Low-level Services Research Articles

Spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem service bundles and the driving factors in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

Defining a multi-service spatial pattern and ecosystem packages is the key to ensuring regional ecological security and sustainable development. Ecosystem service bundles can effectively discern the interactions among multiple services and regionalize ecological functional zones. Aiming at a range of environmental and ecological challenges in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, such as water scarcity, soil erosion, land degradation, poor forest and grassland quality, and shrinking agricultural land, the spatial pattern and driving forces of eight crux ecosystem services, including product supply, soil conservation, water conservation, carbon storage, sand fixation, environment purification, biological diversity and recreation culture, were analyzed by combining multiple model algorithms. Additionally, spatial system clustering was employed to identify ecosystem services bundles and optimize the ecological functional zoning. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity of the eight ecosystem services in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. High product supply concentrated in plain regions, while the rest seven ecosystem services were dominant in in mountainous areas. The region can be classified into four service bundles: ecological conservation service (ECS), ecological restoration service (ERS), product supply service (PSS) and ecological fragile service (EFS). ECS and ERS are dominated by regulating and supporting services, which are primarily driven by climatic factors and NDVI. ERS exhibits relatively low service level and is the crucial area for future ecological restoration. PSS is dominated by food supply, with land use change being the primary driving force. At present, with the rapid urbanization, various ecosystem services provided by EFS is inadequate. In the future, urban ecological construction should be strengthened to enhance regional ecosystem services capabilities.

DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETING IN AZERBAIJAN

The main goal of the article is to study activities aimed at marketing development in Azerbaijan. It is noted that benefiting from the synthesis of the national characteristics of the economy (including the experience of the Soviet era) and the world experience is one of the urgent requirements of the modern era. Method and methodologies. In the analysis process, comparative analysis of statistical indicators, analysis of legal-normative documents necessary for the development of marketing, classification of existing problems in the system of formation of market relations in Azerbaijan, forecasting and projecting methods were used. Novelty on the article. The article focuses on some rational and non-rational activities that are neglected in the scientific literature and necessitates the development of marketing. Conclusion and suggestions. The article emphasizes that marketing promotion is a step that serves to make companies popular among the population. These steps are one of the necessary steps to be carried out and updated both thoroughly and systematically. It is noted that 90% of managers of companies operating in Azerbaijan think that there is no need for marketing research. Thus, the decision to implement marketing measures is not based on the analysis of research data, and this, in turn, does not justify the effectiveness of marketing projects. Businessmen rely too much on their intuition and make unreasonable expenses based only on their own experience and unsystematized information that reaches them over a period of time. As a result: 1. Unsuccessful image campaigns are organized that do not produce any desired intangible effect; 2. Sales of newly launched products are falling; 3. Preference is given to advertising campaigns mainly aimed at financial impact; 4. Absurd models of brand perception emerge as a result of lack of study of brand perception after marketing activities; 5. Low level of service and, as a result, customer satisfaction. At best, marketers refer to a company's to-do list.

Pricing model of ride-hailing platform considering rationally inattentive passengers

ABSTRACT The ride-hailing services are booming in our daily lives, but it is unclear that how the platforms should set prices to maximize their profits when facing one kind of rationally inattentive passengers in a two-sided market. To fill this gap, we establish a profit maximization model for the ride-hailing platform based on queuing theory and rational inattention theory and analyze the properties of the model. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the impacts of perceived high and low service levels, information cost and prior belief on the optimal price and commission rate of the ride-hailing platform. The results show that (1) for different cities, there is always an optimal pricing strategy to maximize the profit of the platform. (2) To ensure maximum profit, the platform should disclose the service information of ride-hailing as much as possible, but also maintain the unknownness of ride-hailing services appropriately.

Bridging healthcare gaps: a scoping review on the role of artificial intelligence, deep learning, and large language models in alleviating problems in medical deserts.

"Medical deserts" are areas with low healthcare service levels, challenging the access, quality, and sustainability of care. This qualitative narrative review examines how artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs), can address these challenges by integrating with e-Health and the Internet of Medical Things to enhance services in under-resourced areas. It explores AI-driven telehealth platforms that overcome language and cultural barriers, increasing accessibility. The utility of LLMs in providing diagnostic assistance where specialist deficits exist is highlighted, demonstrating AI's role in supplementing medical expertise and improving outcomes. Additionally, the development of AI chatbots offers preliminary medical advice, serving as initial contact points in remote areas. The review also discusses AI's role in enhancing medical education and training, supporting the professional development of healthcare workers in these regions. It assesses AI's strategic use in data analysis for effective resource allocation, identifying healthcare provision gaps. AI, especially LLMs, is seen as a promising solution for bridging healthcare gaps in "medical deserts," improving service accessibility, quality, and distribution. However, continued research and development are essential to fully realize AI's potential in addressing the challenges of medical deserts.

항만당국과 터미널 운영사 간 임대 계약 방식의 성과에 관한 연구

This study examines the performance of port authorities and terminal operators under different types of concession contracts in ports. The port authority signs into a concession contract with the terminal operator to receive fee, and the operator utilizes the terminal to provide loading and unloading services. The demand at the port is affected by the terminal operator's price and service level. This study analyzes the performance of each model using game theory under three different concession schemes: two-part tariff model, revenue-sharing model, and revenue-cost-sharing model. The results show that the revenue-sharing model can improve the profitability of port authorities and terminal operators compared to the two-part tariff model, but it may result in lower service levels at the terminal. On the other hand, the revenue-cost-sharing model can improve both the profit and the service level of each party compared to the two-part tariff model, and can achieve higher performance than the revenue- sharing mode. The significance of this study is that it analyzes the revenue sharing model, which has not been studied much in the past, and considers the service level in analyzing the effect of concession contracts.

Has urban public service equalization reduced regional differences in economic resilience?

We delve into whether the equalization of basic public services can mitigate regional disparities in China's economic resilience. Our analysis reveals that COVID-19 has diminished economic resilience and exacerbated regional differences. Notably, these regional disparities constitute the primary cause of spatial variations in economic resilience. Despite the initially low level of basic public services in Chinese cities, there is a discernible upward trend, indicating a gradual narrowing of regional disparities. Furthermore, we uncover a substantial positive correlation between the equalization of public services and variations in regional economic resilience, thereby offering fresh empirical evidence that the equalization of public services can help bridge the gap in regional economic resilience.

Mobile Government Service Promotion Strategies: Exploring Sustainable Development Pathways Based on Provincial Government Practices in China

The level of mobile government services has become a crucial metric for modernizing a government’s governance capabilities, and it plays a significant role in promoting sustainable development. This study aims to explore the key factors influencing the level of mobile government services across 31 provinces in China, along with their combinatory pathways. Using the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework and employing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study conducts an in-depth analysis of mobile government service levels across these provinces, focusing on the dimensions of technology, organization, and environment. The results identify three pathways that promote high levels of mobile government services: technology–organization, technology–environment, and internal–external linkage-driven pathways. These pathways offer viable strategies for achieving sustainable development in mobile government services. Additionally, this study identifies two pathways associated with lower service levels, technology deficiency, and organization–environment misalignment, highlighting key factors that hinder sustainable development. The findings suggest that organizational and environmental factors can complement each other based on technological conditions, internet penetration rates, and citizen participation levels. Based on these insights, this study recommends that provincial governments proactively explore sustainable development pathways, optimize the “technology–organization–environment” conditions to harness synergies, and work towards enhancing mobile government service levels, thereby reducing inter-provincial disparities and advancing sustainable development.

Spatiotemporal Coupling Analysis of Urbanization and Ecosystem Services in Southeastern Fujian

Revealing the spatiotemporal coupling relationship between urbanization and ecosystem services can help to clarify regional development differences, optimize the implementation path of urbanization, and improve the quality of ecosystem services. Taking southeastern Fujian, a region with a good ecological foundation and strong urbanization potential, as a case study, the levels of multidimensional urbanization systems and typical ecosystem services of this region in the years 2000, 2010, and 2020 were quantified using the index comprehensive evaluation method and the InVEST model. The Pearson correlation coefficient and the coupling coordination degree model were used to analyze the spatiotemporal coupling relationship between urbanization and ecosystem services, and suggestions for improving regional coordinated development were proposed. The results showed that： ① The comprehensive urbanization level in southeastern Fujian increased continuously, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3%, of which social urbanization was the fastest, followed by economic urbanization and population urbanization, and spatial urbanization was relatively backward. Ecosystem services tended to decline, especially food and water provision services, which decreased by 61.9% and 46.9%, respectively. The spatial distribution showed a mismatch pattern of "high urbanization level and weak ecosystem services" in the southeast coastal area and "low urbanization level and strong ecosystem services" in the northwest inland area. ② The correlation between urbanization and ecosystem services was mainly negative. The negative effect of economic and social urbanization on ecosystem services was weaker than that of population and spatial urbanization, with a clear weakening tendency. As population and spatial urbanization slowed down sharply and economic and social urbanization accelerated, the driving force of urbanization development gradually shifted from "quantitative increase" to "qualitative improvement." Thus, the decline of ecosystem services was alleviated. ③ Comprehensive urbanization and various ecosystem services experienced three stages of "imbalance-transition-reconciliation," with an average increase of 60.5% to 120.6% in the coupling coordination degree. However, highly coordinated regions remained scarce, indicating that there is still significant room for improvement. The relative relationship between urbanization and ecosystem services evolved from urbanization lag to ecosystem services lag. The fluctuation problem of backward coupling coordination level caused by excessive urbanization had initially appeared in the southeastern coastal area. Therefore, in future construction, southeastern Fujian should improve economic quality and social benefits； strengthen the overall management, protection, and restoration of ecological space； and enhance the order and stability of the coordinated development of urbanization and ecosystem services.

A quantified planning method of local public transport services for expanding residents’ activity opportunities

The purpose of public transport is to expand activity opportunities of residents. Many public transport planning methods focus on the needs of residents. However, residents can adapt to the environment and form limited needs in areas with low public transport service levels, such as rural areas. Therefore, it is important to focus on activity opportunities (various states of people (being) and actions (being able)) rather than needs. The authors constructed a method for local public transport planning that focuses on activity opportunities; however, the variables and solutions of the model were abstract and thus did not reach the stage of practical application. Therefore, this study aimed to put into practical use a supporting method for local public transport planning. This method consists of a “measurement model for activity opportunity,” in which a given bus service and the ability to use it are variables, and an “evaluation model for planning alternatives” that incorporates a social relationship function and disparity principle. Through a case analysis in a rural area to which this method was applied, its usefulness was verified, and it was confirmed that it can contribute to public transport planning to increase activity opportunities.

Этнокультурный туризм в системе рекреационного природопользования Северо-Восточного Кавказа

The aim of the work is to study the problems and prospects of ethno-cultural tourism development in the North-Eastern Caucasus and to assess its role in recreational nature management. Research methods: geographical, comparative-historical, demographic and ethno-cultural analysis of the territory, method of statistical processing of information and geo-system approach. Research results. The structure of ethno-cultural tourism potential including objects of natural and historical-cultural heritage, pilgrimages and unique intangible cultural heritage (art, culture, traditions and customs) was substantiated. The geographical pattern of distribution of historical and cultural heritage objects has been studied, which consists in the following: in the plain part these objects are represented mainly by houses of famous scientists, architects, artists and poets, obelisks, etc., and in the mountain zone–by tower complexes, above-ground crypts, bas-reliefs and other structures. The main types of traditional folk crafts and handicrafts (carpet weaving, felt making, jewelry, gun smithing, metal carving on wood, etc.) preserved up to nowadays as the most important resource of ethno-cultural tourism are shown. The significant share of creative potential has been identified in the mountainous part of the North-Eastern Caucasus. Conclusion. The results of the study show that the potential of ethno-cultural tourism in the North-Eastern Caucasus is not fully utilized. And this is reflected in its weak role in the system of recreational nature management. It is proved that for more effective utilization of this potential it is necessary to develop science-based approaches. The complex of problems that hinder the development of ethno-cultural tourism in the region of study is identified (shortage of highly qualified personnel, low level of service, poorly developed infrastructure, especially in mountainous areas, weak promotion of tourism products, etc.). It is shown that their decision will allow to bring this type of tourism to a higher level of economic development. It is recommended to emphasize the combination of traditional and innovative approaches in the system of recreational nature management, including ethno-cultural branding of recreation objects. The results of the study can be applied in the development of regional strategies for tourism development in the North-Eastern Caucasus, in the formation of regional and interregional tourism and recreation clusters.

Factors associated with oral health care behavior of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study.

Oral healthcare behavior determines oral health status and the incidence of oral diseases. People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at-risk of having low oral healthcare behavior and disease-related oral health. To investigate the oral health status and factors associated with oral healthcare behavior among people with T2DM in Thailand. In total, 401 people with T2DM participated in the study based on their attendance at a non-communicable disease clinic at sub-district health promotion hospitals in Bueng Kan, a north-eastern province in Thailand. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain variables of interest. Linear regression analysis at the 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied. The majority of participants were female (73.8%). More than three-quarters had more than 20 permanent teeth (77.6%), a decay missing filling tooth index was 10.6 teeth/person. Many participants had four permanent occlusal pairs (69.6%), had tooth decay (74.6%), and some participants had tooth filling (32.2%). Statistically significant factors associated with oral healthcare behavior were: having complications associated with diabetes mellitus (Beta = -0.097, 95%CI = -1.653, -0.046), oral health literacy (Beta = 0.119, 95%CI = 0.009, 0.150), educational level (Beta = 0.123, 95%CI = 0.103, 0.949), oral healthcare attitude (Beta = 0.258, 95%CI = 0.143, 0.333), and oral health services (Beta = 0.430, 95%CI = 0.298, 1.408). People with T2DM had good oral health status. People with T2DM with low oral health literacy, low attitude, and low level of oral health services were at a higher risk of poor oral healthcare behavior.

On the Number of Customer Classes in a Single-Period Inventory System

A common practice in inventory systems with several customers requiring differentiated service levels is to group them into two or three classes, where a customer class is a group of customers with the same preset service level in terms of product availability. However, there is no evidence that grouping customers into two or three classes is optimal in terms of the ordering policy parameters. This paper studies the effect of the number of customer classes on the inventory level of a single-period inventory system with stochastic demand and individual service-level requirements from multiple customer classes. Using a Sample Average Approximation approach, we formulate computationally tractable multi-class service level models, under responsive and anticipative priority policies in cases of shortage, as mixed integer linear problems (MIPs). The effect of the number of classes on the inventory level is determined using a round-up aggregation scheme; i.e., given a sufficiently large initial number of classes, it is reduced by adding the lower service level classes to the next higher class. We analytically characterize the optimal inventory level under responsive and anticipative priority policies as a function of the initial number of classes and the number of classes grouped based on the round-up aggregation scheme. Under a responsive priority policy, we show that there is an optimal number of classes, while under an anticipative priority policy, the optimal number of classes is equal to the initial number of classes. The effect of free-riders resulting from the round-up aggregation scheme on the optimal inventory level is studied through numerical experiments.

Optimal decisions of elderly care service supply chain with government intervention

Government intervention plays an indispensable role in the development of the elderly care service supply chain (ECSSC). However, no research has focused on the optimal decision-making of the ECSSC considering government intervention under different channel power structures. This study establishes a three-stage ECSSC model, including the government sector, elderly care service provider and elderly care service integrator, while considering different government intervention measures and channel power structures. The service-level elasticity coefficient is defined as an uncertain variable, that can affect service demand and ESI service costs. This study explores the optimal decisions and market performance of the government and ECSSC under different channel power structures and government intervention, providing guidance for the ECSSC development and government decision-making. The results show that, first, government intervention is beneficial for the ECSSC, customers, and social welfare. Compared with the subsidy and service-level regulation scenario, only the former is beneficial for the supply chain, social welfare, and unit customer expenditure, but at the cost of lower service level and higher government expenditure. Second, different channel power structures do not affect service level, social welfare, and unit customer expenditure. However, the ESI-dominated structure favors ECSSC development. Third, the setting of the reward-penalty factor should not be too high, as, in this case, supply chain members, customers, and social welfare will benefit from the increased expected value of service level elasticity. At last, managerial insights are presented.

乡村振兴战略下农产品跨境电商赋能乡村特色产业的研究

China is an agriculture-based country with vast rural areas, a wealth of agricultural products, and a large market. Cross-border e-commerce offers support for the export of agricultural products, which can break through the limitations of time and space, shorten the trade process of agricultural products, enhance the export efficiency of agricultural products, stabilize agricultural product trade, and promote the transformation and upgrading of China’s e-commerce. It also aids in the construction of a long-term mechanism for e-commerce poverty alleviation and agricultural revitalization. However, research has found that despite the rapid development of China’s crossborder e-commerce for agricultural products, there are still some issues, such as non-uniform quality standards for export agricultural products, information asymmetry, an inadequate cross-national logistics system and level of logistics technology, low levels of after-sales service, and a lack of corresponding professional and technical personnel. To address these issues, this article first introduces the current situation of China’s agricultural product export via cross-border e-commerce, then analyzes the development opportunities, and finally proposes the following solutions: aligning with international standards by establishing strict quality control mechanisms; creating a favorable policy environment, including policy support, resource allocation, and organizational guarantees; continuously improving product quality; focusing on the training of professional talent; and strengthening quality supervision and risk prevention. The aim is to promote the development of cross-border ecommerce for agricultural products, empower rural specialty industries, and support the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy.

Analysis of wheel-rail adhesion redundancy considering the third-body medium on the rail surface

PurposeIn response to the problem of insufficient traction/braking adhesion force caused by the existence of the third-body medium on the rail surface, this study aims to analyze the utilization of wheel-rail adhesion coefficient under different medium conditions and propose relevant measures for reasonable and optimized utilization of adhesion to ensure the traction/braking performance and operation safety of trains.Design/methodology/approachBased on the PLS-160 wheel-rail adhesion simulation test rig, the study investigates the variation patterns of maximum utilized adhesion characteristics on the rail surface under different conditions of small creepage and large slip. Through statistical analysis of multiple sets of experimental data, the statistical distribution patterns of maximum utilized adhesion on the rail surface are obtained, and a method for analyzing wheel-rail adhesion redundancy based on normal distribution is proposed. The study analyzes the utilization of traction/braking adhesion, as well as adhesion redundancy, for different medium under small creepage and large slip conditions. Based on these findings, relevant measures for the reasonable and optimized utilization of adhesion are derived.FindingsWhen the third-body medium exists on the rail surface, the train should adopt the low-level service braking to avoid the braking skidding by extending the braking distance. Compared with the current adhesion control strategy of small creepage, adopting appropriate strategies to control the train’s adhesion coefficient near the second peak point of the adhesion coefficient-slip ratio curve in large slip can effectively improve the traction/braking adhesion redundancy and the upper limit of adhesion utilization, thereby ensuring the traction/braking performance and operation safety of the train.Originality/valueMost existing studies focus on the wheel-rail adhesion coefficient values and variation patterns under different medium conditions, without considering whether the rail surface with different medium can provide sufficient traction/braking utilized adhesion coefficient for the train. Therefore, there is a risk of traction overspeeding/braking skidding. This study analyzes whether the rail surface with different medium can provide sufficient traction/braking utilized adhesion coefficient for the train and whether there is redundancy. Based on these findings, relevant measures for the reasonable and optimized utilization of adhesion are derived to further ensure operation safety of the train.

Optimal Fleet Policy of Rental Vehicles with Relocation: A Simulation Study

Popularity of one-way car rentals poses a challenge to rental car fleet management and brings to focus the importance of a strategic decision for rental car operators: whether to implement a single-fleet or a multifleet model. The single-fleet model allows movement of vehicles between regions, whereas the multifleet model does not. It is not obvious whether a single-fleet model is optimal due to its pooling effect, or a multifleet model due to shorter car relocation times. In practice, different rental car operators use different models. To answer this conundrum, we develop two simulation models and compare them in terms of fleet utilisation, branch service level, relocations, and operating profit. We have taken the New Zealand rental car industry as an example as the country consists of two well-defined regions: the North Island and the South Island. The results indicate that a multifleet model has a higher service level at key centres and higher utilisation. At the same time, the single-fleet model is relatively more profitable at the expense of a lower service level in key centres due to vehicles accumulating in the South Island due to a significant volume of one-way southbound travel. Overall, the implementation of either model should depend on the strategic goals of the rental car operator. Our work will be useful for practitioners considering whether or not to pool their fleet when allowing for one-way rentals with subsequent relocation.

Analysis of Value Implications, Realistic Dilemmas and Breakthrough Paths of China's Public Cultural Service Construction in the Context of Digitization

In the context of digitalization, the construction of public cultural services in China is of great significance. It is an inevitable choice to promote the development of an information-based society and an important force to meet the cultural needs of the masses. In recent years, the digitization construction of China's public cultural services has made remarkable progress. However, in this process, there are still some constraints: a low level of legal protection services, a low level of platform co-construction and sharing, an obvious singularity of the main body of resource supply, and a need to improve governance capacity. In order to promote the high-quality development of the digitalization of public cultural services, we should focus on overall awareness and strengthen the construction of the digital legal system, platforms, resources and governance capacity, so as to give full play to its role in the provision of public cultural services and the satisfaction of people's spiritual and cultural needs.

Constructing decision rules for multiproduct newsvendors: An integrated estimation-and-optimization framework

In this paper, we develop an integrated estimation-and-optimization framework for constructing decisions rules for the order quantities of multiple perishable products. The framework accounts for substitution in case of scarcity by providing models incorporating substitution rates, received as input. Specifically, it builds decision rules minimizing the empirical risk and accommodates multiple classes of functions, including those leveraging exogenous features. We provide a continuous reformulation of the empirical risk minimization problem that is quadratic in the decision rules. In addition, we show how to incorporate information from in-sample optimal decisions to derive a linear approximation to it. The dual of this approximation allows us to estimate decision rules that exploit nonlinearities and interactions of features. The numerical results on real and simulated datasets suggest that decision rules computed within the proposed integrated framework have the potential to outperform separated estimation and optimization methods. In particular, larger improvements are obtained under low service levels requirements or high volatility of the demands. Furthermore, we empirically observe that information provided by exogenous features may be particularly significant in the presence of large fluctuations of the demand.

Redesigning product line for integrated manufacturer-supplier ecosystem in a centralized supply chain: Case of an industrial consumer product

To produce quality products rapidly to derive competitive advantage, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) must work closely with its suppliers in product redesign processes. Previous literature has emphasized that quality products can be produced effectively and will provide better customer service if product redesign is performed considering the broad OEM-supplier(s) ecosystem. To this end, we seek to develop a mathematical model focused on maximizing the objectives of the OEM-supplier(s) ecosystem considering a centralized supply chain in such a manner that operational-level financial objectives are mapped in terms of product line design decisions and attribute-level assignments. By including operational-level supply chain considerations such as service levels and consumers' preferences, we seek to capture key aspects related to customers’ requirements. This research links product-level technical decisions with enterprise-level business objectives, thus bridging engineering and enterprise-level financial nuances. The problem for the manufacturer pertains to the minimization of the manufacturing cost and maximization of the product premium. The problem for the suppliers pertains to maximization of salvage value, minimization of shortage cost, and maximization of sales revenue. These two problems are then sewed together, and a chemical reaction optimization (CRO) based solution methodology has been deployed. To solve and analyze the devised problem, a case study based on an industrial consumer product is conducted. We evolve a comprehensive mathematical framework that mimics the facets related to product line redesign encapsulating considerations pertaining to functional level design, supply chain dimensions, and manufacturer-supplier profitability. Several novel findings are reported based on the study. For instance, we demonstrate that product configurations for respective segments after the redesign process are contingent upon the service level. Further, we demonstrate that in the industrial consumer product market, higher profit for the OEM-supplier(s) ecosystem is achieved at a slightly lower service level as opposed to a higher theoretical service level. The study has important implications for design and product management.

A multi-method simulation model to investigate the impact of sunflower seed segregation on silos

The South African sunflower industry is considering transferring to a quality-based marketing system driven by an incentive. However, the ability of silos to offer necessary segregation services is critical in such a transition (Baker et al., 1997) and the silo industry is concerned about the negative impact segregation could have on operations and finances. This paper proposes a multi-method simulation approach to quantify the impact of quality-based segregation and sunflower farmer response to the incentive on silo bin utilisation and the ability of the silo to store contents of arriving trucks (service level). A combination of agent-based simulation, discrete event simulation and Bayesian network sampling is used to capture system behaviour where data is scarce. Therefore, in this study, a mixed methods ABM and DES model is implemented in a new environment: a grade-based segregation problem in the South African silo industry. Several scenarios are modelled to cross-validate methods and to tease out the impact of farmer response on the results. The model is applied to a case study silo complex to test the concept. Results obtained for the case study silo show a significant negative impact on costs due to lower service levels and bin utilisation, incurring relocation and opportunity costs. Overall, this study highlights that it is necessary to consider the impact that sunflower segregation could have on each unique silo complex and provides a method to quantify the stated impact.