Optimization approaches for the design of realistic supply chains

Supply chain practitioners often see themselves confronted with a multitude of factors making the design and optimization of their supply chains challenging. Such factors include non-linear cost structures, stochasticity, and often the mere magnitude of the real-life problems, making classical optimization approaches infeasible. In this book, the author presents useful solution methods for realistic problems with the afore-mentioned characteristics. Methods for optimizing the design of both deterministic and stochastic supply chains are introduced. In addition, methods to flexibilize supply chains are explored. For existing supply chains, methods to test the sensitivity of these supply chains to future factor cost changes are developed. The supply chains presented in the book are from the chemical industry. However, the methods are broadly applicable to a wide range of industries. Potential readership includes scholars and graduate students as well as practitioners who are interested in the field of (realistic) supply chain design.