Perishable Items Research Articles

Solution approaches for the integrated production and outbound distribution scheduling problem with multiple plants and perishable items

In this manuscript, we consider the integrated production and outbound distribution system in which there are several geographically dispersed facilities. These facilities are responsible for producing and delivering time-sensitive customer demands. We propose a mixed integer programming (MIP) formulation, MIP with an initial solution using Clarke and Wright (MIPCW) and a metaheuristic algorithm (Variable Neighborhood Search-VNS) for the problem whose objective is to minimize the maximum delivery time whereby satisfying all customer demands. We conduct a two-stage experimental study to determine the effectiveness of the proposed metaheuristic algorithm. We compare the VNS algorithm with the best-known solutions for the single plant version of the problem, in the first stage. These results indicate that the VNS algorithm yields promising results. The second stage includes the results for the MIP formulation and the VNS algorithm on a set of newly generated test instances. The average percentage gap between the VNS algorithm and the MIPCW formulation is about 5% which means that the VNS algorithm gives better results in average about 70 s computation time. These results show how effective the suggested VNS algorithm is at solving the test instances.

Inventory model for perishable items for interval-valued price dependent demand and advance payment policy with parametric approach via particle swarm optimization

ABSTRACT Advance payment for replenishment and the lifetime of an item are the most vital issues in the business sector. With the consideration of these issues, the formulation of a non-deterministic inventory model in the interval environment is of great importance. In this work, two different non-deterministic inventory models are formulated along with a variable holding cost, variable demand, and advertisement frequency under an advance payment policy in the interval environment. In the first inventory model, a no-shortage situation is discussed, whereas in the second model, a stock-out scenario is adopted by partially backordering during modelling. The modelling framework for both problems is accomplished based on interval differential equations. The interval optimization problems related to both models are obtained utilizing parametric approach and interval mathematics. Then, using interval order relations and different types of quantum particle swarm optimization, both interval optimization problems are solved. By means of two examples, the authentication of both models is examined and the benefits of the proposed approach are demonstrated. The impact of deviations of various parameters on optimality is studied graphically through the performance of sensitivity analyses, and the work is concluded by providing potential management insights and future scopes.

CLICK-AND-DRIVE E-TAILING SERVICE: CONSUMERS’ PERCEIVED CONVENIENCE AND COST

E-tailing, coupled with the rise of internet mobility, allows cross-shopping options with different types of methods to receive goods, such as the click-and-drive model, to suit the modern lifestyle. Individuals with time pressures and constraints, such as those subject to long working hours or other commitments that take up much of their day, may find click-and-drive a convenient option. This paper investigates the influences of unobserved factors such as perceived convenience, travel time, travel distance, time pressure, product quality risk, and perceived relative advantage, as well as observed factors such as demographic factors, on the likelihood of using click-and-drive for grocery shopping, based on the utility theory. Ordered probit estimation on cross-sectional data collected from 351 respondents revealed that the potential to save time as well as perceived convenience and relative advantage increase the likelihood of consumers using click-and-drive for their shopping. Perceived product quality risk is a deterrent against the adoption of click-and-drive services. Consumers are generally uncomfortable buying perishable items, such as fish, via online channels. The findings have valuable implications for retailers intending to establish and improve click-and-drive offerings, especially with the aim of achieving contact-free transactions post-COVID-19.

Effects of a quantity-based discount frame in inventory planning under time-dependent demand: A case study of mango businesses in Bangladesh

This work studies an inventory planning problem for a practitioner selling a non-immediate perishable item after purchasing it from a supplier within a quantity-based discount frame and assesses the impact of the discount frame on the practitioner’s costs. Due to perishability, consumption behavior is directly interconnected with the storage time of the items. The foremost objective of this work is to provide, for the first time, proper inventory planning to minimize the practitioner’s total cost under a quantity-based discount frame when demand changes with the product’s storage time. To make this inventory planning problem more realistic, both zero-ending and stock-out situations are investigated. Under both scenarios, the optimal inventory plan for the practitioner is examined analytically, and then, integrating the analytical results, two solution algorithms are presented under the quantity-based discount frame. In order to verify the investigated inventory problem and scrutinize the efficiency of the algorithms as well, a real example of a mango business is inspected. Several insights are gained for the practitioner by running a sensitivity analysis on the optimal inventory plan against the system input parameters. The results suggest that the practitioner can take advantage of a reduced acquisition price by making a larger number of purchases under the order-based rebate program, greatly reducing its cost.

IOT Based Food Spoilage Detector

Abstract: With the increased reliance on technology and smartphones, there is a growing need for quick and easy solutions to daily tasks. Amough them , food is a basic and necessary factor which plays an important role in human life, To prevent the consumption of spoiled food , we have developed a food detection system using Arduino. This system uses a microcontroller to interpret inputs and activate sensors. By detecting when certain perishable items are stored in the refrigerator for too long, it can help prevent food spoilage. The system continuously senses the signals from the food and displays the methane pH value on a LCD panel, accompanied by a buzzer and LED indicator

A location-inventory model for the sustainable supply chain of perishable products based on pricing and replenishment decisions: A case study.

In recent decades, changes in people's lifestyles and occupations have led to new food consumption patterns around the world, with a notable growth in the demand for ready meals and meat products. Accordingly, the food industry has tried to transform the global food culture by promoting its more profitable products to become able to set a higher price for meat. Considering the short lifetime of products in perishable food supply chains, inventory decisions are considered crucial. In addition, the demand for perishable food products is greatly affected by their freshness. In this paper, we develop a multi-objective mixed-integer non-linear programming model for a four-level sustainable supply chain (SC) of a perishable product with price-dependent demand and deterioration rates. The SC consists of suppliers, a production center (PC), distribution centers (DCs), and retailers. We aim to ascertain the optimal pricing policy and cycle length to maximize profit, achieve specific social objectives, and minimize the total cost and adverse environmental impacts. The proposed model determines the deterioration rate of each product according to its expiration date, the optimal location of supply-side facilities, and the flow rate between the facilities based on the selected mode of delivery. The products are delivered to the retailers by a mechanized transportation system either directly from the PC or indirectly through the DCs. Finally, an actual case study is provided to demonstrate the applicability of the model and our theoretical results under real-world conditions. We solve the case study by a preemptive fuzzy goal programming method and perform several sensitivity analyses on the results. By performing simultaneous sensitivity analyses on the demand and expiration dates, the optimal values of the problem's parameters are determined. The optimal values help decision-makers make optimal decisions regarding the selling price of products and replenishment times. The model is applicable to supply chains of any perishable items with expiration dates.

Sustainable production-inventory system for perishables under dynamic fuel pricing and preservation technology investment.

In the production and inventory management of perishables, environmental considerations are gaining prominence. By reducing carbon emissions from various supply chain processes, such as production, transportation, warehousing, and waste disposal of perishable items, the present study aims to minimize the overall cost to the manufacturer through an optimized investment in green technology. Additionally, cycle time and preservation technology investment are optimized to decrease deterioration and revenue loss in order to minimize cost. The originality of the present research lies in the following considerations. Due to an increase in fuel price, the transportation cost of every subsequent order will also increase, thus resulting in an increase of average delivery cost in a production cycle. We investigate the impact of changes in fuel prices on transportation costs and production inventory model policies due to the volatile nature of fuel prices. The function of transportation cost can be used to calculate transport costs in the future. The deterioration rate is a random variable with a double triangular distribution. Precisely, the demand for any product depends on the product's price; therefore, linear price-dependent demand is considered. Per unit production cost is a function of direct material cost, tooling cost, and manpower cost. Taking into account all the aforementioned parameters, this paper simultaneously optimizes green technology investment, preservation investment, and cycle time. To achieve the solution of the proposed sustainable production system, an optimization technique for the nonlinear function is employed. Finally, numerical experiments are conducted to validate the model. A special case of a numerical example demonstrates that the expected value of the total average cost is reduced by 10.723% when investments are made in both green and preservation technology, whereas investments in green technology alone result in a cost reduction of only 2.15%. Then, managerial implications and a discussion of findings are proposed after a sensitivity analysis that examines the model's response to key parameter variation. The study concludes with a discussion of the limitations of current work and possible future scopes.

A study on the effect of silver nitrate and 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate pulsing solutions on Lilium cut flowers

Lilium is one of the most important cut flowers in commercial markets, giving customers ornamental value. Fresh flowers, a highly perishable item, need more care and proper treatment for their longer post-harvest life and due to this, the end users face the post-harvest losses of cut flowers. Such losses can be minimized by using preservative chemical, which plays an important role in increasing the vase life of flowers. To increase the post-harvest life of lilium cut flowers cv. ‘Pavia’, the present investigation was aimed to study the effect of different combinations and concentrations of silver nitrate at 50, 75 and 100 ppm and 8-hydroquinoline citrate at 100, 150 and 200 ppm pulsing solutions with 20 % sucrose. Three replications were completely randomised with 16 treatments and one control. Silver nitrate showed better results in flower bud opening, flower bud opening to complete flowering, flower size, bloom life, dry weight and dry matter percentage. Among the treatment concentrations, AgNO3 at 50 ppm with 20% sucrose showed the most effective result on enhancing the selected parameters and improved flower quality during post-harvest life. Among the treatment combinations, 8-HQC at 100 ppm + AgNO3 at 75 ppm with 20 % sucrose showed better results. These findings will be useful to researchers, farmers, and end users to retain the ornamental value of lilium cut flowers for longer than usual.

CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES IN HYDROPONICALLY PRODUCTION OF MEDICINALLY IMPORTANCE CULINARY HERBS, EXOTIC AND HIGH VALUE VEGETABLES FOR FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY IN COLD DESERT LEH, LADAKH REGION, INDIA

Leh a Cold Desert, which is capital of union territory Ladakh and strategic location for India. There is round the year dearth of culinary herbs & exotic and high value vegetables like- basil, rosemary, parsley, oregano, mint, lettuce and minor culinary herbs and turnip, tomato, capsicum, cucumber, bitter gourd, gourds, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage etc. Meeting the demand of the region by conventional production is difficult due to the harsh climate i.e. extremely dry with scanty rainfall and very little snowfall. Being a cold desert, climate is extreme in Leh ambient minimum temperatures are below or near freezing point, however, in winter, days are sunny and bright. The soil is underdeveloped and vegetation is very sparse. Major source of water for drinking and irrigation is glacier melt water. Moreover, supply of such culinary herbs and vegetables to Ladakh region necessitates the transportation with trucks which passes at a height of 5300 m, for more than 400 kms. Food items/vegetables in winters has to be air freighted as the roads are snowed. Storage of highly perishable items such as vegetable and culinary herbs is difficult. Local people and security personnel of armed forces posted in Ladakh region do not get access to green vegetables in winter, therefore, they suffer from nutritional issues. For hospitality industry also availability of these items for tourists become difficult and costly affair. With the using of hydroponic crop production technology which offers an alternate crop production system where soil is not used as a growing medium for the crops fresh vegetables and culinary herbs can be indigenously produced in Leh-Ladakh. This technology will ensure quality food and nutritional security in this region. This production system is already being used successfully for crop production in cold regions of world similar to the climate in Leh. In this technique water culture scientists discovered that as compared to soil based growth,hydrophonic plant system needs only small number of inorganic elements in addition to water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and sun light to grow the plant Hydroponics farming can be a major advantage for Leh, Ladakh Indian Horticulture it has the potential to produce crops in every season without soil. Such practices can help Leh, Ladakh farmers to increase their crop productivity even in small fragmented lands.This review paper focus on the challenges and possibilities to bring soil less farming in cold desert region Leh, Ladakh, India to ensure its stability so that it may prove more beneficial for growers to grow crops which areuninterrupted year-round production (plant factory), high quality produce, pesticide residue free produce, sustainable crop production technology, consistency in quality and supply of fresh produce.

Simulation-based inventory management of perishable products via linear discrete choice models

Retail inventory management of perishable items, like fresh food, is a relevant and complex problem. It is relevant in the light of trends towards the reduction of food waste, and because of potential cross-sales interaction with other item categories. It is complex, because of multiple sources of uncertainty in supply, demand, and quality, and other complicating factors like seasonality within the week, FIFO/LIFO consumer behavior, and potential substitutions between items, possibly because of a stockout. Similar items may be vertically differentiated due to intrinsic quality, which is also related with item age, or brand image, as it could be the case when a retail chain stocks both a brand item and a private label one. In the paper, we adapt a simple discrete choice model to represent consumers’ heterogeneity and different tradeoffs between price and quality, and apply simulation-based optimization to learn simple ordering rules for two vertically differentiated items, adapted to a seasonal case, in order to maximize long-term average profit under a lost sales assumption. While well-known constant and base-stock policies need not be optimal, they are simple to communicate and apply. We explore combinations of such rules for the two items, obtaining some useful managerial insights.

Switching robust neural network control of perishable inventory with fixed shelf life products under time-varying uncertain demand

Managing the inventories of perishable items becomes a more challenging task when the demand for such items is uncertain and has intermittent, lumpy or erratic character. In this study practical problem of perishable inventory products, and control is presented and solved. This is an extended version of the research presented in [Cholodowicz E, Orlowski P (2022) Robust control of perishable inventory with uncertain lead time using neural networks and genetic algorithm. In: International Conference on Computational Science. Springer, pp 46–59]. The objective of this study is to find order quantities for the perishable inventory system, that are optimal in terms of stock level, fill rate and outdating. To find the solution, a new approach is developed. The proposed approach is a combination of an artificial neural network, control theory and hybrid optimization. The proposed controller consists of robust neural network controllers which are tuned for selected perturbation bound. Weights switching operation is performed based on the demand uncertainty estimation. The validity of the results is tested on intermittent, lumpy, smooth and erratic demand data series coming from the food industry. One of the key findings of this study is that applying the proposed Switching Robust Neural Network controller provides a significant decrease in cost function in comparison to Robust Neural Network controllers. It is found that the biggest decrease is for smooth demand and the smallest one for the lumpy demand pattern. What distinguishes our work from the current state of the art is the fact that we do not limit that demand is deterministic and constant, we propose a method which calculates the optimal order quantities to minimize costs under different patterns of demand which is uncertain.

Maintaining Agricultural Production by Building Local Distribution Systems in the Northern Area of Japan

In the field of vegetable farming, it has become a common approach for farmers to advance into the secondary and tertiary industries to increase their income, an initiative known as the sixth industrialization. Under these circumstances, a growing trend is to outsource a part of the sixth industrialization activities in order to improve consumer satisfaction, strengthen market competitiveness, and avoid investment risks. However, owing to a mismatch between farmers and processors, there are few cases that result in collaboration. Under such circumstances, a new distribution channel called local distribution systems have been born, and its importance is increasing in Japan. This paper demonstrates how a local distribution system for farmers living in rural areas could address this distortion. The concept of local distribution systems has been used since the 1990s, and yet, its significance and importance are still increasing in relevancy in today’s Japanese agriculture. In this study, the subject is an intermediary (Company A) that originated from farmers, so it was able to understand the behavioral principles of farmers and to identify businesses that could not be covered by the management resources of farmers themselves. Through the entrustment of the business, company A could support the production and sales activities of the farmers. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) the company does not directly involve members in the decision-making of sales methods but instead provides a number of options for decision-making, and (2) the needs on the production side will match those on the consumer side and play the role of communication. By building such a collaboration system, the company succeeded in establishing a local distribution system. In the distribution of vegetables, which is characterized as perishable items, it is essential to pursue efficiency and rationality through a wholesale market system to distribute the products from producers to a large number of consumers. However, constraints in the wholes system limit the extent to which this local distribution functions. This paper demonstrates how a local distribution system for farmers living in rural areas could address this distortion. The concept of local distribution systems has been used since the 1990s, yet its significance and importance are still increasing in relevancy in today’s Japanese agriculture.

Deterioration Control Decision Support System for the Retailer during Availability of Trade Credit and Shortages

The deterioration rate is a significant aspect of perishable goods. Since perishable items will always deteriorate, there are effective methods for reducing the rate of deterioration. Furthermore, in the existing inventory control literature, the deterioration rate is often viewed as an exogenous component. Keeping this problem in mind, this article develops the perishable inventory control system from the retailer’s perspective in which: (i) the deterioration rate is a controllable factor and suggests a new fresh quality technology (FQT) indicator, (ii) demand is determined by the perishable product’s quality, that is controlled by its rate of deterioration, (iii) the credit duration is predefined, and (iv) shortages are expected. The key goal is to demonstrate that there is an ideal quantity of the order that minimizes the retailer’s overall cost in terms of cycle time and deterioration rate. Finally, theoretical results are validated by solving two numerical illustrations and conducting a sensitivity analysis of the main factors resulting from the following managerial implications: (i) if the range of deterioration is between zero and one then the retailer should invest in the preservation factor to preserve the perishable product and if greater than one the retailer should not invest in the preservation factor, (ii) credit period significantly reduces the total cost. Hence, this trade credit strategy is more beneficial to the model.

Economic ordering quantity inventory model with verhulst’s demand under fuzzy uncertainty for geographical market

Inventory plays an important role in the production process. One of the primary reasons why inventory management modeling is essential for the industry is because it will suffer immensely if there are insufficient food products to stock during the shutdown period. By determining the combined optimal cost of the retailers and wholesalers, this research significantly improves the service of the supply chain from wholesaler to retailer. The stochastic number for the imperfect perishable items is provided in this inventory study. By altering the parameter values, the uniform distribution is used to calculate these damaged items. This approach identifies the backordering quantity for both regular and uncertain fish band circumstances. The cost of maintaining the inventory will rise significantly of increased wastage due to a rise in deteriorating, which will result in the loss of perishable food items. The primary goal of this research paper is to transport them without being destroyed until they reach their desired consumers. By determining the back ordering quantity during a shutdown, one can decrease the overall expenses incurred by the retailers. These computational complexity measures are proven in a fuzzy uncertain environment. The main goal of this paper is to analyze the variation of demand during the unanticipated period and find the optimum total cost of the perishable products. The growth of production in a particular area at a particular time, interconnect with another large number of products in the same area and is calculated by Verhulst’s demand with time depended on proficiency rate. Concerning the existing Verhulst’s demand pattern for the production process, this paper introduced that for perishable items in a fuzzy unanticipated situation. A bountiful system analysis is performed to find the cost function under fuzzy environment and the sensitivity analysis is carried out to perform the key representation constant.

A generalized payment policy for deteriorating items when demand depends on price, stock, and advertisement under carbon tax regulations

The down-cash-credit method is quite common in today’s real-world commercial transactions. In light of existing legislation to decrease carbon pollution, this research aims to investigate how down-cash-credit payments impact business strategies for perishable items in the context of the most commonly utilized carbon tax legislation. Specifically, this article demonstrates an inventory system from the buyer’s point of view in which (a) the demand curve is determined by the price, displayed volume, and frequency of advertisement, (b) the product is constantly deteriorating, (c) the supplier provides one of the frequently utilized down-cash-credit payment methods, and (d) the buyer gets taxed at a consistent rate for each ton of carbon emissions. Moreover, the goal of pharmaceutical stores is to optimize overall profit by simultaneously determining order cycle, price, and frequency of advertisements. Finally, the theoretical results are validated by solving two numerical illustrations and conducting a sensitivity analysis of the main factors resulting from the following managerial implications: (a) credit pay provides the minimum sales price, but the maximum profit margin of any financing method, (b) an increase in scale demand raises selling price and length of the cycle while increasing overall profit significantly.

Optimization of accounting for low-value current and non-current tangible assets: contemporary challenges and practical solutions

Introduction. In the conditions of modern business, the optimization of the accounting of low-value current and non-current material assets is defined as a key strategic necessity. This work is aimed at the development and implementation of practical solutions for improving accounting processes, ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of financial management of the enterprise in the conditions of modern challenges and standards. The purpose of the work is to develop and implement effective strategies for optimizing the accounting of low-value current and non-current material assets in modern conditions. The research is aimed at studying the challenges associated with the implementation of accounting taking into account international and domestic standards, as well as at the development and implementation of practical solutions to optimize this process. The goal is to increase the efficiency of accounting, reduce costs and ensure the accuracy of the company's financial statements. Method (methodology). Scientific methods and approaches were used in the work, in particular, comparison of accounting standards and formalization of technological tasks. By analyzing international and domestic approaches to accounting for tangible assets and determining optimal accounting parameters, the methodology is aimed at introducing innovations, including automation and the use of the latest technologies, to effectively optimize accounting processes and ensure the accuracy of financial reporting. Results. The article considers modern aspects of accounting of low-value assets. The study shows that the methodology of accounting for low-value assets is controversial and needs further improvement. It is noted that now low-value assets are recognized as those whose value does not exceed 20,000 hryvnias. It is important to note that this value limit is not taken into account when classifying assets as МНМА (Low-value non-current material assets) and МШП (Low-value perishable items). The article highlights the theoretical and methodological aspects of accounting for low-value and perishable items, in particular evaluation, recognition and classification. A new depreciation policy is also proposed for non-current assets that are not fixed assets.

A multi-criteria facility location-allocation of green supply chains with perishable items

A multi-criteria facility location-allocation of green supply chains with perishable items

Optimal finite horizon bargaining mechanisms with refusal cost

This paper considers a bargaining problem under asymmetric information between a seller and multiple buyers for selling given perishable items over a finite period. It is assumed that the seller faces a refusal cost if the item does not get sold. The problem is modelled as a Markov decision process that endogenises the marginal inventory valuation of the seller. This paper compares four bilateral bargaining mechanisms namely seller posting price, buyer posting price, difference splitting between seller's and buyer's valuation, and negotiation. For low refusal cost, the seller prefers posting price and splitting the difference between both valuations when he is in strong and weak positions, respectively. For high cost, the seller is indifferent between negotiation and buyer's posting. Also, this paper compares bargaining mechanisms and dynamic pricing with and without the refusal cost. This paper conducts simulation experiments to validate the findings of the model.

Multi-echelon supply chain inventory model for perishable items with fuzzy deterioration rate and imperfect production with two-warehouse under inflationary environment

Multi-echelon supply chain inventory model for perishable items with fuzzy deterioration rate and imperfect production with two-warehouse under inflationary environment

Sustainable inventory management based on environmental policies for the perishable products under first or last in and first out policy

<p style='text-indent:20px;'>Holistic, quality, and sustainability-based inventory policy for perishable items may prove to be a game-changer amid great concern over the carbon footprint and global economic crises. In this paper, first-in-first-out (FIFO) and last-in-first-out (LIFO) dispatching policies have been used to examine the effect of quality on fresh products' sales mind the sustainability concern. The quality of these products worsens with age. Its deterioration rate follows two parameters, Weibull distribution, as it gives better flexibility for various items subjected to deterioration and demonstrates fitness for a range of shape and scale parameters. An adequate preservation effort such as controlled atmosphere (CA) storage and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) techniques must be applied during storage and handling to maintain such products' quality. Consumers' purchasing behavior and curiosity towards quality and selling price drive these products' demand variability. The demand has been considered a function of quality and unit selling price of the item. The effect of inflation viz. time value of money has also been taken into account, affecting Authoritarian governments' norms on carbon emission control in taxation have also been considered essential for modern sustainable inventory policies. The present models determine the unit price and lot size for the maximum average profit of the system. The behaviors of models have been investigated using a comprehensive sensitivity analysis that offers important operative implications. It has been found that the first-in-first-out model is more profitable as compared to the last-in-first-out model, the price is very rigid, and little flexibility in price drastically decreases the profit. Backlogging has no impact on the selling price of products and order quantity but reduces the average yield because of carbon emission taxation.</p>