Pub Date : 2023-11-02DOI: 10.1016/j.sca.2023.100048
C. Sugapriya , D. Nagarajan , V.M. Gobinath , V. Kuppulakshmi
The research on multi-period optimization using modified interactive multi-objective fuzzy programming for product complaints in pharmaceutical supply chains is new and evolving. This study proposes and develops an integrated multi-period, multi-objective medicine supply chain model in healthcare. The study considers an unknown number of drug manufacturer complaints. The business triad is a term used to describe the combination of the three objectives: time, quality, and cost. The process starts with developing a mathematical model for the business triad. A modified interactive multi-objective fuzzy programming is then proposed for the optimization of the business triad, has been proposed. The proposed method blends expert opinion and experience using fuzzy linguistic variables and a triangle membership function. A numerical example demonstrates the practical application of the proposed model. This study considers a model for fuzzy inventory pharmaceutical products with a two-tier supply chain. This supply chain model aids healthcare decision-makers in acquiring medications that meet the necessary time, quality, and cost standards.
{"title":"A multi-period optimization model for medicine supply chains using modified interactive multi-objective fuzzy programming","authors":"C. Sugapriya , D. Nagarajan , V.M. Gobinath , V. Kuppulakshmi","doi":"10.1016/j.sca.2023.100048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sca.2023.100048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The research on multi-period optimization using modified interactive multi-objective fuzzy programming for product complaints in pharmaceutical supply chains is new and evolving. This study proposes and develops an integrated multi-period, multi-objective medicine supply chain model in healthcare. The study considers an unknown number of drug manufacturer complaints. The business triad is a term used to describe the combination of the three objectives: time, quality, and cost. The process starts with developing a mathematical model for the business triad. A modified interactive multi-objective fuzzy programming is then proposed for the optimization of the business triad, has been proposed. The proposed method blends expert opinion and experience using fuzzy linguistic variables and a triangle membership function. A numerical example demonstrates the practical application of the proposed model. This study considers a model for fuzzy inventory pharmaceutical products with a two-tier supply chain. This supply chain model aids healthcare decision-makers in acquiring medications that meet the necessary time, quality, and cost standards.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":101186,"journal":{"name":"Supply Chain Analytics","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100048"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S294986352300047X/pdfft?md5=9d20c1dacc4d867c778600f5679b8f63&pid=1-s2.0-S294986352300047X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"92026705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-21DOI: 10.1016/j.sca.2023.100044
Hamed Nozari , Javid Ghahremani-Nahr
This study proposes a multi-objective Sustainable Supply Chain Network (SSCN) model considering human resources limitations with different levels of expertise. The proposed model includes multiple suppliers, factories, and customers, where the construction of factories is a strategic decision, and determining the amount of production and allocating human resources with different levels of expertise is taken as a tactical decision. Also, the capital recovery factor has been used in the mathematical model to prevent the influence of strategic decisions on tactical decisions. The results from the mathematical models of epsilon limit, Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA II), and Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) show that by reducing the amount of shortage, the amount of production has increased, and as a result, the costs of production, supply and distribution and transportation have increased. Also, with the increase in the production and transportation of products, greenhouse gas emissions have also increased. Examining the impact of the uncertainty rate on the Robust Fuzzy Optimization (RFO) model also shows that with the increase of this coefficient, due to the increase in the demand in the network, the total costs of production, distribution, purchase of raw materials, and transportation have increased. Examining different comparison indices between solution methods also shows that heuristic methods have higher efficiency than exact methods. MOPSO is more efficient than NSGA II for the designed mathematical model in these investigations.
{"title":"A Comprehensive Strategic-Tactical Multi-Objective Sustainable Supply Chain Model with Human Resources Considerations","authors":"Hamed Nozari , Javid Ghahremani-Nahr","doi":"10.1016/j.sca.2023.100044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sca.2023.100044","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study proposes a multi-objective Sustainable Supply Chain Network (SSCN) model considering human resources limitations with different levels of expertise. The proposed model includes multiple suppliers, factories, and customers, where the construction of factories is a strategic decision, and determining the amount of production and allocating human resources with different levels of expertise is taken as a tactical decision. Also, the capital recovery factor has been used in the mathematical model to prevent the influence of strategic decisions on tactical decisions. The results from the mathematical models of epsilon limit, Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA II), and Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) show that by reducing the amount of shortage, the amount of production has increased, and as a result, the costs of production, supply and distribution and transportation have increased. Also, with the increase in the production and transportation of products, greenhouse gas emissions have also increased. Examining the impact of the uncertainty rate on the Robust Fuzzy Optimization (RFO) model also shows that with the increase of this coefficient, due to the increase in the demand in the network, the total costs of production, distribution, purchase of raw materials, and transportation have increased. Examining different comparison indices between solution methods also shows that heuristic methods have higher efficiency than exact methods. MOPSO is more efficient than NSGA II for the designed mathematical model in these investigations.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":101186,"journal":{"name":"Supply Chain Analytics","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100044"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49765633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-20DOI: 10.1016/j.sca.2023.100046
Brandon Foley , James A. Rodger
This study triangulates three interrelated and interdependent goals. First, we provide a framework to establish the supply chain (SC) theory within the linchpins of the nine waves of sustainability theory. Second, we provide a real-world example of how blockchain operates to support the premise that hacking a blockchain requires very large capacities of computing power. We also demonstrate a method of detecting the possibility of hacking individual nodes that supply information to the blockchain. Third, we utilize the blockchain and gather thousands of data points and prove statistically that the tokenization of the oil and gas industry will increase market liquidity, market volume, profitability, and sustainability while reducing transaction time. The robotic blockchain is investigated as a mechanism for improving the efficiency of natural gas SC resource use through fuzzy modular function hashing and salting algorithms and entropy density.
{"title":"A Bayes Estimate Density Fuzzy Modular function for improving supply chain sustainability through blockchain entropy prediction","authors":"Brandon Foley , James A. Rodger","doi":"10.1016/j.sca.2023.100046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sca.2023.100046","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study triangulates three interrelated and interdependent goals. First, we provide a framework to establish the supply chain (SC) theory within the linchpins of the nine waves of sustainability theory. Second, we provide a real-world example of how blockchain operates to support the premise that hacking a blockchain requires very large capacities of computing power. We also demonstrate a method of detecting the possibility of hacking individual nodes that supply information to the blockchain. Third, we utilize the blockchain and gather thousands of data points and prove statistically that the tokenization of the oil and gas industry will increase market liquidity, market volume, profitability, and sustainability while reducing transaction time. The robotic blockchain is investigated as a mechanism for improving the efficiency of natural gas SC resource use through fuzzy modular function hashing and salting algorithms and entropy density.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":101186,"journal":{"name":"Supply Chain Analytics","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100046"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49759259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The increased frequency of purchases and growing distances between the final distribution points of the perishable products and consumers are contributing to multiple handling, high intermediation, and a greater concentration of outlets selling perishables goods. These in turn have increased logistics costs, and inefficiencies in the supply chain. This study presents a modelling framework for locating perishable goods order fulfilment centers (OFC) near the consumer by using population density as a proxy for demand. The centrality and Borda count measures are used to identify optimal locations in perishable goods supply chain networks. We present a case study to demonstrate the applicability and efficacy of the proposed density-based spatial methodology.
{"title":"An order fulfilment location planning model for perishable goods supply chains using population density","authors":"Chamath Ekanayake , Yapa Mahinda Bandara , Maxwell Chipulu , Prem Chhetri","doi":"10.1016/j.sca.2023.100045","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sca.2023.100045","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The increased frequency of purchases and growing distances between the final distribution points of the perishable products and consumers are contributing to multiple handling, high intermediation, and a greater concentration of outlets selling perishables goods. These in turn have increased logistics costs, and inefficiencies in the supply chain. This study presents a modelling framework for locating perishable goods order fulfilment centers (OFC) near the consumer by using population density as a proxy for demand. The centrality and Borda count measures are used to identify optimal locations in perishable goods supply chain networks. We present a case study to demonstrate the applicability and efficacy of the proposed density-based spatial methodology.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":101186,"journal":{"name":"Supply Chain Analytics","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100045"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49765632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-07DOI: 10.1016/j.sca.2023.100042
Petri Helo, Javad Rouzafzoon
This paper aims to model and minimize transportation costs in collecting tree logs from several regions and delivering them to the nearest collection point. This paper presents agent-based modeling (ABM) that comprehensively encompasses the key elements of the pickup and delivery supply chain model and presents the units as autonomous agents communicating. The modeling combines components such as geographic information systems (GIS) routing, potential facility locations, random tree log pickup locations, fleet sizing, trip distance, and truck and train transportation. ABM models the entire pickup and delivery operation, and modeling outcomes are presented by time series charts such as the number of trucks in use, facilities inventory, and travel distance. In addition, various simulation scenarios are used to investigate potential facility locations and truck numbers and determine the optimal facility location and fleet size.
{"title":"An agent-based simulation and logistics optimization model for managing uncertain demand in forest supply chains","authors":"Petri Helo, Javad Rouzafzoon","doi":"10.1016/j.sca.2023.100042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sca.2023.100042","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This paper aims to model and minimize transportation costs in collecting tree logs from several regions and delivering them to the nearest collection point. This paper presents agent-based modeling (ABM) that comprehensively encompasses the key elements of the pickup and delivery supply chain model and presents the units as autonomous agents communicating. The modeling combines components such as geographic information systems (GIS) routing, potential facility locations, random tree log pickup locations, fleet sizing, trip distance, and truck and train transportation. ABM models the entire pickup and delivery operation, and modeling outcomes are presented by time series charts such as the number of trucks in use, facilities inventory, and travel distance. In addition, various simulation scenarios are used to investigate potential facility locations and truck numbers and determine the optimal facility location and fleet size.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":101186,"journal":{"name":"Supply Chain Analytics","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100042"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49751108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study investigates the potential of predictive analytics in improving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) forecasting by leveraging Lean implementation data in supply chain enterprises. A novel methodology is proposed, incorporating two key enhancements: using Lean maturity assessments as a new data source and developing a hybrid forecasting model combining Logistic regression and Neural Network techniques. The proposed methodology is evaluated through a comprehensive empirical study involving 30 teams in a large supply chain company, revealing notable improvements in forecasting accuracy. Compared to a baseline scenario without process improvement data, the new methodology achieves an enhanced accuracy score by 17% and an improved F1 score by 13 %. These findings highlight the benefits of integrating Lean maturity assessments and adopting a hybrid forecasting model, contributing to the advancement of supply chain analytics. By incorporating lean maturity assessments, the forecasting process is enhanced, providing a deeper comprehension of the underlying Lean framework and the impact of its elements on supply chain performance. Additionally, adopting a hybrid model aligns with current best practices in forecasting, allowing for the utilisation of various techniques to optimise KPI prediction accuracy while leveraging their respective strengths.
{"title":"A hybrid forecasting model with logistic regression and neural networks for improving key performance indicators in supply chains","authors":"Rostyslav Pietukhov, Mujthaba Ahtamad, Mona Faraji-Niri, Tarek El-Said","doi":"10.1016/j.sca.2023.100041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sca.2023.100041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the potential of predictive analytics in improving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) forecasting by leveraging Lean implementation data in supply chain enterprises. A novel methodology is proposed, incorporating two key enhancements: using Lean maturity assessments as a new data source and developing a hybrid forecasting model combining Logistic regression and Neural Network techniques. The proposed methodology is evaluated through a comprehensive empirical study involving 30 teams in a large supply chain company, revealing notable improvements in forecasting accuracy. Compared to a baseline scenario without process improvement data, the new methodology achieves an enhanced accuracy score by 17% and an improved F1 score by 13 %. These findings highlight the benefits of integrating Lean maturity assessments and adopting a hybrid forecasting model, contributing to the advancement of supply chain analytics. By incorporating lean maturity assessments, the forecasting process is enhanced, providing a deeper comprehension of the underlying Lean framework and the impact of its elements on supply chain performance. Additionally, adopting a hybrid model aligns with current best practices in forecasting, allowing for the utilisation of various techniques to optimise KPI prediction accuracy while leveraging their respective strengths.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":101186,"journal":{"name":"Supply Chain Analytics","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100041"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49751110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Traditional food supply chains are often centralised and global in nature, entailing substantial resource consumption. However, in the face of growing demand for sustainability, this strategy faces significant challenges. Adoption of localised supply chains is deemed a more sustainable option, yet its efficacy requires verification. Supply chain analytics methodologies provide invaluable tools to guide decisions regarding inventory management, demand forecasting and distribution optimisation. These solutions not only enhance facilitate operational efficiency, but also pave the way for cost reduction, further aligning with sustainability objectives. This research introduces a novel decision-making approach anchored in mixed integer linear programming (MILP) and neighbourhood flow models defined in cellular automata to compare the environmental benefits and vulnerability to disruption of these two chain configurations. Additionally, a comprehensive cost analysis is integrated to assess the economic feasibility of incorporating layout changes that enhance supply chain sustainability. The proposed framework is applied on an ice cream supply chain across England over a one-year timeframe. The findings indicate the superiority of the localised configuration in terms of economic benefits, leading to savings exceeding £ 1 million, alongside important reductions in environmental impact. However, in terms of resilience, the traditional configuration remains superior in three out of the four examined scenarios.
{"title":"Assessment of centralised and localised ice cream supply chains using neighbourhood flow configuration models","authors":"Bogdan Dorneanu , Elliot Masham , Mina Keykha , Evgenia Mechleri , Rosanna Cole , Harvey Arellano-Garcia","doi":"10.1016/j.sca.2023.100043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sca.2023.100043","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Traditional food supply chains are often centralised and global in nature, entailing substantial resource consumption. However, in the face of growing demand for sustainability, this strategy faces significant challenges. Adoption of localised supply chains is deemed a more sustainable option, yet its efficacy requires verification. Supply chain analytics methodologies provide invaluable tools to guide decisions regarding inventory management, demand forecasting and distribution optimisation. These solutions not only enhance facilitate operational efficiency, but also pave the way for cost reduction, further aligning with sustainability objectives. This research introduces a novel decision-making approach anchored in mixed integer linear programming (MILP) and neighbourhood flow models defined in cellular automata to compare the environmental benefits and vulnerability to disruption of these two chain configurations. Additionally, a comprehensive cost analysis is integrated to assess the economic feasibility of incorporating layout changes that enhance supply chain sustainability. The proposed framework is applied on an ice cream supply chain across England over a one-year timeframe. The findings indicate the superiority of the localised configuration in terms of economic benefits, leading to savings exceeding £ 1 million, alongside important reductions in environmental impact. However, in terms of resilience, the traditional configuration remains superior in three out of the four examined scenarios.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":101186,"journal":{"name":"Supply Chain Analytics","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100043"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49727256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study uses a two-level programming model to present a Stackelberg game. The two-level programming problems consist of two levels of decision-making, each level having its objective function. This model’s first player (leader) includes the supplier and manufacturer, while the second player (follower) includes the distributor, customer, and revival centers. The proposed model is proposed to determine the optimal amount of products and components in each network segment, minimizing the system’s total costs and optimizing transportation in the system. This research (1) considers the environmental factors in the supply chain of wooden products, (2) uses game theory and the Stackelberg game for two players, (3) provides the competition mechanism for two players where the two players do not share their objective functions due to information security. The proposed model is compared with Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Gray Wolf Optimization (GWO) meta-heuristic algorithms. We show the calculation error of the GWO algorithm is less than that of GA. Therefore, it can better predict the behavior of the model in the long term. The results show lower production costs in case of no shortage.
{"title":"A Stackelberg game for closed-loop supply chains under uncertainty with genetic algorithm and gray wolf optimization","authors":"Abdollah babaeinesami , Peiman Ghasemi , Milad Abolghasemian , Adel Pourghader chobar","doi":"10.1016/j.sca.2023.100040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sca.2023.100040","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study uses a two-level programming model to present a Stackelberg game. The two-level programming problems consist of two levels of decision-making, each level having its objective function. This model’s first player (leader) includes the supplier and manufacturer, while the second player (follower) includes the distributor, customer, and revival centers. The proposed model is proposed to determine the optimal amount of products and components in each network segment, minimizing the system’s total costs and optimizing transportation in the system. This research (1) considers the environmental factors in the supply chain of wooden products, (2) uses game theory and the Stackelberg game for two players, (3) provides the competition mechanism for two players where the two players do not share their objective functions due to information security. The proposed model is compared with Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Gray Wolf Optimization (GWO) meta-heuristic algorithms. We show the calculation error of the GWO algorithm is less than that of GA. Therefore, it can better predict the behavior of the model in the long term. The results show lower production costs in case of no shortage.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":101186,"journal":{"name":"Supply Chain Analytics","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100040"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49727253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-09-14DOI: 10.1016/j.sca.2023.100039
Sheng-Xue He, Yun-Ting Cui
We present a novel variational inequality model (VIM) to capture the complex real decision-making process in multi-tiered supply chain networks (MSCN) without strictly limiting the features of related functions. The VIM is formulated with the equilibrium conditions on links as the optimization goal and the flow conservation condition as the main constraints. We transform the VIM into a series of equivalent Non-Linear Programming Models (NLPMs) to solve. To address this challenge, we propose a novel population-based heuristic algorithm called the Multiscale Model Learning Algorithm (MMLA). The MMLA is inspired by the learning behavior of individuals in a group and can converge to an optimal equilibrium state of the MSCN. The MMLA has two key operations: zooming in on the search field and learning search in a learning stage. The excellent performers, called medalists, are imitated by other learners. With the increase in learning stages, the learning efficiency is improved, and the searching energy is concentrated in a more promising area. We employ sixteen benchmark optimization problems and two supply chain networks to demonstrate the effectiveness of the MMLA and the rationality of the equilibrium models. The results obtained by MMLA for the NLPM show that the MMLA can solve the equilibrium model effectively, and multiple optimal equilibrium states may exist for an MSCN. The flexibility of the NLPM makes it possible to consider more complicated decision-making mechanisms in the model.
{"title":"A novel variational inequality approach for modeling the optimal equilibrium in multi-tiered supply chain networks","authors":"Sheng-Xue He, Yun-Ting Cui","doi":"10.1016/j.sca.2023.100039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sca.2023.100039","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>We present a novel variational inequality model (VIM) to capture the complex real decision-making process in multi-tiered supply chain networks (MSCN) without strictly limiting the features of related functions. The VIM is formulated with the equilibrium conditions on links as the optimization goal and the flow conservation condition as the main constraints. We transform the VIM into a series of equivalent Non-Linear Programming Models (NLPMs) to solve. To address this challenge, we propose a novel population-based heuristic algorithm called the Multiscale Model Learning Algorithm (MMLA). The MMLA is inspired by the learning behavior of individuals in a group and can converge to an optimal equilibrium state of the MSCN. The MMLA has two key operations: zooming in on the search field and learning search in a learning stage. The excellent performers, called medalists, are imitated by other learners. With the increase in learning stages, the learning efficiency is improved, and the searching energy is concentrated in a more promising area. We employ sixteen benchmark optimization problems and two supply chain networks to demonstrate the effectiveness of the MMLA and the rationality of the equilibrium models. The results obtained by MMLA for the NLPM show that the MMLA can solve the equilibrium model effectively, and multiple optimal equilibrium states may exist for an MSCN. The flexibility of the NLPM makes it possible to consider more complicated decision-making mechanisms in the model.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":101186,"journal":{"name":"Supply Chain Analytics","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100039"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49751736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}