In August 2007, the US government passed the 9/11 Act, requiring all US-bound containerized cargo to be scanned using radiation and non-intrusive imaging equipment at foreign seaports prior to vessel loading by July 2012. This project creates a quantitative framework to assist importers in analyzing the financial costs and delay...
This project developed a simulation model to determine the optimal inventory position when using a Kanban replenishment system for a heavy machinery manufacturing company. The model uses a stepwise optimization approach, targeting the total relevant cost as the objective function. We created for the company a generalized consumption-based treatment, which...
Utilizing supply chain best practices from industries outside of healthcare, a supply chain that reduces hospital supply chain costs has been designed and modeled. The supply chain is centered on patient-specific kits delivered from an offsite warehouse to hospital bedsides. Effective implementation requires that each individual hospital segment their products...
This project examines the strategies used by firms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their supply chains. It analyzes the performance in emissions reduction of forty firms, the twenty largest in the UK and US, and expands upon this analysis through a detailed discussion of specific behavior by firms such...
This project proposes a solution to leverage collaborative forecast information for planning using quantitative techniques. A statistical forecast is generated using a top-down and bottom-up approach. A joint forecast, which is a forecast weighted by statistical and collaborative forecast, is then generated. On an average, the joint forecast was much...
This thesis develops a model for a company to set up its supply chain segmentation based on customer services. The author introduces the “Push-Pull Segmentation Model” which is the model that balances the company and customer perspectives in the segmentation process. Additionally, he demonstrates how to implement the model by...
This project utilizes data mining techniques to determine the drivers of stock-out performance. Best performing and worst performing clusters of stores were identified using data clustering techniques. Logistic regression and multiple ordinary-least-squares regression were then used to gain further insights and quantify the drivers of stock-outs. Author: Khalid Usman Advisor...
This project studied the viability, projected growth, and sustainability of home based healthcare on the basis of affordability, acceptability, and availability. Three firms, two manufacturers and one pharmaceutical, were researched and interviewed to determine their strategies to succeed in the home healthcare market. Conclusions comprise observations about how the dynamics...
This project proposes a comprehensive framework to supply chain risk management based on the state-of-the-art in academia and business, and applies it to a CPG company to develop a case study. The research also draws from fields outside the normal realm of supply chain risk management, proposing notably a market...
This study reviewed and established a framework for selection of distribution strategies. In addition, this project analyzed advantages and disadvantages of utilizing different distribution strategies. Through case analysis, the study evaluated the benefits and costs of applying distribution center model for the seed industry, and addressed demand lags issue by...
This project developed requirements for a sustainable green automotive supply chain within a start-up enterprise entering the Indian emerging market. A supply chain-wide environmental management system, based on the ISO14001 standard, is used to integrate the identified green solutions for implementation and improvement within an auditable framework. Author: Gene Fisch...
This report elaborates on the concepts of home-based healthcare using the synthesis of the various published healthcare research, recent developments in technology, and scenario-based analysis of healthcare delivery in future. Using the underlying assumption that care delivered at home could reduce healthcare cost due to prevention, the report presents a...
This project developed an inventory model to find the optimal inventory distribution in a retail three-echelon network that enables high target service level at the stores. Using a multi-echelon approach, the optimal network inventory cost can be achieved by low inventory and service level at the intermediate echelon. The study...
In order to incorporate risk management into the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process, companies must segment their products and customers based on business importance, demand forecast, and order lead time. After completing these segmentation steps, companies can then apply appropriate risk management tactics to mitigate uncertainty in demand and...
This study developed a three stage procedure for the design of network flow and placement of safety stock in a multi-echelon supply chain shared by a large consumer goods manufacturer and a prominent retailer. The procedure provides a way to optimize the supply chain, reducing the logistics cost while achieving...
This research collected industrial and researchers' opinions about the value and suitability of the DSD model and analyzed the benefits of the DSD model by building two models: the generic distribution model and the costs of stock-out model. While individual firms must also consider company strategy, economy of scale, and...
This research evaluated supply chains for high volume products in India. Case studies of PepsiCo India and Tata Motors, two multinational companies operating in India, were used to identify supply chain challenges such as obsolete manufacturing practices and inadequate transportation infrastructure of the Indian emerging market. The case study analyses...
This thesis examines the relationship between centralization in the supply chain organization of companies, cost structure, and the factors prompting companies to either centralize or decentralize their supply chain organization. Author: Guruprakash Rangavittal and Tae-Hee Sohn Advisor: Chris Caplice
This research presents a case study of a distribution center in a fast food restaurant supply chain where the replenishment policy is “Never Run Out.” Supply chain costs and configurations at the distribution center are analyzed, and alternative supply chain strategies are suggested. These results are incorporated into a total...
This project developed a model to quantify the impact of business policy decisions, such as tender lead time, on truckload transportation costs. This model demonstrated that business policies have a substantial impact on companies’ overall transportation spend and these policies can be quickly modified to reduce cost with little risk...
Climate change and its political, social and economic implications are pushing companies to find ways to reduce the carbon footprint of their supply chains. This project examines tradeoffs between carbon footprint, cost, time and risk across three case studies of United States' perishable and consumer packaged goods firms and their...
This project developed a novel way of measuring and comparing account level Vendor-Managed Inventory forecasts with traditional high-level demand planning forecast. Insights were developed on how to integrate this valuable forecast and inventory information upstream into the demand planning process to effectively improve supply chain forecast accuracy. Author: Xihang Kou...
