Multi-class dynamic inventory rationing with stochastic demands and backordering

Shudong Liu, Miao Song, Kok Choon Tan, Changyong Zhang

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Dynamic inventory rationing is considered for systems with multiple demand classes, stationary stochastic demands, and backordering. In the literature, dynamic programming has been often applied to address this type of problems. However, due to the curse of dimensionality, computation is a critical challenge for dynamic programming. In this paper, an innovative two-step approach is proposed based on an idea similar to the certainty equivalence principle. First the deterministic inventory rationing problem is studied, where the future demands are set to be the expectation of the stochastic demand processes. The important properties obtained from solving the problem with the KKT conditions are then used to develop effective dynamic rationing policies for stochastic demands, which gives closed-form expressions for dynamic rationing thresholds. These expressions are easy to calculate and are applicable to any number of demand classes. Numerical results show that the expressions are close to and provide a lower bound for the optimal dynamic thresholds. They also shed light on important managerial insights, for example, the relation between different parameters and the rationing thresholds.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)153-163
Number of pages11
JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research
Volume244
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Backordering
  • Closed-form expressions
  • Dynamic inventory rationing
  • Multiple classes stochastic demands

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Modelling and Simulation
  • Management Science and Operations Research
  • Information Systems and Management

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Multi-class dynamic inventory rationing with stochastic demands and backordering'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this