On the design of sparse but efficient structures in operations

It is widely believed that a little flexibility added at the right place can reap significant benefits for operations. Unfortunately, despite the extensive literature on this topic, we are not aware of any general methodology that can be used to guide managers in designing sparse (i.e., slightly fle...

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Main Authors: YAN, Zhenzhen, GAO, Sarah Yini, TEO, Chung Piaw
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Language:English
Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2018
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Online Access:https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/5276
https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/6275/viewcontent/On_the_Design_of_Sparse_but_Efficient_Structures_in_Operations_Nov.pdf
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spelling sg-smu-ink.lkcsb_research-62752019-09-10T02:20:49Z On the design of sparse but efficient structures in operations YAN, Zhenzhen GAO, Sarah Yini TEO, Chung Piaw It is widely believed that a little flexibility added at the right place can reap significant benefits for operations. Unfortunately, despite the extensive literature on this topic, we are not aware of any general methodology that can be used to guide managers in designing sparse (i.e., slightly flexible) and yet efficient operations. We address this issue using a distributionally robust approach to model the performance of a stochastic system under different process structures. We use the dual prices obtained from a related conic program to guide managers in the design process. This leads to a general solution methodology for the construction of efficient sparse structures for several classes of operational problems. Our approach can be used to design simple yet efficient structures for workforce deployment and for any level of sparsity requirement, to respond to deviations and disruptions in the operational environment. Furthermore, in the case of the classical process flexibility problem, our methodology can recover the k-chain structures that are known to be extremely efficient for this type of problem when the system is balanced and symmetric. We can also obtain the analog of 2-chain for nonsymmetrical system using this methodology. 2018-07-01T07:00:00Z text application/pdf https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/5276 info:doi/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2761 https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/6275/viewcontent/On_the_Design_of_Sparse_but_Efficient_Structures_in_Operations_Nov.pdf http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business eng Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University Sparse and Efficient Operation Sensitivity Analysis Conic Program Manufacturing Flexibility Strong Duality Operations and Supply Chain Management
institution Singapore Management University
building SMU Libraries
continent Asia
country Singapore
Singapore
content_provider SMU Libraries
collection InK@SMU
language English
topic Sparse and Efficient Operation
Sensitivity Analysis
Conic Program
Manufacturing Flexibility
Strong Duality
Operations and Supply Chain Management
spellingShingle Sparse and Efficient Operation
Sensitivity Analysis
Conic Program
Manufacturing Flexibility
Strong Duality
Operations and Supply Chain Management
YAN, Zhenzhen
GAO, Sarah Yini
TEO, Chung Piaw
On the design of sparse but efficient structures in operations
description It is widely believed that a little flexibility added at the right place can reap significant benefits for operations. Unfortunately, despite the extensive literature on this topic, we are not aware of any general methodology that can be used to guide managers in designing sparse (i.e., slightly flexible) and yet efficient operations. We address this issue using a distributionally robust approach to model the performance of a stochastic system under different process structures. We use the dual prices obtained from a related conic program to guide managers in the design process. This leads to a general solution methodology for the construction of efficient sparse structures for several classes of operational problems. Our approach can be used to design simple yet efficient structures for workforce deployment and for any level of sparsity requirement, to respond to deviations and disruptions in the operational environment. Furthermore, in the case of the classical process flexibility problem, our methodology can recover the k-chain structures that are known to be extremely efficient for this type of problem when the system is balanced and symmetric. We can also obtain the analog of 2-chain for nonsymmetrical system using this methodology.
format text
author YAN, Zhenzhen
GAO, Sarah Yini
TEO, Chung Piaw
author_facet YAN, Zhenzhen
GAO, Sarah Yini
TEO, Chung Piaw
author_sort YAN, Zhenzhen
title On the design of sparse but efficient structures in operations
title_short On the design of sparse but efficient structures in operations
title_full On the design of sparse but efficient structures in operations
title_fullStr On the design of sparse but efficient structures in operations
title_full_unstemmed On the design of sparse but efficient structures in operations
title_sort on the design of sparse but efficient structures in operations
publisher Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University
publishDate 2018
url https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/5276
https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/6275/viewcontent/On_the_Design_of_Sparse_but_Efficient_Structures_in_Operations_Nov.pdf
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