Social dilemmas describe conflict situations between immediate self-interest and longer-term collective interests. In these situations, it is better that all players work together to attain a common goal, but individuals may threaten the best payoff of the group by free-riding. Human behavior in a pandemic is one example of a social dilemma but wait-and-see games and relying on herd immunity to get a free ride generates a threat of continuing the pandemic. This study aims to use probabilistic incentives given by a third party as a mechanism to inhibit free-riding behavior by promoting cooperation in the volunteer dilemma game. For more realistic human behavior simulation, we use an agent-based model of network topology. When the parameters of the problem change gradually, an abrupt jump in the cooperation rate may happen and lead to a significant shift in the outcome. Catastrophe theory is a valuable approach to survey these nonlinear changes. This study tries to give some managerial insights to the decision-makers to find the minimum level of necessary effort in which the cooperation dominates the defection.

The study examines the combined effect of rework, multiple shipments, postponement, and overtime producing common-component on a multiproduct vendor-client incorporated system. Clients’ product demand trend turns to diversity, quality, and rapid response in the current supply-chain environment. Under such a stiff competitive environment, today’s manufacturers must effectively plan their multi-item fabrication to boost utilization and product quality, minimize total relevant costs, and meet short given order lead time. By considering the commonality of the finished goods, required quality, and completion lead time, this study presents an exact model featuring rework of defects, multiple shipments, postponement, overtime producing the mutual component, and satisfying the market needs. Through the techniques of explicitly modeling, formulating, and system cost minimization, this study simultaneously derives the optimal cycle-time and shipping frequency for the studied problem. A numerical example helps show how our model works for any given parameter values and how the variation in single and multiple factors of the problem affects the crucial system performances (e.g., total uptimes, each relevant cost, utilization, total cost, etc.) A wide variety of today’s industries (e.g., automotive, household goods, etc.) and their related supply chains can utilize our decisional model to reveal in-depth managerial insights for planning their fabrication and shipments.

In this research integrated scheduling of machines and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in a flexible job shop environment is addressed. The scheduling literature generally ignores the transportation of jobs between the machines and when considered typically assumes an unlimited number of AGVs. In order to comply with Industry 4.0 requirements, today’s manufacturing systems make use of AGVs to transport jobs between the machines. The addressed problem involves simultaneous assignment of operations to one of the alternative machines, determining the sequence of operations on each machine and assignment of transportation operations between machines to an available AGV. We present a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet-based solution for the problem. Evolver®, a proprietary GA is used for the optimization. The GA routine works as an add-in to the spreadsheet environment. The flexible job shop model is developed in Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet. The assignment of AGV is independent of the GA routine and is done by the spreadsheet model while the GA finds the assignment of operations to the machines and then finds the best sequence of operations on each machine. Computational analysis demonstrates that the proposed method can effectively and efficiently solve a wide range of problems with reasonable accuracy. Benchmark problems from the literature are used to highlight the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed implementation. In most of the cases the proposed implementation can find the best-known solution found by previous studies.

This paper recommends a new kind of assembly line rebalancing and worker assignment problem, taking ergonomic risks into account. Assembly line rebalancing problem (ALRBP) occurs when a current line must be rebalanced due to conditions such as changes in demand, production processes, product design, or quality issues. Although there are several research attempts on ALRBP in the relevant literature, only a few studies consider workers as unique individuals. This paper aims to solve the double reassignment problem: tasks to workers and workers to stations, considering ergonomic risk factors. This paper is the first study that comprises worker assignment and ergonomic constraints in ALRBP literature to the best of our knowledge. Objectives of our novel problem are to minimize rebalancing cost, which includes transportation of tasks and workers and minimize stations' ergonomic risk factors. A randomized constructive rule-based heuristic approach is developed to cope with the problem. The proposed solution approach is applied to benchmark data, and obtained results are promising. Moreover, the proposed solution approach is implemented in an automotive parts manufacturing plant.

This research endeavors to dissect the intricate dynamics surrounding the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia, specifically examining the influence of logistics and distribution efficiency, with a nuanced emphasis on the mediating role played by supply chain dynamics. Employing a quantitative methodology, the study administered questionnaires to MSME owners or managers, employing linear regression and mediation analysis techniques for data interpretation. The findings of this study illuminate a positive influence of both logistics and distribution efficiency on supply chain dynamics, subsequently fostering the expansion of MSMEs. A noteworthy revelation is the discerning mediating effect of supply chain dynamics, acting as a pivotal link between the efficiency of logistics and distribution processes and the substantial growth of MSMEs. This underscores the paramount importance of supply chain dynamics as a fundamental catalyst for the sustainable development of MSMEs. The novelty of this research lies in its innovative mediation approach, shedding light on the internal mechanisms that intricately connect logistics and distribution efficiency to MSME expansion. By delving into these relationships, the study offers a fresh perspective on how MSMEs can strategically bolster their growth trajectories. The practical implications are substantial, suggesting that a concentrated effort on optimizing supply chain management could serve as a strategic linchpin for supporting the expansion and sustainability of MSMEs in Indonesia. This study contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on MSME development, advocating for a holistic strategy that encompasses logistics, distribution efficiency, and supply chain dynamics to fortify the foundations of sustainable growth.

This research proposes a dynamic decision-making framework for a hybrid production system that incorporates manufacturing and remanufacturing procedures into a closed-loop supply chain network with merchandise substitution and shortages within traditional markets (TM) and electronic markets (EM). In particular, we develop models of profit maximization and equilibrium analysis by using calculus with dynamic programming under four business schemes, including a manufacturing-only model within TM/EM and a hybrid remanufacturing model within TM/EM. Dynamic decision-making planning was taken for brand-new and like-new decayed merchandise in hybrid production systems. The results demonstrate that solutions generated within EMs surpass those within TMs in terms of maximizing profits. Further, the hybrid remanufacturing model did not surpass the manufacturing-only model under a general setting, but had better performance under certain conditions, including intense competition, a smaller remanufacturing cost, a larger brand-new merchandise market size, and a smaller like-new merchandise market size.

The goal of this research is to test the mediating effect of product symbolism on the relationship between conspicuous consumption and social identity formation in the branded clothing sector of young adults. Young adults between the ages of 20-35 who wear branded clothes in Sri Lanka were considered the target population. The data was collected through a survey to find answers to the identified research questions through a quantitative approach. The Snowball sampling method was used as the sampling method for this study. The Sobel Test was carried out using an online calculator to measure the statistical significance of the mediation. The results showed that the effect of conspicuous consumption on social identity formation mediated through product symbolism could be judged as statistically significant. The findings can help with market segmentation and brand positioning. Knowing these symbolic value attachments to branded clothes, marketers can create their marketing mix strategies to provide solutions for self-image enhancement and sustainable competitive advantage from both consumer and company points of view.

As a useful strategy to improve the flexibility of the system to manage uncertainty in supply and demand and to improve the sustainability of the supply chain, vendor-managed inventory (VMI) programs have attracted widespread attention in the field of supply chain management. However, a growing body of empirical literature has shown that participants’ decisions deviate significantly from the standard theoretical predictions. Under a VMI program, the supplier bears not only the production cost, but also the risk of leftover inventory. Moreover, the inequality among participants and different personalities of decision-makers in VMI programs may lead to the divergence of decision-making. To understand the supplier’s replenishment decision in view of the behavioral pattern, we propose a new inventory model for the supplier with the focus theory of choice. The proposed model conceives that the retailer evaluates each replenishment quantity based on the most salient demand for him/her instead of calculating the expected utility. By employing this inventory model, we construct a two-tier supply chain model with revenue-sharing contract and theoretically derive the optimal sharing percentage of the revenue and replenishment quantity. Results analysis gains managerial insights into the strategic selection of the retailer who faces suppliers with different personalities. Comparisons between the classic revenue-sharing contract model and the proposed model are also carried out by illustrative examples. This research provides a new perspective to analyze individual supplier’s behavior in a VMI program with revenue-sharing contracts.

Formative policy evaluation is an assessment process carried out periodically during policy implementation to ensure that the policy is running according to the expected objectives. Consistency in development planning includes continuity and harmony between short-, medium- and long-term plans. A smooth supply chain refers to the effectiveness and efficiency of the flow of goods and services from producers to consumers. The level of community welfare is measured through economic, social and health indicators. This research aims to analyze the influence of formative policy evaluation and consistency of development planning on the smooth running of the supply chain and its implications for the level of community welfare in Kebumen. This research uses quantitative methods with survey techniques involving respondents from various related sectors in Kebumen. Data was collected through questionnaires and in-depth interviews, then analyzed using statistical methods to test the proposed hypotheses. The research results show that formative evaluation of policies and consistency of development planning have a positive and significant influence on the smooth running of the supply chain. Apart from that, a smooth supply chain has been proven to contribute significantly to increasing the level of welfare of the people of Kebumen. These findings underline the importance of continuous formative evaluation and consistent development planning to support supply chain efficiency and improve community welfare. The implication of this research is the need for the Kebumen regional government to strengthen policy evaluation mechanisms and maintain consistency in development planning to ensure a smooth supply chain which ultimately improves community welfare.