An efficient search algorithm for obtaining the optimal replenishment strategies in multi-stage just-in-time supply chain systems

摘要

JIT philosophy has been popularly applied to eliminate waste such excess inventory in manufacturing systems. Kanban plays a key role of conveying information and controlling material flow in JIT systems. Typically, a supply chain system consists of a series of firms which is very similar to the case in JIT systems. Obviously, JIT philosophy can be easily extended to supply chain systems where kanbans are employed to propagate demands from customers to retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and suppliers. The material flow and information flow between two adjacent manufacturing plants form a kanban stage. When there exist two or more kanban stages, it is called a multi-stage supply chain system (MSSCS). Therefore, the logistic managers can control the replenishment lots in supply chain systems utilizing kanban mechanisms. The focus of this study is to determine the optimal number of kanbans and coordinate the firms in a JIT supply chain system by obtaining the optimal replenishment strategy.