RESEARCH REPORTS: THE ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF A NEW JERSEY FRESH TOMATO PACKING FACILITY: A STOCHASTIC SIMULATION APPROACH

This study evaluates the economic feasibility of establishing a packing house for the New Jersey Tomato Council Cooperative Association. Several scenarios were evaluated using a comprehensive firm-level, dynamic, stochastic, multiple-year, capital-budgeting computer model. Results indicate that the packing house would have difficulty sustaining itself if it packed tomatoes only during the three months a year that local tomatoes are produced. Economic performance of the packing house improved, however, when additional tomatoes were repacked from another supplier during the months that tomatoes are not produced in New Jersey.Agribusiness,

FUZZY LOGIC AND COMPROMISE PROGRAMMING IN PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

The objective of this paper is to develop a portfolio optimization technique that is simple enough for an individual with little knowledge of economic theory to systematically determine his own optimized portfolio. A compromise programming approach and a fuzzy logic approach are developed as alternatives to the traditional EV model.Agricultural Finance,

Using LEL and scenarios to derive mathematical programming models. Application in a fresh tomato packing problem

[EN] Mathematical programming models are invaluable tools at decision making, assisting managers to uncover otherwise unattainable means to optimize their processes. However, the value they provide is only as good as their capacity to capture the process domain. This information can only be obtained from stakeholders, i.e., clients or users, who can hardly communicate the requirements clearly and completely. Besides, existing conceptual models of mathematical programming models are not standardized, nor is the process of deriving the mathematical programming model from the concept model, which remains ad hoc. In this paper, we propose an agile methodology to construct mathematical programming models based on two techniques from requirements engineering that have been proven effective at requirements elicitation: the language extended lexicon (LEL) and scenarios. Using the pair of LEL + scenarios allows to create a conceptual model that is clear and complete enough to derive a mathematical programming model that effectively captures the business domain. We also define an ontology to describe the pair LEL + scenarios, which has been implemented with a semantic mediawiki and allows the collaborative construction of the conceptual model and the semi-automatic derivation of mathematical programming model elements. The process is applied and validated in a known fresh tomato packing optimization problem. This proposal can be of high relevance for the development and implementation of mathematical programming models for optimizing agriculture and supply chain management related processes in order to fill the current gap between mathematical programming models in the theory and the practice.This work was supported by the European Commission, project RUC-APS, grant number 691249, funded by the European Union's research and innovation programme under the H2020 Marie SklodowskaCurie Actions; and the Argentinian National Agency for Scientific and Technical Promotion (ANPCyT), grant number PICT-2015-3000.Garrido, A.; Antonelli, L.; Martin, J.; Alemany Díaz, MDM.; Mula, J. (2020). Using LEL and scenarios to derive mathematical programming models. Application in a fresh tomato packing problem. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 170:1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2020.105242S114170Alemany, M., Ortiz, A., & Fuertes-Miquel, V. S. (2018). 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Journal of the Operational Research Society, 53(10), 1072-1092. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jors.2601361Esteso, A., Alemany, M. M. E., Ortiz, Á., & Peidro, D. (2018). A multi-objective model for inventory and planned production reassignment to committed orders with homogeneity requirements. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 124, 180-194. doi:10.1016/j.cie.2018.07.025Esteso, A., Alemany, M. M. E., & Ortiz, A. (2018). Conceptual framework for designing agri-food supply chains under uncertainty by mathematical programming models. International Journal of Production Research, 56(13), 4418-4446. doi:10.1080/00207543.2018.1447706Grillo, H., Alemany, M. M. E., Ortiz, A., & Fuertes-Miquel, V. S. (2017). Mathematical modelling of the order-promising process for fruit supply chains considering the perishability and subtypes of products. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 49, 255-278. doi:10.1016/j.apm.2017.04.037Grossmann, I. (2005). Enterprise-wide optimization: A new frontier in process systems engineering. AIChE Journal, 51(7), 1846-1857. doi:10.1002/aic.10617Gruber, T. R. (1993). A translation approach to portable ontology specifications. Knowledge Acquisition, 5(2), 199-220. doi:10.1006/knac.1993.1008Gruber, T. R. (1995). Toward principles for the design of ontologies used for knowledge sharing? International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 43(5-6), 907-928. doi:10.1006/ijhc.1995.1081Hernández, J. E., Mula, J., Ferriols, F. J., & Poler, R. (2008). A conceptual model for the production and transport planning process: An application to the automobile sector. Computers in Industry, 59(8), 842-852. doi:10.1016/j.compind.2008.06.004Laporti, V., Borges, M. R. S., & Braganholo, V. (2009). Athena: A collaborative approach to requirements elicitation. Computers in Industry, 60(6), 367-380. doi:10.1016/j.compind.2009.02.011Do Prado Leite, J. C. S., Hadad, G. D. S., Doorn, J. H., & Kaplan, G. N. (2000). A Scenario Construction Process. Requirements Engineering, 5(1), 38-61. doi:10.1007/pl00010342Lenat, D. B. (1995). CYC. Communications of the ACM, 38(11), 33-38. doi:10.1145/219717.219745Lesh, R. (1981). Applied mathematical problem solving. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 12(2), 235-264. doi:10.1007/bf00305624Lezoche, M., Yahia, E., Aubry, A., Panetto, H., & Zdravković, M. (2012). Conceptualising and structuring semantics in cooperative enterprise information systems models. Computers in Industry, 63(8), 775-787. doi:10.1016/j.compind.2012.08.006Liu, L., Wang, H., & Xing, S. (2019). Optimization of distribution planning for agricultural products in logistics based on degree of maturity. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 160, 1-7. doi:10.1016/j.compag.2019.02.030Miller, G. A. (1995). WordNet. Communications of the ACM, 38(11), 39-41. doi:10.1145/219717.219748Miller, W. A., Leung, L. C., Azhar, T. M., & Sargent, S. (1997). Fuzzy production planning model for fresh tomato packing. International Journal of Production Economics, 53(3), 227-238. doi:10.1016/s0925-5273(97)00110-2Moskaliuk, J., Kimmerle, J., & Cress, U. (2009). Wiki-supported learning and knowledge building: effects of incongruity between knowledge and information. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 25(6), 549-561. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2729.2009.00331.xMula, J., Poler, R., García-Sabater, J. P., & Lario, F. C. (2006). Models for production planning under uncertainty: A review. International Journal of Production Economics, 103(1), 271-285. doi:10.1016/j.ijpe.2005.09.001Mula, J., Peidro, D., Díaz-Madroñero, M., & Vicens, E. (2010). Mathematical programming models for supply chain production and transport planning. European Journal of Operational Research, 204(3), 377-390. doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2009.09.008MUNDI, I., ALEMANY, M. M. E., BOZA, A., & POLER, R. (2013). A Model-Driven Decision Support System for the Master Planning of Ceramic Supply Chains with Non-uniformity of Finished Goods. Studies in Informatics and Control, 22(2). doi:10.24846/v22i2y201305Munir, K., & Sheraz Anjum, M. (2018). The use of ontologies for effective knowledge modelling and information retrieval. Applied Computing and Informatics, 14(2), 116-126. doi:10.1016/j.aci.2017.07.003Perales, D. D. P., Esteban, F.-C. L., Díaz, M. M. E. A., & Hernández, J. E. (2012). Framework for Modelling the Decision. International Journal of Decision Support System Technology, 4(2), 59-77. doi:10.4018/jdsst.2012040104Raghunathan, S. (1996). A structured modeling based methodology to design decision support systems. Decision Support Systems, 17(4), 299-312. doi:10.1016/0167-9236(96)00006-1Schneeweiss, C. (2003). Distributed decision making in supply chain management. International Journal of Production Economics, 84(1), 71-83. doi:10.1016/s0925-5273(02)00381-xSchneeweiss, C. (2003). 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Ergonomic work analyses method in fresh tomato packing houses: manual material handling

The manual material handling (MMH) is the most frequent labor activity in tomato packing houses. The main goal of this paper was to analyze, under an ergonomic point of view, the MMH tasks in six fresh tomato packing houses. The ergonomic work analyses method was applied for an overall approach of work activities. The NIOSH equation was applied to calculate the recommended weight limit and a Body Discomfort Diagram was used to identify the painful body workers areas. In all cases, the actual load overcame the recommended weight limits by NIOSH.A movimentação manual de cargas (MMC) nas unidades de beneficiamento de tomates (UB) é a atividade laboral mais freqüente nas etapas do processo de beneficiamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar, sob a ótica da ergonomia, as tarefas de MMC em seis UB de tomate de mesa do Estado de São Paulo. Foi aplicado o método da análise ergonômica do trabalho (AET) para conhecimento dos problemas associados à carga laboral. Nos postos de trabalho onde a MMC foi predominante, aplicou-se o método da equação do National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) para determinar o Limite de Peso Recomendado e o método do Diagrama das Áreas Dolorosas para identificar as áreas do corpo dos trabalhadores que apresentam desconforto. Em todas os casos estudados, o peso real da carga movimentada manualmente superou o limite de peso recomendado pelo NIOSH.10731079Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Using LEL and scenarios to derive mathematical programming models: application in a fresh tomato packing problem

Mathematical programming models are invaluable tools at decision making, assisting managers to uncover otherwise 12 unattainable means to optimize their processes. However, the value they provide is only as good as their capacity to 13 capture the process domain. This information can only be obtained from stakeholders, i.e., clients or users, who can 14 hardly communicate the requirements clearly and completely. Besides, existing conceptual models of mathematical 15 programming models are not standardized, nor is the process of deriving the mathematical programming model from 16 the concept model, which remains ad hoc. In this paper, we propose an agile methodology to construct mathematical 17 programming models based on two techniques from requirements engineering that have been proven effective at 18 requirements elicitation: the language extended lexicon (LEL) and scenarios. Using the pair of LEL + scenarios allows 19 to create a conceptual model that is clear and complete enough to derive a mathematical programming model that 20 effectively captures the business domain. We also define an ontology to describe the pair LEL + scenarios, which has 21 been implemented with a semantic mediawiki and allows the collaborative construction of the conceptual model and 22 the semi-automatic derivation of mathematical programming model elements. The process is applied and validated in 23 a known fresh tomato packing optimization problem. This proposal can be of high relevance for the development and 24 implementation of mathematical programming models for optimizing agriculture and supply chain management 25 related processes in order to fill the current gap between mathematical programming models in the theory and the 26 practice.Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzad

Shrimp closed-loop supply chain network design

none3Recent developments in food industries have attracted both academic and industrial practitioners. Shrimp as a well-known, rich, and sought-after seafood, is generally obtained from either marine environments or aquaculture. Central prominence of Shrimp Supply Chain (SSC) is brought about by numerous factors such as high demand, market price, and diverse fisheries or aquaculture locations. In this respect, this paper considers SSC as a set of distribution centers, wholesalers, shrimp processing factories, markets, shrimp waste powder factory, and shrimp waste powder market. Subsequently, a mathematical model is proposed for the SSC, whose aim is to minimize the total cost through the supply chain. The SSC model is NP-hard and is not able to solve large-size problems. Therefore, three well-known metaheuristics accompanied by two hybrid ones are exerted. Moreover, a real-world application with 15 test problems are established to validate the model. Finally, the results confirm that the SSC model and the solution methods are effective and useful to achieve cost savings.openMosallanezhad B.; Hajiaghaei-Keshteli M.; Triki C.Mosallanezhad, B.; Hajiaghaei-Keshteli, M.; Triki, C

Métodos y Modelos Deterministas e Inciertos para la Gestión de Cadenas de Suministro Agroalimentarias

[EN] The market for agricultural products has grown substantially. At the same time, social concern in food issues such as food safety, food quality, traceability and sustainability is constantly increasing. These reasons have pointed out the need of new models and tools to manage the agri-food supply chains while considering the characteristics that differentiate them from other industrial supply chains as well as the uncertainties present in the sector. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present the current status of a project which mains objectives are to describe the complexity faced by agri-food supply chain decision makers, and to develop new tools based on mathematical programming models to help the decision making process in agri-food supply chain planning. These models novelty will include the consideration of the inherent characteristics of agri-food supply chains and the sources of uncertainty present in the sector. The proposed models and tools will be applied to a real agri-food supply chain in order to prove their validity and applicability and to compare the results obtained by deterministic and uncertain tools.[ES] El mercado de productos agrícolas está en continuo crecimiento, al igual que la preocupación social en temas alimentarios como la calidad y seguridad alimentaria. Esto genera la necesidad de desarrollar modelos y herramientas para gestionar las cadenas de suministro agroalimentarias de manera ajustada y teniendo en cuenta sus características y fuentes de incertidumbre inherentes. Este articulo presenta el estado actual de un proyecto cuyos principales objetivos son: describir la complejidad enfrentada por los decisores de las cadenas de suministro agroalimentarias, y desarrollar nuevas herramientas basadas en programación matemática para apoyar la toma de decisiones en este sector.This research has been supported by the Program of Formation of University Professors (FPU) of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (FPU15/03595)Esteso, A.; Alemany Díaz, MDM.; Ortiz Bas, Á. (2017). Deterministic and Uncertain Methods and Models for Managing Agri-Food Supply Chain. Dirección y organización (Online). (62):41-46. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/108673S41466

Seasonal recruiting policies for table grape packing operations: A hybrid simulation modelling study

The packing process is a critical post-harvesting activity in table grape industry. Workers in packing stations are hired under seasonal contracts because of product seasonality and operations labor intensity. Seasonal workers, however, are usually characterized by inconsistent performance, high turnover and experience variation which leads to low productivity and high waste. Few mathematical models were used for evaluating fresh products packing operations, but in a deterministic nature which hinders the complexity and dynamics of the business processes. Hence, a hybrid Discrete Event Simulation (DES) and Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) are employed to evaluate a set of seasonal recruiting policies in a large grape packing station. The paper aims to investigate the impact of workers experience on packing operations efficiency. The model outcomes demonstrate the improvement in operations efficiency and total running cost (about 20% savings) that can be achieved when applying optimal recruiting policies that reduce labors variations

Shrimp closed-loop supply chain network design

Recent developments in food industries have attracted both academic and industrial practitioners. Shrimp as a well-known, rich, and sought-after seafood, is generally obtained from either marine environments or aquaculture. Central prominence of Shrimp Supply Chain (SSC) is brought about by numerous factors such as high demand, market price, and diverse fisheries or aquaculture locations. In this respect, this paper considers SSC as a set of distribution centers, wholesalers, shrimp processing factories, markets, shrimp waste powder factory, and shrimp waste powder market. Subsequently, a mathematical model is proposed for the SSC, whose aim is to minimize the total cost through the supply chain. The SSC model is NP-hard and is not able to solve large-size problems. Therefore, three well-known metaheuristics accompanied by two hybrid ones are exerted. Moreover, a real-world application with 15 test problems are established to validate the model. Finally, the results confirm that the SSC model and the solution methods are effective and useful to achieve cost savings

Industrial Ecology opportunities between CHP and Arable Farming in Alloa, Scotland

This paper addresses the potential for Industrial Ecology application at Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, between a consortium of arable farmers KATT Agricultural Ltd and the energy company Eco-Waste Solutions Ltd. For improved onsite production, the average annual energy required to maintain KATT´s proposed 3 ha greenhouse at optimal temperature (21°C during the day and 16°C at night) was calculated as 1448.8 MJ/m2. The coldest temperatures in February result in an energy requirement of around 3000 MJ/m2. The optimal quantity of carbon dioxide for the proposed 3 ha glasshouse equates to 4032 kg of CO2 per day. In addition, the fertiliser produced by Eco-Waste Solutions will reduce the pesticide and chemical based nitrogen/potassium demand. The authors identified that the heat, carbon dioxide and fertiliser produced at the proposed 10 MW CHP plant could be utilised by the consortium to produce higher quality food products in a symbiotic manner.This paper addresses the potential for Industrial Ecology application at Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, between a consortium of arable farmers KATT Agricultural Ltd and the energy company Eco-Waste Solutions Ltd. For improved onsite production, the average annual energy required to maintain KATT´s proposed 3 ha greenhouse at optimal temperature (21°C during the day and 16°C at night) was calculated as 1448.8 MJ/m2. The coldest temperatures in February result in an energy requirement of around 3000 MJ/m2. The optimal quantity of carbon dioxide for the proposed 3 ha glasshouse equates to 4032 kg of CO2 per day. In addition, the fertiliser produced by Eco-Waste Solutions will reduce the pesticide and chemical based nitrogen/potassium demand. The authors identified that the heat, carbon dioxide and fertiliser produced at the proposed 10 MW CHP plant could be utilised by the consortium to produce higher quality food products in a symbiotic manner