On two-echelon inventory systems with Poisson demand and lost sales

We derive approximations for the service levels of two-echelon inventory systems with lost sales and Poisson demand. Our method is simple and accurate for a very broad range of problem instances, including cases with both high and low service levels. In contrast, existing methods only perform well for limited problem settings, or under restrictive assumptions.\u

Product placement

The exhibition brought together a range of artists and product designers who share an interest in how objects are made, displayed / marketed and sold in contemporary culture. The exhibition questioned issues surrounding the production, technology and marketing of commodities, but on a wider scale, how (and by whom) participation in consumer activity is structured or framed. Each artist and product designer was ‘paired’ in order to produce a new object, multiple or edition for exhibition. Via this cross-disciplinary collaboration, new working processes were to be found and explored, as well as allowing a re-appraisal of the conceptual elements of their practices. The resulting polymorphic objects (often neither product or artwork) were placed in an installation developed for the exhibition. Through an architectural re-working of the gallery, the space becomes a parody of 'catalogue' stores - mimicking their structure of experience with catalogue kiosks, service point (with uniformed assistant) and market hall/storage space. Merging this structure into the space intended to amplify the functional similarities and behavioral prompts of gallery, retail and warehouse spaces

Let\u27s Ride the Bus: Reverse-Commute Challenges Facing Low-Income Inner City Residents of Onondaga County (2009 Report)

This is the second and final phase of our investigation into the reverse-commute challenges facing low-income inner-city residents in Onondaga County. With lower-wage jobs proliferating outside the city core, our findings confirm that transportation remains one of the greatest obstacles to landing and keeping entry-level work. The current transit system does not meet the needs of low-income workers living in the city or employers based in outlying neighborhoods or the suburbs. Although a majority of manufacturing employers contacted for this study said transportation shortfalls do not affect their ability to hire and retain workers, other stakeholders jobseekers, job developers, service providers, county planners, and transit professionals—insist the problem is real: Jobseekers with few skills and limited access to transportation struggle to find employment while employers in other key sectors, notably hospitality and health services, contend with the consequences in the form of high turnover, tardiness, absences, and vacancies, as noted in our 2008 report, Catch That Bus... Inadequacies in the local transit system will affect the county\u27s longer-term economic vitality. Current concerns about air pollution, environmental conservation, energy costs, and strained municipal budgets add to the urgency of addressing the interrelated issues of employment, transportation, economic development, and sprawl. Collaboration among key stakeholders—the County, Centro, employers, private transit operators, service providers, and town boards--is necessary to advance the parties\u27 mutual interests

A Taxonomy of Algorithmic Control Systems

Algorithmic control (AC) uses digital technologies and advanced algorithms to control workers and is rapidly becoming a central component of modern work environments. While previous research has explored the implications of AC by examining its specific forms, mechanisms, or functions, this research argues for a broader understanding of AC as socio-technical systems, explicitly considering the technological and organizational characteristics of AC. The overarching goal of this study is to identify and conceptualize the core dimensions and respective characteristics of AC systems. To achieve this goal, we develop a taxonomy based on a review of prior literature and an analysis of 21 empirical examples. Furthermore, we demonstrate the application and usefulness of the derived taxonomy by applying it to three real-world AC systems. By adopting a holistic system perspective and developing a validated taxonomy, our study contributes to the theoretical understanding of AC systems and sets the stage for deeper exploration in future research

Spartan Daily, December 3, 1997

Volume 109, Issue 64https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/9211/thumbnail.jp

Regional Data Archiving and Management for Northeast Illinois

This project studies the feasibility and implementation options for establishing a regional data archiving system to help monitor and manage traffic operations and planning for the northeastern Illinois region. It aims to provide a clear guidance to the regional transportation agencies, from both technical and business perspectives, about building such a comprehensive transportation information system. Several implementation alternatives are identified and analyzed. This research is carried out in three phases. In the first phase, existing documents related to ITS deployments in the broader Chicago area are summarized, and a thorough review is conducted of similar systems across the country. Various stakeholders are interviewed to collect information on all data elements that they store, including the format, system, and granularity. Their perception of a data archive system, such as potential benefits and costs, is also surveyed. In the second phase, a conceptual design of the database is developed. This conceptual design includes system architecture, functional modules, user interfaces, and examples of usage. In the last phase, the possible business models for the archive system to sustain itself are reviewed. We estimate initial capital and recurring operational/maintenance costs for the system based on realistic information on the hardware, software, labor, and resource requirements. We also identify possible revenue opportunities. A few implementation options for the archive system are summarized in this report; namely: 1. System hosted by a partnering agency 2. System contracted to a university 3. System contracted to a national laboratory 4. System outsourced to a service provider The costs, advantages and disadvantages for each of these recommended options are also provided.ICT-R27-22published or submitted for publicationis peer reviewe

On the Unique Features and Benefits of On-Demand Distribution Models

To close the gap between current distribution operations and today’s customer expectations, firms need to think differently about how resources are acquired, managed and allocated to fulfill customer requests. Rather than optimize planned resource capacity acquired through ownership or long- term partnerships, this work focuses on a specific supply-side innovation – on-demand distribution platforms. On-demand distribution systems move, store, and fulfill goods by matching autonomous suppliers\u27 resources (warehouse space, fulfillment capacity, truck space, delivery services) to requests on-demand. On-demand warehousing systems can provide resource elasticity by allowing capacity decisions to be made at a finer granularity (at the pallet-level) and commitment (monthly versus yearly), than construct or lease options. However, such systems are inherently more complex than traditional systems, as well as have varying costs and operational structures (e.g., higher variable costs, but little or no fixed costs). New decision- supporting models are needed to capture these trade-offs

Algorithmic Control in Platform and Traditional Work Settings: An Updated Conceptual Framework

Algorithmic control (AC) is an emerging phenomenon shaping the future of work. While AC is already well established in the platform economy, it is also gaining traction in traditional organizations. Given that AC represents a new phenomenon, it still suffers from a relatively immature conceptual basis. Here, an up-and-coming conceptual AC framework is the so-called “6R” framework by Kellogg et al. (2020). This framework, however, has not been conceptually and empirically tested yet, which is the focus of the study at hand. To test the 6R framework, we use a combination of a literature review (top-down) and interviews (bottom-up). Our study sets forth to refine and extend the framework, resulting in an updated 5RSM framework of AC. The proposed framework represents an updated conceptualization of AC, applicable to both platform and traditional work settings, and lays the foundation for future research, including scale development

The Constant Boss: Work Under Digital Surveillance

In The Constant Boss, author Aiha Nguyen—Data & Society's Labor Futures Program Director—chronicles the crucial yet underrepresented perspectives of workers in the debate about workplace surveillance and data privacy, especially (primarily) low-wage and hourly workers who are subject to workplace surveillance and algorithmic management.The report finds that workers experience speedups, employment insecurity, a shifting of risks and costs from employers to workers, and an exacerbation of racial profiling and bias. This results in a power imbalance wherein workers have little insight into how they're tracked or how their data is used, making it difficult to voice concerns