information shared through mobile technology.




Research limitations/implications




This research presents a multiobjective approach that considers social costs, which are modeled through deprivation functions. The authors suggest that a future nonlinear approach be also considered, since there will be instances where the deprivation cost is a nonlinear function throughout time. Also, the model and information system developed may not be suitable for other humanitarian aid instances, considering the specific characteristics of the events considered on this research.




Practical implications




The inclusion of several types of goods, vehicles, collecting points off the ground, distributions points on the ground, available roads after a disaster took place, as well as volume and weight constraints faced under these scenarios, are considered.




Social implications




Deprivation costs faced by affected population after a disaster took place are considered, which supports decision making in governmental and NGOs involved in humanitarian logistics operations toward welfare of such affected population in developing countries.




Originality/value




A numerical illustration in the Latin American context is presented, the model and information system developed can be used in other developing countries or regions that face similar challenges toward humanitarian logistics operations.

Multi objective optimization for humanitarian logistics operations through the use of mobile technologies

Supply Chain Management has been traditionally understood as the
management and optimisation of logistic processes regarding the
management of flows of goods. Business research recognises the Supply
Chain as mainly a support service for its key activities, and which is generally
examined in regard to the technical and engineering aspects with the sole
objective of finding the minimum cost solution. This research argues instead
that, in the fashion industry at least, Supply Chain Management becomes a
key activity in Value Chain management and therefore in the business model.
As a consequence, this study is not a Supply Chain Management Study in the
traditional sense but rather examines the disruptive fashion business model
focusing on innovation, starting with the restructuring of the Supply Chain,
based on information technology revolutionising the retail business and,
particularly, the fashion industry. Information technology has generated a
completely new Supply Chain Management model, leading to disruptive
competitive advantage.
This research focuses on the exploration of the Supply Chain at the level of
the theory of the firm and the concept of the business model, rather than at a
technical or operational level. The theoretical lens is at firm level examining
the concept of the business model. The empirical part of this study applies
qualitative and quantitative methods, as indicated. The main quantitative
method is financial analysis, which enables the examination of fifteen industry-leading
companies within the fashion industry. Additionally, descriptive and
bivariate statistical analysis are applied to examine the statistical strength and
significance of relationships between Supply Chain and business performance
variables. The second part of the empirical research uses expert interviews
with industry professionals to verify or falsify the findings of the statistical
analysis, and to develop the findings further.
The classical Supply Chain research approach is also questionable and should
be revisited; typical Supply Chain research variables include efficiency,
effectiveness, cycle time, postponement, whereas the main objective of Supply Chain research is the optimum configuration and design of a Supply Chain.
This research study makes a unique contribution to knowledge situating the
supply chain within the context of the theory of the firm and provides evidence
that the Supply Chain is more than a support function, it represents a key
business activity to increase competitiveness providing the infrastructure for
disruptive business model innovations. The overall result of the industry case
study and the expert interviews is that digitalisation changes the possibilities
in the Supply Chain configuration considerably. New Supply Chain
configurations enabled by digitalisation have led to disruptive business model
innovations, so that Supply Chain Management has become a key business
activity because it is the basis of the reorganising of the relationship between
the firm’s purchase markets, product development, manufacturing, distribution
channels, and the consumer market. This development represents a restricted
change at a lower level of business operations but a major one at the strategic
level, with implications for the theory of the firm and the theory of a firm’s
growth.
In this regard, the main issues of future Supply Chain research may therefore
be the challenges of delivering the right goods at the right time to the right
location and how to deliver the right data regarding commodity flows to the
right decision maker, within the right time. The Supply Chain department may
gradually become a Value Chain Management department, the business
model development department, at least in the industrial firm. However, the
term management may be somewhat misleading in this context because
management means controlling, implementing and supervising network-centric
operations in which defined production processes, reporting,
distribution processes and decisions almost always initiated by real-time POS
data leading to a highly responsive value chain.

Fast fashion: supply-chain management as the basis for disruptive business model innovation - a case study in the context of the theory of the firm

Encouraged by legislation, producing power through waste burning is on the increase in Europe. But in spite of its ability to reduce landfilling, environmental groups remain sceptical towards waste to energy technology such as that used by Sydkraft in Sweden.

Waste not, want not

A quick response (QR) program is a proven system to deal with the ever changing customer's demand and requirements. Effective information system is one of the backbones to have a successful QR program. This paper discusses how each of the recent technological developments in information technology (IT) has impacted QR program. This paper also discusses the steps that companies need to take in order to take complete advantage of these IT developments, as well as the directions of where IT and QR are heading.

/pdf/impact-of-information-systems-on-quick-response-programs-51k4nxwevf.pdf

Xiaohang Yue

Papers

Impact of Information Systems on Quick Response Programs