Multiclass queueing networks are an essential tool for modeling and analyzing complex supply chains. Roughly speaking, stability of these networks implies that the total number of customers/jobs in the network remains bounded over time. In this context robustness characterizes the ability of a...

We propose a two-stage hyper-heuristic for the generation of a set of work centre-specific dispatching rules. The approach combines a genetic programming (GP) algorithm that evolves a composite rule from basic job attributes with an evolutionary algorithm (EA) that searches for a good assignment...

To improve their position at the market, many companies concentrate on their core competences and hence cooperate with suppliers and distributors. Thus, between many independent companies strong linkages develop and production and logistics networks emerge. These networks are characterised by...