Operations Research Models for Sustainability in the Developing World

发展中国家可持续发展的运筹学模型

• 批准号: RGPIN-2018-04561
• 负责人: RomeroYanez, Gonzalo
• 金额: $ 1.89万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=713116
• 关键词: Operations; Research; Models; Sustainability; Developing

Some of the technologies required to address the most pressing challenges in the developing world today already exist. These include solar panels to provide electricity and lightning and water filters for potable water. However, the supply chain management (SCM) tools needed to make these technologies accessible on a wide scale are frequently ineffective. Moreover, it has been observed that classical operations research models (designed for developed countries) do not necessarily work adequately in developing countries. This observation is driven by the latter being characterized by pervasive uncertainty, unreliable infrastructure, and low levels of information. Moreover, typical supply chains in developing countries are highly decentralized and complex. These chains are composed of many small retailers, and millions of customers, with tight budget constraints and high risk-aversion. Thus, research that is tailored to improving product availability and service provision for the poorer consumers in the world, considering the context-specific challenges they face, is much needed. The general objective of this proposal is to develop the theoretical foundations of new SCM tools, from product design and production planning to distribution and reverse logistics that help to build a sustainable future in developing countries. In particular, coordinating and optimizing complex supply chains under risk-aversion and budget constraints is challenging. A natural methodology to conduct this analysis are Mathematical Programs with Equilibrium Constraints (MPECs). These problems are very hard to solve, both in theory and in practice. On the methodological side, the main contribution of this proposal is to develop new analytical and algorithmic tools to study MPECs that are practically relevant. These tools are based on optimization, stochastic analysis, and game theory. As demonstrated in my recent research, exploiting the special structure of specific MPECs can lead to novel insights. On the practical side, these insights may ultimately shed light on resource allocation problems in equilibrium, and the design of supply chain networks. Specifically, I will focus on five projects that involve collaborations with different social enterprises. These are organizations that seek to simultaneously deliver large societal benefits (as opposed to many for-profit businesses) while being self-funded (as opposed to many non-for-profit organizations). My current collaborations include enterprises that distribute new life-improving technologies in rural villages in India, and run a medical transportation platform in India. This research proposal has the potential, through a combination of analytical rigor and empirical relevance, to help establish Canada as one of the world's leaders in designing quantitative methodologies that support sustainable operations for the developing world.

解决当今发展中国家最紧迫挑战所需的一些技术已经存在。其中包括提供电力和闪电的太阳能电池板，以及提供饮用水的水过滤器。然而，使这些技术在大范围内可访问所需的供应链管理（SCM）工具通常是无效的。此外，人们还观察到，经典的运筹学模型（为发达国家设计的）不一定适用于发展中国家。后者的特点是普遍存在不确定性，基础设施不可靠，信息水平低。此外，发展中国家典型的供应链高度分散和复杂。这些连锁店由许多小零售商和数以百万计的顾客组成，预算紧张，风险厌恶程度高。因此，考虑到世界上较贫穷的消费者所面临的具体环境挑战，非常需要进行专门的研究，以改善他们的产品供应和服务提供。本提案的总体目标是发展新的供应链管理工具的理论基础，从产品设计和生产计划到分销和逆向物流，帮助在发展中国家建立一个可持续的未来。