Presents a mathematical model for determining Economic Production Quantity (EPQ) in a multistage flow‐shop production system for the case where the demand for items per unit time is deterministic and the planning horizon is finite. Solves an example problem to illustrate the model.

Analyses a split production system which has a single station in the first stage followed by two parallel stations in the second stage, in connection with the efficiency of the system. Develops a mathematical model using semi‐regenerative processes to study the transient behaviour of the...

Provides an introduction to simulation, and discusses the use of a modern simulation environment. Examples of the uses of simulation are queuing, scheduling and stock control. Simulation environments are now far more user‐friendly, and software is more competitively priced, than ever before....

Optimal crew allocation and scheduling is an important issue in the management of a large fleet of taxis. Presents a modelling study of a taxi service operation in a Singapore public transport company, with the results adaptable for other similar operations. Proposes two quantitative techniques:...

The performance of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) programs is summarized typically as the average probability of achieving pregnancy per cycle. Variation in conception probabilities across women reduces the usefulness of such an aggregate measure. More relevant is the...

Spreadsheet software is now widely used as a decision‐making tool, owing to the simplicity and ease with which generalists can analyse and obtain fast and precise information. Through spreadsheet programs, a on‐specialist can conduct an exhaustive “what if” search in order to make...

A nondeterministic polling system is considered in which a single server serves a number of stations. The service discipline at each station is, consistently, either nonexhaustive, semiexhaustive, gated, or exhaustive. If the server polls a station i which uses either the nonexhaustive or the...

Suggests that while businesses have made great efforts to reduce the length of time customers wait for service, little attention has been paid to the actual experience of waiting. Argues that the final service encounter is crucial for reinforcing customers′ performance expectations. Suggests...