1,721,000 research outputs found
A hybrid heuristic algorithm for solving the Traveling Salesman Problem with Time Windows
No full textSeveral issues related to the logistics field can be recognized as applications of the renowned Traveling Salesman Problem with Time Windows (TSPTW); examples of these issues include, among others, instance planning deliveries, managing internal logistics, bank couriers, material handling, but also production scheduling. In the light of such numerous applications, in this paper a hybrid algorithm based on the Divide-And-Conquer (DAC) technique and the Biased Randomized heuristic Algorithm (BRA) for solving the mentioned problem is presented. The aim is to propose a flexible solution suitable for implementation in many contexts where the TSPTW is relevant, thus improving performance and key indicators. The quality and reliability of the tool are validated on several benchmark problems through a comparison with a different algorithm already proposed in literature. In the light of the simulations carried out, it turned out to be effective and efficient when dealing with problems similar to those that characterize real applications, even in terms of computational time efficiency
Digital Twin in the Agri-Food Supply Chain: A Literature Review
No full textThe present manuscript aims at presenting some preliminary results from a literature review carried out on the existing documents dealing with Digital Twin models within the context of agri-food supply chain, in order to assess the state-of-art of such new technology for this promising field. The analysis considers both descriptive metrics (i.e., year of publication, research type, geographical origin and keywords analysis) and qualitative aspects (i.e., subdivision according to the supply chain phase involved and data-driven versus physic-based modelling of the Digital Twin solutions presented in the documents)
An Analytic Model for Quantitatively Assessing the Resilience Level of an Agri-Food Supply Chain: Development and Validation
No full textOver the last decade, resilience has become an indispensable aspect to be considered when managing supply chains given to the recent challenges they were subjected to, and a constituting element of their sustainability. However, despite literature on supply chain resilience is copious, tools for quantifying the resilience of a business are lacking, especially when dealing with the a priori resilience of a system, since several assessments are a posteriori carried out, after a disruption has manifested. In response, an analytic quantitative model is here proposed, whose output is a Global Resilience Index for a company. The model is divided into 3 phases: Supply (8 factors), Production (12 factors) and Distribution (5 factors); these elements were derived from literature and semi-structured interviews with practitioners. The logical functioning of the model is based on weighted averages attributed to each single factor; for defining the weights a survey was sent, in which respondents had to express their opinion with reference to the perceived impact of those factors on resilience. For validating the model, it was implemented in three companies manufacturing the following products: fresh milk, ginseng coffee and vegetable preserves. Despite none of them reached the higher resilience level, results offer interesting insights for let the users understand where the system is weaker. This model is intended to be made available to those who desire to include the resilience assessment to manage operational decisions; moreover, this value could be included in a wider sustainability assessment of a business
Resilience in the Food Industry: Interviews-based evidences
No full textResilience is a key issue for the food context as never before, given the several challenges that companies are subjected to such as the climate change, geo-political instability or price volatility.Literature returned a gap in terms of tools and metrics for determining and quantifying the resilience level of agri-food systems, and after a preliminary top-down perspective, the bottom-up approach is proposed in this document.Indeed, the aim is to present and discuss results from semi-structured interviews carried out with 7 practitioners of the food industry (based in Parma, in the heart of the Italian food valley) aimed at identifying the most important factors to be considered when evaluating resilience, according to their opinion.Results allowed to derive a set of 22 potential indicators, which will be implemented in a following model for quantifying the resilience level of an agri-food supply chain.Indicators are classified according to the supply chain area they belong to, namely: supply, production/transformation and distribution/sales.The cash flow availability and the diversification of both raw material suppliers and produced finished products turned out to be the most important factors to be considered, almost unanimously
Visual Management for digitizing the production scheduling: An Italian case study
No full textVisual Management is a lean practice that uses visual tools, such as graphs, diagrams, tables, horizontal and vertical signs, boards, labels or electronic-digital displays in order to communicate many kinds of information, data or alerts to the operators. Several benefits can be achieved by introducing visual systems, such as increased productivity, reduced wastes, better safety for operators and even a higher sustainability level. This paper proposes a case study carried out in a company based in the North of Italy producing food plants which demonstrates that, by shifting from a printed production scheduling whose frequent changes were verbally communicated (without any form of standard) to a digital visual system with real-time information sharing and updates, an improvement of productivity and saving in costs is achievable. More into detail, the productivity is here measured with two Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): (i) the direct hours worked by the foremen of the department under investigation and (ii) the on-time deliveries of produced components to the next pre-assembly department; both KPIs, after the implementation of this new digital visual system, improved thus demonstrating tangible benefits and savings. The present pilot project was implemented following the steps of the DMAIC approach (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and finally Control), and can constitute the basis for similar projects from the side of interested practitioners
Optimization of orders fulfilment in a distribution centre: A case study of schoolbooks
No full textA distribution centre (DC) is the place in which products are received, handled, stored, packaged, and then shipped to satisfy customer’s orders. To provide a competitive service level in a DC, an order received must be fulfilled on time and in correct quantities. To improve the efficiency of DC’s activities, this study aims to present the redesign of the order fulfilment process within a schoolbooks DC, located in the South of Italy. A crucial issue of this DC refers to the schoolbooks personalized covering process. This problem motivated the reengineering of the DC processes by implementing an automatic sorter, with the purpose of sorting the schoolbooks destined to the various customers. Two scenarios are evaluated: the “AS IS” scenario, which represents the current situation, and a “TO BE” one, in which the implementation of an automated sorter is evaluated. For both, the productivity – in terms of orders per day – and the number of operators required to carry out the different activities were evaluated. The introduction of the automatic sorting system, in addition to tripling productivity and increasing the efficiency of the schoolbooks DC, also made it possible to significantly reduce the number of operators employed during each work shift. The results of the TO BE configurations can represent useful indications for operations managers, allowing to identify alternative strategies to enhance the efficiency of the targeted company
Trends in order picking: a 2007–2022 review of the literature
Full text linkA literature review on the order picking process in warehouses is presented for delineating the trends in time of research topics in this field. A total of 269 journal papers published between 2007 and 2022 were retrieved from Scopus. After a methodological classification, descriptive analyses were performed on authors, journals, subject area and top publishing countries. Bibliometric tools were used to map the topics covered by the reviewed studies, categorise them and determine possible relationships. Papers' contents were evaluated in terms of eight categories, including five typical issues of order picking systems, plus three aspects dealing with the characteristics of the application. Insights about the extent to which these aspects have been covered in the literature are derived; relationships between the various aspects of the picking process are also delineated. Suggestions for future research activities are finally deducted, offering researchers and practitioners strong bases for works on order picking systems
From Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Perspectives in Logistics
No full textIndustry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 bring opportunities and challenges to logistics, leveraging technologies such as Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and big data and focusing on human-centered, resilient and sustainable systems. It is essential to clarify the interplay between Industry 4.0 and 5.0 and their implications for logistics 4.0 and logistics 5.0. This study presents descriptive and bibliometric analyses of articles retrieved from the Scopus database and focusing on the topics mentioned just above. The results shows that companies achieve significant improvements in traceability, and customer satisfaction with Industry 4.0 technologies. Industry 5.0 builds on this foundation, emphasizing human-technology integration. Thus, the study demonstrates that the integration of these two industrial revolutions is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and significantly improving all aspects of logistics processes. Finally, the study emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability and suggests areas for future research, such as ergonomics and human factors, to better integrate emerging technologies with the capabilities and requirements of operators
Key Performance Indicators for Food Supply Chain: A Bibliometric and Systematic Literature Review
Full text linkKey Performance Indicators (KPIs) are rates, percentages, or averages that convey information depending on their application field. In the Food Supply Chain (FSC), a comprehensive study is lacking. This paper fills the gap through a systematic literature review of 125 documents on FSC performance measurement. Bibliometric analysis shows a growing publication trend, with common keywords being KPIs, supply chain management, performance, and sustainability. Content analysis identifies nine FSC product types, with agricultural, dairy, and meat products being the most common categories. Similarly, three FSC areas (supply, production, distribution) are outlined, with production receiving the greatest attention. Finally, KPIs are classified into economic, environmental, and social sustainability categories, to highlight their relationships with the triple bottom line. A framework including the most common KPIs for each stage of the FSC is also proposed, together with the specific KPIs for the different product types
An Analytic Model for Estimating the Economic and Environmental Impact of Food Cold Supply Chain
Full text linkCold chain management has gained increasing interest among practitioners, researchers and academics; similarly, sustainability is also proving to be an increasingly critical topic in all supply chains and in cold chains in particular. In line with this, this study proposes a model to estimate the economic and environmental impacts in a food cold supply chain (FCSC). The model intended to estimate the total cost and CO2 emissions of a company operating in the cold supply chain, was carried out in Microsoft ExcelTM. Specifically, the model reproduces the main FCSC processes, i.e., Product collection, Backroom storage, Product delivery and Reverse logistics. For each process, we have exposed the implemented equations. Results show that the product delivery process is the most critical in both economic and environmental terms. Conversely, product collection and reverse logistics process contribute to the total cost and emission to a limited extent. The results obtained provide useful guidelines for supply chain managers to undertake operation decisions aimed at decreasing the economic and/or environmental impact of a FCSC
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