Browsing by Author "Fichtinger, Johannes"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Demand forecasting for supply processes in consideration of pricing and market information
    (Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam., 2009-03-01T00:00:00Z) Reiner, Gerald; Fichtinger, Johannes
    We develop a dynamic model that can be used to evaluate supply chain process improvements, e.g. different forecast methods. In particular we use for evaluation a bullwhip effect measure, the service level (fill rate) and the average on hold inventory. We define and apply a robustness criterion to enable the comparison of different process alternatives, i.e. the range of observation periods above a certain service level. This criterion can help managers to reduce risks and furthermore variability by applying robust process improvements. Furthermore we are able to demonstrate with our research results that the bullwhip effect is an important but not the only performance measure that should be used to evaluate process improvements.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    A joint network design and mulit-echelon inventory optimisation approach for supply chain segmentation
    (Elsevier, 2017-09-07) Fichtinger, Johannes; Chan, Wan-Chuan; Yates, Nicola
    Segmenting large supply chains into lean and agile segments has become a powerful strategy allowing companies to manage different market demands effectively. A current stream of research into supply chain segmentation proposes demand volume and variability as the key segmentation criteria. This literature adequately justifies these criteria and analyses the benefits of segmentation. However, current work fails to provide approaches for allocating products to segments which go beyond simple rules of thumb, such as 80-20 Pareto rules. We propose a joint network and safety stock optimisation model which optimally allocates Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) to segments. We use this model, populated both with synthetic data and data from a real case study and demonstrate that this approach significantly improves cost when compared to using simple rules of thumb alone.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Managing variability in ocean shipping
    (Mcb, 2013-07-31T00:00:00Z) Harrison, Alan; Fichtinger, Johannes
    Purpose – The paper aims to explore the relationship between time-related variables in global ocean transportation networks (GOTNs) and the shipper's inventory management performance. The authors modelled fill rates with daily and weekly sailings, and analysed the impact of variability on these on the shipper's inventory management system.Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted simulation modelling of the above variables, and supplemented these by means of interviews with executives in a number of liner operators, 3PLs, freight forwarders and a large automotive shipper.Findings – Improvements in variability have different impacts, depending on the source of the variability and the frequency of the shipments. The highest inventory reduction potential arises from a combination of high reliability and improved frequency.Practical implications – The paper demonstrates the potential advantages of reduced variability and improved frequency of sailings. Port-to port (P2P) has been positioned in the context of door-to-door (D2D) supply chain movements.Originality/value – The paper develops clear quantitative analyses of time-based factors in operating GOTNs.