Min-Max Stochastic Optimization with Applications to the Single-Period Inventory Control Problem

Abstract

Min-max stochastic optimization is an approach to address the distribution ambiguity of the underlying random variable. We present a unified approach to the problem which utilizes the theory of convex order on the random variables. First, we consider a general framework for the problem and give a condition under which the convex order can be utilized to transform the min-max optimization problem into a simple minimization problem. Then extremal distributions are presented for some interesting classes of distributions. Finally, applications to the single-period inventory control problems are given.