Identification of Reverse Engineering Candidates utilizing Machine Learning and Aircraft Cannibalization Data

As military aircraft continue to remain in service and age, cannibalization of parts is increasing. Proactive identification of parts that are at high risk for cannibalization will inform engineering processes such as reverse engineering, thus allowing potentially reducing lead time to develop new parts. The research objective was to develop a causal structure that can be used for prediction of when cannibalization actions may occur. Bayesian networks allow encoding of causality between various descriptive features given a data set. The method utilized a tabu search algorithm, identified the underlying causal structure and the associated node probabilities. The method is then applied to an aircraft case study. The analysis resulted in a predictive algorithm with a true positive rate of 73 – 96 percent depending on the target feature. The results indicate high precision and recall for all target features. Additional research is needed in order to validate the causal structure with military personal, incorporate domain expertise, and reduce the high false alarm rate

Reverse Logistics Risk Management; Identification, Clustering, and Risk Mitigation Strategies

Purpose- Reverse Logistics (RL), an inseparable aspect of supply chain management, returns used products to recovery processes with the aim of reducing waste generation. Enterprises, however, seem reluctant to apply RL due to various types of risks which are perceived as posing an economic threat to businesses. This paper draws on a synthesis of supply chain and risk management literature to identify and cluster RL risk factors and to recommend risk mitigation strategies for reducing the negative impact of risks on RL implementation. Design/methodology/approach- The authors identify and cluster risk factors in RL by using risk management theory. Experts in RL and supply chain risk management validated the risk factors via a questionnaire. An unsupervised data mining method, Self-Organising Map (SOM), is utilised to cluster reverse logistics risk factors into homogeneous categories. Findings- 41 risk factors in the context of RL were identified and clustered into three different groups: strategic, tactical, and operational. Risk mitigation strategies are recommended to mitigate the RL risk factors by drawing on supply chain risk management approaches. Originality/value- This paper studies risks in RL and recommends risk management strategies to control and mitigate risk factors to implement RL successfully

Optimizing the Disposition and Retrograde of United States Air Force Class VII Equipment from Afghanistan

To meet the President\u27s established OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM drawdown date of 1 December 2014, the United States Air Force, while continuing to conduct and support combat operations, must begin to plan disposition and execute retrograde its Class VII equipment. Calling upon concepts utilized in the management of closed-loop supply chains and optimization, this research proposes a multiple objective linear program to optimize the alignment of Bagram and Kandahar Air Base positioned equipment with in-garrison demand. Closed-loop supply chains provide planning process guidelines necessary for second use value creation and efficient reverse logistical flows. Optimization concepts provide the methodology for model development and output. The proposed multiple objective model provides solutions and equipment disposition instructions that minimize the deviations from the lowest total surface transportation cost and maximum average demand satisfaction values. To ensure compliance with Air Force guidance on equipment prioritization, cost-efficient transportation and maximum amounts of supply, multiple pre-process and model constraints limit the allocation of supply to demand bases. Combining situational specific user input values and constraints provides United States Air Force equipment managers the ability to test multiple courses of action for both real-time and future equipment movements

The Future of Retail Operations

Retailing consists of all the activities associated with the selling of goods to the final consumer. In this article, we review the research on retail operations published in Manufacturing & Service Operations Research (M&SOM) since 1999. We then discuss the current retail landscape and the new research directions it offers, in which M&SOM can play a prominent role

Decision Support System for Managing Reverse Supply Chain

Reverse logistics are becoming more and more important in the overall Industry area because of the environment and business factors. Planning and implementing a suitable reverse logistics network could bring more profit, customer satisfaction, and an excellent social picture for companies. But, most of the logistics networks are not equipped to handle the return products in reverse channels. Reverse logistics processes and plans rely heavily on reversing the supply chain so that companies can correctly identify and categorize returned products for disposition, an area that offers many opportunities for additional revenue. The science of reverse logistics includes return policy administration, product recall protocols, repairs processing, product repackaging, parts management, recycling, product disposition management, maximizing liquidation values and much more. The focus of this project is to develop a reverse logistics management system/ tools (RLMS). The proposed tools are demonstrated in the following order. First, we identify the risks involved in the reverse supply chain. Survey tool is used to collect data and information required for analysis. The methodologies that are used to identify key risks are the six sigma tools, namely Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC), SWOT analysis, cause and effect, and Risk Mapping. An improved decision-making method using fuzzy set theory for converting linguistic data into numeric risk ratings has been attempted. In this study, the concept of ‘Left and Right dominance approach’(Chen and Liu, 2001) and Method of ‘In center of centroids’ (Thoran et al., 2012a,b) for generalized trapezoidal fuzzy numbers has been used to quantify the ‘degree of risk’ in terms of crisp ratings. After the analysis, the key risks are identified are categorized, and an action requirement plan suggested for providing guidelines for the managers to manage the risk successfully in the context of reverse logistics. Next, from risk assessment findings, information technology risk presents the highest risk impact on the performance of the reverse logistics, especially lack of use of a decision support system (DSS). We propose a novel multi-attribute decision (MADM) support tool that can categorizes return products and make the best alternative selection of recovery and disposal option using carefully considered criteria using MADM decision making methodologies such as fuzzy MOORA and VIKOR. The project can be applied to all types of industries. Once the returned products are collected and categorized at the retailers/ Points of return (PoR), an optimized network is required to determine the number of reprocessing centres to be opened and the optimized optimum material flow between retailers, reprocessing, recycling and disposal centers at minimum costs. The research develops a mixed integer linear programming model for two scenarios, namely considering direct shipping from retailer/ PoR to the respective reprocessing centers and considering the use of centralized return centers (CRC). The models are solved using LINGO 15 software and excel solver tools respectively. The advantage of the implementation of our solution is that it will help improve performance and reduce time. This benefits the company by having a reduction in their cost due to uncertainties and also contributes to better customer satisfaction. Implementation of these tools at ABZ computer distributing company demonstrates how the reverse logistics management tools can used in order to be beneficial to the organization. The tool is designed to be easily implemented at minimal cost and serves as a valuable tool for personnel faced with significant and costly decisions regarding risk assessment, decision making and network optimization in the reverse supply chain practices

Review of Quantitative Methods for Supply Chain Resilience Analysis

Supply chain resilience (SCR) manifests when the network is capable to withstand, adapt, and recover from disruptions to meet customer demand and ensure performance. This paper conceptualizes and comprehensively presents a systematic review of the recent literature on quantitative modeling the SCR while distinctively pertaining it to the original concept of resilience capacity. Decision-makers and researchers can benefit from our survey since it introduces a structured analysis and recommendations as to which quantitative methods can be used at different levels of capacity resilience. Finally, the gaps and limitations of existing SCR literature are identified and future research opportunities are suggested

Review of Quantitative Methods for Supply Chain Resilience Analysis

Supply chain resilience (SCR) manifests when the network is capable to withstand, adapt, and recover from disruptions to meet customer demand and ensure performance. This paper conceptualizes and comprehensively presents a systematic review of the recent literature on quantitative modeling the SCR while distinctively pertaining it to the original concept of resilience capacity. Decision-makers and researchers can benefit from our survey since it introduces a structured analysis and recommendations as to which quantitative methods can be used at different levels of capacity resilience. Finally, the gaps and limitations of existing SCR literature are identified and future research opportunities are suggested

Airline Catering Supply Chain Performance during Pandemic Disruption: A Bayesian Network Modelling Approach

The supply chain (SC) encompasses all actions related to meeting customer requests and transferring materials upstream to meet those demands. Organisations must operate towards increasing SC efficiency and effectiveness to meet SC objectives. Although most businesses expected the COVID-19 pandemic to severely negatively impact their SCs, they did not know how to model disruptions or their effects on performance in the event of a pandemic, leading to delayed responses, an incomplete understanding of the pandemic’s effects and late deployment of recovery measures. This paper presents a method for modelling and quantifying SC performance assessment for airline catering. In the COVID-19 context, the researchers proposed a Bayesian network (BN) model to measure SC performance and risk events and quantify the consequences of pandemic disruptions. The research simulates and measures the impact of different triggers on SC performance and business continuity using forward and backward propagation analysis, among other BN features, enabling us to combine various SC perspectives and explicitly account for pandemic scenarios. This study’s findings offer a fresh theoretical perspective on the use of BNs in pandemic SC disruption modelling. The findings can be used as a decision-making tool to predict and better understand how pandemics affect SC performance.Airline Catering Supply Chain Performance during Pandemic Disruption: A Bayesian Network Modelling ApproachacceptedVersio

Partner selection for reverse logistics centres in green supply chains: a fuzzy artificial immune optimisation approach

The design of reverse logistics networks has now emerged as a major issue for manufacturers, not only in developed countries where legislation and societal pressures are strong, but also in developing countries where the adoption of reverse logistics practices may offer a competitive advantage. This paper presents a new model for partner selection for reverse logistic centres in green supply chains. The model offers three advantages. Firstly, it enables economic, environment, and social factors to be considered simultaneously. Secondly, by integrating fuzzy set theory and artificial immune optimization technology, it enables both quantitative and qualitative criteria to be considered simultaneously throughout the whole decision-making process. Thirdly, it extends the flat criteria structure for partner selection evaluation for reverse logistics centres to the more suitable hierarchy structure. The applicability of the model is demonstrated by means of an empirical application based on data from a Chinese electronic equipment and instruments manufacturing company