Projects / Programmes
Model aimed at providing technical and economic optimization of a logistic system
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 7.00.00 |
Interdisciplinary research |
|
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P160 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Statistics, operations research, programming, actuarial mathematics |
Logistic, microeconomics, benchmark analysis, efficiency, optimization
Researchers (25)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Proposed interdisciplinary applicative project evenly combines contents of two sciences: mathematics and microeconomics. It also links to the field of technical sciences. The subject of research is development of a model for technical and economic optimization of logistics system in a company, which is specialized in distribution of fuels. Technical efficiency of logistics system is in this case defined as a ratio between the actual volume of realized logistic services and the potential volume of logistic services according to the given volume of “units”. With economic efficiency we measure, by how much the costs of performing logistic services are higher than potentially lowest costs. If we add to criteria of technical and economic efficiency various marginal conditions, among which is one of the most important customer satisfaction, we can use adequate optimization method to find a number of solutions. By this means we convert the problem of technical and economic efficiency into mathematical problem and confront us with the question of adequate optimization method, whose algorithm must be suitable for efficient and inexpensive practical application.
We defined two central purposes of this proposed applicative project. The first one is theoretical and the second one is applicative. From theoretical view the main purpose of this model (procedure) is optimization of logistics system by technological and economic criteria. From applicative view the main purpose of this project is the application of the model on logistics system of the company, which specializes in distribution of fuels.
Significance for science
Interdisciplinary applied research project »Model aimed at providing technical and economic optimization of a logistic system« that transfers knowledge from the scientific-research environment to real-life practice and it has, in turn, a significant role in transferring the real-life experiences and practical challenges to the scientific environment. This is particularly important in the field of logistics, which is structurally and technologically an extremely complex system that requires a highly interdisciplinary approach. Moreover, interdisciplinarity is of utmost importance in development of scientific knowledge. The members of the research group working on this project come from various scientific fields, which spurs experience and knowledge transfer among scientific fields as well as generating of new knowledge based on the familiar patterns in another field.
The expert evaluation of the current situation conducted on the basis of the existing technological documentation, numerous interviews with employees and in close cooperation with the experts from the partner enterprise, and an extensive study of the literature and overwiev of the findings in the project showed that solving concrete real-life challenges requires the use of scientific methods and tools . Based on the rich experiences of the research group members, which were obtained in the earlier part of their professional and research work the predictions that it is impossible to perform an accurate analysis of the actual state or situation of the logistic system without employing modelling and discrete simulation have been confirmed; the latter confirms the applicability of a scientific approach and tools in practice, moreover, this is an excellent basis for generating a new knowledge based on the requirements of the potentially interested environment. In modelling of the logistic system it was proved that the existing application of the known discrete simulation methods should be upgraded by an innovative approach, which will enable the transfer of all the features of a real logistic system (required in the analysis) into a digital model. Without having such an experience, this possibility would have remained uninvestigated.
A similar situation is in the field of mathematical modelling and in the field of optimization of goods dispatching, the latter being idntified, in the expert evaluation of the situation, as an important segment of a logistic system and as one of the key contributors to the transfer of scientific methods to the potentially interested environment. As early as at the stage of preparing the mathematical application, which is the key to further optimization, some challenges that are still uninvestigated emerged. However, it is expected that the need will generate a new knowledge, which could be used in other cases of application. The right orientation of the applicative project was confirmed by numerous discussions in the international scientific conferences where the papers were presented.
Significance for the country
The expert evaluation of the situation shows that the work done on the applied research project so far represents a significant contribution to the development of the field and, in turn, to the logistic and economic development of Slovenia. The evaluation is supported by the discussions with the representatives of the partner enterprise and experiences exchanged between other experts in this field. All the results in the detailed record of the current situation, the analyses performed, optimizations and simulations carried out and tests of improvement proposals prove their observations and indicate the causes of such a situation. The partner enterprise has already applied some of the research results, namely the expert evaluations, in their decision-making regarding technological expansion or modernization (increasing storage capacity) and implementing new technologies (automated storage system).
The outcomes or results of the work done on the project supports the hypothesis claiming that the actual situation or state of logistics in the enterprise is different from the one that is shown or presented and is seen by the executives from the available business data. The actual situation, which can be shown only by a detailed analysis, should be a proper ground for taking effective measures and business decisions that lead to a systematic improvement of operations. This also serves as the only proper basis for the process of a continuous improvement and sustainable development.
The project of e logistic system optimization has so far already offered a ground for further discussion with a wider expert public or expert circles in the field of logistics in Slovenia. It is of great importance not to reveal the business features of the partner enterprise in this project, therefore, the partial results of the project were not made public, except for scientific papers at international conferences and informal discussions at professional events. In such a way the general findings are presented to the interested professional. Nevertheless, the interested Slovenian public will be informed about the concrete results of the improvements, when the latter is tested or confirmed respectively. The results of the research project are, and will be, important for Slovenia from economic, technological and environmental aspects as the country aims to make better use of the logistic potential and opportunities, also in view of an emerging logistic platform and local logistic centres' policy. The generated practical knowledge and experiences will provide the transfer of the employed methods and technologies into other enterprises. This can, above all, serve as a model of good cooperation between the economic and academic spheres.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
2009,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
2009,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
