Service level

About: Service level is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 7647 publications have been published within this topic receiving 126093 citations. The topic is also known as: service level.

Exploring the impact of RFID on supply chain dynamics

Abstract: Radio-frequency identification (RFID) as an emerging technology has generated enormous amount of interest in the supply chain arena. With RFID technology, inventory can be tracked more accurately in real time resulting in reduced processing time and labor. More significantly, the complete visibility of accurate inventory data throughout the entire supply chain, from manufacturer's shop floor to warehouses to retail stores, brings opportunities for improvement and transformation in various processes of the supply chain. We developed a simulation model to study how RFID can improve supply chain performance by modeling the impact of RFID technology in a manufacturer-retailer supply chain environment. Our study provides a quantitative analysis to demonstrate the potential benefits of RFID in inventory reduction and service level improvement.

A hybrid genetic algorithm for production and distribution

Abstract: This paper develops a hybrid genetic algorithm for production and distribution problems in multi-factory supply chain models. Supply chain problems usually may involve multi-criterion decision-making, for example operating cost, service level, resources utilization, etc. These criteria are numerous and interrelated. To organize them, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) will be utilized. It provides a systematic approach for decision makers to assign weightings and relate them. Meanwhile, genetic algorithms (GAs) will be utilized to determine jobs allocation into suitable production plants. Genetic operators adopted to improve the genetic search algorithm will be introduced and discussed. Finally, a hypothetical production–distribution problem will be solved by the proposed algorithm. The optimization results show that it is reliable and robust.

An Empirical Analysis of Forecast Sharing in the Semiconductor Equipment Supply Chain

Abstract: We study the demand forecast-sharing process between a buyer of customized production equipment and a set of equipment suppliers. Based on a large data collection we undertook in the semiconductor equipment supply chain, we empirically investigate the relationship between the buyer's forecasting behavior and the supplier's delivery performance. The buyer's forecasting behavior is characterized by the frequency and magnitude of forecast revisions it requests (forecast volatility) as well as by the fraction of orders that were forecasted but never actually purchased (forecast inflation). The supplier's delivery performance is measured by its ability to meet delivery dates requested by the customers. Based on a duration analysis, we are able to show that suppliers penalize buyers for unreliable forecasts by providing lower service levels. Vice versa, we also show that buyers penalize suppliers that have a history of poor service by providing them with overly inflated forecasts.

Using simulation to improve the blood supply chain

Abstract: This case study is concerned with analysing policies for managing the blood inventory system in a typical UK hospital supplied by a regional blood centre. The objective of the project is to improve procedures and outcomes by modelling the entire supply chain for that hospital, from donor to recipient. The supply chain of blood products is broken down into material flows and information flows. Discrete-event simulation is used to determine ordering policies leading to reductions in shortages and wastage, increased service levels, improved safety procedures and reduced costs, by employing better system coordination. In this paper we describe the model and present results for a representative medium-sized hospital. The model can be used by both the National Blood Service and by hospital managers as a decision support tool to investigate different procedures and policies.

Healthcare supply chain management in Malaysia: a case study

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate inventory management in the private healthcare sector in Malaysia, with a particular focus on the distribution of medicines from a wholesaler to clinics. Currently, there are issues with service levels to clinics that need addressing. Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts a case study approach, with data collected through process mapping, interviews and data analysis. Data flow diagrams are used to visualise the organization's supply chain current and future process. Interviews are used to identify the main supply chain issues, with triangulation of these opinions through data analysis. Findings – The findings identify two main issues within the case study company – urgent orders and stock availability at the wholesaler. From this, a future state design of the supply chain is proposed, based around vendor-managed inventory. Barriers to achieving this are also identified, including consideration of current supply chain management capabilities in Malaysia. Research limitations/implications – Only a single case study supply chain is studied, although two echelons are investigated. While this may limit the generalisation of the findings, there is value in demonstrating the benefits modern supply chain management techniques can bring to developing world healthcare supply chains. Practical implications – The paper shows that modern supply chain management techniques can bring benefits to healthcare supply chains in developing countries. Originality/value – The value of the paper arises from providing a detailed analysis of a healthcare supply chain in the developing world. There have been only a small number of other studies published in the literature.