Applying Inventory Control Practices Within the Sisters of Mercy Health Care Supply Chain

This research lays a foundation for the better understanding of the application and acceptance of more advanced inventory control practices within the health care supply chain. The demand characteristics and optimal control policies for pharmaceutical items within a multi-echelon provider network are examined within the framework of a case study. Demand forecasting algorithms were applied to forecast demand for inventory control procedures. A spreadsheet-based inventory planning tool was used to minimize the inventory holding and ordering costs subject to fill rate constraints. The costs of inventory control models are compared to the current ordering and inventory control strategies to document potential cost savings using both a single echelon analysis and a multi-echelon analysis. The results indicate that there is great potential for significant cost savings within the provider network. It is likely that if other providers adopt such practices that they will be able to better control material supply costs

Implementing inter-organisational information systems for the integration of construction supply chains

Two trends are currently driving the need for supply chain firms to form closely integrated relationships: collaboration and digitisation. One of the ways to achieve digitisation of supply chain operations is to implement Inter-Organisational Information Systems (IOIS) with selected supply chain partners for a much more efficient, streamlined and orchestrated supply chain operations. Whilst IOIS can be implemented to support various cross-functional business processes (ranging from operational information exchange to pursuing strategic initiatives such as sharing ideas, identifying new market opportunities, and pursing a continuous improvement approach), in the context of this thesis, the purpose of IOIS implementation is to facilitate the inter-firm procurement-related operations with downstream supply chain firms. The study undertaken in this research project was initiated in response to an industry requirement to investigate the implementation of IOIS against a backdrop of improved Supply Chain Management and integration practices by large contractor organisations. A case study research strategy was adopted to investigate the IOIS project related, IOIS (system) related issues encountered in ex-ante and ex-post implementation stages of the IOIS. The study concludes that it is the non-technical factors that are critical to the successful delivery of IOIS projects and provides a guideline on IOIS implementation by large contractor organisations. The findings of this research project have been published in a number of peer-reviewed papers

Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing for Healthcare Provider Supply Chain Processes

In a time when healthcare costs continue to rise, nearly a third of hospital operating expenses are related to supplies, and the healthcare supply chain is complex, it is pertinent for healthcare providers to have a clear understanding of their healthcare supply chain process costs. Having a clear picture into how these costs are driven and where opportunities for cost reductions exist can support supply chain efficiencies. In this research, we develop a Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) supply chain cost management tool for healthcare providers. A TDABC management system can provide healthcare providers with valuable product and process supply chain cost information by investigating logistics activities, resource consumption, and time drivers. Based on prior expertise, existing literature, and a field study conducted with a 200-bed, not-for-profit hospital, a healthcare provider supply chain (HPSC) TDABC approach and supporting spreadsheet-based tool were developed to support cost measurement and management within the HPSC

Implementing commercial information exchange: a construction supply chain case study

The concept of electronic trading (e-trading) has transformed supply chain interactions in many industries, yet little research explored its implementation by Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) supply chain firms. E-trading relies on commercial information exchange by supply chain partners which is generally adopted through intermediary technology partners (Hub Providers) to facilitate the accurate and timely communication of transactional data between buyers and supplier. A case study was conducted to explore the challenges and barriers to implementation of cross-firm commercial information exchange. The study primarily involved investigation of the interfaces between software development and organizational functions assisting with the electronic exchange of commercial information (eCIX) implementation. Findings from the case study show that implementation of commercial information exchange is not an easy task with several themes of factors to be considered during delivery of such projects, namely technical, coordination, integration and organizational. The study contributes to the knowledge and deployment of e-trading solutions within the context of AEC firms, and should be of interest to the practitioners contemplating similar project

Optimization and cost analysis of lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks supply chains for biorefineries

This study estimated the biomass harvest and transport cost considering single pass biomass harvest with bulk and bale collections of biomass. Lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks costs were estimated using both corn stover and switchgrass as part of the feedstock supply chain. Harvest and transport cost for multi-pass biomass harvest operations using multiple feedstocks were analyzed and the optimal number of machines for all unit operations were estimated for each supply chain. This dissertation calculated and compared the biomass harvest and transport cost for single pass biomass harvest with bulk and bale collections of biomass. The objective of the research was to find the optimal number of machines, and least cost biomass harvest and transportation costs based on the harvest window, machine capacity, farm sizes and yield of the biomass. The least cost model was developed using the mixed integer non-linear programming model developed in General Algebraic Modeling System. The cost of harvest and transport using the bulk stover collection method was estimated about $25 Mg-1 ($23 ton-1) considering a transport distance of 3.2 km (2 miles) for primary storage from the field with the harvestable stover yield of 4.4 Mg ha-1 (2 ton ac-1) for the farm size of 2,000 ha. (5,000 ac.) Biomass feedstocks cost at the gate of biorefinery was estimated for multi-pass harvest systems with multi-feedstocks. Corn stover was considered a by-product of grain production and switchgrass as a single product. Planting and establishment cost was also considered along with harvest and transport cost for switchgrass. The cost of switchgrass varied from $75 Mg-1 to$97 Mg-1 ($68 ton-1 to$88 ton-1) and cost of corn stover varied from $75 Mg-1 to$97 Mg-1 ($20 ton-1 to$25 ton-1) respectively with the farm sizes variation from 400 ha to 2,000 ha (1,000 ac to 5,000 ac)

Greenhouse Tomatoes: Process Simulation

Growing population demand and challenges brought on by climate change have spurred the need for more resilient fruit and vegetable supply chains. One agricultural technology of significant interest is the use of greenhouses for food production. Greenhouses create a stable and adaptable environment for crops such as tomatoes to grow year-round. Fresh tomatoes are the second most consumed vegetable per capita in U.S. diets, currently averaging 20.7 pounds. The growing consumption of fresh tomatoes has been the result of increasing cultural diversity in the United States. To meet the growing demand, Venlo-type greenhouses have been frequently used by growers. It provides an economical solution to produce multiple crops in various climate environments while withstanding severe weather conditions. While there have been many studies and advancements in using greenhouse technology to grow tomatoes in Europe, production has yet to be analyzed in the U.S. This study seeks to fill the gap of greenhouse tomato production by simulating growing scenarios using the openly accessible Modelica Greenhouse Library in 10 select locations across the mainland USA. Two growing scenarios were explored, a base case without CO2 enrichment and a CO2+ case with a continuous flow of CO2 being externally supplied to the system. All simulations had yields above 3-8 kg/m2/yr, which is expected of field-grown tomatoes. However, a few locations were below the expected range of 50-80 kg/m2/yr yield for greenhouse-grown tomatoes. CO2 enrichment in most cases resulted in increased fresh weight yield, reduced the use of resources which improved Product Water Use (PWU), Electrical and Thermal Energy Efficiency. Factors influencing the model such as Temperature, Supplemental Lighting, and CO2 enrichment were discussed

Design, construction and testing of an innovative mechanism for manual wheelchair propulsion

The concern for people with disabilities who are users of wheelchairs has become a dynamic research area in the past several years. As part of this research, new and innovative mechanisms that give the manual wheelchair users a mechanical advantage, and allow them to operate a standard wheelchair with less effort and muscle strain are being developed.;An innovative mechanism has been conceived, designed, built, and tested. It allows the user to propel a standard wheelchair in both the push and pull strokes of the handle. This new design will allow for a more symmetric muscle development of the shoulder and upper-arm complex, and should reduce muscle (skeletal) injuries. A prototype of the innovative mechanism was built and retrofitted onto a standard manual wheelchair, and a portable wheelchair testing station was designed and fabricated to allow for human testing comparative measurements between a standard wheelchair and the innovative mechanism

Measuring plant complexity in food supply chain

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