1,721,494 research outputs found
Cold chain tracking: a managerial perspective
No full textMost food products are perishable and their shelf life can be
greatly affected by temperature conditions in the supply chain:
time/temperature control becomes a critical issue in fresh food
logistics, and the efficient and effective tracking of cold chain
conditions is one of the main points to be addressed. Technical
and managerial solutions are available in order to achieve this
objective, but no methodologies exist to select the most suitable
solution.
By comparing two main approaches, this paper proposes
structured frameworks to identify the most appropriate managerial
solution to be adopted in order to minimise the logistics
cost
Environmental efficiency analysis for ENEL thermo-power plants
No full textIn this paper, a new method is presented for estimating the environmental efficiency of 15 thermo power plants (TPPs) and their
evolution over the years. In particular, the plant environmental efficiency, defined as a function of consumptions, costs and emissions
(SO2, NOx, ash, and CO2) are considered, taking into account the fuel adopted. The approach is based on a two-step procedure.
Firstly, a “Multi Criteria Decision Making” (MCDM) technique is applied to rank the TPPs as a function of the environmental
efficiency. In particular the “Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution” (TOPSIS) is used to order the plants
according the six different criteria. Secondary, the TOPSIS ranking analysis is applied with reference to a fuel pollution indicator
proposed in the literature, which makes it possible to consider its “environmental quality”. The integration of the pollution indicator
with the TOPSIS ranking makes it possible to obtain a graphical output that shows the comparison of the environmental performances
between the different plants analysed in an easy and intuitive manner. In addition, concerning the data available for a number of
years, it is also possible to study the TPPs environmental efficiency evolution over time
A new Challenge in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
No full textCurrent trends show that the Radiofrequency Identification (RFID) technology and Electronic Product Code (EPC) are experiencing increasing diffusion. Several business applications adopting RFID are currently expected to grow strongly. Bar codes and RFID will coexist for many years, although the former is likely to progressively replace the latter in some sectors faster than in others
A simulation tool for supply chain design and optimization
No full textThis paper aims at quantitatively assessing the effects of different supply configurations on total supply chain costs and bullwhip effect. To achieve such aim, a discrete-event simulation model is developed, reproducing a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) supply chain, and several supply chain configurations are examined. They derive from the combination of the following supply chain design parameters: (i) number of echelons (from 3 to 5); (ii) number of players per echelon. The inventory management policy considered is Economic Order Quantity (EOQ).
The simulation model proposed in this paper was developed under Microsoft ExcelTM. It can thus be considered as of pedagogical value because of its ease of applicability and simplicity. Moreover, the model introduced is of straightforward application by both practitioners and students. The ease of the applicability is confirmed by the suitability to adopt widely employed software, such as Microsoft ExcelTM, to implement the model developed.
Relevant simulation outcomes are presented and discussed to provide useful insights and suggestions to optimize supply chain design
A finite-difference method for the prediction of velocity field in extrusion process
No full textExtrusion defects and flow instabilities are an important limitation in most product processing operations. Investigation of the fluid kinematics to deduce the dynamical response of the fluid can be very useful to characterize these instabilities and understand the mechanisms involved in their triggering and enhancement. To do so, the flow of a Newtonian fluid through a screw press has been studied in order to predict the downstream velocityfield in extrusionprocess. Flow in the screw press is modeled by adapting the classical theory of single screw extrusion. Some publications have addressed this subject matter, especially in the nineties. However, most of these publications develop models that are not so easy to apply. To complement those earlier works, an approximate model base on finite-differencemethod is developed. The models in this paper may be considered as of pedagogical value because of the ease of their application; nonetheless, results are obtained basing on the real extruding conditions, such as a general screw geometry. In order to achieve this pedagogical purpose, three important properties pertaining to model building are considered in this article. These properties are applicability, simplicity, and level of technique applied. Moreover, the models introduced in this paper are straightforward application by both practitioners and students. The ease of the applicability is confirmed by the suitability to adopt a widely employed software, such as Microsoft Excel, to implement the model developed
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