No abstract

No abstract

Modeling and analysis of inventory systems in reverse logistics is more complex than in forwards logistics, because in reverse logistics not only amount of demand is not clear, but also uncertainty of product return is appeared in the system. In this paper, an inventory system with the possibility of product return is modeled by means of simulation tools and then thermal equivalent of inventory model, using laws of heat transfer is developed. In order to provide the thermal equivalent, components of the inventory system are known and for each component the thermal equivalent is introduced and then sensitivity analysis is used to show validity of dual model with induction. Hence, analyzing the thermal model can lead us to know the effect of different policies and parameters on inventory system performance. Thermal equivalent model presented in this paper is a strong base for inventory system analysis with more complex structures in future studies.Index Terms-reverse logistics, inventory model, heat transfer, return of products.

It is undeniable that SMEs face many management-related problems. These problems are often deeply rooted in the strategic decision making by managers. One of these decisions is associated with the production section. Many of these companies provide production infrastructure at high costs; however, they are unsuccessful in acquiring their market share. In these circumstances, providing a solution to the decision-making problem of managers in these companies can prevent the loss of capital. In this research, the system dynamics approach is used to test the hypothesis of a company's participation in the production field after securing a success in business activities of the market. In the present study, the SME performance model, proposed by Schmid's, is considered as the base model. After analyzing its construction steps according to managers' viewpoints, the model has been developed based on the conditions in Iran. Then, the research scenario is presented as follows. If an entrepreneur, before entering the production sector, tries to establish a customer network by conducting business activities, the organization's chance for success will increase. By defining a variable called "production switch" and adding it as a function of a loyal customer network, the model has been tested. After simulating the model for a 5-year period, it is concluded that the rate of return on investment of an organization that has conducted the commercial activities at the outset of production is four times higher than that at the outset of production without the commercial activity.

Purpose This paper aims to design and develop a management game in the field of construction project management so that by playing the game, the required level of knowledge, skills, capabilities and overall project management competencies in individuals will be promoted. Also, player’s competencies can be measured. Design/methodology/approach This study, in terms of application, is applied research. The construction project management simulation game (CPMSG) was played by 18 university students. To evaluate the level of the players’ project management knowledge and quality of the game, questionnaires were used. Findings The game improves the players’ project management knowledge by 158%, and the educational program that was formulated in the game has also achieved the first three levels of bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives. In the field of game quality, analysis of players’ results of responses and scores show that the game has a good quality level. Originality/value The CPMS game provides a useful tool for project management training, especially in the field of construction projects. It helps in addition to improving the quality of teaching theoretical topics, making students acquainted with the risks and uncertainties of such projects, and provides a simulated experience. In the field of common behavior analysis and player’s selection, the results indicated that the majority of groups used high-quality materials during the games to perform activities related to the appearance of the building (such as finishing and building facade activities) and used medium quality materials in implementing infrastructural activities such as brickwork and floor construction that are not visible in the appearance of work.