MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Inventory Management in Humanitarian Operations: Impact of Amount, Schedule, and Uncertainty in Funding

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2014

ISSN: 1523-4614

DOI: 10.1287/msom.2014.0497

Abstract: Funding for humanitarian operations in the global health sector is highly variable and unpredictable. We study the problem of managing inventory in the presence of funding constraints over a finite planning period. Our goal is to determine the optimal procurement policy given the complexities associated with funding and also to analyze the impact of funding amount, funding schedule, and uncertainty around the funding timing on operations. We use a multiperiod stochastic inventory model with financial constraints and demonstrate that despite the funding complexities, the optimal replenishment policy is a state-independent policy that can be easily implemented. We also provide analytical results and several insights based on our computational study regarding the effect of funding timing uncertainty and variability on the operating costs and fill rates. Among other results, we find that receiving funding early is beneficial in underfinanced systems while avoiding funding delays is critical in fully financed ...

Url: http://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/abs/10.1287/msom.2014.0497

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Natarajan, Karthik V.; Swaminathan, Jayashankar M.

Periodical (Full): Manufacturing & Service Operations Management

Issue: 4

Volume: 16

Pages: 595-603

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop