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: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=757685
• 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.

解决当今发展中世界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用于饮用水的水过滤器。然而，供应链管理（SCM）的工具，使这些技术在广泛的范围内使用，往往是无效的。此外，有人指出，经典的业务研究模式（为发达国家设计的）在发展中国家不一定适用。这一观察结果是由后者的特点是普遍的不确定性，不可靠的基础设施和低水平的信息。此外，发展中国家的典型供应链高度分散和复杂。这些连锁店由许多小型零售商和数百万客户组成，预算紧张，风险规避度高。因此，考虑到世界上较贫穷的消费者面临的具体挑战，迫切需要进行专门研究，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，从产品设计和生产规划到分销和逆向物流，帮助发展中国家建设可持续的未来，特别是在风险规避和预算限制下协调和优化复杂的供应链是一项挑战。进行这种分析的自然方法是具有平衡约束的数学规划（MPEC）。这些问题无论在理论上还是在实践中都很难解决。在方法方面，该提案的主要贡献是开发新的分析和算法工具，以研究实际相关的MPEC。这些工具基于优化、随机分析和博弈论。正如我最近的研究所证明的那样，利用特定MPEC的特殊结构可以带来新的见解。在实践方面，这些见解可能最终阐明资源分配问题的均衡，和供应链网络的设计。具体来说，我将重点介绍五个涉及与不同社会企业合作的项目。这些组织寻求同时提供巨大的社会效益（与许多营利性企业相反），同时自筹资金（与许多非营利组织相反）。我目前的合作包括在印度农村分发改善生活的新技术的企业，以及在印度运营医疗运输平台。这项研究建议有可能通过结合分析的严谨性和经验的相关性，帮助加拿大成为世界上设计支持发展中国家可持续业务的量化方法的领导者之一。