This paper introduces a new general framework for genetic algorithms to solve a broad range of optimization problems. When designing a genetic algorithm, there may be several alternatives for a component such as crossover, mutation or decoding procedure, and it may be difficult to determine the...

Sales force management decisions belong to the major issues considered in marketing research. Among others, the alignment of sales territories has been one of the main field of work for years. Recent results have reported a strong impact of the alignment of sales territories on profit, and,...

This paper focuses on Single machine scheduling subject to inventory constraints. Jobs add and remove items to and from, respectively, the inventory. Jobs that remove items cannot be processed if the required number of items is not available. We consider scheduling problems on a Single machine...

We develop an evolutionary algorithm to estimate Threshold Vector Error Correction models (TVECM) with more than two cointegrated variables. Since disregarding a threshold in cointegration models renders standard approaches to the estimation of the cointegration vectors inefficient, TVECM...

Gegenstand der vorliegenden Arbeit sind zwei praktisch und theoretisch bedeutsame Probleme, die bei just-in-time orientierter Variantenfließfertigung auftreten. Ein Problem besteht darin, den Teilebedarf in der Endmontage so konstant wie möglich zu halten ("Level Scheduling Problem"). Das...

In this paper an improved set of benchmark instances for the simple assembly line balancing problem is presented. The benchmark set currently available consists of instances with 7 to 297 tasks to be executed. Although claims made in the literature state that instances with up to 1000 tasks can...

The car sequencing problem is to find feasible sequences of product variants requiring specific options while taking care of sequencing constraints. First, a branching scheme and constraint propagation algorithms for the computation of feasible sequences are provided. Second, an algorithm is...

While balancing straight assembly lines is a well-studied problem, the Situation where the assembly line has a U-shaped Iayout is a still emerging research field. The advantage of these lines is that workers may simply turn around to operate at two legs of the line. Hence, there is an additional...

Purpose: Time and Space assembly line balancing problem (TSALBP) is the problem of balancing the line taking the area required by the task and to store the tools into consideration. This area is important to be considered to minimize unplanned traveling distance by the workers and consequently...

This paper presents a linear programming approach to analyze and optimize flow lines with limited buffer capacities and stochastic processing times. The basic idea is to solve a huge but simple linear program that models an entire simulation run of a multi-stage production process in discrete...