In this paper, we present a new decision-making tool aimed at improving the efficiency of the operational planning of pick-up processes in logistic distribution centers. It is based on a memetic algorithm (MA) solving both the Order Batching Problem (OBP) and the Order Picking Problem (OPP). The result yields a sequence of simultaneous pick up operations of lots for different clients in a storing facility, satisfying a previously defined distribution plan. The objective is the minimization of the operational cost of the entire process, which is directly proportional to the time spent on different activities involved. The failure to satisfy the conditions, either leads to overstocking, delays in delivery or creates inefficiency costs. The analysis of the results obtained with our algorithmic tool indicates that it has a good performance in comparison with other known algorithms used to solve this kind of problem.

One subcategory of project scheduling is the resource constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP). The present study proposes a differential evolution algorithm for solving the RCPSP making a small change in the method to comply with the model. The RCPSP is intended to program a group of activities of minimal duration while considering precedence and resource constraints. The present study introduces a differential evolution algorithm and local search was added to improve the performance of the algorithm. The problems were then solved to evaluate the performance of the algorithm and the results are compared with genetic algorithm. Computational results confirm that the differential evolution algorithm performs better than genetic algorithm.

The Textile and Apparel industry of Malaysia used to contribute about 1.2% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the past. However, this position has followed a reverse trend in recent years. The imports were increased as compared to the exports which decreased the overall contribution of Textile and Apparel industry between 2015 and 2016. To address this issue, this study examined the effective supply chain activities through radio frequency identification (RFID) using survey method to collect the necessary data. Questionnaires were distributed among the employees of Textile and Apparel companies. While analyzing the data by using PLS-SEM, it was found that RFID was contributing majorly in supply chain operations and maintained significant and positive effect on the performance of supply chain. Moreover, staff services quality had moderating role between RFID and the operations of Textile and Apparel industry. The study is one of the first attempts to examine the effect of RFID on supply chain operations of Textile and Apparel companies. Thus, the current study is helpful for practitioners to resolve the issues of concerned industry.

Multi-period models of portfolio selection have been developed in the literature with respect to certain assumptions. In this study, for the first time, the portfolio selection problem has been modeled based on mean-semi variance with transaction cost and minimum transaction lots considering functional constraints and fuzzy parameters. Functional constraints such as transaction cost and minimum transaction lots were included. In addition, the returns on assets parameters were considered as trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. An efficient genetic algorithm (GA) was designed, results were analyzed using numerical instances and sensitivity analysis were executed. In the numerical study, the problem was solved based on the presence or absence of each mode of constraints including transaction costs and minimum transaction lots. In addition, with the use of sensitivity analysis, the results of the model were presented with the variations of minimum expected rate of programming periods.

One of the most important questions in outsourcing management is to decide on the allocation of the activities, processes or services either from the inside or from the outside of the organizations through outsourcing operations. It is necessary to determine the factors influencing outsourcing decision making as well as their impacts on decisions. In this paper, the existing approaches and models and their related criteria are studied and the necessary criteria are explored based on different conditions in marine manufacturing industries. These criteria are categorized in four dimensions; namely Capacity, Technology, Strategy and financial, and Risk called CTSR. After determining the weights of the criteria based on paired-wise comparisons, the related calculations are carried out using PROMETHEE method. Finally, a Black, White, Gray (BWG) analysis is executed to determine whether a candidate should be outsourced or not.

This paper discusses an integrated model of batch production and maintenance scheduling on a deteriorating machine producing multiple items to be delivered at a common due date. The model describes the trade-off between total inventory cost and maintenance cost as the increase of production run length. The production run length is a time bucket between two consecutive preventive maintenance activities. The objective function of the model is to minimize total cost consisting of in process and completed part inventory costs, setup cost, preventive and corrective maintenance costs and rework cost. The problem is to determine the optimal production run length and to schedule the batches obtained from determining the production run length in order to minimize total cost.

This paper investigates the impact of employee commitment as well as the recruitment process on the performance of internal supply chain. Additionally, the current study is intended to investigate the mediating role of the recruitment process on the relationship between employee commitment and firm supply chain performance. The main objective behind any recruitment process is to recruit committed employees to help a firm enhance the performance of the organizations. Therefore, the current study is carried out to fill a gap by exploring the relationship between recruitment processes, employee commitment, and firm supply chain performance. To achieve the research objective, the study has analyzed the data gathered from 284 mangers of manufacturing organizations of United Arab Emirates. 284 questionnaires out of 550 are found useful, so the response rate is 52 percent. The structural equation modelling using AMOS is used to analyze the data. The results of the study show an agreement with the results of the hypotheses. The direct relationship between commitment types and firms’ internal supply chain performance, and between recruitment process and firms’ internal supply chain performance are found positive and significant. The results of the study will be helpful for HR practitioners, operation managers, researchers, and policy makers in understanding the impact of employee commitments and recruitment process on internal supply chains’ performance of manufacturing firms.

This paper presents the implementation of an efficient modified genetic algorithm for solving the multi-traveling salesman problem (mTSP). The main characteristics of the method are the construction of an initial population of high quality and the implementation of several local search operators which are important in the efficient and effective exploration of promising regions of the solution space. Due to the combinatorial complexity of mTSP, the proposed methodology is especially applicable for real-world problems. The proposed algorithm was tested on a set of six benchmark instances, which have from 76 and 1002 cities to be visited. In all cases, the best known solution was improved. The results are also compared with other existing solutions procedure in the literature.

Machine failures during production period may impose thousands to millions of dollars to a manufacturing system. In this paper, the impact of machine failures on production lines in a closed-loop supply chain systems is examined. For this purpose, a new method is proposed for scheduling manufacturing workshops in a supply chain systems. The aim is to determine the best production plans in a manufacturing system by considering alternative preventive maintenance programs while machine failures can affect system performance. To solve the model, a hybrid Ant Colony and Simulated Annealing algorithms is developed and the results are compared with branch and bound method. Our findings show that the condition of emerging machine failure affects machines’ capacity which yields to lost sale. The impacts of using appropriate preventive maintenance on reducing lost sale is also examined. The results indicate that the proposed method can significantly reduce the level of sale variation in supply chain systems.

The study examines the effect of board size, frequency of board meetings and frequency of audit committee meetings on the market value of 11 Jordanian commercial banks as measured by Tobin’s Q. Random effect panel data regression is employed to test the study hypotheses. Results reveal that board size has a significant and negative effect on bank market value. Results also show that frequency of board meetings has no effect on bank value, while the frequency of audit committee meetings has a significant and positive effect on bank value. The results suggest that the argument of agency theory and resource independence theory towards the role of board and its committees in supporting firm value should be always combined with the appropriate size. Accordingly, one important implication of the study is that the selection of an appropriate number of board members and the prior effective preparation for their meetings are critical factors to enhance the value of banks in Jordan.